Looks like more injuries will force us to make changes anyway. McCallum will be out again Wàrbuton has said according to WLS They say Barbet will go back to the back 3 partly because he was only needed at LWB to counter WBA's physicality and partly because de Wyjs is an injury doubt Mòses likely to play LWB, Albert or Kakay RWB. Stefan is another injury doubt.
I realised our loosing streak coincided with my lack of ladies pics...sorry Kiwi! So here we go. 3 points in the bag.
Agree. He looks like our most clinical finisher. I'd like to see him and Dykes given some game time together up front.
Let's talk about Johansen. He was excellent last season and became very popular amongst fans. However, he hasn't been in form this season, in my opinion. There have been times when he's had a decent game but times when he's been a bit poor. There could be several reasons. Not as bothered now that he's got the contract? (I don't believe this) Struggling with the responsibility of running midfield now that Field isn't with him? Being made captain has put a burden on his shoulders? Is being used incorrectly by Warburton? Is carrying an injury? I personally don't believe #1. He seems like a decent character. #2 could be a possibility but Dom Ball has been in decent form, so is that really an excuse? He also has Amos back now. Field won't return for a while still. #3 I actually think he's a crap captain. He is really quiet and usually whinges rather than makes a strong case to the referee. We picked our captain with our hearts rather than heads. It's possible that it could have added pressure for him. #4 could well be the issue. From what I've seen, Dom Ball and Johansen both press forwards when on the ball. And when we lose the ball, I've often seen Dom Ball in quite an advanced position, having to track back and leaving Johansen to try and defend. Surely it would be better for Dom Ball to try and stick around the area in front of the back line and then allow Johansen to do what he does best, without so much defensive responsibility? Seems obvious to me, but I'm guessing Warburton is more in the know than myself! I'd also like to see Chair and Willock take turns in dropping back to provide an addition pair of feet to pass to when the midfield is overloaded (and, by the way, a lot of teams have worked us out this season: overload the midfield and they have us in their pockets). #5 He did actually pick up a knock in the 3rd or 4th game. Could be a factor, be he has looked comfortable otherwise. Any thoughts?
#5 and only #5 in my book. He's played alright, well even, other than the last couple and he was subbed through injury in the last game. Just looked a bit knackered. Warbs long ball tactics didn't suit him against WBA.
Of course, I can understand what happened in the last game. I really don't think we should have played long ball. But has he really been on good form? Compared to last season, he hasn't been the same player. Of course, he had a slight fitness issue as he joined us a bit late this season. But something is not right and we can't say he's been injured in every game? What do you think about the midfield setup? Couldn't it be adjusted to better suit him (in terms of formation and roles, rather than substituting players in and out)?
#5 plus he is knackered either due to lack of fitness or generally being overrun in midfield. I would like to see a line-up that would allow us to play 4-4-2 against some opposition as this would allow the midfield some respite. Using 3-5-2 has worked well, but I think it's fair to say that against certain opposition we would probably fair better with 4-4-2 or even 4-5-1.
#4 jumps out at me. It is very rare to find a midfielder who can attack and defend in equal measure. Most have their preference and their place they feel most comfortable. Maybe he isn't used to having to go between attack mode and defence mode so quickly and it is a struggle for him. Any fitness concerns would then just emphasis the problem as he won't be so able to constantly run the length of the field to follow play.
I think he has been mostĺý good, got us a clinical injury time winner. Don't think he had a proper pre sèason so not fully fit. Also he has had no defensive midfielder of the calibre of Cameron or Field covering his arse. He is à better DM and playmaker than Balĺ, so often ends up playing back there, and thereby not able to do as much opening up defenses as he did last season. We need Field back, and our one important failure in the last window was not bringing in a decentt DM/CB to replace Cameron and cover for Field. Ì think we needed that more than we did Gray.
It is strange that we have so many injuries and alot of them hamstring issues. We seem to have more than any other team at the moment. Is it something to do with our training or are we just a fragile side with lots of sicknotes ? It's poor recruitment if it's the latter and something we need to look at urgently if it's the former. There aren't many of the squad that haven't had a niggle or injury already this season which can't be coincidental this early in the season.
The question is, do we really have more injuries of that nature than the average team? It's a common football injury. I don't know the answer, but I'd suspect that a number of clubs have the same issue.
Maybe just for once it's purely bad luck and nothing else......... last season especially after Christmas we went through with virtually no real injury issues and saying how good the medical staff and Warbles were at managing playing time.......