As we approach the January transfer window and the nitty gritty part of the season, I was thinking after the Solihull game, "Do we yet know our best formation, and who would be in the team assuming everyone was fit to play"?
I'm not 100% decided on all places and formation myself, as we do seem to mix things about, and sometimes I think we are nearly there, and then change my mind.
Anyway, here's my thoughts (As I say, I'm not 100% but something like this).. Ogbene out wide right and Crooks and Olosunde given a role to back up the back 4 when needed but bomb on to support the attack when in possession. Olosunde and Ogbene combo works very well on the right in my opnion. Wiles holding midfield. The back four shown here is in my opnion without doubt our best defensive set-up. Smith and Freddie up front is enough to cause any team trouble and they have goals in them in their current form...
What do you think ? (play nicely, it's the time of goodwill to all men!)
Ladapo Smith
Ogbene
Crooks
Wiles Olosunde
Mattock Wood Ihiekwe Jones
Iversen
-- Edited by Davidedin on Tuesday 3rd of December 2019 01:10:45 PM
It's a fair question to ask Davidedin but I think it's one that's impossible to answer. I don't think we have a best formation or a best first XI. It really all depends on the opposition and how individuals perform on the day, then how PW reacts in terms of what substitutions stand the chance of having the most positive impact on the game.
I would say that against poorer sides who might chose route one, we are better off with Woods and Ikky as the CB pairing. When we're playing against better quality sides who might be more mobile, I would go with Robertson and Ikky.
In midfield, Lindsay has been our standout performer this season so far and I think he should start once he is over the personal issue that still seems to be affecting him.
Up front, again it depends on the opposition. Smith and Ladapo if there is good supply from out wide. But PW seems to have great faith in Vassell - my jury's still out on that one.
Finally, Barlaser. I've seen him play more poor games than good ones this season and he goes missing in action far too frequently for my liking. Again, he might be better against a classier opposition when he will have more time, but against the teams which come at us, he's been lacking. If he goes back in January, I won't be disappointed.
I want to move on from Wood & Jones they've had their day. Let's see what Hinds can do. Thompson last night like Ihiewke could be faulted for one of their goals but after didn't do much wrong. Let's see what he can do with a run in the side. Robertson when he's injury free our best left sided centre back. Barlaser Morris Hastie all 3 can return to their parent clubs in January. Clarke as I said last night looks a sick note. Time to bring Lamy through.
Good news gwru Lamy scored 2 today I am afraid I have to agree with you about McDonald injury prone might be a good idea to farm him out somewhere in January we need a good holding midfield player. We might have made a bit of money from last night's game I read all clubs live on tv in the cup got £75 grand plus £54 grand for going through and we must have got something for getting through the 1st round. No doubt the Mr know it all's on this site will put me right. If it were true get a decent player on loan for that position.
Only thing I've got against Warney it's like he feels obligated to play certain players when they are either past it sick notes had their chance but not taken it. I'm saying in most cases not to be 1st choice on the team sheet. Mcdonald Clarke are sick notes, in the formers case could say he's past it also. Wood & Jones are bordering past it. Not taken their chance would say Barlaser Hastie Vassell Morris. Not saying some of them can't come in & do a job in this league but football it's supposed to be run professional + entertainment. Need to see if Hinds & Lamy are good enough now, this league is not that frightening. Got basics of a good side for this league with rest of the players, a couple of signings in January good enough to come straight in would be welcome. Last night only one player changed that game Ogbene. Smith to an extent also bet he thought it was xmas day he hasn't had crosses come in as good as that all the time he's been here!
Only thing I've got against Warney it's like he feels obligated to play certain players when they are either past it sick notes had their chance but not taken it.
Only thing? What about within the last 24 hours:
Warney he's clueless.
No fight in a Warney side.
I'd go back further if I had the time or inclination, but I've neither. However, I suggest you've criticised every aspect of his management ability at some stage this season.
Mcdonald Clarke are sick notes, in the formers case could say he's past it also.
Definition of a 'Sick Note':
Nickname for someone who is continually off work "sick", usually faking it because they are simply too lazy or irresponsible and can't be bothered to come in to work like the rest of us. Most of the time they don't even bother to call in with a reason.
Is this what you really think about MacDonald and Clarke? Do you mean injury prone or do you have a better insight than the rest of us?
Mcdonald Clarke are sick notes, in the formers case could say he's past it also.
Definition of a 'Sick Note':
Nickname for someone who is continually off work "sick", usually faking it because they are simply too lazy or irresponsible and can't be bothered to come in to work like the rest of us. Most of the time they don't even bother to call in with a reason.
Is this what you really think about MacDonald and Clarke? Do you mean injury prone or do you have a better insight than the rest of us?
Darren Anderton was the original sick note same with Mcdonald & Clarke not faking it just all injury prone.
Remember Darren Anderton his nickname was sick note it is a name people use in football for players who are out injured a long time. You hear it in the media as well at least players get paid when they are not playing if I was on the money some are on you could call me anything you liked.
We have some very good players but some very ordinary ones too. Barlaser is average and lightweight,Vassell for me is a talentless lump and Morris plays in slow motion and seems idle. January recruitment has to be fullbacks (have my suspicions about Mattock's future involvement), a big stopper centre half and an old head defensive midfielder to organise and gaffer the team. Barlaser and "one-trick pony" Hastie can return to their parent clubs in January. Don't know why Lindsay is out of the team and for me Ogbene should be starting every game.
I think it was tempting to start getting excited about a firm first 11 after the MK Dons revival and again after the cup comeback but I agree its still work in progress. The addition of more width more of the time has made us look better overall.
I think there has been a change in mentality recently and that has come about probably through trial and error and our inconsistency has bred flexibility.
It now seems to me that we have 16 players who are about as good as each other. Any 11 from those looks about the same and I think that is obviously a good thing.
One thing I think has improved is the forward line. PW was first excited about 433 and stuck with it even though it looked very laboured. He then admitted it wasnt working and we went through a period where it looked like we were heading back to last seasons formation. However, with the inconsistency, we have seen, PW has been able to keep trying different mixes at different times in the games to counter our variable form. This now seems to have resulted in the ability of all the forwards to play off each other instead of getting in each others way that was the hallmark of the first several games.
I have a lot more faith in smith leading the line in a 2 now and I think ogbene will be crucial to our chances and just needs more game time to fill out his game in terms of positional awareness and teamwork.
At the back, I don't see too much to debate. I think so long as we continue to be inconsistent we continue the process of playing the player with the shirt on merit. I would say that with the exception of Ihiekwe the back 4 is work in progress.
Wiles is perhaps our most effective and consistent player and Lyndsey was starting to look good but still needs more time to prove himself at this level.
We are looking for winners at this level not just hangers-on like in the championship. We have the ability to be top dog in L1 but we are still short and I think we need possible to improve the midfield to achieve that.
Agree with all of that Ian. It is a midfield dictator of play we are short of. They are very hard to come by, but the more i see of Barlaser the more i think he is not the man. Not sure MacDonald has the legs anymore either, so we have to try and get one in when the transfer window opens again
There's only one way to manage that's to pick the side on merit. You've got to win that shirt. Nobody's telling me Barlaser Vassell Morris deserve that shirt. Further down the line same no way should Hastie be in front Lamy in match day 18 chosen. Play a natural left back as well we have one in Hinds. I don't think on this seasons performances Mattock commands the left back shirt. Inconsistensy's in team selection is a weakness strikes of favoritism. Doesn't sit right with me makes my match day seem a long time.
Between us all, there are a few things we are seeing as the basis of a settled side (although I do agree you should change to beat the team in the game, not always go with the team that won the last game)
I can't agree that Mattock isn't our best left back - he is, end of, but I DO agree he seems to get injured for the fun of it - maybe a bit harsh as I don't know him, it's just a gut feel (like someone at work who is off with a bad tummy and a cold a few too many times every year...)
Also - general agreement that Hastie, McDonald and Barlaser would not feature. For me the jury is out on Clarke too.
... and agreement that Ogbene playing wide, gives Smith and Freddie service they have not been getting earlier on in the season and is a must.
Jones, Crooks and Wiles would also be starters in every game for me.. and I prefer Wood to Robertson, but not too fussed about which plays.
For large parts of the game Monday night it was like watching the start of the season all over again, four strikers on the pitch out of position and very ponderous build up play. We then got a winger on and the game started to change. Home games we need width and constant crosses into the box to try and unlock teams that will just sit in.
If Ogbene keeps putting crosses like he did in Monday night Ladapo will finish the season on 25 goals easily.
Can anyone tell me why Lindsay isn't playing? Can't work it out. Been our best midfielder all season. Barlaser been disappointing to say the least. Has he failed the good human being test?
Can anyone tell me why Lindsay isn't playing? Can't work it out. Been our best midfielder all season. Barlaser been disappointing to say the least. Has he failed the good human being test?
It has been widely reported that unfortunately Jamie Lindsay's new baby (born in early November) was very poorly about and that as a result the player had some time off and has hardly trained. More recent reports are that happily the child is now doing well.
-- Edited by smiler on Wednesday 4th of December 2019 05:44:27 PM
