Nigel Pearson is eager to switch to a back four when he has the right players available at his disposal and revealed his intention to recruit "knowledgeable" and versatile wide defenders.
The manager has been forced to chop and change his backline throughout the season both through injuries and a lack of form. Pearson has flipped between a back three and a flat four throughout the season. According to Whoscored, City have fielded a 3-5-2 (or variation of) 21 times from the start of games and a formation with a four-man defence 17 times, occasionally switching during matches as well.
Timm Klose's January arrival helped bolster numbers at centre-back, following Nathan Baker's concussion which is expected to rule him out for the season, but right wing-back has remained the biggest issue with the manager utilising six different players in starting roles in that problem position this season.
