Colchester United played two in attack in Carlisle win

TO paraphrase William Shakespeare, two up front, or not two up front?

That seems to be the question on the lips of a number of Colchester United supporters over recent weeks, as the race for the League Two play-offs hots up.

U’s head coach John McGreal has opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation for much of the season.

It is a modern-day system that served them well for the vast majority of their impressive 16-match league unbeaten run, along with their memorable Carabao Cup run to the quarter-finals.

Indeed, they have established themselves as one of the division's most prolific sides using those tactics and lining up in such a manner ties in with the DNA of the club, with the same approach used throughout the various teams in Colchester’ academy.

It is a philosophy that the U’s have adopted for some time now.

But in their last two away games, Colchester have reverted to a somewhat more old-school approach – and it has proved very profitable.

Both of their wins on the road against Carlisle United and Salford City have been achieved with two up front.

And for many U’s fans, that has added to a compelling argument for fielding a double-pronged attack on a more consistent basis, as the season draws to a conclusion.

Colchester certainly profited from pairing Luke Norris alongside the recalled Frank Nouble in attack at Carlisle United, on Saturday.

Perhaps it was no surprise that McGreal chose to play the pair together, given his response last month when asked whether or not the club would be left short in the attacking department following Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe’s departure for the Israeli League.

“When you’ve got Theo (Robinson) playing particularly well and scoring and Nos (Luke Norris) backing that up along with Frank (Nouble) who can do that as well, we do feel as though we’re covered in that area,” the U’s boss said last month.

Norris and Nouble linked up together well at Carlisle; it allowed Kwame Poku to flourish in a wide role (along with Nouble when necessary) and paved the way for an impressive attacking performance with good combination play that yielded three goals away from home without reply.

And in the away game that preceded their win at Brunton Park, the U’s went to Salford City and won 2-1, having chosen to partner Norris with Theo Robinson up front.

The fact that Colchester lost their next game at home to Cheltenham Town having reverted back to the 4-2-3-1 system only added fuel to the calls of those baying for two up front.

With opponents more accustomed to dealing with the U’s playing a lone striker, having to contend with them having two centre forwards on the pitch has given them something different to think about.

But every game – and opponent - is different and presents its own unique challenges.

Having now presided over 200 games as a manager, McGreal knows when it is right and when it is not to adopt a certain formation.

Indeed, he has shown that in-play formation changes can also prove profitable, with a recent example being the 3-1 home win over leaders Swindon Town in January - where the introduction of Norris as a substitute alongside Robinson resulted in the U’s scoring three late goals.

With struggling Scunthorpe United next up for the U’s at the JobServe Community Stadium this weekend, it will intriguing to see which approach McGreal adopts.

But one thing is for sure; the U’s head coach’s main priority will be plotting the best way in which to get three valuable points, in whichever way he can.