I agree McFadzean didnt have a good game yesterday, but I did think there were mitigating factors. Their right back had the measure of McGeady in the main and that meant it was often coming back down the left side quicker. I also thought they were good down that side with two of their better players in tandem. That said he should have done better than he did positionally and for their goal. But then Jones was asleep for the goal as well.
Hume should come in as he is a better player. Whether he is good enough defensively to play full back I am not sure. My recall, which isnt always great, is that he good going forward, good pace which is an asset, but defensively is a bit naieve. I hope we arent all making the mistake of allowing players to become better through absence. That said I do think it will be an upgrade.
Similar point on O'Nien whereby people want him back in midfield where he is one of our better midfielders seemingly. Again my memory may be playing tricks but I do not have memories of a string of dominant midfield performances, or attacking displays. Was he really that good that he must go straight in ahead of Scowen, Winchester, Power, Leadbitter etc? Everytime I watch him at CB I think he should stay there. Him and Sanderson look a proper partnership to me. When Power fluffed the pass yesterday I doubt Wright would have had the pace to snuff it out like O'Nien did. Nor do I see Wright as the lad who can make us play so comfortably from the back. He is more experienced and an organiser, but like all centre halves he makes mistakes and gets caught out. I personally just think O'Nien needs to stay where he is along with Sanderson. Wright back in a 3, but not at the expense of one of Sanderson or O'Nien.
Good post mate,lot of sense in that. I think I would leave Luke and Dion as a pairing at centre back....there is pace,as you say,and they're dealing with most things well. P'boro have one of the divisions better strikers,but he didn't do that much yesterday and,yes,O9 had to throw himself about a bit,but he's well capable of doing that and I think they've worked up quite an understanding. I have a sneaky feeling that centre back may well prove to be Luke's best position,and we may well have uncovered a gem there by pure accident.
Yes,we need Denver back. I think McFadzean has improved under LJ...as indeed have most of the others...but there's always a mistake in there,often more than one. Denver is not the best defensively,but he's a bit sounder and is much better going forward...McGeady will have more faith playing the ball to him I think.
On the other side,in my opinion McLaughlin is another who's benefited from the LJ coaching and I'd like to see him in with Power moving to midfield. I was quite pleased yesterday first half with Grant and Winch in the middle,I thought we played well,but Grant worries me sometimes....he almost seems to leave it till the last minute to make his pass,wants a little too long on the ball,and runs the risk of getting caught,or playing the wrong pass to get out of trouble.
As for up front,I think the playing of both Wyke and Stewart was a mistake. I would like to see one or other of them with someone in and around them.....O'Brien is an intelligent player and makes good runs in the channels,but,he seems to lack the instinct in front of goal.....maybe Maguire,maybe Gooch, maybe even Jones....all of whom are comfortable with the ball at their feet and who can pick up the knock downs.... with Diamond on the wing maybe the way to go.
One good thing is that,with players coming back from injury at just the right time,LJ has several options at his disposal.
If we'd have taken 3 points yesterday,I'd be hugely confident of automatic promotion....I still think we have some nail biting to do!
