"We’ll be playing 3-4-3," Joey Barton revealed in the press conference in the wake of Bristol Rovers' defeat to Lincoln City. "I think it is the future, I have utilised it to good effect in the division before."
His team may have been beaten 6-3 by the Imps on Saturday, but through the blur of a chastening afternoon filled with individual errors and some tough breaks, there were elements of the performance that the manager appreciated.
Certainly Rovers attacked with more cohesion and efficacy on Saturday than they had done in recent weeks. Of course, that matters little when you allow six in at the other end and Barton – who will relish the return of key players from injuries and suspensions in the coming days and weeks – will have to strike a similar balance to what he found in the second half of last season, with his defence miserly and his attack menacing.
That is what every manager wants, of course, and Barton believes 3-4-3 is the shape to achieve it.
The run of injuries and suspensions has doubtless played its part, but there has been very little continuity in shape and personnel for the Gas this season. According to WhoScored, the Gas have used five different starting formations in nine League One games this season, and although tactical flexibility is undoubtedly an asset, coming off the back of such a chaotic, basketball-like game on Saturday the Gas would benefit from settling on a setup.
Player availability will dictate whether that is possible, but with Jordan Rossiter and Bobby Thomas returning from their bans for Saturday's visit of Accrington Stanley, Barton is edging closer to being able to field his first-choice line-up.
The makeup of his strongest XI is the source of plenty of debate, but by speaking with clarity about his Plan A, the foundations from which he wants to rebuild his team are becoming clear.
The players selected in the above graphic are largely indicative because several places are up for debate. Luca Hoole, for example, has a strong claim to be the right centre-back or wing-back; Trevor Clarke could be the left wing-back; club captain Paul Coutts will be eying a starting role and so on.
But it is clear why Barton believes this shape can benefit Rovers. Firstly, in defence, he has the likes of James Connolly and Lewis Gibson to call on when fit – defenders who are happy on the ball and can build attacks from deep. Having Gibson on the left of a back three, in particular, opens up angles for him to wrap progressive passes into midfield or play longer diagonals to the opposite wing-back or forwards.
Secondly, it allows Barton to get more bodies close to the goal without sacrificing numbers across midfield. Aaron Collins is an excellent fit on the left of a front three and Ryan Loft appears to have edged ahead of John Marquis for the number nine role with Loft scoring four goals to Marquis' one so far this season. On the right, it is less obvious who plays there, but Antony Evans, Luke McCormick, Harvey Saunders and Sylvester Jasper are all options for the manager to consider.
Thirdly, it is an aggressive setup that can execute Barton's wish to press from the front. Much of Rovers' success last season came from pressing and counter-pressing – winning the ball back quickly after giving it away – which enabled them to sustain attacks and play the game in the opposition half. That is proving to be more difficult in League One with Rovers caught up in some end-to-end games so far, but with players steadily returning Barton will feel confident that he can reintroduce his desired style of play.
Finally, there is in-game flexibility, particularly if Hoole plays as the right-sided centre-back. Without changing personnel, Barton could pivot between a 3-4-3 and a 4-3-3 during a game, should circumstances require it. In practice, Hoole would shift to right-back and the left-wing-back would drop back to form a back four, allowing a midfield trio to be formed in front and the right wing-back to push on as a winger.
Like any system, it is not perfect with high demands on wing-backs to contribute in attack and defence, and opponents can counter-attack in wide areas behind the wing-backs, potentially posing problems for the outside centre-backs.
But Barton believes he will make it work with his squad. Without a win in six and 21st in League One after nine games, Rovers need to start making some forward strides.
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