As the season winds down, teams with little to play for are given some freedom to shuffle the pack and have a look at alternative line ups. 

Nottingham Forest have been in that position for some time, with Aitor Karanka having little to play for other than pride and preparation.

This weekend's fixture with Cardiff City is no different, although Fulham and Aston Villa might not agree. Football is a squad game though and in order to understand the task in hand, Karanka must understand his squad.

Despite the furore such a move would create, he is the XI we think Aitor Karanka could experiment with. It's different, it's revolutionary and here at FLW, we think it might just work.

We're starting with the keeper, but from there we're suggesting a 4-1-4-1.

Pantilimon is a top class keeper and for all the experimenting Karanka should do, he shouldn't tinker here.

If he can get the big Romanian in during the summer, it will be a real coup.

There is a degree of 'as you were' about the rest of the back four, but Lichaj returning would be a change.

The man he's replacing, Tendayi Darikwa is a great player but we've got him down for another role.

The young home-grown lad has done exceptionally well and for now, we'd leave him be.

He's got England youth honours and an important role to play in the new order at the City Ground.

Obviously, Figueiredo keeps his place. Like Osborn, he's going to be an integral part of the Karanka revolution and no amount of trial and error will change that.

Besides, they owe it to Fulham and Villa to keep some of the big guns in.

He might be 31-years old but only a big summer signing will dislodge Fox from the centre of defence.

With Jack Hobbs on his way out of the door and Eric Lichaj playing right back, we're loathe to try and shuffle Fox out also.

Bridcutt has been kept out of the side by Jack Colback, but we've dropped the loan player over uncertainty in his future.

We'd play Bridcutt just in front of the back four, with a bank of four ahead of him taking care of the attacking duties.

Darikwa has been playing right back, but he's been known to prowl the wing too and we'd like to see him more advanced.

What has Karanka got to lose? Darikwa might just be the salt to Joe Lolley's pepper.

Joe Lolley was the star man against Ipswich and he's another who we feel will be massive for them next season.

He's turned out 12 times since his move from Huddersfield and every time he's looked the real deal on the flank.

Watson is a must, he's going to be part of the spine around which the rest of the team is built.

There's experimenting and there's foolishness and dropping the former FA Cup winner would be the latter.

20-year old Dowell is one for the future and although he currently only on loan from Everton, it is worth keeping him around the first team for now.

If he did become available Karanka would be foolish not to add him to the squad next year.

We're experimenting and that means a fresh face up front. We know Vellios hasn't really impressed, but with the four man midfield behind him we think he'd thrive. He's a big lad and could hold the ball up whilst Lolley and Darikwa worked the channels.

It's an experiment, so we need it to be significantly different to the usual approach.