Three Is The Magic Number

Last updated : 14 July 2003 By Andy Beill
With the five new summer signings, it has been a matter of speculation as to how they will all fit into the side. While a 4-4-2 formation was mainly used last season, a brash 4-3-3 line-up could be in operation.

Taylor revealed: "I know playing three out-and-out strikers might surprise some people but it's definitely an option I'm considering."

Ben Burgess, Jamie Forrester and Danny Allsopp are the three out and out forwards at the club, Taylor has other choices available to him.

He said: "We have a lot more options up front now. Apart from Ben, Jamie and Danny, there's Stuart Elliott and Jason Price who did well as a striker for Tranmere last season.
"Basically, we've brought Jason in to play wide on the right but he's a tremendous athlete and he could play up front. When you add in Danny Webb and Clayton Donaldson, there's a plenty of strength in depth. It's all about finding a system that everyone is happy with."

Meanwhile, there is likely to be intense competition in the middle of the park if just a 3-man midfield was used. Last season's regulars Dean Keates, Ian Ashbee and Stuart Elliott will be joined by new signings Jason Price, Richard Hinds, as well as fit-again Richie Appleby, who Taylor thinks of as a 'new signing': "Richie has looked very sharp and it's good to see him back. He wants to put last season behind him and show everyone what he can do.
"I rate him very highly and in many ways it's like having a new signing."

27-year-old Appleby has started just 7 games since signing from Kidderminster a year ago due to troubling injuries.