How Trollope’s the Euro 2016

CARDIFF City fans became frustrated and infuriated by Russell Slade’s dogmatic 4-4-2 tactics during his two years at the Bluebirds helm, but times are changing.

Paul Trollope, a key member of Slade’s backroom team, has immediately put his own tactical stamp on the new-look Bluebirds by instead mirroring Wales’ successful Euro 2016 formation during pre-season matches.

OK, there is hardly a Gareth Bale or Aaron Ramsey in Trollope’s squad. But the new Cardiff boss has made it clear he will be utilising Wales’ successful 5-3-2 system.

Will it work in the Championship? Only time will tell. But given how Wales wowed us out in France, the football promises to be fun, exciting, almost free spirit. A stark contrast to the dire, set-piece-dominated fare we had become accustomed to under Slade.

In the Euros, Bale and Ramsey were each given free roles as two 10s in Chris Coleman’s line-up behind main striker Hal Robson-Kanu.

At Championship level, Craig Noone and Anthony Pilkington may be asked to mirror those positions as Trollope looks for a similar loose, free-flowing, skilful approach further forward.

Dutch star Lex Immers is also in the mix, new striker Federic Gounongbe needs to be factored in. The Bluebirds are positively spoilt for choice in other areas of the team, like full-back, centre back and midfield.

It will take some time for everything to settle down, but here’s how Trollope’s Bluebirds could mirror Wales.