Firstly it was good that the Club had a minutes silence for Sir Tom Finney and Trevor Jacobs. Both in their own way gave enjoyment to the fans of their respective clubs and in Tom's case also for England. The football family is very broad and we should always remember those who were part of it. Now to City v Tranmere. Some bullet points for discussion. Team shape; In theory 4-3-3 is a good formation but with a midfield three of Wade Elliott, Pack and Cunningham, they operated like a conventional midfield four but with nobody on the right. Thus Osbourne was left so exposed against two or three at a time, that it wasn't a surprise that their first goal came from that part of the pitch. What was wrong? Bad team selection? Bad formation? Players who did not follow orders? Why did SC leave it until half time to change it? Front three; Baldock is not a right winger! Yes as a main striker he will wander and by so doing, drag their defense out of position for midfielders to push into the space. But leaving him wide right is not sensible IMO. Where was JET supposed to be playing? Wide left in the front three or just aimlessly wandering around as he pleased? He is a very talented footballer but at the moment when he is not scoring, and apart from one glorious long pass to Baldock at Orient for the opening goal, what else has he contributed to the last two games? I know now that he is a luxury player that we could well do without as we try very hard, and I compliment the rest of the squad for 100% effort, to dig ourselves out of the mire. Bobbie Reid as the attacking central midfielder will be much more beneficial at present than JET. And Wes Burns should start each game, at least until Wagstaff is ready to return. Should Pearson be in the starting line up? And finally, good to see Liam Kelly out on the pitch at half time. His return is awaited although it may not be at 100% until next season. How we have missed him!
We should play a diamond midfield, like against Tammworth. Pack Burns, Cunningham JET Then I think that JET, Barnett and Baldock could form a partnership where Barnett wins the ball, plays it to JET, who then shoots or picks out a pass to Baldock/Barnett again or out wide to Burns/Cunningham.
Good call, but I would have Bryan in for Cunny, and play Cunny (sorry, just lurve that name) in the left back position. This would leave Williams and Osbourne to patrol the centre of our defence and I would lock Abd (or whatever his name is) in the park where he belongs. Soon as Kelly is back I would phase out Pack, who hasn't impressed me (not yet anyhow. Maybe next year for him). I would definitely give Wynter a little run in the team if we get clear of the disaster zone, alongside Kelly which is where I believe he belongs --------------Pack-------Kelly -----------Burns------------Bryan ---------------------Jet -------------------------Baldock or Maloney--Osbourne---Williams---Cunningham -----------Kelly-------Wynter ---------------Bryan ------------JET----Burns -------------Baldock---- Hurry on back Liam !
Does anyone remember Liam Kelly's first TV interview after he signed for City? He was asked what he would bring and he answered that he was a good "box to box" midfielder who scored some goals. Now think about where in midfield Pack has been most effective. IMO it's when he is sitting in front of the back four, where he wins more headers than the back four and is pretty good at breaking up play. Not so good farther upfield? So the logical scenario when both are fit is for Pack to be the holding midfielder with Kelly going box to box like Marv Elliott used to. I am assuming Marv's wage levels will mean he'll go elsewhere at the end of this season, whichever league we are in. And assuming that next season, we will be formed up as 4-4-2, where would Bobbie Reid fit in if Burns is on the right and Cunningham on the left?
Ready to get shot down, but I think Pack is getting better, sprayed a couple of good passes wide to Baldock during the game and got more involved than I have seen him for a while, just a shame re his lack of any real pace.
