Can anything really be analysed on the basis of a game vs. Spurs?
We've got a fair few people now talking positively about the impact of the formation change. The assumption is that the formation change is the reason for change in performance/result. Sample size is one game vs. a Spurs side that is, quite frankly, absolutely atrocious both home and away. What could possibly be learned from a single game in this context?
For eg. Spurs have scored nine goals in ten games. The assumption from a lot of our fans is that the stability and clean sheet can be attributed towards the system change, but given that Spurs are averaging just less than a goal per game, there's a very high chance that even with our poor clean sheet record that we'd have our best shot of keeping a clean sheet regardless of whether it was a 4-2-3-1 or a 5-3-2.
Also, there is the larger issue of forward planning and squad development. Ole has spent a lot of money to accommodate his vision of playing the 4-2-3-1. Ole cannot make a four-at-the-back system work, and so he's switching to a system with which he has no experience with, but what of the likes of Sancho? How about the likes of Pellistri and Amad? Elanga? Purchased in view of a winger system. Essentially, Ole has spent a lot of money on players he either can't play (due to system change) or won't play (due to his own discretion). What's worse, this 3-5-2 is to accommodate Ronaldo and Cavani up front, right? Cavani will be gone next summer; Ronaldo will be 37 and a half!
One win with a formation change means squat when your opponent is that poor. Let's see how we get on with Atalanta, and then City. Let's see if it's just a one-off or if there's even any merit to the change.
Exactly, I mentioned this earlier how only Norwich and Leeds have scored less than Spurs, now Leeds just scored 2 so it's only Norwich who has scored less than Spurs in the league.
I do think his plan long term (no matter how far fetched) is a 4-2-3-1 he just chose that specific formation for the next 3 games because he's under an immense amount of pressure. We will revert to a 4 at the back once these tough fixtures are over and done with, whether he gets it to work is a whole other subject though. I think Ole has dug his own grave this season tbh with his signings. He's kept a bloated squad especially in terms of attacking personnel and Ole won't be able to keep the dressing room in order, it's only a matter of time till there'll be big problems and stories of bust ups (there are already stories of it starting). That's if he's not gone before then because of results going against us. I find it exceedingly unlikely that Ole will survive till the end of the season.
The only solution that I could see for Ole is to go with a 3-4-3 that will give defensive stability and the use of wingers, the only problem with this formation is it's not really suitable for Bruno.
So I see three likely scenarios:
Stick with a 3-5-2:
Like you mentioned no room for Sancho, Fans and media will be all over him for not playing a player that he's chased for 2 years and paid 75 million for. Tbf Rashford and Greenwood could play the Cavani role as well but there's definitely no room for Sancho.
Go back to a 4-2-3-1:
He doesn't know how to make a 4 in the back system work, we're going to be wide open and results will be bad.
Change to a 3-4-3:
This is imo the least likely scenario Bruno is dropped for the wingers, Fans and media will be all over him for dropping Bruno.
This is without even mentioning the problems with DVB, Lingard, Telles, Martial and Bailly. Right now it's like a choice of pick your poison, I really don't see how Ole can come out of this season with a job, would take an insane amount of luck.
