As frustrating as the transfer window was in the final month, Koeman and the fans need to accept that this is the reality until we can try and change things in January. No point moaning about what ifs as we can't change it now.
So the first thing for me is that we need to have a basic formation that can work for the players we have and one that actually resembles a regular formation. So if he wants to play wing backs to provide some width then fine, but he also has to use the players that can play in that position. We absolutely cannot persist with this narrow formation without wing backs. If he is playing 4 at the back, Holgate cannot play right back as he gives us no attacking intent whatsoever. Unfortunately we're stuck with Baines on the left as our only option so he has to play. Therefore the wing back options for me are Kenny, Martina or even Lennon. Martina did well yesterday but I'd still like to see Kenny given a go as I think more often than not Martina will let us down defensively. Going back to the 4 in defence, if that is what he wants to play, it should be Kenny who is played there as he can't be more of a defensive liability than Martina. Martina isn't good enough to play as a Right Back so he needs to try Kenny there until Coleman is back.
In the centre of defence, he should start using Holgate instead of Jagielka/Williams. We've tried the 'experience' of those 2 and they've let us down time and time again, and I think Keane has struggled recently with having those 2 next to him. Holgate needs to learn the game at the highest level in that position as he will never be a right back.
In to midfield and Davies showed yesterday why he needs to be starting far more games. Koeman once again left Schneiderlin on yesterday, the poorer player out of the three of him Gueye and Davies. Until we get some form back I just wouldn't even entertain the idea of Klasssen in the League or Europa League either. He's simply not been good enough. Just because we paid £45m for Sigurdsson shouldn't make him undroppable either. He was a passenger yesterday and Koeman was weak to leave him on and take off the players he did.
Calvert Lewin can be utilised in some games up front, but he needs support. He has limited ability on the ball and is still learning the game. He needs Rooney alongside him or Sandro. Rooney also showed yesterday that he can still offer something up there as well. Vlasic and Lookman to be included in the squad to actually give us some attacking drive which none of the others in the side seem to be able to. That ability to run at the opposition defence and make something happen. Only young lads so give them 30 mins minimum each game.
