Redknapp explains reasons for 3-5-2 switch

Harry Redknapp believes QPR now have the right players for the formation he wanted to use last season.

The Rangers boss has long planned to deploy a 3-5-2 system this term, having previously tried it unsuccessfully.

This summer he has brought in defenders Rio Ferdinand and Steven Caulker, as well as midfielder Jordon Mutch and, crucially, marauding Chilean wing-back Mauricio Isla.

Redknapp explained: “I played that way last year three or four times. Unfortunately they were games when we didn’t really [perform].

“Maybe I was forcing the system onto them a bit last year but I’ve brought people in now who I think can play it and I like the system.

“It was something I wanted to do all last season. I kept telling the players; ‘This is how I really want to play.’ But when I tried it at Charlton we lost to a goal in the 94th minute when we really should have won 3-0 or 4-0.

“Now I’ve got the opportunity to try it. But I’m not silly and if it doesn’t go well I’ll change it.”

The 3-5-2 formation was used by several teams at the World Cup and is expected to be adopted more frequently by Premier League sides this season.

But Redknapp insists he is no newcomer to the system, which was fairly popular some years ago.

He said: “I played that way at Portsmouth. The first year I was there I played every single game with that system. It’s not something that’s new to me.

“I played that way at West Ham too all them years ago. I had Trevor Sinclair as a right wing-back.

“It enables you to get two strikers in. Teams have problems getting two front men in unless you play 4-4-2 and then suddenly you’re getting overrun in midfield.

“Most teams now play with one striker – very few in the modern game play with two. This way it enables you to get three midfield players in and two strikers.”

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