Newly Promoted Crystal Palace Team/Tactics

Hi guys,

I have recently been promoted from the Championship as Champions with Crystal Palace in 2015/2016.

I took over midway through 2014/15 when they were languishing around the foot of the Championship having been relegated from the Premier League the previous season. We had a great second half of the season and managed to push into the play-offs, being beaten in the Semi Finals. The following season we won the League with 98 Points, 15/16 points ahead of second place.

The Tactic I have used for both campaigns has been a Rigid 4/5/1, with 2 central midfielders (1x Defensive minded, 1x automatic), 2 Wingers and 1 Centre Forward (usually on-loan Patrick Bamford, 32 goals in the promotion season!).

The team lined up (generally) as follows:

Hennessey

Joel Ward, Alexandre Barthe, Danny Batth, Jonathan Parr

Jose Campana (Defensive), Hiram Boateng (Automatic)

Aaron Niguez Sadio Diallo Adam Johnson

Patrick Bamford

Give or take a few minor changes from game to game.

I tend to issue pre-match instructions for Attacking Football (many goals scored, far too many conceded), playing fairly wide and retaining possession, and this has worked well for me in the Championship.

I have now signed Mark Noble for £6m to play alongside Campana, and also looking for a Striker to replace Bamford - which will be difficult.

Now I am in the Premier League, I will be looking to play fairly narrow, and pack the midfield, possibly dropping both CM's into DM positions.

Your thoughts/suggestions please!

In spite of the detail above, it's hard to actually visualise the whole set up as you haven't actually detailed the Roles and Duties of all the players.

If you do that, someone will be able to chip in and give you some advice.