We started off the season continuing the relatively successful approach of last season in a 433 formation looking to ‘play between the lines’ to use one of Vieira’s favourite phrases.
However, without the high energy midfield of last season and without Gallagher’s attacking instincts and goals, the system has not delivered.
Eventually, and probably too late, Vieira seemed to realise this and acknowledged that he needed to change the approach.
He elected to play in a more compact fashion with more direct passes and less play through midfield , but in truth he never looked comfortable with this approach and we seemed to lack much sense of direction or purpose.
We’re now neither one thing nor the other and this needs to be fixed for the remaining games.

Weaknesses-
We don’t have the electric pace or overlapping full backs to be a successful counter attacking team.
We don’t have a target man to hit with direct passes to build play with others in support.
We don’t have a good enough midfield to dominate possession and often lose the ball through sloppy passing.
We struggle in front of goal

Strengths -
Our centre backs and goalkeeper are as good as any outside the top 6
We have a number of talented individuals who can definitely improve on their performances to date this season
We have some solid professionals who can be relied upon to do a job for the team

Based on the above, what approach should we use for the remaining games?
I would be tempted to use a combination of 442 / 451 using players in their correct positions.
No more Zaha as lone striker nor Schlupp in central midfield.
Quicker and more forward passing and a significant increase in chance creation.
Two holding midfield players giving our forward players a platform to play.
Essentially being organised and being set up to both defend and attack.
Making the best use of our available resources .
It doesn’t sound that complicated on paper and football played at it’s best is quite a simple game with players making more correct than incorrect decisions.

The ball must move forward instead of side to side and the opposition's defenders and goalkeeper need to be tested for mistakes more often. This requires a level of fitness and abrasion that I'm not so sure the players have at the moment, but it's simple to understand and easily implemented.

I also think the fitness of McArthur and Hughes is crucial, as their experience is badly needed, and also i wonder if Luka will regain a bit of form now a PV has gone. they were oil and water.

“That’s a joke son, I say, that’s a joke.” “Nice boy, but he’s sharp as a throw pillow.” “He’s so dumb he thinks a Mexican border pays rent” “ “Son… I say, son, some people are so narrow minded they can look through a keyhole with both eyes.”__ Forhorn Leghorn

It is exactly the lack of such holding midfielders we are in the present mess with a dearth of goals! This has been our weakness since Cabaye left (and Bannon, Hughes before him). I had hoped the introduction of Logonga and Ahamada would rectify this. Of the two Ahamada shows some promise and hopefully he will blossom. If not we could be struggling even with supposedly 'easier' fixtures coming up.

Whatever formation etc it is there are a few things i'd love to see sorted out.

1: Stop the forwards constantly coming short for a pass. It stops dead any attack that we are trying to build and just ends up going back to the defence or losing possession. Actually put a bit of effort in and make some runs down the wings in the space behind.

2: When going forward get a midfielder or 2 in some space further up the field instead of just standing on the halfway line watching the game.

3: Get the lazy gits pressing for longer than 10 minutes.

4: Drop Schlupp and never let him start again.

5: Have a bloody shot instead of pissing around with it on the edge of the area.

Agree with all points other than 4) and even on that one I can see where you're coming from!
I find it interesting with Dyche, who's very much seen as a 442 merchant, but has adapted at Everton in the absence of avaliable or good enough strikers.
His front 3 is now Iwobi, Gray and McNeil, which shouldn't strike fear into the opposition, but they're getting results.
Organisation and clarity of direction can compensate for weaknesses.