The injury to DeAndre Yedlin has prompted some fans to speculate whether a formation change against Cardiff could be on the cards.
There are a lack of fit fullbacks in Rafa’s squad at the moment, and it led to one fan suggesting a move to a back three could well be an option, with Kenedy and Matt Ritchie taking up the wingback roles:
If Yedlin’s injury is as bad as it seems, I’d be tempted to play 3 CBs at Cardiff, and use Kenedy & Murphy/Manquillo/Ritchie as wing-backs.
Not saying it’s a lobg term solution against better teams, but against a team like Cardiff, in a game you’d look to win, it cd work#NUFC— Paul Nicholson (@PaulNic_Journo) 13 August 2018
A few on Twitter thought it could work:
I wouldn’t go for Ritchie, remember his horror show against Cardiff, not quick enough to protect the gap. Can see the thinking mind, more than likely expect Manquillo to be be RB, albeit he is much more effective as a RWB.
— Ben (@Bengn87) 13 August 2018
Agree. Centre Half seems to good choices, most teams only play single striker
— Graham Townsley (@No9Legends) 13 August 2018
I agree Paul.
I think it would catch Cardiff of guard aswell.
— Burnsie ⚽???? NUFC ????️⚽ (@BenArfaChance) 13 August 2018
Others were not sure it would work, taking into consideration failed attempts with three at the back in the past:
A few have said this but when we have tried it last season it never really worked. You need ball playing cb’s. Lascelles and clark are not. So you would be changing the whole team for 1 injury.
— Shaun (@ShaunGrey22) 13 August 2018
I would give sterry a run out. We need cover at Rb could saves us pretending to spend in the summer.
— TGC (@TGC811) 14 August 2018
I agree that a 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 may need to be considered at some point in the next few months, but I can’t see Rafa changing his approach just one game into the new season, despite Yedlin’s minor injury setback.
The manager likes the 4-2-3-1 formation, and it is the system that has brought him the most success. He does also have Javier Manquillo to call upon if our first choice right-back is not fit to start the match.
If Paul Dummett does get injured at some point, then I think a tactical change is a bit more likely, but I don’t see it happening this early in the new campaign: