THE manager has changed the shape of the team since he first took over. His apparent preference for 4-4-2 has been shelved in favour of the more recent switch to 3-5-2.

"I don't have a preference. It is really down to what works better for your players. I quite enjoy playing with either system," he said this week.

"Changing the formation is something I did very rarely when I was at Chelsea, but flexibility is very important. You have to be prepared to change, and I am trying to do the best for the team. I am not really stubborn. It is what a new manager in a new club is likely to have to do because you have to get to know your players to see what works and doesn't.

"You sign players who are capable of doing more than one thing, because that gives you the possibility to change. That is the important aspect. You have to see how things work as a team. Players can be performing well individually, but you may not get the end-product as you would get from the team performing well," he said referring to some of the early-season displays.

"Basically, situations change, and you have to be prepared to deal with in a different manner. There are managers who change the shape and system during the game so I don't think it is such a big deal."

November 9, 2001 10:00