Yesterday's formation saw us line up with a vastly different complexion to our "regular" formation - what makes sense going forward?
When Garry Monk was appointed, it was generally assumed that his vision for the near future would be to utilise the 4-2-3-1 formation we'd come to know so well, and take the best bits of every manager's variation on this theme that he'd witnessed during his time here. What we've seen so far though would indicate that he's got his own ideas about how to get the most out of the team, and he's not afraid to implement them.
The danger is it's a massive risk. I spoke last season about the danger in drifting away from your "Plan A" (which I felt we were doing under Laudrup), and worryingly yesterday was as far from the Swansea we know and love as I've seen us in some time. I'm not saying that formation can't work - there's definitely scope there - the question is; is it better to try and get this working or should we just revert to the 4-2-3-1 which has stood us in such good stead? Do we stick or continue to twist, in the hope that the goals start to flow?
Obviously, if we play 4-2-3-1 one of Bony or Bafi will miss out, but I firmly believe you shouldn't try and doctor a system for one player. You play your best system and pick the players who fit that system. If that means people missing out, so be it. I think the crux of the matter for me is if you're going to play a diamond midfield with two up top you need four central midfielders - yesterday we had a a winger in Montero and Sigurdsson playing as an inverted right-sided midfielder. Which he most definitely is not.
This meant we were simply unable to defend as a unit in midfield, and the shape of the team didn't allow to retain possession at all. A diamond manned with midfielders would aid this, as would switching back to the 4-2-3-1. Indeed, for the final five minutes where Alex Bray came on (he looked lively too) and we switched to this formation, with Sigurdsson at attacking midfield, we looked as good as we had done throughout the match. I have heard that Routledge & Dyer were both unavailable yesterday, which could explain how long it took before we switched from a formation that was struggling to deal with our opponents play, and if so perhaps I'm making a hoo-ha about nothing. Still though, we need to be lots better than we were yesterday if we're to even have a chance of a point at Old Trafford next weekend.
The question that will be running through Swansea fan's minds for the next week will no doubt be the same one running through The Monk's head as preparations for Man Utd begin in earnest. Do we continue with what we've been trying to make work for the last few weeks? Or do we go back to what we know best? If it was up to me I'd currently be leaning heavily towards one up top, and if that means talented footballers sitting on the bench so be it.