Paul Trollope says he drew on his Euro 2016 experience with Wales to guide Cardiff City to a draw at Birmingham City.
The Bluebirds boss was part of Wales’ backroom staff during their run to the semi-finals of the European Championship and successfully utilised a back five to foil a Birmingham side that are still seeking their first win at St Andrew’s since March 3.
And Trollope admitted he thought the formation was the best one suited to his side as they aim for promotion to the Premier League.
He said: “There is an influence from the Euros. Obviously a few teams used it in the Euros like the team I worked with. A lot of teams have used this system and got out of this division.
“With the players I have at my disposal at the moment I think it is a good way for us to go.”
Trollope insisted the formation was not a defensive one, though, and felt his side had the opportunities to have won the game, particularly when Anthony Pilkington hit the crossbar in the second half.
“We came with positive intentions to win the game but were frustrated we didn’t win,” Trollope added. “We controlled good spells which was pleasing. We want to be progressive and dynamic but it is what happens in the box.
“The signs are good and we defended when we were put under pressure. It is, however, a work in progress and hopefully we will improve. A clean sheet on the road is not bad.”
Birmingham boss Gary Rowett felt the outcome was a fair one.
He said: “It was probably the right result on the overall reflection of the game. I don’t think we deserved to win the game but we didn’t deserve to lose.
“To keep a clean sheet was a real positive and some strong displays from Ryan Shotton and Tomasz Kuszczak played leading roles in the game.
“I admit that I am trying to bring in two players that will give us a bit more quality in the final third and win us games in the final third. We certainly need to improve in that area.”
Birmingham could have won the game late on but young substitute Jack Storer was denied by Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall.
Rowett added: “It’s the only chance he has missed since the start of pre-season. He had seven goals in seven games. He is a lad of 18 and he could have made himself a hero.
“He is bright and showed some good touches and was probably a bit more proactive than some of the other attacking players.
“That is my only criticism of the team as we appeared to be reluctant to commit bodies past the opposition. We need to take more risk in the final third.”