The Mail's Philip Buckingham is with Hull City at their pre-season camp in Portugal.
It was the unusual system that inspired Hull City's promotion out of the Championship and Steve Bruce has no plans to abandon his much-loved 3-5-2 shape in the Premier League.
After admitting his intentions to stick with a wing-back formation to the Mail last week, Bruce is working hard to ensure that tactical approach is not found wanting in the top flight.
Extensive training drills yesterday morning were focused upon retaining shape without the ball, with an emphasis on pressing the opposition in dangerous areas.
Curtis Davies, who is the one central defender unfamiliar with the shape, was singled-out for extra tuition by Bruce ahead of facing Sheffield Wednesday this evening.
Although City boldly reverted back to 4-4-2 for the final day of the season's 2-2 draw with Cardiff, all indicators point towards a 3-5-2 shape at Chelsea four weeks tomorrow.Zayatte is another familiar old face
Hull City head back to the Estadio Municipal De Albufeira for the friendly against Sheffield Wednesday this evening – almost three years ago to the day since their last visit.
The 5,000-capacity stadium played host to City's 4-2 defeat against Steve Bruce's Sunderland in July 2010.
That evening saw Fraizer Campbell run riot with all four goals to sink Nigel Pearson's men but City are unrecognisable three years on.
Of the travelling party here in Portugal, only Paul McShane and Tom Cairney featured in the game, although Ahmed Elmohamady was in action for Sunderland that night.
Tonight's clash will see another face from that night, though, with ex-Tiger Kamil Zayatte on trial at the Owls.Tiger cubs defend Browns LDV crown
All the attention has been on Steve Bruce's first-team, but Hull City's under-18s have also made the most of their training camp on the Algarve.
Based further east along the coast close to Vilamoura, the young Tigers will return home with silverware for the second consecutive season after retaining the Browns LDV Tournament silverware.
After success in 2012 came on penalties against Glasgow giants Celtic, City again held their nerve in another shoot-out to sink Nigerian side Nathaniels Boys in Thursday night's final.
Youth team captain Eoghan McCawl collected the trophy to ensure Billy Russell's side began the new campaign in style.
