Diamond formation is an option for Birmingham City

Mar 28 2008 By Colin Tattum

DIAMONDS might be forever, but are they for Birmingham City?

During the last quarter at Reading, Blues adopted a diamond formation in midfield.

Mauro Zarate played just behind Mikael Forssell and substitute Garry O'Connor, Mehdi Nafti was at the base of the diamond and Sebastian Larsson and Fabrice Muamba tucked in as the pair in the centre.

It is a strategy Blues definitely have as a future option, said joint first-team coach Andy Watson.

"Sometimes you get forced into situations," he said. "When you are a goal down you are thinking about how you can get as many attacking players on as you can.

"We are aware of all permutations and at Reading we were in a situation where we wanted to try and win it.

"We go out to cause teams problems. The players (in that formation) have to do enough going forward so it worries teams enough to bring players back, and they've also got to do enough when they haven't got the ball."