Is Solly really playing centre back now? Trying to work out how all the pieces fit and what Bowyer is thinking.
Have to say it looked like we played 4-4-2 against Sunderland the other weekend but apparently that wasn't the case again Marshall played as a wing back.
I'm now reading that Solly was again played as a CB as part of a three against Shrewsbury.
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It changed in second half cos of sub but in first half it looked like
Phillips
Solly BFG Sarr Page
Aribo Lapslie Pratley Marshall
Grant Taylor
Aribo and Lapslie seemed to swap tho 1 minute aribo was out wide than Lapslie was.
Brave of Bowyer to try it as it’s not an obvious choice. Also good to see he’s not set on 4-4-2. Along with a diamond that’s three formations he’s already tried.
He’s also seems to be doing a good job motivating and building the confidence of players. Lapslie wasn’t ready last season and Grant is looking dangerous to give two examples.
I like the football Bowyer is trying to get us playing. Pass it when we can though willing to go direct. Less overdoing it with unnecessary passing around the back. We play quicker so have more chance of getting in behind teams. Doesn’t seem so set in us having to be an attacking or defensive, short or long passing side. I just get the feeling it’s far more balanced and adaptable than anything we’ve seen since Powell.
Yesterday we started as a 4-4-2 with Lapslie on the right, Marshall on the left and Pratley being the more holding midfielder of the two of him and Aribo.
At half time, Bowyer changed it up and went back to the formation we played last weekend. This time Morgan came on for Marshall but played behind the front two and Lapslie played right wing back, whilst Solly actually played left centre back and Sarr right centre back with Bauer in the middle.
Sarr Bauer Solly
Lapslie Pratley Aribo Page
Morgan
Taylor Grant
Steer
Dijksteel, Bauer, Pearce
Marshall/Lapslie, Pratley, Aribo, Page
Fosu
Grant/Vetokele, Taylor
That's a good side..
At first I was confused and didn’t understand but it did work so credit to Bowyer for that.
Usually Solly would sit on the right and face the left-footed winger with Page doing the opposite on the other flank
By going three at the back and swapping Sarr and Solly it could also have been to counter a swap on the flanks by Shrewsbury (I can't remember if they did or not) - Also felt from the first half that Marshall / Page were getting over ran a bit with most of Salop's attack coming down that side, whilst Lapslie and Solly were holding their own so may also have been Bowyer thinking that Page needed more support from Solly than Lapslie and Sarr would on the other side
Sarr Bauer Solly
Lapslie Pratley Aribo Page
Morgan
Taylor Grant
stopping him getting a direct shot on goal.
Of course, should the winger go outside, then you're on your weaker foot ...... you don't commit and pressure him all the way, hopefully denying him the space and time to put his cross over. Even if he does, you've delayed him and bought time for your co-defenders to regroup.
There are times when they need to be able to play like a fullback when drawn into wider positions.
Yesterday, both Solly and Sarr (even for a big man) were able to do that.
But, for example, you wouldn't want to expose Jason Pearce drawn out wide.
I feel that Bowyer would want to sign a another central defender who is comfortable on the ball, decent mobility and can tackle.
He might already have that player on board, perhaps, in Dijksteel.