Right now if we had Costa then playing him when Harrison is going through a drop in form wouldn't be a bad option. I still think James will be used more centrally.
IMO, the edge Harrison over the other wingers is that he could easily play full-on LB. The other wingers try to varying degrees, but blow hot on cold on their defensive duties. Not one of the others could turn out as a full-on FB, imo. Similarly, for Shackleton, everyone is judging him on the little game time he's been afforded as a RB. Clearly he's not a right back - he's just a fill-in. He's never had a long run in MF, nor is he likely to in the current set-up, so it seems logical to me that he goes out on loan somewhere in January where he can get game time to prove himself one way or the other, preferably in the Championship.
I think Alioski and Harrison had developed a good understanding. That is missing this season so far and coupled with Ayling injured on the right has caused a lot of the issues we are having. Hopefully Firpo will be back and build on his understanding with Harrison, Ayling is on his way and Bamford will be available before too long as well.
James has saved us a few times when providing defensive cover, I’d play him on the left without hesitation at the moment. My annoyance is playing an out of form Harrison next to an out of position James when we have Joffy and Rodrigo, drop Harrison (or James) and play those two through the middle.
WJ makes a good point on Shaks playing out of position at LB and even he sees himself as an AM. Cody Drameh is an actual LB and an attacking LWB. Think he should be given a real go, but that then gives you ghe dilema Shaks has got because I dont think hes better than anyone in ghe middle, unless he can do Klichs role with more attacking flair
