Manning cannot defend. Good player going forward but he has never learned to close down a winger - and we look permanently vulnerable to crosses. On the other side, Fraser works hard but that is another square peg in a round hole. Who would you go for now that Welington appears to be recovering?
I’d be giving the players more support instead of singling out Manning and Fraser online. Won’t make them play better and this thread could upset them. That and I’d also be switching to a back 4, we have Mads and Jewett that can be used RB and LB and play a system that suits both AA and Archer. And Azaz and Fellows.
Should be playing with Roerslev and Jelert anyway. Manning has been OK in general this season, but that’s mainly because of his free kicks and crosses. Jelert looked decent against Liverpool defensively, but obviously didn’t go forward much. Should be given a chance in a league game to see what he’s like going forward because he looks an upgrade defensively on Manning
Still not sure on how good Wellington really is tbh. I think Manning is largely fine in a back 4 but doesn't suit the WB role at all as doesn't offer enough going forward. On the other side Fraser is the opposite where I'm fine with him as WB but definitely not a RB. We've certainly got a lot of options, not opposed to giving Jelert a go but no matter how we go I just want to see us stick with the same backline for a decent number of games. Chopping and changing a lot definitely won't help.
Interesting that Alfie said that Fraser actively wants to play at RWB or 10. He doesn't want to play on the wing, sees himself as one of those two instead.
Fraser is far more suited to winger than 10 BUT only if we have a striker worth crossing to If not, then maybe 10 makes sense in rotation with Azaz In a 4231 (PLEASE!) RW - Fellows / Armstrong CAM - Azaz/Fraser LW - Scienza/Robinson
As for full backs, I’m still in favour of the idea of Edwards at RB tucking in and he and the 2 CBs sliding across into a back 3 when we attach, releasing Manning forwards. Back 4 most of the time but Fellows can track back to make a 5 if we need it later in the game (or sub for Roeslev)
Manning is fine. Trust him more than Wellington. Maybe try him with a more experienced CB next to him instead of Quarshie (not a dig at Quarshie). And at RB, James Bree.
Doubt we see Bree in a Saints shirt again, imagine Charlton make the loan permanent in Jan before his contract expires at the end of the season and other clubs may get involved. Not surprising he is doing well at Charlton under Jones again
Manning allows every cross to come in and has for his whole Saints career. It isn’t the CB’s job to close that man down.
Usually it is the job of the left wing / mid to get back and support, while the left centre back is there to cover. It is certainly the lb’s job to press the initial man - which Manning does not do. He backs off back into the box. In the prem, attackers want to get in behind so that worked out ok. In this league, they want to cross early to big forwards, so it is a disaster.
Yeah true. I agree it’s annoying. I wonder if it is more of a tactics/coaching thing though. Like, maybe with three CBs Still wants the opposition to cross it often as the threat should be easily subdued, and the attack wasted. For a more competent back three, it really should be bread and butter. It has been our Achilles heel this season though.
But Fraser was not doing it on the other side. He was closing down pretty well. I said this before, but I cannot forget how often Manning got skinned his first month or two here, and that he has adopted this policy knowing he isn’t great on a one v one. It just doesn’t work! And I do appreciate Manning. He is a good player who works hard. It is just this one niggle that I think is a really big problem.
I wonder if Ryan Manning, being an occasional player to drift into the centre, or that he doesn't ridicule or shout down the opposing right wingers he faces could be why one poster doesnt seem to like him. Seems strange to lump all in on one player, when in another thread about another player gets her/she knickers in a twist about a thread has been created about them. Or maybe they play the poster, not the post. My view is that for this league that we find ourselves - Manning is fine, and hasnt been bad at all. Goals and assists. Not bad at all.
