Last night, Preston and Bristol City played out a 1-1 draw at Deepdale.
Neil Kilkenny put the home side in front with a sensational strike, only for Aaron Wilbraham to score an equaliser with less than ten minutes to go to salvage a point.
After the result, we consider whether or not Simon Grayson should change his tactics.
Maybe it’s time for Grayson to consider a tactical change
Grayson may like his current 5-3-2 formation but something clearly isn’t working. Despite picking up a point, the Lilywhites looked pretty dire at times and there were times where Bristol City maybe could have scored again, if it wasn’t for the heroics of Jordan Pickford. The defence seemed rather sloppy, the midfield were nowhere to be found at times and with just one win so far, maybe it is time to switch things up.
Grayson could maybe try out a simple 4-4-2 against Brentford on Saturday. It may mean that one of the current trio of central defenders is dropped (Wright, Huntington or Clarke) but it could work. Humphrey/Woods and Cunningham on each side of defence and then Daniel Johnson and John Welsh in the middle, with May and Gallagher (if he is fit again) on each wing (although May’s preferred position is up-front).
Then have Garner and Doyle up-front. Even though May is out of position, at least all three attacking players (Garner, May and Doyle) are on the pitch – against Derby, when all three men were on the field, PNE looked a lot more lively and attacking. It’s worth a try anyway.
On the right is an example of who we could play in a 4-4-2 formation. Humphrey could stay as right-back if we push May out onto the right and if Gallagher is back he could play on the left. In this example, it means Kilkenny and a centre-back (in this case Huntington) are dropped but if it works, then it would be worth it.
New signings.
Whatever the case, one or both of the new-boys should feature. May ran all over the place against Bristol City despite not finding the back of the net and he could prove to be a top addition to the club if he works hard every week – although strikers do need goals. Doyle should also be tried from the start of a game, rather than just being brought on as a sub, so he has more time to show what he can do.
It doesn’t mean Joe Garner should be dropped. Yes he has failed to score so far but he has been agonisingly close to finding the back of the net recently, hitting the bar and post in his last two games. The first goal for him should come soon and when it does, more goals could come flowing from him after it. He should still start and if Grayson wants all three men on, as previously mentioned, maybe one of them may have to be pushed out to the wing or all three could be put up-front.
4-4-1-1
Also take into consideration the formation that Preston used in their only win of the season so far against MK Dons – it wasn’t 5-3-2, it was a 4-4-1-1 formation, with Will Keane as a CAM. The Lilywhites could use that formation against Brentford but switch some of the players up. May, Garner or Doyle could play up-front with another one of the three (or Will Keane) just behind them as a CAM. It seemed to work against MK Dons and why change something if it isn’t broken – they used that formation and got a win, so why change it? Why not use it again and see if they can get another three points with it, especially now they have May and Doyle to use as well.
The only real issue with using four at the back is the fact that one of the current central defenders may have to be dropped, unless of course Clarke is deployed as a RB despite it not being his actual position. The loss of Gallagher to injury is also a huge blow to the Lilywhites, as he could easily slot into a CAM role or play on either one of the wings. When he returns from his injury – he may be back as soon as the Brentford game – he will most likely be thrown straight back into the team.
Although 5-3-2 can be good and Grayson does like the use of wingbacks, Preston are currently sat in 19th with barely any goals scored and just one win so far. They need to start getting more points on the board and a change of tactics (and possibly a change of some players) could help them climb up the table.
What do you think? Should Simon Grayson stick with 5-3-2 or change up his tactics for the Brentford game? If so, what formation should he use? let us know in the comments or on our social media pages!
Picture Credit – Steve Daniels
Lineup Credit – LineupBuilder.com
