I understand and agree, BD...Injuries and special circumstances call for alterations...BUT...if a formation and team selection is found which brings out our best, it makes sense to adopt it as our mainstay, giving the players the chance to get used to their specific jobs, fluidity, consistency, cohesion...all of which improve if peole are asked to do the same job week in week out. Not so much an issue for the defence...but for instance, with a player like Gio, whose development level is such that he simply MUST be deployed on the flank of a attacking trio, else his development curve stagnates. I think he can get better, in several areas, but only playing to his strengths will improve his weaknesses. because allowing him to SHINE, gives him confidence, an essential ingredient for any footballer old or young, but especially the young, who perhaps need to feel valued and in awe of themselves in order to reach the true heights of their potential...
The two main changes to our team, yesterday...for me...was Giovinco, Diego, Camo excelling, and also the beautiful brutality of the Melo Momo combo. Adding to that Amauri refinding his touch and luck, Canna and Chiellini proving rock like, and Buffon being back in the form which has made many of us cement him as the world's greatest...the future suddenly looks blindingly bright.