First-team coach Matt Gill hasn’t ruled out the Blues moving to two up front as they look to improve their ruthlessness in the opposition penalty area.

Town have so far stuck resolutely to 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 from the start this season with the very occasional move to 4-4-1-1 or 4-4-2 late in games as they look for a winner or an equaliser.

However, with the Blues having added Tottenham youngster Troy Parrott on loan on Monday, Gill says two up front may now be given greater consideration.

“Well, I think that’s certainly an option now,” Gill said. “It’s certainly an option that we obviously went to on Saturday [at Crewe] and got back in the game. I just think the more options we’ve got the better.”

Town scored four times in the away game against tomorrow's opponents Blackpool in October, the match ending 4-1, but goals have generally been harder to come by with only five teams in League One having scored fewer than the Blues’ 27.

Asked what ca be done to improve Town’s ruthlessness in the box, Gill said: “Obviously, repetition, working on stuff that we’re trying to impose on a Saturday.

“This week we’ve had, as always, a little bit of out-of-possession and a little bit in-possession.

“There’s been a big emphasis on in-possession in that final third type stuff this week. I think we know we need to be more ruthless in our final third and create more.

“And I think we’ve now got players and personnel that can do that and provide that.”

Photo: Matchday Images

ashp19 added 10:59 - Feb 5 we await the avalanche of goals incoming...
1

RobITFC added 11:00 - Feb 5 AT LAST... The penny has finally dropped! (although i would prefer 3.4.2)
2

RobITFC added 11:01 - Feb 5 should read 3.5.2
1

prozach added 11:09 - Feb 5 Interesting that adding a 19-year-old loanee turns us from 'useless' at 442, to 'certainly an option now'
5

ChrisFelix added 11:21 - Feb 5 Needs to be 3 5 2 if Chambers is going to play
1

Marinersnose added 11:50 - Feb 5 Unbelievable to hear such nonsense. This smacks of the stubborn dinosaur rolling the dice for the very last time. Desperate times. PL should play to the teams strengths and we haven't got a quality striker in the club capable of playing a lone striker role.
1

unknown100 added 12:00 - Feb 5 –––––––––––––Holy ––––Chambers Mcguiness. Woolfenden Mattheson–––––––––––––––––––Kenlock ––––––––- Downes–––- dozzell Thomas–––––––––––––––––– Edward –––––––– Norwood or parrot This is the only way he could play with 3 at the back without playing players out of position (Edwards and Thomas full backs) or dropping all his new signings
-1

CustardCream added 12:11 - Feb 5 If we go 442 then surely Andre is out of the team
-1

jong75 added 12:15 - Feb 5 No way you can ask an 18 year old to play up front on their own. 4-1-3-2 if we need extra protection for the defence, but whatever way you dress it up, we need two up top.
0

DifferentGravy added 12:20 - Feb 5 The fans have been crying out for 2 up front for months and months........to get more players in the box, have more shots. With our season drifting away from us.......if we finally line up with two up front on Saturday.............it proves that Shambert will have finally admitted that his tactics/formation have been rubbish. Clueless Lambert
1

stevelincsexile added 12:36 - Feb 5 Unknown 100 quite like that but I would leave Chambers out and play Dozzell behind 2 up front Norwood and Parrott.
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SouperJim added 12:42 - Feb 5 Careful what you say Matt, have these comments been sanctioned by Herr Lamberk? You could find yourself sent home to Scotland if you're not careful!
0

norfolkbluey added 12:47 - Feb 5 Just bl**dy do it! No if buts, maybe's just do it, it can be no worse than losing at home on a regular basis playing one up front..
3

London_Blue added 12:59 - Feb 5 -5-2 for me... Holy Chambers McGuiness Woolfy Matheson Kenlock Huws Downes No.10 Dozzell/Harrop (Not seen him yet) Norwood Parrot Only issue is that when you play with wing backs it helps to have a taller, old fashioned No.9, but Hawkins is way below par and he wouldn't be anywhere near my first team!
-1

London_Blue added 13:04 - Feb 5 *Should read 3-5-2
0

heathen66 added 13:23 - Feb 5 Why have we been waiting until an 18yo loanee to turn up before we consider 4-4-2 (or 3-5-2 or anything x-x-2) Surely Norwood / Jackson (already proven last season) Norwood/Hawkins, Hawkins / Sears or any combination of Norwood / Jackson / Drinan / Hawkins / Sears would have been better than we were seeing. Now an 18yo whos loan contract suggests he must play has forced the managers hand And now it seems a good idea !!!

2

braveblue added 13:29 - Feb 5 Does anyone at the club check statements for common sense? Had O'Neill yesterday and now this. 18 year old loanee let's you change your system!! Utter nonsense. Our problem is we play 4-5-1 which roughly translated means no goals!!
0

sospier added 14:56 - Feb 5 Just keep your promise then.We've been crying out for two up front all season.
0

BeattiesBackPocket added 15:10 - Feb 5 Glad someone's seen the light if we go 442 however why is it being said as though these new signings have made that difference? We've had two strikers most the time who could've payed up front together
3

Blue_Meanie added 15:22 - Feb 5 Tottenham say he has to play. This forces Lamberts hand. He can't be seen to be throwing an 18 year old to the lions by playing him up front by himself. So 4-4-2 it is. 😂😃
0

arc added 15:24 - Feb 5 "Now that we finally have six strikers, we can play 4-4-2"–huh?
1

TB42 added 15:34 - Feb 5 Perhaps 4-4-2 will also bring JACKSON back into goal scoring ways!! His goal scoring last season was always better when paired up front.
0

happybeingblue added 17:06 - Feb 5 stuck resolutely to a 4 3 3 yer right! i think we all know its 1 up front with the headless chicken running around where he wants somewhere behind the poor lone striker
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Bert added 17:18 - Feb 5 It's always been an option but now it is an imperative. I have a good feeling about tomorrow and I don't want that dashed when the team sheet is issued.
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Len_Brennan added 17:51 - Feb 5 I can't see how rabbit & mib could argue against the point DifferentGravy makes in the post above, but both doggedly down voted it. I scrolled down eagerly to see what they would post in contradiction, but alas, they didn't feel strongly enough or confident enough in their disagreement to do so.
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