Bristol City FC is going through changes
Bristol City FC Asst. manager John Pemberton, demanded that the club's recently added changes will give a new method of fighting. He also claims a change in team formation that has improved Bristol City's prospects of moving clear of relegation trouble sooner rather than later.
It was Pemberton who abandoned the 4-4-2 system favoured by former head coach Sean O'Drisoll and instigated a switch to 3-5-2 when he took charge of the side at Preston at the end of November.
New manager Steve Cotterill has since retained the formation and the Robins have gone five games without defeat in League One, accumulating nine points from a possible 15 to improve their chances of escaping the bottom four.
It was Pemberton who abandoned the 4-4-2 system favoured by former head coach Sean O'Drisoll and instigated a switch to 3-5-2 when he took charge of the side at Preston at the end of November.
New manager Steve Cotterill has since retained the formation and the Robins have gone five games without defeat in League One, accumulating nine points from a possible 15 to improve their chances of escaping the bottom four.
 |
| Bristol City FC © katerry.webs.com |
Although Cotterill may well alter tactics and team shape as he adds further players to his squad during the January transfer window, the use of wing-backs and three central defenders is serving the Robins well enough for now.
Pemberton, pictured, said: "We're in a transitional period and we have a new manager with his own ideas. We are taking those on board while also trying to win a few football matches.
"We switched to the new shape just before the gaffer came in and I felt it suited the players we had. It made us stronger.
"When Steve Cotterill looked at it, he agreed it was the way to go. It just suits us because it helps the spine of the team by giving us that extra man."
Scott Wagstaff and Greg Cunningham have adapted quickly since being asked to operate as wing-backs, while Marlon Pack has excelled in a holding midfield role, giving City an extra man in the middle of the park.
In addition, the deployment of three central defenders has rendered the Robins more resilient under the high ball.
"It gives us an extra header of the ball at set-pieces, whether we are attacking or defending, and it gives us an extra man in the centre of midfield," said Pemberton.
"Personally, given the players we have here, I think playing 3-5-2 is a bit of a no-brainer. It gives the team a better balance.
"When we add few players, the shape might change. I don't know. But at the moment, we will keep going the way we are going."
- bristolpost.co.uk
Pemberton, pictured, said: "We're in a transitional period and we have a new manager with his own ideas. We are taking those on board while also trying to win a few football matches.
"We switched to the new shape just before the gaffer came in and I felt it suited the players we had. It made us stronger.
"When Steve Cotterill looked at it, he agreed it was the way to go. It just suits us because it helps the spine of the team by giving us that extra man."
Scott Wagstaff and Greg Cunningham have adapted quickly since being asked to operate as wing-backs, while Marlon Pack has excelled in a holding midfield role, giving City an extra man in the middle of the park.
In addition, the deployment of three central defenders has rendered the Robins more resilient under the high ball.
"It gives us an extra header of the ball at set-pieces, whether we are attacking or defending, and it gives us an extra man in the centre of midfield," said Pemberton.
"Personally, given the players we have here, I think playing 3-5-2 is a bit of a no-brainer. It gives the team a better balance.
"When we add few players, the shape might change. I don't know. But at the moment, we will keep going the way we are going."
- bristolpost.co.uk
