“It will be a 4-3-1-2 system, but that can be changed to 4-3-2-1 or 4-2-3-1 depending on the circumstances. With the characteristics of the players we have right now, I’d say 4-3-1-2 is the best solution." - So said Ciro Ferrara when discussing the arrival of play maker Diego and how to get the best out of him. That was way back in June and with 9 wins from a potential 17, one has to question the logic of the formation so far.

The other big signing of the summer, Felipe Melo, has been quick to point out that he's not a play maker and Ciro Ferrara is using him incorrectly, while a host of other coaches have spoken out in support of the much maligned midfielder.

With a win rate of just 52% for the season, you have to ask....what next ? To most fans and critics alike, the solution seems obvious - revert back to the successful 4 - 2 - 3 - 1, a formation that Ferrara flirted with for a few games before dropping it when it became apparent Del Piero could not fit in to these plans.

When first employed, 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 with Sissoko and Melo combining to sit in front of the defence and Giovinco Diego and Camoranesi in midfield worked miracles. Juventus thumped Sampdoria 5 - 1 with Giovinco and Camoranesi pushing wide to give Diego room to maneuvered in the middle of the pitch. The hard tackling duo of Momo and Melo provided plenty of cover at the back and allowed the full-backs to push into the last third of the field.

Using the same formation, Juventus went comfortably ahead against Napoli, only to capitulate to some inspired midfield work by Marek Hamsik. The following game against Haifa, Ferrara shuffled his deck, bringing in Tiago to the left midfield position with varied results - Juventus won the game by a slender goal. Juventus headed to Bergamo needing a result to keep apace with Inter - Ferrara bought the 'Atomic Ant' back in to the line up and once again, the results were devastating. A 5 - 2 win and Juventus were back to their best, playing attractive football with a devil may care attitude.

A slender win at Udinese and Juventus headed to Bordeaux desperate for win - Alex Del Piero was fit again and Giovinco was once again left on the bench. The result was a foregone conclusion as Juventus struggled to create anything against the French side, slipping to a much deserved 2 - 0 defeat.

The rest, as they say, is history - In Cagliari Claudio Marchisio was moved to the left of midfield and the results were disastrous. Ferrara had had enough - 4 - 3 - 1 - 2 was the game plan once again and despite some brief respite against Inter, the formation as a whole has been woeful.

With Sebastian Giovinco fit and healthy, questions have been asked once again of Juve's usage of the Atomic Ant - On the two occasions he's started on the left of midfield the results have been definitive - 5 goal hauls and Juventus have never played better. With a series of 5 losses in 6 games, will it now take a change of manager for Sebastian Giovinco to be bought back in to the team ?