So far this is the one thing I haven't understood during Chris Powell's reign as manager. Racon for me is clearly the better player and I just really don't see what McCormack offers that he doesn't, I literally believe that Racon has more ability in his pinky toe than McCormack has in his whole body. Racon is my favourite player and I don't mean to sound biased and this isn't a dig at Powell either but I think it's insulting to him that a player of his ability is kept on the bench in League 1. Racon is techincally our best player I feel like he just can't be left out, what annoys me most about it is the blatent lack of comparable ability, fair enough if Jackson was moved in the centre and Reid started on the left because I know that he is a good player but McCormack is just so poor.
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Unbelievable really.
Chris Powell makes a living out of the game, so unless you tell me you're Arsene Wenger then I'll think I'll take his view over yours every time mate.
Curbs always produced a team that was better than the sum of its parts and SCP has already said that he has been influenced by Curbs' approach.
Four wins on the spin tells its own story.
"Well thought out"? Nah.
You were questioning - the use of "?" kinda gave that away.
And I'm perfectly calm thank you. Personally I love the fact that our manager has picked teams to win four consecutive games. But I guess you're not.
sorry Queensland but you have contradicted yourself there somewhat. Racon may produce little in terms of creativity or goals but Macca even less so. I'm not a particular fan of Racon but I'd take him over Macca any day.
As for others saying Powelly has picked teams to win four consecutive games, yes we may have won them but all have been won very unconvincingly. I'm not complaining mind, I'm very happy about and if Powelly continues to be a lucky manager then I'm all for it. However Forza is right in that central midfield is the main area for concern in our team. We may have steel and tenacity but we have no forward movement and no creativity. If we want to go up it needs to be addressed and I'm sure it will be.
That's a good point Large. Think of all the extra points we'd have had if we'd won them convincingly.
Sometimes it simply about balance. I did not see todays performance but I can certainly for today's match understand why it would have been sensible to have McCormack sitting deep with Semedo to deny Boyd space in front of our back four.
In all probability however his absence today may well have been about carrying an injury more than anything else
"Well thought out"? Nah.
You were questioning - the use of "?" kinda gave that away.
And I'm perfectly calm thank you. Personally I love the fact that our manager has picked teams to win four consecutive games. But I guess you're not.[/quote]
Good to know youre calm dear, anyway whether your team is winning or losing theres always something to debate which makes being a football fan so great so stop taking this as such a criticism against Powell because its really not. I just wanted to raise an interesting point that a player so untalented like McCormack is keeping a player so much more clearly talented like Racon out of the side, perhaps McCormack brings balance to the side or offers something else I'm not seeing? If thats the case then its a welcome suggestion from anyone and I can't be the only person mystified with this selection choice as a large number of fans chanted "Therry Racon" after McCormack woefully misplaced a pass today.
Off_It, hand on heart can you say that we have deserved all those 12 points ?
Interesting question. I think a good team is worth more than the sum of it's parts. There's no dout Racon is the better player and I'm sure long term he'll back, but we've tried Racon and Semedo for most of the sason and very rarely has it clicked. For now McCormack's gt the shirt, but I'd imagine he'll be a temporary custodian and Racon will return knowing his place isn't assured and he'll have to work to impress this manager.
Chris Powell did something completely different, which was to take off Wagstaff , drop to a 433. Bringing Abbott on was a masterstroke as it connected up the front 2 and the midfield and tightened the centre of the park. This change indicates that Chris Powell has some managerial talent and bodes well for the future.
McCormack was much better in this formation as was Jackson. Semedo was immense. Abbott was excellent.
So, question is, was it the formation or the players ? Would Racon had struggled in the same formation in the first half ? The change of formation seemed to do the trick yesterday.
Racon has ability but and McCormack does seem to have limitations. But, I have been impressed with McCormack's performances since Chris Powell has played him in a different position. He seems to be happier in the central right midfield berth. Racon will hopefully have some fire in him, when he comes on next to prove himself.
The owners stated that Chris Powell and Alex Dyer are to expected to improve the players we have got and it is not just a open cheque book. Is Alan McCormack one of the improvers in the team ? Will we see an emergency loan central midfielder come through ?
Mack may look like he's doing more than Racon vby virtue of the fact he runs around a lot, but I don't think he does a great deal in reality - a bit like Waggy when he's not scoring goals. When Racon is out of the side our ball retention really suffers and that exposes us defensively. I think Racon makes every bit as many tackles as Mack too.
I very much liked the look of the 4-3-3 we played second half, it had a nice balance to it I think it would look even better with Racon in there with JJ and Jose as we'd have a player who will sit back and put his foot in (Jose), a player who will look to spray a few passess and arrive late in the box (JJ), and player who will be busy, support his defensive opartner but can also carry the ball out of defence and can be trusted to retain possession in a crowded midfield (Racon).
Mack is an honest player who gives his best and he came into his own a bit in the last 5/10 mins when it got a bit bodies on the line, but up to that point I think Racon's extra class would have served us better. It's not as if Racs has been playing badly this season and has been missing from games in the way he is sometimes accussed of.
SCP then goes and subs one of the other weak links and brings on Abbott - which I was very surprised at.
How wrong can you be? Abbott caused them problems the minute he came on and completely turned the game. Our struggling midfilee suddenly looked potent, we had strength in attack, were able to hold up the ball and allow McCormack and Semedo to get forward and Ecclestone on the wing ran them ragged,
Unexpected but inspired subtitution from Powell.
Still very very disappointed with McCormack and would chose Racon over him every time.
Football is about scoring goals to win games, whilst not letting any in. It's quite simple really. It's not boxing.
When Racon is fully fit he MUST be back in the team immediately.
He did look okay when he played on the right against Plymouth. I just think he doesn't have the quality or skill to be a effective CM for a team that wants promotion.
Agree he`s not a playmaker but thats hardly his fault. The manager picks from what he has available to fit the system and it seems at present CP thinks that AM offers more to the team than Theirry. Its up to Theirry to change the managers mind. I hope he does and this spell out of the team might inspire him to give more because I dont see a return of a couple of goals and assists as being anywhere near good enough from a player of Racon`s ability.
If you're only looking at the past then yes you're right, but if you're thinking about the future it's easier to keep picking up points and winning games by having a team playing consistantly well and being better than the opposition. A lot harder to keep winning by relying on other teams playing better than us but not taking their chances.
But saying that this is a period of transition and the unconvincing wins are ofcourse very welcome. Doesn't mean people shouldn't be allowed to still question certain players and preferences.
McCormack on the other hand gives you exactly what you see, yes he's far more limited technically than Racon but his role in the team is working and there's no reason to replace him on the off-chance that Racon might finally grow a pair.
This
Neither are particularly creative and definitely not regular goal threats either. Racon has more skill, is a better dribbler etc but he doesn't control the midfield, I can't imagine there'd have been a big difference in our play yesterday with him in McCormack's place.
McCormack has had some decent games recently to be fair to him. I get the feeling Racon wasn't fully fit but ok to be on the bench. It'll be interesting to see how we line up on Tuesday.
I was asked if we deserved the 12 points. You seem to be agreeing with me.
Do we deserve the next 12 points is an entirely different question.
McCormack is a very poor player!