Did Steve Clarke’s squad selection reveal a plan to switch to a different formation?
With only four centre-backs nominated for his 24-man line-up, some are speculating that the Scottish head coach could move away from his preferred back five.
For the majority of his playing time, Clarke played in the 5-3-2 and 5-4-1 formations, with the latter being used from the start in all three Euro 2024 matches.
However, after a disappointing season in Germany, Clarke was heavily criticised for his blunt attacking strategy, and many attributed this to the formation he continued to use.
Speaking on the BBC’s Scottish Football Podcast, coach and analyst John Walker believes the former Kilmarnock manager’s line-up for the upcoming Nations League games against Poland and Portugal proves that we will now “see a 4-3-3”.
“We will see the end of that 5-3-2, 5-4-1 formation in midfield,” he adds. “We only introduced that formation to reflect the fact that we have two world-class left-backs in Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney.”
“We no longer have two world-class left-backs. We have one world-class left-back and someone who is going to miss 50% of the games every year, so we need something else.”
“It has to be players like Ben Doak, Lewis Morgan and Ryan Gauld who will be used in those areas in the front line. Then there is Che Adams, Laurence Shankland and Lyndon Dykes who will continue to play the role of lone striker.”
“I think we’re probably going to see John McGinn at the back rather than in a forward position. I’m pretty excited to see if we take the handbrake off and start relying on team fighting.”
