One of the challenges facing the next Plymouth Argyle manager, currently believed to be the former Ross County manager Derek Adams, is whether to continue with the 3-5-2 system that served predecessor John Sheridan so well, or to switch to something different.
With three centre backs at the club of the quality of Curtis Nelson, Peter Hartley and Carl McHugh, playing three at the back made perfect sense for Sheridan. The trio helped to ensure that the Pilgrims kept one of the best defensive records in League Two with 22 clean sheets.
Nelson and McHugh are under contract for next season and, prior to Sheridan's departure, Argyle took up the option of an extra year on the contract of Hartley.
From a purely pragmatic point of view, it would seem sensible for the successor to former Republic of Ireland midfielder Sheridan to keep the shape of the team that he is set to inherit.
One area that will require the most immediate attention is the centre of midfield, following the release of Dominic Blizzard and Oliver Norburn, as well as the return of loan signing Bobby Reid to Bristol City.
There is also the futures of out-of-contract trio Anthony O'Connor, Tyler Harvey and James Bittner to resolve in addition to the above mentioned factors.
A replacement for striker Lewis Alessandra will also need to be sought, after the former Oldham and Morecambe striker agreed a deal to sign for Rochdale, who are managed by former Argyle defender Keith Hill, in a deal sees him return to his native North West.
