Interesting that GT had the players training today as he thought they were outworked at Walsall. Would anyone make changes to the starting eleven for the next game? My inclination would be to go with those players who could fit in with a high tempo game and try to battle our way out of trouble. I would bring in Taylor (if fit) in place of Parry and Summerfield in central midfield in place of McGinn. I would also love to see Grandison back in place of Gayle but it may be a bit early for that. I would be tempted to give Morgan and Eaves another chance with Porter coming back onto the bench if fit. If Edwards is recalled to Barnsley then Mambo can step in to replace him. Any other thoughts, anyone?
Grandison has to play at centre back. He was decidedly average as a RB this season before the magical transformation of him into an excellent central defender. Therefore, I would play him at centre back ahead of Mambo - harsh on the latter, I know, but he's simply not as good as JG. Taylor on the right if fit is a no brainer, as is Summerfield for McGinn imo. Although McGinn is a very good passer, puts a shift in and is just an all-round excellent player, he hasn't looked quite as good when starting as he did from the bench previously. Summerfield's drive gave us some impetus yesterday and I suspect that McGinn is simply not quite 100% match fit - he was out for an awfully long time, played a bit of reserve football before getting a few cameos for us and then suddenly getting 90 minutes week-in, week-out over the last month (including the somewhat draining midweek game) and may benefit from a breather. As for up top, I'm not Porter's biggest fan but he battles well, holds the ball up and gives us a different option to the other two. I would give him a start (if fit) alongside Eaves, with Morgan as the supersub on the bench.
I possibly wouldn't drop McGinn, but how about considering dropping Richards (if on the left mid)? then put Parry on the left? Our problem still is getting the ball forward from the defense without a hoof. Richards works his socks off but when he is 'attacking' with the ball he is too hesitant and stops two thirds of the way up the pitch to have a look around, so LW isn't his greatest position. Perhaps a formation change is needed with a defensive/passing midfielder at in front of the defense and helps distribute quick balls out to the rest of the squad, admittedly this is Richards type of role. With him sat in this position then there are three midfielders able to move on the wings and one in front of Richards who are able to support the attack.
Sounds good to me.....thought he was ineffectual on Saturday because of exactly what you say....lots of effort but not constructive!
Well as i have said before, you can chop and change about as much as you want, too many players are not putting a full shift in and that goes across the board, where was the heart we showed in our last five games?...why wasn't Griggs closed down early doors?...lets hope for a response from the lads...
Richards and Jacobson gave lots of effort but in the former case in wrong parts of the field and the latter went off the boil in the last 20 mins. So tinned hats you are right about effort ...perhaps that's whet I meant when I asked the question about what we are missing from last season....not enough are performing, last term I think we were more of a team, with more workers. I still wonder about the effect of losing our back two, maybe they aren't doing so well (having moved on) now but maybe that's because they aren't in a 'unit' like last year. Don't forget one of them was also the captain. I maintain that we have lemons because we don't replace what we lose with like-for-like....or if we do they are loanees.
you have to have players that fit in and work well with other players, all this should be sorted on the training field.
One thing we have not done for years as a team is perform quick passing especially one touch stuff, 1-2's/triangles and even just the basics of running into space to offer options to pass to. We are quite good at putting a cross in, but we're not very good at getting enough bodies into the area to receive it, or the cross/free kick is lobbed so slowly that Clive Dunnesque goal keeper can hobble his zimmerframe to get hold of it. The team as mentioned above needs to work as a unit and this should be sorted in training. With some good practice our squad should be able to perform rapid short passing movement without the need to pass it back to the keeper again, and also be able to increase hte length of these passes over time to enable more ground to be covered.
I think now at this late stage of the season we need to consolidate at the back, get tight (not like that debacle of giving players like Grigg a lot space so he can spout his terror) 4 at the back and 5 across midfield, and if we do get someone in, let it be a pacy full back who can exploit the flanks and cause a little bit of havoc, lets go out with the mind set of a draw and see if we can nick one!...its awful football to watch, but lets face it ain't been brilliant all season. far too late to try triangles, and it doesn't look like the players know each others game well enough to pull it off...lets concentrate on not loosing before winning!!...so for me its hoof ball down the middle and keep it tight.....
Just back from the reserves v Rotherham. Won 3-0 but had very little to beat, so difficult to assess how credible the performances were. The defence had little to do with Grandison playing a half at the centre. Also included a trialist at left back (Alex ?????) who looked decent.Used the ball well but had little to pressurise him. Of the midfield, Woods and Summerfield were the best. The second goal was a superb crossfield pass from the latter to the former on the right wing. He centred to set up Rodgers on a plate who contrived to hit the goalkeeper but luckily rebounded to him to score. Bradshaw scored the third from a delightful through ball from Doble (a second half sub). The forwards told us only what we knew already-too lightweight and missing too many chances. The first goal was an epic 35 yarder from Mambo which the keeper let bounce over his oustretched arms into the net. A pleasant afternoon out.
