basically good players in their own right, but playing together totally unbalanced. Aribo does add some balance and will be all the better for today's game
Of the midfield that started today Aribo only just came back in, Cullen's only just been back a few games after his shoulder injury, Reeves has been in and out and also had injuries and Williams hasn't played much before joining us.
It's no wonder the midfield today was absent when there's hardly been any regular consistent match time played between any of them for a significant period of time.
Missed Beliek today. Reeves has never been any good since he joined us. Aribo needs to learn to shoot more & not to try too many flicks & tricks although he's the best mover with the ball. Williams is probably the best passer but he himself said when he signed that he sets other players going & doesn't generally score.....great !! Cullen should only play when Beliek doesn't.
The sum goals from that 5 all season......10. Pathetic. And none from free kicks. At all.
The best I've seen us play this season has been when our strikers have been splitting and pulling wide which dragged their centre backs out of position and created space for Aribo and Fosu to drive into the box from deep.
Obviously Karlan's pace was pretty key to playing this way but the other thing that was key was the make up of the midfield. We had Bielik as the physical presence at the base who ran things. We have ONE passer in Reeves then we had Aribo and Fosu who were under instruction to get into the box.
More recently that make up has changed. We have been playing 3 passers in the diamond none of whom like to drive into the box. Williams at the top of the diamond doesn't work for that reason. This has meant that when the strikers have split there was no one coming through the middle so now they don't bother splitting making us even more narrow as there is no width in this formation.
I know Fosu has gone off the boil of late and he's been a bit hot and cold this season but when he has been on it we have been excellent. The way he drove down the middle against Gills was brilliant.
I don't know the way forward as I don't think split strikers will work well without a Pacey striker.
I would certainly be considering a move to 3 at the back to give us some more width to use that as a way to get balls in to the strikers and allow us to fit in another passing midfielder. Certainly our pattern of play needs to adapt to the players we have available.
The best I've seen us play this season has been when our strikers have been splitting and pulling wide which dragged their centre backs out of position and created space for Aribo and Fosu to drive into the box from deep.
Obviously Karlan's pace was pretty key to playing this way but the other thing that was key was the make up of the midfield. We had Bielik as the physical presence at the base who ran things. We have ONE passer in Reeves then we had Aribo and Fosu who were under instruction to get into the box.
More recently that make up has changed. We have been playing 3 passers in the diamond none of whom like to drive into the box. Williams at the top of the diamond doesn't work for that reason. This has meant that when the strikers have split there was no one coming through the middle so now they don't bother splitting making us even more narrow as there is no width in this formation.
I know Fosu has gone off the boil of late and he's been a bit hot and cold this season but when he has been on it we have been excellent. The way he drove down the middle against Gills was brilliant.
I don't know the way forward as I don't think split strikers will work well without a Pacey striker.
I would certainly be considering a move to 3 at the back to give us some more width to use that as a way to get balls in to the strikers and allow us to fit in another passing midfielder. Certainly our pattern of play needs to adapt to the players we have available.
Good summary. Agree 100% with this.....and still think Fosu can play a big part for us this season.
The best I've seen us play this season has been when our strikers have been splitting and pulling wide which dragged their centre backs out of position and created space for Aribo and Fosu to drive into the box from deep.
Obviously Karlan's pace was pretty key to playing this way but the other thing that was key was the make up of the midfield. We had Bielik as the physical presence at the base who ran things. We have ONE passer in Reeves then we had Aribo and Fosu who were under instruction to get into the box.
More recently that make up has changed. We have been playing 3 passers in the diamond none of whom like to drive into the box. Williams at the top of the diamond doesn't work for that reason. This has meant that when the strikers have split there was no one coming through the middle so now they don't bother splitting making us even more narrow as there is no width in this formation.
I know Fosu has gone off the boil of late and he's been a bit hot and cold this season but when he has been on it we have been excellent. The way he drove down the middle against Gills was brilliant.
I don't know the way forward as I don't think split strikers will work well without a Pacey striker.
I would certainly be considering a move to 3 at the back to give us some more width to use that as a way to get balls in to the strikers and allow us to fit in another passing midfielder. Certainly our pattern of play needs to adapt to the players we have available.
Good summary. Agree 100% with this.....and still think Fosu can play a big part for us this season.
I agree but I don’t think LB does. I think yesterday proved that he’s lost patience with Fosu and I’d be surprised to see much more of him tbh.
Comments
Far too often want to stop when on the ball to pick the right pass, allows opponents to get back into position
Our problem is more up front if you ask me. Taylor will be suspended again soon. We need a striker in quick if we want to stay in the playoffs.
It's no wonder the midfield today was absent when there's hardly been any regular consistent match time played between any of them for a significant period of time.
Better than Reeves and have more impact than Williams.
Pratley is a bit unlucky to miss out at the moment, at least he gives some physical presence and picked up a couple of goals fairly recently
Very disappointed in how few goals Reeves has got.
It’s like a Midfield of Karl Robinson making.
I don't think we have the players currently to play anything than 4 across the middle rather than diamond.
The sum goals from that 5 all season......10. Pathetic. And none from free kicks. At all.
Felt a loan to League Two or the Conference would have benefited him in January rather than playing U23 Football
Obviously Karlan's pace was pretty key to playing this way but the other thing that was key was the make up of the midfield. We had Bielik as the physical presence at the base who ran things. We have ONE passer in Reeves then we had Aribo and Fosu who were under instruction to get into the box.
More recently that make up has changed. We have been playing 3 passers in the diamond none of whom like to drive into the box. Williams at the top of the diamond doesn't work for that reason. This has meant that when the strikers have split there was no one coming through the middle so now they don't bother splitting making us even more narrow as there is no width in this formation.
I know Fosu has gone off the boil of late and he's been a bit hot and cold this season but when he has been on it we have been excellent. The way he drove down the middle against Gills was brilliant.
I don't know the way forward as I don't think split strikers will work well without a Pacey striker.
I would certainly be considering a move to 3 at the back to give us some more width to use that as a way to get balls in to the strikers and allow us to fit in another passing midfielder. Certainly our pattern of play needs to adapt to the players we have available.