Nigel Pearson wasn't eager on entertaining the thought of switching formation after last Sunday's 3-1 defeat to Swansea.
The Bristol City manager highlighted changes were to be made after his damning criticism of individuals following a defensive disaster in which City's frailties were laid bare yet again.
In his post-match press conference afterwards, when quizzed on a potential formation switch, Pearson replied: "The formation? Formation can't change a player's desire."
And while he certainly makes a fair comment, something has to give to help tighten up a defence that has shipped in 58 goals in 32 matches - the third-worst record in the league.
You can understand Pearson's reluctance to revert away from a formation that is proving lethal in front of goal, having not drawn a blank in the last 12 matches. Although the manager keeps sending the same message - we cannot score two or three every game to salvage a point.
Pearson started the season with a four at the back formation before reverting to a three around November. So we compared the stats which argue the case why the manager should think about ditching the wing-backs in a bid to stop shipping in goals.
The formations
According to Whoscored, Pearson has opted for a three at the back on 18 occasions this season, 13 of those in the recent 3-4-1-2 formation and five in a 3-5-2 with three central midfielders.
Antoine Semenyo's injury during the first half of the season ensured Pearson was forced to tweak his attack meaning Andi Weimann and Chris Martin were often played as strike partners, alternating with Nahki Wells.
In the 18 matches played, City have conceded 37 goals in total, which includes the 6-2 defeat at Fulham, with an average of 2.05 goals per game. In an attacking sense, they have scored 22, averaging 1.22 goals every match.
Compare that to the four at the back which Pearson has selected on 14 occasions in the Championship. Six of those have come in a 4-2-3-1 formation which was more flexible when right-back George Tanner was fit and available for selection.
The old school 4-4-2 has featured on five occasions while a narrower 4-3-1-2 formation has also been adopted. In the 14 matches with the extra man in the backline, City have conceded 21, averaging 1.5 goals against per game.
They have scored a total of 20 which averages 1.42 goals every match. In short, City have averaged fewer goals conceded and more goals scored while playing with the four at the back throughout the season.
Now, there are obviously other factors in play when comparing the two such as the strength of the opponent, injuries and form in general. City haven't won back-to-back games all season while their stretch of winless matches hasn't gone more than three games further emphasising the inconsistencies in City's campaign.
The personnel
So if Pearson was to move to a back four, what the options available to him at his disposal? Well, the truth is, he is being forced to scrape the barrel in terms of players available.
Tanner is expected to return from injury at the end of the month which will be a welcome boost but it is likely to take a couple of extra weeks for him to regain some sort of match fitness.
The 22-year-old has made 12 Championship appearances, 11 of those coming as starts, before picking up his injury just before the New Year in the 2-1 defeat against Queens Park Rangers.
The current right-back options include Zak Vyner and Tomas Kalas. The former has come under increasing scrutiny in recent weeks and one can only assume that Pearson's comments on Sunday were, in-part, a reaction to his performance.
He was asleep when Obafemi snuck behind him for the equaliser and was weak in the challenge for Swansea's third which really put the game beyond doubt.
That leaves Kalas as the option on the right - a position he has played in his career. Although Pearson will be reluctant to break up the central partnership of Timm Klose and the Czech international, it could prove a short-term solution until at least the end of the month.
That will mean Robbie Cundy could finally be handed his chance in the centre as he awaits his full league debut following his move from Bath in 2019. Rob Atkinson would also be in contention but the towering defender is dealing with a calf injury picked up against Cardiff in January.
Cam Pring is capable of playing in the centre which could leave the option of playing Jay Dasilva out on the left. These are all solutions that Pearson has no doubt considered and it will be interesting to see how The Robins will line-up in the coming weeks.
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