Town boss Paul Cook believes switching to start with two strikers would change the whole ethos of his team.

Cook is a firm advocate of 4-2-3-1, the system the Blues have lined up in up to now under his management, however, after Saturday’s game at Portsmouth he admitted that he had considered starting with James Norwood and Kayden Jackson as a front pairing.

But speaking at Wednesday's Zoom press conference, he seemed less keen on that approach, feeling that it would change the entire way he wants the Blues to play.

“I think from a fans’ perspective, as a manager I’ve always had success playing 4-2-3-1. Always, all my clubs, the successes I’ve had,” he said.

“It’s a formation I very much believe in. To come away from 4-2-3-1 and play two people up front, you have to change the whole ethos of your team. The ball must go forward quicker, as a team.

“For example, I don’t feel we put any crosses in in the game. But you want to put two up front. How can they survive if the ball’s not going forward quickly enough and we’re not putting enough crosses in? As you can imagine, we’re [looking at that].

“We have an 11-game programme now, let’s break it down to what it is. Within that 11 games, I will play any formation or I will do anything I believe can win us a game.”

Photo: Matchday Images

unknown100 added 09:53 - Mar 26 If you haven't got the players to play 4231 then you are a fool to keep playing it and doing it to be stubborn, do what you have to do this season to get some results and then make the big changes in pre season with the players to fit the system We have to win the next 3 without any argument, however bad we are playing, these 3 opponents are lingering around the bottom of the table; you think we are bad, imagine how bad they are!

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norfolkbluey added 10:14 - Mar 26 Totally agree unknown. Have we really got a striker who can hold up play and not lose it.... I think not. We have continually looked nervous playing one up front right through most of Lambert's tenure and that's why it his success rate was awful and yours is similar with these players we have. The fans are all for you but its blatantly obvious that with our present players it just doesn't work. There has to be a different way. We have the players for 4 4 2 and a large squad to do it. Playing the same way every week gives the opposition dream playing tactics.

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Len_Brennan added 10:21 - Mar 26 I agree with Unknown above. Cook has been a breath of fresh air since coming in, but my one negative with him would be his insistence on sticking to his favoured formation, regardless of the players at his disposal & their current form. The immediate objective is to get the most out of what we have in order to get out of the league, over the reducing number of games left. By all means be planning for shipping out those that don't suit the way he wants to play when summer comes & for bringing in those who will best suit his style of play, but until then a good manager should be able to play the hand he is dealt.

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Radlett_blue added 10:32 - Mar 26 So, the alternative to Cook's favoured 4-2-3-1 is to play 4-4-2 & lump it forwards as soon as possible? Not sure we really have the players to make that work & as Cook won't want to play like that next season, we'll need a complete re-set. Playing 4-4-2 at Peterborough produced a poor performance & result, for example.
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ArnieM added 10:33 - Mar 26 I think with the calibre of Paul Cook, the fans would be daft to underestimate his ability t9 recognise that this squad is virtually incapable of playing the formation / style he wants to play. He may have to go 442 to get the best out of the current players, for the remainder of this seas9n and make that final push for PO's, but don't expect that formation to happen next season. I certainly won't be.

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Essexipswichboy added 10:37 - Mar 26 I'm sure we could carry this off Against Hull where Holy was kicking instead of just laying the ball out clearing lines ....ball forward quicker we looked more at ease
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Suffolkboy added 10:40 - Mar 26 Of course it's tempting to put forward a critique ,even criticism, of the formation and system ITFC choose to utilise under our splendid new Manager , Paul Cook : controversy and opinion is what Footy and being a supporter is all about ! At this point,however, the evidence ,experience and success record plus his splendid demeanour indicates we ought not to be overly rigorous ; he knows what he's doing,and what to do ,and is under no illusion about either the task or the strengths and weaknesses of his squad ! Let's wish him and the players every piece of good luck ,and hope for success ! COYB

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muccletonjoe added 10:50 - Mar 26 If you have players performing to the best of their ability, putting in 100% for 90 minutes and doing the basics right . Then it doesn't matter what system you are playing. Cook is trying anything and everything to find something to spark us into life. If nothing works, there is only one conclusion to take from it.
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BaddowBlue1 added 10:51 - Mar 26 Paul Cook has had a whole week with the squad, getting his ideas across and what he expects. Over 30 years of watching Town I have always felt we were better with 2 up front and attacking full backs but if Paul can get blood out of a stone with our current team and get us playing well and scoring goals and getting into the play-offs then I am willing to change my mind. In our clubs history we have only got promoted by being Champions or via the playoffs, since we are too far adrift to challenge for the title, I say Play offs and GO FOR IT TOWN.

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Razor added 11:02 - Mar 26 HALLELLUJHA!!!!! tHE CHEEKY CHAPPY HAS GOT IT AND IT HAS NOT TAKEN LONG-----GOALS WIN MATCHES AND WITH KVY NOW SUPPLYING THE AMMUNITION WE COULD BE DEADLY----PASE POWER AND GUILE!! BRING ON TOMORROW-----GETTING A LITTLE BIT EXCITED AGAIN!!
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Juggsy added 11:19 - Mar 26 ... screamed Razor.
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itsonlyme added 11:22 - Mar 26 At the end of the day goals win matches and we have struggled for a long time to find the back of the net regularly. I don't care if we play one two or however many up front as long as we perform and go on to win. With one up front the midfield have to be closer to the striker to support him and as many have said on here do we have that dynamic midfielder? It would be wonderful if we could at least make the playoffs, then we could say progress has been made, but you just have to question the attitude of the players who can't manage two solid days of training.

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itfcserbia added 11:25 - Mar 26 “We have an 11-game programme now, let's break it down to what it is. Within that 11 games, I will play any formation or I will do anything I believe can win us a game.” This sums it up quite well for me.
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BlueySwede added 11:29 - Mar 26 I have always believed that formations are almost secondary in football, so in general it´s not a problem. What worries me a little (as was the case with Lambert) is a lack of plan B, to surprise our opponents and shake it up a bit. There is a fine line between being a firm believer and being too stubborn. Another thing, if you´re only playing one striker, how are you going to keep a strike force of three or four players (maybe more) happy?

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Bert added 11:33 - Mar 26 It beggars belief that a team cannot successfully work on more than one formation. I know that's not what Cook is saying but it is clear that, as with Lmambert, he has recognised that the personnel at his disposal is not best placed to play two up front. That said if Cook will do anything that creates the conditions to score goals then I am with him.
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Marinersnose added 11:40 - Mar 26 PC has clearly already identified the fact that we have a large squad , the majority of who lack technical ability and therefore playing one up top is difficult. I don't want to see MM hoofball again whereby midfield is bypassed we need to play football create chances and in Norwood we have a player who can score at this level. Without Norwood we are devoid of a goal threat. I fully respect Cook to bring in players who can play wide and create but this will have to wait until after the Summer clear out. He will do all he can to win these final games and if he performs a miracle so be it but I for one won't be holding my breath. Good times are ahead I'm sure.

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Beattiesballbag added 11:52 - Mar 26 Every team has worked out that when we're closed down we hoof it forward & give it back to them, so double our chances of getting someone on the end of it.
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oldelsworthyfan added 12:03 - Mar 26 A better attitude and improved fitness will go a long way with this squad.
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rickw added 12:13 - Mar 26 We appointed the wrong man! We should have gone for Mike Bassett so we can play 4-4-Fu'ing 2 and just lump it to the big man up front!!! ;-)
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multiplescoregasms added 12:32 - Mar 26 I have no problem with any formation, but you have to have the players that can play it, and we don't. No doubt PC will be letting certain players go and bringing in what he feels is required to play the way he wants, as this squad is too big and too weak. We still have a chance of promotion, albeit slim, and after the next 3 games we will have a clearer idea. Either way, let's give him time to get the players he wants to work with and then back him.

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bluewein added 13:31 - Mar 26 Not sure why so many are bothered by this. It's a long term project for Cook, and playing the system that has brought him success over the last 9 years will tell him which of these players are good enough for his system and which aren't. With all the contracts up in the summer, playing his preferred style will have helped him chuck out all the deadwood at this club and bring in the players he can trust...

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Orraman added 13:34 - Mar 26 We have only scored more than 2 goals in a league match once this season and I think it was similar last season. It certainly was the season before that as we actually scored 3 against Leeds in the last game of the season to prevent us from going a whole season without 3 or more for over 40 years. So what is the common denominator - ONE UP FRONT!! And now we get another manager who believes this is the only way. After the last three years of MM followed by the last three seasons we must be close to being the most boring team in Europe. Rochdale may be struggling but at least they score goals galore. The free scoring days of Joe Royal, Bent and Kuqi seem like a lifetime ago.

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MickMillsTash added 13:38 - Mar 26 We looked most convincing this season under GILL and playing a sort of 4 4 1 1 Agree with the fitness comments
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matty81 added 13:40 - Mar 26 We currently haven't got two strong enough midfielders to play 4-4-2, we would get totally overrun, and our wide players.....don't get me started. If management was as simple as 'let's play 4-4-2' clubs wouldn't need to employ a manager. Leave Cook to get on with the job and just support him.
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heathen66 added 13:56 - Mar 26 I will be honest, I know Chelsea, Man City, Man Utd and the likes do it but why do we really need two sitting / holding midfielders. This is the 3rd Division. We really should be looking to impose ourselves on the game playing 4-3-1-2 with those 3 midfielders able to get up and back (obviously not all at once) and a genuine No.10 linking the play to the genuine front 2. For us older generation (albeit not that old !!!) Brazil / Mariner and Gates in 'the hole'. Even Johnson, Stewart, Scowfield who are completely different styles but was so effective. We have not got an Aguero, Kane, Bamford, Salah, Cavani, Calvert Lewin or Giroud so why try to play like we have. Nor have we got a DeBryne Mane, Firminho, Richarlason or a Gundogan creating chances. I think we need to get back to basics and play with a system that fits the players ability we have, and not try and mold them into something they are 'obviously' not. Good Luck PC !!!

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