Full backs Vs Wing backs

A good question jimjams, and one I have been struggling with!

My bet is that Beale will usually go for a 4-4-2 (or variant in the midfield), but sometimes will opt for a Back 3 instead. I think this because letting De Wijs go and bringing in Paal suggests that is what will happen. I sincerely hope we do not have to rely upon Kakay or Hamalainen as Backs, because I do not feel they do enough to prevent crosses - the mainstay of any Back I would suggest!
Having a Back 4 will mean rotation between Clarke-Salter, Dickie, Dunne and Masterson (as injuries and suspensions demand); whilst at RB/RWB we have Adomah & Kakay (neither ideal), and Paal & Hamalainen at LB/LWB. It does look rather 'light' in terms of cover/quality, so I am sure there are other signing in the pipeline and their arrival will better indicate Beale's intentions. So far, so good!

I think he is going to play 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 of sorts.

I'll be surprised if he plays 3 at the back. We'll have the option to do that with the squad we have, but he definitely favours 4 at the back.

I expect us to sign another left back and at least 1 right back.

I have consistently stated through last season that Dozzell has talent but needs to get stronger in his tackles. I suspect that strength will only come through gym work to build up his core strength, after which he will be harder to bounce off the ball and harder to get the ball off! Failing that, we need to look elsewhere for a more suitable DM to cover for Sam Field (perhaps Conor Masterson he suggests from his soapbox...). 

Because they both play as 10s, because they’re both at the best when more or less in the centre of the pitch, then it’ll be a 3-4-3. Although Willock’s eagerness to cut in from the left leaves a 4-2-3-1 possible. If it’s the latter you’d need a right winger who is going to basically play right on the touchline. In both of those formations Luke Amos doesn’t get in the team. If you’re asking me, 4-2-3-1 would be my preference. And when we played that last season (Reading away for the second half, Barnsley at home second half) with Albert hugging the touchline we looked better, slicker and more threatening than when we played with a back three.

Of the two, Chair is probably the more ‘important’ one. As in, what you do tactically with him. There’s greater versatility to him. And if Beale is the coach he’s been described as, then he could turn Chair into a De Bruyne-style 8 — note that is not me saying Chair will be De Bruyne in terms of ability, what I’m saying is he can stylistically play the same role in a De Bruyne mould. If he could be moulded, then you could play a 4-3-3, which would allow for Willock to play from the left and Chair as the left of a midfield 3.

But given the reason we played 3-4-3 last season was to get Chair and Willock both in the team, both in the centre of the pitch, I’d anticipate it’ll be that formation again.

But do expect some flexibility with formations throughout the season. Beale won’t be like Warburton and a slave to his system. I expect it’ll often be a case of ‘horses for courses’ and the system will change according to who’s available and who the opponent is.

Jed Wallace from Millwall is a other player that could be available on a free as he’s unsure of his future there
A good player to consider maybe

Going elsewhere apparently....

I think he will play the old 4-3-2-1 Christmas tree formation or a 4-3-3 set up. He knows that our two best players are Willock and Chair and whatever system he adopts it has to suit those 2.

If he was to pick a team today I reckon he would play,

Dieng
Albert, Dickie, Dunne, Paal
Field, Amos, Johansen
Chair, Willock
Dykes

Subs, Walsh, Clarke-Salter, Masterson, Kakay, Dozzell, Thomas, Duke-McKenna, Bonne, Armstrong

I would like to think that we will make another couple of signings before the season starts because having to include Kakay and Bonne shows our lack of in depth quality.