What shape are you?

What works best for you 4-4-2 or 4-3-3?

Newcastle United's formation has never caused such a big stir and as United head into the game with Everton on the back of an error laden 3-1 defeat against Man City the question is what shape will the Mags line up with against the Toffees?

It was the unpopular 4-3-3 last week and the question of which direction United need to take this week is today's topic.

Kevin Keegan's attitude was simply to "give the fans what they want" with a team that went forward from all angles and had success, albeit no trophies.

And Ossie Ardiles' infamous diamond formation did used to cause plenty of post-game chew around the Bigg Market but that was mainly because Newcastle were terrible, mind you they did play some canny stuff under the little South American!

Jack Charlton used to like to lump it. Kenny Dalglish used to try and suffocate the opposition.

And Ruud "I never said that" Gullit's "sexy football" resulted in the dreadlocked Dutchman losing the plot and leaving Rob Lee, Alan Shearer and Duncan Ferguson on the sidelines in favour of Paul Robinson, Jamie McClen and Silvio Maric.

Boy, how we miss the Entertainers still!

Entertaining stuff is what we'd love to see these days but what must come with that is results.

And while grinding out results doesn't look good, there is sections of the St James' Park crowd who don't care how Newcastle win, providing they WIN!

But there's also sections that demand good football and can take the odd defeat.

And it wouldn't be Newcastle United if this wasn't complex which is where the 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 argument kicks in!

Generally it's accepted that 4-4-2 is the preferred formation amongst the fans, which appears to give United shape and the ability to attack home and away, as far as defending is concerned, when have we ever been able to do that?

OK, I'm not a coach and while my managerial duties extend as far as making sure my 5-a-side team turn up on time and pay their subs, it was plain to me and thousands of fans that the 4-3-3 system at Man City didn't work.

And I am sure that the bulk of the 52,000 fans who turn up every other week at SJP don't, like I don't, have a Pro Licence but does that mean they can't have a point of view? I don't think so.

In the first half at City 4-3-3 left Charles N'Zogbia exposed as Stephen Ireland romped down the right and crossed for Martin Petrov and in the second period Habib Beye had no help down the other side and Petrov supplied Mpenza to score the second and basically hand City the game.

Had United used 4-4-2 the full-backs would have at least had the shield of a wide midfielder in front of them to help them cope with the two attacks from out wide.

But to keep in pattern with this topsy turvy subject, we saw that 4-3-3 worked at home at times, for example when finished the game against Wigan with Milner on the left of a three pronged attack and Martins on the right with Owen in the middle.

The result being a Martins cross from the right headed home by Owen to win a game that wasn't the prettiest to look at.

The other point is that three in midfield has made United look like they lack creativity from the middle of the park.

Or at least that is the case when you have two defensive minded players like Nicky Butt and Geremi both in it alongside a battling player like Alan Smith, who by trade is a striker.

Smith has taken a lot of stick since signing for the club, a lot of it unfair, but the fact is he is being asked to do a job in a position that isn't his forte.

My view on it is that while 4-3-3 has worked this season on occasion, 4-4-2 is the natural shape of a football team at all levels and every player knows their job.

Throw into that players like Milner and N'Zogbia (and Duff to come back) getting out wide and getting crosses in for the likes of Martins, Owen and Viduka and it would appear that United should be capable of getting a hatful of goals.

But if Keegan's attitude was "give em what they want" the question today has to be just what is the expectation of the modern day Toon Army?

GOT AN OPINION? DISAGREE? AGREE?

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