I was going to reply to a thread but it soon turned out to be another essay (apologies to SD in advance), so I thought I may aswell post it as an Article!! It's hard to know where we need to strengthen really, we do need strengthening all over the park but it depends on what formation we want to play really!! It seems MM wants to play 442 but I don't think we have players who overly suit this, or the ones which suit it more aren't our better players!! I'd like to see us try a 532 formation with attacking full backs (Edwards/Hewitt and Creswell), with 2 sitting CM's (Hyam/N'Daw/NRC/Drury) with a player in the hole/the Scowcroft role (Martin/JET/Taylor/Drury) and then a big man (Murphy/JET) little man (Chopra/McGoldrick/Scotland/McLean) combo upfront. If we play this (which i very much doubt) priority positions for me would be CB getting a target man striker in and as others have said perhaps a playmaker/creative CM. 442 seems to be preffered by MM, I think potentially our best players at this level are Martin/JET/Taylor but i do worry that a rigid 442 doesn't suit them or MM's style!! Alternatively we could go for the 451 played by PJ and play these 3 in interchangeable attacking midfield positions however the priority then would certainly be a targetman striker, I don't think we've currently got someone who could do this on our books and I do prefer having 2 striker up top. But if we are going for a 442 these is my take on the positions: GK: I wasn't overly convinced when we first got Loach to the club but actually he has impressed me more than I thought and IMO should have played more than he has. I'd prefer us not to keep Henderson on loan as I don't see a great deal of difference between the 2, so unless we are able to get in a really good GK, I'd say stick with Loach!! RB: I'd like to see us give Hewitt more game time, he certainly looks like a long term answer to RB. However he's not going to play every game and I'm not confident in Edwards playing there very often due to his defensive frailties and although Orr has brought some defensive stability he hasn't impressed me greatly. So we need strengthening here to give competition to Hewitt LB: I'm happy with Creswell as LB but he needs competition and it's not obvious if this can be provided by Mings, Whight or a new signing CB: I like Smith and Chambers but I do think we need another couple of CB's, one perhaps experienced taller dominanting CB. RM: I think Martin could do a job there, so not overly bothered about this position with Edwards as back up (do not really want to see him there all the time unless he finds some sort of attacking instinct!!) but it is an area we could improve with a quality signing. LM: Priority area if we are going to play with wingers, Martin IMO can't play there, it seems Carson isn't anywhere near 1st team contention, for me currently our best bet there is Murphy but then who do we play as the target man?? CM: We're ok here for DM's but certainly could do with a playmaker maybe not an attacking midfielder as it's not great having an attacking midfielder in a 442 because that leaves the DM alot of work (I think we saw that when Norris and Leadbitter played) but certainly either a box to box midfielder or a Jim/Garvan style player. I think if Drury put his mind to it he could do this but he just doesn't seem to have the authority/confidence to be that player, I actually think he's got the ability but perhaps not the mindset like a Magilton to dominate that midfield!! ST: I think we're okay on the little man striker front especially if we sign DJ aswell, infact we're overloaded there really. I would however like to see us sign a target man, Murphy's done ok there but I don't think he's the long term answer, it's a shame that Barnett got injured because he could well have been this player!! What formations do you think we should play? What formation do you think suits the players we have best? Based on this where do you think we need strengthening most??
I think looking at where we are now MM can be praised for strengthening our defence and improving our strikers. For me matches are won and lost in the Midfield and I would love to see us have an attacking threat from someone in that Midfield (with enough cover to not leave us too exposed) Personally I'd love to see an out and out winger/goalscorer in the mould of Bobby Petta or maybe a goalscoring CM such as Andrews (The last midfield player to score a few for us & he wasn't even ours!) I think with a few more goals spread around the team would look like a completely different animal and we would be a lot more versatile and dynamic in our approach
Dear god PTC that was almost too long for even me to read! 5-3-2 was generally considered a poor formation as it expects your wide player to control vast amounts of the pitch with the remaining 9 bunched into the tight middle areas (oo eer missus) With our current players, we probably have the wingbacks sorted and the strikeforce. We have options for the attacking midfielder and possibly part of the defence and midfield but we dont have enough defenders in the squad and I think our midfield would be too defensive for my liking. MM likes 442 and its a safe formation to get back to basics. My only issue is that he insists on playing 2 terrible wide men. Neither has a final ball and we suffer as a result. I personally would go for either a 4231 or 4132 depending on the oppositions strength. Let the full backs get forward. Have the wider attacking midfielders play fairly narrow but also giving a wide option at times. We have the back four for this formation. We have N'Daw and Hyam who can play defensive midfield (either on their own in a 4132 or together in a 4231) and we have plenty of options for the more attacking roles. Possibly we could do with a more all round central midfield option (ala Holland) but Drury can do a job there. On strenghtening - everywhere! - our (contracted) squad is shockingly short in most places. GK not good enough RB - Hewitt/ Ainsley - about 5 championship games between them (but both promising) LB - Cresswell lacks competition but have potential in Whight CB - We only have 2! DM - Only Hyam is contracted to us CM - Only Drury with experience is ours WIDE - Edwards cant cross, Martin cant cross, Carson has done well not sure what hes upto currently - Taylor looked promising in his few games, JET - great or terrible and goes missing way too often. Murray? STRIKERS - Chopra - not for me, Scotland done well but hardly has youth on his side.
PTC I agree with you on almost all of this, I had a similar conversation in Rileys last week after the Brighton game.! GKs I am undecided about this I was all for Loach & sending Henderson back a few weeks back but Brighton aside Henderson has played well, Loach was IMO unfairly dropped by jewell & did well on Saturday, ideally keep them both.! I am all for wingbacks Cressy & Hewitt look well equipped for this. We do need at least 2 additions at CB to make this work as Chambo & Smith are our only 2 CBs who are going to be here for any length of time. Ndaw & Hyam for the most part look good when played together for me they are plenty good enough to sit in the middle for us. Who to play just ahead though, out of our current crop itâs between JET & Martin, but additions would be needed in this area. This is my only real disagreement I have with your post Drury is just not good enough at this level. Upfront Murphy big man, options required though, little man hopefully DJ or Chopra. Therefore based on what we have if I was going to try this next week, (not sure about Cardiff on Saturday but we have a bit of a jinx on them at the moment) it is to early to judge properly McG & McA yet; Henderson Hewitt Kisnorbo Chambo Smith Cressy Ndaw Hyam Martin Murphy Chopra Bench; Loach Orr Edwards JET Drury McLean McGoldrick NRC can wash the kit.!
Having watched the game on Saturday I think Loach needs to work on his communication with his defenders and his overall commanding of the 18 Yard box. We did give away some needless corners through Loach not being vocal enough and although it didn't cost us it will do eventually. No doubting his agility and his distribution is good but for him to become our undoubted no1 he needs to work on some basic aspects of his game. Hewitt did very well at RB and it should be his outright for as long as he wants it. He made one or two terrific interceptions and tackles using his pace to get us out of trouble. He looked very good going forward into offensive areas as well and linked the play well. My only reservation will be can he sustain it for the rest of this hard slog of a season? Cresswell will always be a disappointment for me and I have never rated him I'm afraid. I just don't get the hype that surrounds him and he flatters to decieve. No final ball and his defensive positioning at times gives me kittens! Kisnorbo was just immense and I really hope we keep him as he has all the attributes to be a great defender at this level. He clears it simple, good tackle on him and commands and marshalls those around him with an air of authority. The next Jason De Vos! Tommy was very good and didn't put a foot wrong all game and I liked the way he dealt with the threat from N'Zogbia in the first half. Hyam had a poor game although he got stuck in his distribution was shocking and there is no excuse in not being able to complete 5 yard passes to a team mate. He must have given the ball away under no pressure aboout half a dozen times! Lee Martin get rid! JET Get rid! Murphy tried hard but hardly inspiring and I hope that this is his last season with us. Surely we can do much better? McGoldrick was off the pace when he came on. McClean worked his nuts off and had 2 chances albeit difficult ones but his pace and power up front will provide a perfect foil. Reo Joker should just **** off now! I never want to see him in a Town Shirt again!
I always enjoy your posts Warky..straight to the point and colourful, and often correct! I just dont see what JET has really added...we cant wait for his odd gem to work his magic. Murphy I have been more impressed with the few times I have been able to watch live. And he does seem to to be putting in more of a shift for MM.
I agree with the Murphy comments, particularly as a centre forward he actually offers something and is a threat to the opposition (something he isn't in Midfield) As for JET I would have to disagree (although I can understand your opinions) he is streets ahead of some of our other players in terms of technical ability and I for one don't want us to go down the route of a team of 'grafters' we almost did under Keane and we were hopeless. Having a player of his ability is a rarity and although he is a luxury we often cannot afford currently we also couldn't afford to simply get rid of him. He has to adapt his game having been taught the 'Arsenal way' and I think he is developing as a player and having only recently turned 22 it is far far too early to write this kid off. With the right sort of management he could be a major force in English football and we would be kicking ourselves in a couple of years if we were to 'get rid' now (similar to how we berate the manager who 'got rid' of Rhodes)
Sorry KOPR but I just don't think that JET has got what it takes. He is too much of a luxury and after the way he just walked around the park on Saturday we should just get rid!
Well, we can chalk this up as a(nother) difference of opinion. I think with a bit of patience and the right amount of encouragement 'McCarthy style' he should be able to tear teams apart. Albeit he rarely looks like tearing anything whilst in an Ipswich shirt.... But I have faith
I have to agree with KOPR on this one. I like watching players who have something a bit different in their locker, players that get you on the edge of your seat which is why I geuss I've always liked players like Counago etc even these players are the ones which often frustrate aswell!! I think one of the reasons I supported PJ more than most is the fact he liked players like this, players with a bit of quality!! I have to say I do fear for these more flair players in a McCarthy team, as McCarthys strengths are he keeps it simple and organises teams. I really hope MM manages to harness JETs talents but it's is hard to see in a more rigid formation where a player like him fits!!! I think he does often go for grafters over flair players but McCarthy certainly isn't anti football like Keane!!
The problem with JETs bit of quality is it turns up once every 10 games or so. If he done nothing for 80 minutes in the match but could be a game winner in the other 10 then I would have more sympathy, although it still wouldnt be enough for me, but he will be useless for 100% of 95% of our matches and that is simply not enough. How many appearances has JET now made for us and have you ever seen him do well (ie have a solid dependable game) because I havent. 5 moments of brilliance in his whole town career is simply not good enough.
Tractorbhoy I agree 442 is probably a safe bet and I think generally if we're 442 with MM at the helm whoever he puts out we've got a chance!! I wouldn't have minded like you say him playing 442 apart from the fact at how terrible our wingers have been, Edwards just doesn't do alot, he doesn't look dangerous and Martin looks lively but is all over the place on the left wing. With a full back like Orr down our right that means very little comes from that side and because Martin is on the LW Creswell is having to work doubley hard. I actually don't think Creswell is as bad defensively as people make out, I think often he is made to look bad due to a lack of cover meaning he often has to deal with 2 players when attacking or defending!! With 2 ineffectual wingers and 2 DM's we're not really going to create alot. My issue with a 4231 is although we have alot of strikers we don't have any as far as I'm aware who really suit the lone role upfront, I do generally like to see 2 strikers aswell. A problem I noticed when we played this under PJ was our general play was very good and infact the balls into the box were decent but because we usually either player Chops or DJ upfront on their own they were the only ones to aim for in the box and neither of them are strikers who attack the ball, they like to peel off a defender and perhaps get on the end of a flick on (from someone who had attacked the ball), so we either had them attacking the ball and not getting anywhere near it and noone else in the box to get the second ball (where they would more naturally be) or they were waiting for the second ball but there was noone in there to attack the cross!! I also think the 4132 formation is probably a bit too attacking or it would probably just turn out to be a 442 dependant on personel. I think it proves we don't really have an ideal formation to suit our players which I geuss was a weakness of PJ, in that he may have bought some decent players but often without thinking about where they would fit into a way of playing!
I think JET was pretty good from this time last year until the end of the season. People were saying he could well be player of the year this season and there were rumoured to be PL clubs interested. Whatever you think of him I think he needs to be playing games every week in a more central position whether that be for us or on loan somewhere, I think this is the only way he is going to be consistent!! Certainly if he doesn't fulfil his potential it will be a massive waste of talent!!
I understand your opinion although I think it's a little harsh for a player still learning his trade. Particularly very rarely on here here anyone says a bad word against other certain players but I supposes that is just how it is... I can see his faults as plainly as anyone else can, it's just I can see that he clearly has something else and am a little more willing to have the patience for him to learn how to be the best he can be (only time will tell which side of the fence is ultimately going to be right) I felt for the latter part of last season as a RM with Edwards behind him he was getting some joy although he never took a match by the scruff of the neck and made it his.... Also, in the same way that Berbatov was berated by Man Ure fans for appearing 'lazy' JET has the same issue, if he wasn't to lumber about so much he would have so many more fans backing him rather than groaning when things go wrong. That said I'd rather see him take on his man and only beat 1 in 10 attempts than watch another David Norris run around the pitch chasing his shadow and kicking anything that moves
Absolutely! Possibly one of my strongest opinions on these boards I've aired for a while (barring my outrage at UK sport funding.... that opened a record breakingly large can of 'Political' worms) I never felt Carlos was a 'natural' captain but was the best of a bad bunch and actually played well whilst wearing it but I would be happy to see Tommy retain it (form permitting) I feel he has proven he is ready to step up and take the responsibility so it makes sense to give it to him until the end of season and see where we are from there
PTC, generally a good response to my post. The only thing I would say to the striker in the 4231 formation issue is it all depends on how you play football! If your hoofing it then you want a big man upfront to win the first ball and bring others in but if you play decent football then we possibly have. We played Murphy out wide and launched everything at his head therefore limiting all our options in 1 stupid move. If you played him centrally then he could have had more options (not that I would want him as a lone striker but I hope you get the point) Its pointless having the only height in your attacking play so restricted by being shoved out wide. I liked the idea behind what PJ tried to do but he left us too flimsy and open to attack. I think if you had Taylor/ Martin/ Carson for example as the attacking 3 it wouldnt be the biggest but it would possibly be a decent creative passing force. If you done this you would need N'Daw to add height and probably Hyam or NRC (the real one not the fake currently wearing his shirt!) to keep things secure in midfield and a solid back 4. PJ played Edwards at FB and his positioning was terrible. He Played Cresswell at LB which worked for me but then had a lazy **** in front of him which meant Cresswell done everything and again we got exposed. If you want to play the decent passing game you need energy and workrate aswell as the skill levels. Having said all that its not something I expect from MM and its probably less likely to work at this level when other teams rely more on power than prowess!
No need to apologise ptc, I was only taking the piss, no harm meant If we stick with 4-4-2 we need two new wingers unless Taylor can fill one of the spots. Most people consider Hyam a defensive mid but he has said himself that he feels he could do more in an attacking sense and I hope he can. We have definitely missed goals from midfield and that needs to be addressed, be it from the wings or centrally. We also don't do enough from set pieces and I'd like to see that change. JET to go on loan, but I don't want to give up on him yet because he does have something the majority of our players don't.
My Team against Cardiff Loach, Hewitt, Kisnorbo, Smith, Cresswell, N'Daw, Hyam, Martin, McGoldrick, Chops, MaClean
