Like PW said, there were a few individual choices in specific passages of play that put us under pressure but that's coming from the perspective of looking at every detail. In effect it was as a dominant display against a side that expected to play from the back and create space. Apart from once to my memory that didn't happen due to the pressure from every position.
Looking forward ladapo for Grigg is an issue to our style of play. Griggs running of the line and lay offs , control and hold up play is slicker, more intelligent and dynamic. JJ, possible might do that better?
Looking forward ladapo for Grigg is an issue to our style of play. Griggs running of the line and lay offs , control and hold up play is slicker, more intelligent and dynamic. JJ, possible might do that better?
I wonder if it might be better to play Sadlier with Smith as opposed to Lapado or JJ? He would probably play a similar role to Grigg in that position.
I agree that Grigg does do some valuable work off the ball and his hold up play and awareness are good. I think Sadlier is a different kind of player. Running in behind and competing physically is not his game. He wants everything to feet. I understand the case for Kayode because he is a very willing runner. I hope and believe we will see a lot more of him because he has got something, but I think Ladapo's play with his back to goal has been much improved when he has come on recently and he has looked pretty sharp. To me he is the obvious replacement for Grigg next Saturday.
-- Edited by smiler on Monday 25th of October 2021 07:17:28 PM
Looking forward ladapo for Grigg is an issue to our style of play. Griggs running of the line and lay offs , control and hold up play is slicker, more intelligent and dynamic. JJ, possible might do that better?
I wonder if it might be better to play Sadlier with Smith as opposed to Lapado or JJ? He would probably play a similar role to Grigg in that position.
That would be very progressive, but I imagine it would be something PW might see as a risk. I don't doubt sads ball playing ability and he knows how to get a shot off , but I haven't seen him play that really advanced role to support a striker like smudge. Sads work rate is suspect like freddies I think too. JJ is deffo a player that looks like he can adapt and has a supportive defensive role in his pocket. I think that as smiler points out freddie has seemed to take on board concerns about work rate and hold up play and thus is probably the only option PW sees. What freddie can contribute over a full game to the front defensive posture is a little unclear as he's not had to do that for a long time
-- Edited by ian on Monday 25th of October 2021 03:23:41 PM
I'm not Sadlier's biggest fan but but given his performance against Man City's boys compared to yet another ineffective performance by Freddie, I suspect PW is not wholly convinced who he should play alongside Smudge on Saturday. I would rule out JJ as a starter but see know reason why he couldn't be introduced as a sub given the right cir***stances.
It's either Ladapo or Kayode to start up front with Smith and the fact that Ladapo played only the first 45 is a big clue that he was being saved for Saturday. It was a wierd night for Sadlier. He tried very hard. At times maybe too hard. He scored a penalty. He missed one absolute sitter and another chance when he ran free from half way but didnt have the pace to stay clear. The second goal was really well taken. The free kick was excellent. In general play I thought he was mostly poor. A real curates egg of a performance and difficult to assess bearing in mind the nature of the opposition who were technically brilliant but at times very naive. The big positive for me was his work rate. The goals although headline grabbing and confidence boosting were a bonus. I dont think he is or will ever be a second striker playing off a lone striker. For me he is either the front one of three in midfield or wide either side, but I still think we have got better options in all of those positions when everyone is fit. He is a great option off the bench or as cover across the midfield but that may not be enough for him to want to stay. I'm not having a go at the player. He is a good footballer. But if Ladapo doesnt start on Saturday I will be very surprised.
