Neal Ardley says Notts County will not be a “one system team” this season as he explained the reasons behind a switch in formation.
The Magpies boss has played three central defender since the season began having largely settled for a back four last term.
But he says the tactical switch was influenced by the financial upheaval in the summer, which prior to a transfer embargo being lifted, had seen the club start pre-season with just one centre-back in Pierce Bird.
That led to full-backs being deployed as emergency centre-backs with Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain and Damien McCrory playing in the heart of the defence.
Notts have since added central defenders Ben Turner, Sam Graham and Connell Rawlinson which means Ardley no longer has to play square pegs in round holes.
And he says that while he has played three at the back in the opening games so far, it is not set in stone.
“At the start when we first came in we just had one centre-back,” he said.
“It’s very difficult if you are not a centre-back to play in a four.
“We looked at playing a three just in case we had to start the season without signing anyone.
“Then we looked at going forward and how difficult the league is going to be, and how there would be times we are going to need height and power of three centre-backs rather than two.
“It allows you to be strong down the middle of the pitch and have two forwards up there.
“It allows you all the things that this league demands, but that’s not to say we won’t mix it up.
“There’s reasons behind working on the three, but we are not a one system team.”
