I think he's been totally underused this season, look at the pace and attacking options he provides. the run down the wing for mackies goal was brilliant as was the cross. we don't have many players that can do that.
Taiwo and Traore overlapping down the flank is an exciting prospect and one I too have been puzzled by the lack of use of.
The issue is fitting both Taiiwo and Traore into the side. Unless we're going to play 4-5-1 all the time, there's no space in midfield to accomodate one of these, because in reality our best side (barring departures and replacements) is: Kenny Hill Ferdinand Onouha Taiwo / Traore Mackie Faurlin Diakite Derry Taarabt Cisse And any midfield changes will accomodate Buzsaky, SWP, or possibly (should he stay around) Barton. So it's not easy to see how you'd get them both in ths side. There's still Luke Young to fit into this side. And DJ when he's back and fit. And Tommy Smith. And Bothroyd. And Zamora. We've got a pretty good squad already, when you look at it. It'll be interesting to see what players Sparky looks to bring in, come July 1st.
First game they played together they were almost falling over each other, getting in each others way. Think that was partly why they were not used together much after that, but on the few occasions Traore has come on they seem to have it better sorted.
I think Traore is a much better option than Taarabt at LW for away games, he can defend better and has got the pace to hit them on the counter as witnessed at City. Taarabt holds the ball up to much and brings the break to a halt. I think hes been underused this season.
There is some merit in playing Traore on the left especially away from home, although Adel is simply our best player. It's a problem MH will have to sort out. Me thinks he went for Onouha at RB over young and Taiwo at LB over Traore to basically shore us up and stop us conceding so much. Basically it worked. I really thought that both our fullbacks were seriously curtailed during our last 10 games and basically offered very very little going forward. Next year we must be more adventorous and creative. Don't really think Onouha can play this role at RB. Traore has real pace and he can stretch the opposition. We need more pace in our midfield as neither, Adel, Barton, Mackie or Ali have huge pace. A nice problem to have going forward.
I think Traore proved he can play in the LM slot on away days. Part of our reason for a struggle this year was not being solid away from home and edgeing out some draws. Adel does not give us that away from home , if he plays away he needs to be on of the top two and two banks of 4 behind him. I also thought before he went to the african nations Traore was one of our best players, i do feel he should have played more on his return.
I agree still think the T n T option down the left would work well, defensively and attacking. Diatake and Faurlin Should be fine in the centre by themselves, as long as they learn to play with each other(hopefully not on the pitch). Playing a 4-2-3-1 leaves a question mark on whether Traore can support the striker as needed, getting to the box and scoring. Playing a 4-4-2 I don't think he would have a problem. MH has the Summer to work on it but plenty of promise with this.
If we play 4231 away from home then Taarabt could play the centre and Traore on the left but Hughes seems to like the standard 451 or 4141 meaning Taarabt really has to be a central midfielder and he is not that. He has to play wide in every formation weve tried except the 4231 if someone has a free role but thats never happened under Hughes.
what about a 4-4-1-1, -----Kenny----- Onouha-Hill-Ferdinand-Tawio- Mackie-Diakite-Faulin-Traore ---Tarrabt---- ----Cisse----
That could be ok but Hughes hasnt once has Taarabt in the middle so I dont think he will start now. I dont think we can afford Taarabt in a free role unless he starts hitting NPC form.
Onuoha is wrong too (as is Taarabt) I think but I usually spell it wrongly too. If we sign a couple of Finns, Igor will be doing his nut at some of our spellings. AITTOKALLIO, SAMI HARIKKALA, JAAKKO AALTONEN, JUHA-MATTI TAPIO KOLEHMAINEN, JANNE RUOTSALAINEN, REIJO Imagine if we signed a few players like that!
Ive been quite impressed with Trarore this season and remember how well he played at Norwich away easily our best player. Cant understand why hes not a regular in our team.
WLW based on your team who would you drop if MH bought in other players to fill some of those positions.
