[Blue Baggie]

Or we could just play 442, put our best players out and let the opposition worry about our set up or how we’re going to play, two banks of four with a midfield protecting the back four and turning defence into attack with two strikers who both have plenty of goals in them and will keep opposition defences on the back foot all game.

Yes 442 would also work as long as we have the right personnel in the midfield 4. Last season when Pardew played 442, the big problem we had with it was the midfield. Phillips and Brunt were too one dimensional and Livermore and Barry didn’t always offer enough.  

For us now, if we were to play Phillips on the right and Murphy/Montero on the left then that would give us proper forward players to join up with the two strikers. The big question mark would then be who to play in the middle. As above, Livermore and Barry don’t offer enough in a 442. Barry likes to sit in whilst Livermore likes to play slightly ahead but doesn’t offer enough on the ball to justify a starting place in the system. Harper and Barry could be a good choice because Harper does like to get up and down the pitch and does a better job than Livermore in the 8 role. I can’t see Moore dropping Livermore to make that work though.

I think something along the lines of the following could work at home as long as the strikers can get proper service and we don’t get overran in the middle like Pardew’s team used to:

Johnstone
Holgate - Dawson - Hegazi - Gibbs
Phillips - Harper - Barry - Murphy
Gayle - Rodriguez

I'm with you 100% - I think the change in system offers additional cover for the full backs and with Murphy Phillips & Harper the boost on getting into the opponents half and attack with purpose. We have lacked this since Barnes left IMO. Darren has spoken about changing the way we play at home. Realistically we should have the ability to change at the drop of a hat. The thinking is all a bit rigid with no flexibility atm. Maybe Horses for courses may strike a cord? It's not to late to get auto promotion, but a run of wins starting on Friday is essential.