F365's Top Ten Tactical Tweaks

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10. Sir Alex Ferguson
Ferguson has tinkered with his system constantly this season - to varying degrees of success - but the most important decision the manager has made was to haul Rafael off after just 31 minutes against Reading. The right-back has been one of United's best players in the current campaign, but was having such a bad day at the office that it rivalled the time I forgot to wear trousers to work. Thankfully, like my mother, Ferguson came to the rescue; not with a pair of short shorts, but by giving the Brazilian the hook to ensure he wasn't banned for Sunday's clash with Man City. Both stories ended in tears, for Rafael and myself, but I'm certain we're both stronger for the experience.


9. Tony Pulis
Stoke have hoofed themselves from 15th to ninth in recent weeks, with four wins and a draw in their last five matches. The key moment in the Potters' run came against Newcastle, when the introduction of Michael Kightly and Cameron Jerome turned the game to help Stoke win 2-1. Jerome grabbed the winner in the 85th minute and Tony Pulis said after the match: "For 15 to 20 minutes they looked very comfortable and then we made the changes with Kights and Cameron Jerome and that changed the game. They livened it up for us." After such a crucial tactical decision, perhaps Pulis should be considered a ready-made replacement for Arsene Wenger? I, for one, would like to see it happen.


8. Paul Lambert
Who wants a hot footie tip for January? Get a piece of the action: Darren Bent will leave Aston Villa in the transfer window. Considering I also backed Aleksandr Kerzhakov to be top scorer at Euro 2012 - and once forgot to wear trousers to work - I'd treat that advice very carefully. However, it seems as though Bent has been frozen out by Lambert, with the manager failing to offer a decent reason for the striker's omission from his squads against Arsenal and Reading. In some ways, the manager's decision to stick with Christian Benteke has been a good move. The 22-year-old does a lot more leg work than Bent and has played a key role in Villa's improved performances, which have seen the young team jump to 15th. While Bent remains the best finisher at the club, Benteke contributes more in his all-round game, and Lambert deserves credit for putting his faith in the striker.


7. Andre Villas-Boas
We'll never know how Spurs' switch to 4-4-2 against Arsenal would have worked out after Emmanuel Adebayor's reckless red card, but they were certainly the better team for the first 17 minutes of the match. The manager has made other key decisions this season, though; notably his half-time changes against QPR when Spurs were trailing to a Bobby Zamora goal. Steven Caulker came on for the ineffective Gylfi Sigurdsson, with Jan Vertonghen switching to left-back and Gareth Bale returning to the wing as the home team fought back to claim a 2-1 victory. "We felt we needed to make changes at half time," said Villas-Boas after the match, and Vertonghen and Caulker have now both established themselves as part of the manager's first-choice back four.


6. David Moyes
Although Moyes had experimented with Marouane Fellaini in a more attacking role before this season, the manager's consistent selection of the Belgian behind a leading striker has been crucial to Everton's solid start. The Toffees' assault on the top four may have stuttered in the last few weeks, but Fellaini has maintained his excellent form, scoring six goals and contributing three assists in his last nine appearances. Felliani's continued success as Tim Cahill's replacement in attacking midfield will be vital to Everton's chances of finishing in the European spots.


5. Sam Allardyce
John Nicholson questioned what Big Sam has to do to earn respect this week, and the manager is due a large helping of credit after steering West Ham to a comeback win against Chelsea. With the Hammers struggling to impose themselves in the first half, Allardyce brought on Mohamed Diame and Matty Taylor in an attempt to dominate a Chelsea midfield that has looked vulnerable in recent weeks. The introduction of the impressive Diame enabled West Ham to bully the Blues in the centre of the pitch and the summer signing from Wigan made more tackles than any other player managed in 90 minutes. The changes saw the home team gain the upper hand on their way to a 3-1 victory and Allardyce will have enjoyed getting one over Rafa Benitez.


4. Chris Hughton
Hughton endured a terrible start at Norwich, with the Canaries losing 5-0 to Fulham in his first match in charge and failing to win any of their first seven Premier League fixtures. However, the manager's switch to a 4-4-1-1 formation, with Wes Hoolahan playing behind Grant Holt, has seen Norwich go on an eight-match unbeaten run - their best form in the top flight since 1989. With bustling midfielder Alexander Tettey also coming into the starting line-up, the Canaries have looked a lot more solid and secured two impressive 1-0 victories over Arsenal and Man United to boost their charge up the table.


3. Michael Laudrup
Here's one you won't have heard: Nice to Michu. Nice to Mi-chu. Meet you, geddit? Nice to meet you. Swansea's summer signing from Rayo Vallecano has proved to be the bargain of the season, grabbing ten goals so far from just 40 shots to lead the top scorers' table. While Michu started in an attacking midfield role, Laudrup has increasingly given the Spaniard licence to roam further forward, with the 26-year-old even starting as a lone striker in several matches. The manager's tweak saw Michu grab both goals in the 2-0 victory over Arsenal as he effectively formed a striking partnership with Luke Moore in the last 20 minutes. While Michu isn't the most creative player in possession, Laudrup has recognised his excellent qualities in attack and the move has helped Swansea to recover from their September slump to climb within three points of third.


2. Brendan Rodgers
The most encouraging thing about Rodgers' short reign at Anfield has been his in-game changes and ability to spot weaknesses in his team. The manager reacted to Everton's rousing comeback in the Merseyside derby by switching to three at the back - effectively killing the game - and while the Reds were also aided by Kevin Mirallas' enforced substitution at half time, Rodgers should still be credited for adapting his system. Similarly, Rodgers' switch from a 3-5-2 formation to 4-2-3-1 against Chelsea saw Liverpool claw their way back into the match and eventually grab an equaliser through Luis Suarez. It was also the first time Jose Enrique played in a more advanced position, which has looked a good option for the manager as he tries to make the most of his small squad.


1. Roberto Mancini
Mancini has had mixed success in switching to a back three this season - meaning it's mostly been a terrible idea - but on two occasions it has helped Man City to gain a crucial advantage. The manager's decision to substitute Sergio Aguero for Aleksandar Kolarov against Wigan brought much confusion, but the change to a 3-5-2 formation allowed City to dominate Wigan's midfield and they finished the game strongly to win 2-0. Similarly, Mancini made the switch in the second half against Spurs when the match was tied at 1-1. The Italian's tinkering instigated a final push from City and while Spurs' last attempt on goal came in the 73rd minute, the champions had another five shots and won three corners in search of a winning goal, which they eventually found through Edin Dzeko. Kudos, Roberto.

Matt Stanger - he's on the Twitter.