Last season Jack Whatmough was, before injury, touted as 'the future' for Pompey. He was rated ahead of Clarke and Webster. It is unclear how well he has recovered from injury and appears to be in the 'no mans land' that the lack of reserve team football creates - not in the first team and unable to prove himself or get match practise. I notice that yesterday he was not even on the bench- presumably because Clarke is currently considered above him. He is however, perhaps one of our most talented players and, given our current inconsistency, perhaps we need to find a way to give him first team opportunity. As I see it there are three possible ways of doing this : 1) Play him instead of Clarke or Davies. 2) Play three in the back row Burgess, Clarke & Whatmough. 3) Consider him in the defensive mid-field position. (there has been some criticism of Doyle's form of late). All would be bold moves but it appears some adjustments need to be made to fully utilise available talent if we are going to change a basically reasonable team into an automatic promotion team. Comment please
Well PDU, one of our coaches was with Jack Whatmough on the pitch before kick-off on Saturday, presumably checking his fitness, which is a worry to my mind. I agree, he reads the game well, and is an excellent central defensive prospect. Would love to see him in a three man defence alongside Christian Burgess and Matt Clarke, as I don't think it is working with Gareth Evans at right back, as basically he is a right winger or midfielder. Also, not at all impressed with Drew Talbot at right back. We really miss Ben Davies, and to my mind we should have done everything we could to keep him at Fratton Park for at least another season or two. Also, we should be starting matches with two strikers up front in Conor Chaplin and Noel Hunt (when fit), if we are looking to win games. I'm not paid to make these decisions though, but everyone I talk to do wonder about Paul Cook's tactics, player choices, and playing formations. He has got to get it right soon, as it isn't working at present. The fans realise it, but it doesn't appear the manager does !!
Hi Woopert. Thanks for the response. I read the comments in the The News about the rigidity of Cook's one up front system and also his potential longevity as manager. I have some sympathy with Cook. Some years ago I showed a building contractor, who was adopting the same system on all his contracts, a different system that was not suitable for all his jobs but would be significantly more efficient on some contracts. He saw the advantages but rejected using it. His reasoning was that he had enough problem getting his men to adhere to one system of work and that varying the system from job to job would give him more problems. I think Cook has the same view. Playing a different system home and away (two up front at home) means the team has half the practice at each system. It appears to me that he has tried to modify the his adopted system slightly this season. I get the impression that, while not a second striker, Roberts has been playing further forward. He is also giving Chaplin a run. However, I believe he should change to a two up front system.(home and away) It could backfire but I believe we must go for more wins. based on the simple equation "One win = three draws" (points wise). Also the current system perhaps relies on Roberts too much. His form seems patchy but I think you have to expect that when a mid fielder plays a more attacking role and has to take more chances with the final pass. The main concern is that he could get injured and I am not sure we have a similar player to slot into his role (Chaplin possibly??). However, we have four strikers to select 2 from Smith Chaplin Main and Hunt. Also I read in reports that Roberts appears to tire round the 70 minute mark and comments that Cook's reluctance to substitute him demonstrates that he has favourites. But the reason may be there is no equivalent player, role wise, on the bench so his withdrawal would be too disruptive. I am interested that, assuming an injury free squad you would prefer Hunt to Main. I fear Hunt, coming back from injury, has the same problem as Watmough - he is not getting any football to prove himself in.
