I'll start with a disclaimer, that this post is about line ups / formations but imo, the most important part of a manager, is his man management ability, can he get the best from the players, put his players in the best position to succeed (on & off the pitch), get his players to buy into the vision / philosophy etc.
MB once stated "Are we playing together or just at the same time” Emphasising that his role at Rangers is not to teach players how to play necessarily, but to teach them how to play football together with a shared vision and understanding.
For me, this was something missing from Gio and his team. Might just be words from MB, time will tell but the principle is solid.
Back to formations, it will be interesting to see how we line up / formation wise. I believe he used both 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 at QPR.
Under Gerrard we played 4-3-3 (with wide wingers) but changed to a 4-2-3-1 for a short time, before settling (mostly) back on a 4-3-3 with two 10s (I believe to help Defoe).
At Villa, they played mostly 4-3-3 with two 10s but when things started going pear shape, they moved to a 4-3-1-2.
For me with the personal we have I prefer 4-3-3 (with two 10s), as we have a number of tens in the squad.
I like the look of Lawrence (left 10) and Hagi (right 10), (when both are fit), both get into the box, both create, both can score and both can shoot, when it's on.
We also have alternatives in Arfield (gives us something slightly different, as he gets ahead of the ball), Tillman (will be interesting to see how much game time he gets with MB and his thoughts on his work rate), Kent (more of a wide player but can MB re-ignite him), Lowry would be great in this formation, not to mention Wright / Matondo (again more of a wide players).
This would negate our inability to find / play with a solid right winger (not to mention our left winger is not standing up to be counted at the moment).
For me, 4-2-3-1, where Kent, Sakala, Wright and Matondo have failed to deliver this year, under Gio.
Imo, the bigger issue, is the lack of box - box midfielders, wither that’s, one or two box-box midfielders, which will help create overloads, which is a big part of MB philosophy.
Lundstram can play this role and maybe Lawrence can play deeper, but this area needs invested in.
Personally, I would also like a deeper lying playmaker (No. 6), than a Defensive Midfielder, he will still hold deep but be more influential on the ball (Davis at his peak).
Some may say Kamara for both the 6 and/or 8 roles. To me Kamara is a neat and tidy player, rarely gives the ball away, which is why he is used / preferred sometimes in European games, but he doesn’t stamp his authority on the game, he is not the best defensively / reading of the game and does not play enough forward passes between lines for the 6 role. Does not have the drive and attacking acumen to play the box-box (maybe that can change under MB).
Note: For those moaning about 3 holding midfields under Gerrard and Beale. Beale has stated previously, he doesn't like playing with one holding midfielder, as he wants overloads further up the pitch, overloads out wide and centrally.
I also think the inside 10s and box-box midfielders, will help Colak and his hold up play. He struggles mightily when isolated but with others closer, he will find it easier or we will be more likely to pick up 50/50s. Obviously Morelos would be better but we simply don’t know where he is at (fitness, head etc.)