Scott Allan- A formation that suits.

[The Wireless]

The conundrum that JR has is how do you find the best shape to suit your mercurial talent that is Allan without sacrificing other areas. I am aware it has to be dependent on the strengths of the opposition, player availability and current form etc etc. however opinions of supporters vary. My personal thoughts are that his favoured role is behind a striker in a 4-2-3-1 or at the tip of the diamond in a 4-4-2. The first shape would leave Ross playing 1 striker which I am not sure is his preference or supporters choice having invested in both Nisbet & Doidge. The 2nd shape allows both strikers to play, gives us strong foothold in the centre of midfield, however takes out the natural strengths of Boyle and Horgan with the width coming from the full backs. I wondered what other folks take on this is or am I missing something?

[1875Sean]

I think the best he’s played is in a 352 just behind the strikers with two sitting behind

[AZhibee]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I think the best he’s played is in a 352 just behind the strikers with two sitting behind

Agreed, would like to see Hallberg and Gogic behind him, Boyle n Horgan on outside.

[BoomtownHibees]

Rocky

Mcginn
Porteous
Hanlon

Boyle
Gogic
Newell (potentially McCrorie)
Allan
Doig

Nisbet
Doidge

[BILLYHIBS]

Definitely in the hole behind Doidge and Nisbet and having a pop himself

This is his third spell at the club scoring 16 goals from 99 appearances

Does not seem to be as influential as in his first two spells starting in 2014 but still only 28 needs to kick on this season and get back to his usual high standards

He will know that himself and be looking to be a starter

[Jones28]

3-5-2 is the way to go.

A back 3 of McGinn - Porteous - Hanlon with Boyle wide right and Doig wide left.

Gogic and Newall/Halberg sitting

Allan in the hole

Doidge and Nisbit up front.

Anyone who doesn’t think that’s the way to go needs to watch the games we played in the latter half of our first season back in the top flight. We were scintillating, possibly one of the most exciting teams to watch in my lifetime watching Hibs.

[murray26]

He’s the most talented player at the club but does need to be played in his best position.. for the benefit of the club I hope jack Ross recognises this soon..

[The Wireless]

My concern with 3 at the back is that most teams deploy a back 4 with 1 striker which would give them an overload in wide areas both in an attacking and a defending situation. I have watched on numerous occasions teams against us have freedom to deliver crosses into our box without any pressure when we have deployed this system.It also drags Paul Hanlon into areas where he is often isolated and out paced with opposition getting in behind. My opinion is Paul is better in a central partnership with Porteous. It is also a huge ask for any wide player physically to cover the length of the pitch.
I am not convinced practically this is a game planA we could successfully use against either of the Old Firm whilst getting the best out of what we have and making it difficult for them. I suppose time will tell.

[500miles]

It might just have to be Scott Allan to tweak his game rather than the rest of the team.

[The Wireless]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

3-5-2 is the way to go.

A back 3 of McGinn - Porteous - Hanlon with Boyle wide right and Doig wide left.

Gogic and Newall/Halberg sitting

Allan in the hole

Doidge and Nisbit up front.

Anyone who doesn’t think that’s the way to go needs to watch the games we played in the latter half of our first season back in the top flight. We were scintillating, possibly one of the most exciting teams to watch in my lifetime watching Hibs.

No argument from me on this comment. Maybe the shape worked better as we had better players which I suppose is relevant to any formation.

[Danderhall Hibs]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

It might just have to be Scott Allan to tweak his game rather than the rest of the team.

I was thinking the same.

[Fergus52]

I think it would be worth trying the diamond again, our best performances last season (away to St Johnstone, home to Aberdeen and Motherwell) came playing it.

In those games Boyle was on the right but stayed out wide, still playing like a winger, so was still looking dangerous getting on the ball with plenty space in wide areas. Just means that the left midfielder has to stay narrow and help out centrally, which suits Newell imo, giving Doig plenty space to attack into on the overlap.

Also think that Gogic would make us look even stronger using this system, as he's more suited to playing at the base than Hallberg, who was playing there last season.

[Greenbeard]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I think it would be worth trying the diamond again, our best performances last season (away to St Johnstone, home to Aberdeen and Motherwell) came playing it.

In those games Boyle was on the right but stayed out wide, still playing like a winger, so was still looking dangerous getting on the ball with plenty space in wide areas. Just means that the left midfielder has to stay narrow and help out centrally, which suits Newell imo, giving Doig plenty space to attack into on the overlap.

Also think that Gogic would make us look even stronger using this system, as he's more suited to playing at the base than Hallberg, who was playing there last season.

Good call based on Saturday. Maybe as wide as Craigentinny Avenue?

[Gypsy King]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I think it would be worth trying the diamond again, our best performances last season (away to St Johnstone, home to Aberdeen and Motherwell) came playing it.

In those games Boyle was on the right but stayed out wide, still playing like a winger, so was still looking dangerous getting on the ball with plenty space in wide areas. Just means that the left midfielder has to stay narrow and help out centrally, which suits Newell imo, giving Doig plenty space to attack into on the overlap.

Also think that Gogic would make us look even stronger using this system, as he's more suited to playing at the base than Hallberg, who was playing there last season.

Yeah I Agree with this. It was really effective in the home game against Aberdeen. Id like to see us try this with Gogic the destroyer at the base which will hopefully free up and utilise arguably our best player Allan in his natural position.

[Andy74]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

3-5-2 is the way to go.

A back 3 of McGinn - Porteous - Hanlon with Boyle wide right and Doig wide left.

Gogic and Newall/Halberg sitting

Allan in the hole

Doidge and Nisbit up front.

Anyone who doesn’t think that’s the way to go needs to watch the games we played in the latter half of our first season back in the top flight. We were scintillating, possibly one of the most exciting teams to watch in my lifetime watching Hibs.

This helps both Allan and Newell. I think Newell is pretty specifically a left of a 3 midfielder. He’s not a winger and he’s not one of two in the middle.

[MyJo]

3-4-1-2?

_______________Marciano

______McGinn____Porteous____Hanlon

Boyle_______Gogic_______Newell_______Doig

_________________Allan

__________Nisbet________Doidge

[MrRobot]

Pretty sure Allan has said he prefers playing deeper, not behind the strikers.

[Jones28]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

This helps both Allan and Newell. I think Newell is pretty specifically a left of a 3 midfielder. He’s not a winger and he’s not one of two in the middle.

Yepp, and for games where we will need to be really combative in midfield Mcrorie can step in to that role.

[calumhibee1]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Yepp, and for games where we will need to be really combative in midfield Mcrorie can step in to that role.

Doesn’t sound like McRorie is happening.

[JohnMcM]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

It might just have to be Scott Allan to tweak his game rather than the rest of the team.

I'm coming in line with you. He can be a match winner on his day but I wouldn't expect JR to build a shape solely to accommodate him. That is building in an over dependence on a single player, no? He's a professional and as much as I usually enjoy seeing him I equally think he might have to change his game for the good of the team.

But what do I know, I'm neither player or manager just a supporter.

[Jones28]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Doesn’t sound like McRorie is happening.

That’s pissed on my cornflakes this morning.

[WeeRussell]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Pretty sure Allan has said he prefers playing deeper, not behind the strikers.

Wasn't a number 10 as a youngster - I'd have him in the centre of midfield whether that's a deep-lying playmaker, or behind the strikers.

I don't think he's ever announced he's incapable of playing in a midfield two either but that's been decided by hibs.net as well.

[660]

Scott Allan isn’t good enough to shoehorn an entire team around

[Brooster]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Scott Allan isn’t good enough to shoehorn an entire team around

The simple fact is he wins games and we play better when he is in the team. We should set up to accommodate him.

[Paisley Hibby]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Scott Allan isn’t good enough to shoehorn an entire team around

exactly

[Paisley Hibby]

Maybe worth remembering that Jack Ross didn't sign Allan?

[keep the faith]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Scott Allan isn’t good enough to shoehorn an entire team around

I think he is.

[LeithMike]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Maybe worth remembering that Jack Ross didn't sign Allan?

Yep, doesnt strike me as his kind of player. His signing of Drey Wright make me think he wants a functional midfield with the creativity out wide. Alan will have to try very hard to get him to change his preferred way of playing to accommodate him.

Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk

[B.H.F.C]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Yep, doesnt strike me as his kind of player. His signing of Drey Wright make me think he wants a functional midfield with the creativity out wide. Alan will have to try very hard to get him to change his preferred way of playing to accommodate him.

Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk

I’m not sure that Allan isn’t his type of player. He must have started in 90% of the matches Ross has been here for.

He had him in the team for the first game of the season. Left him out for one game and we did really well so he didn’t get back in, but he’s the first player he’s turned to when it wasn’t going well in the subsequent two games.

Still think Allan will have a big part to play this year.

[MWHIBBIES]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Yep, doesnt strike me as his kind of player. His signing of Drey Wright make me think he wants a functional midfield with the creativity out wide. Alan will have to try very hard to get him to change his preferred way of playing to accommodate him.

Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk

A few more weeks of Saturdays 442 and Ross will have to change his mind.