The wing back role continues to evolve, as Shaw, Chilwell, James, etc end up involved in more goal chances and assists and are making "wingers" redundant or just squad players.
Those players are light years away from cafc but Purrington despite his lack of pace ( similar to Shaw) has proved that he can be a dangerous attacking player in a 3-5-2 as long as you have the cover; Dobson more than a Watson plus the LCB.
Conte's preferred system has wing backs AND inverted wingers. England played a 343 with both in the Euros as well at one point.
The way the top managers use full/wing backs is fascinating really. Pep plays a No10 at left most of the time, Klopp has wing backs in a 4, both Conte and Tuchel use a winger ala JJ.
The wing back role continues to evolve, as Shaw, Chilwell, James, etc end up involved in more goal chances and assists and are making "wingers" redundant or just squad players.
Those players are light years away from cafc but Purrington despite his lack of pace ( similar to Shaw) has proved that he can be a dangerous attacking player in a 3-5-2 as long as you have the cover; Dobson more than a Watson plus the LCB.
Conte's preferred system has wing backs AND inverted wingers. England played a 343 with both in the Euros as well at one point.
The way the top managers use full/wing backs is fascinating really. Pep plays a No10 at left most of the time, Klopp has wing backs in a 4, both Conte and Tuchel use a winger ala JJ.
Trent-AA and Robertson as wing backs in a 4 looks crazy if Liverpool weren't so good all over the pitch.
Liverpool, Chelsea and Man City have such talented squads they have the luxury of playing several different ways and we all know they will be the top 3 and clear of the rest.
For Cafc, JJ demanded we change from passive to aggressive and 3-5-2 so we attack in numbers and defend in numbers in 5-3-2 if game management dictates. Other formations are available but JJ prefers this one for now.
In our new system under JJ, some players might not look great on the ball at times but Davison for example is working his socks off and defending from the front.
The wing back role continues to evolve, as Shaw, Chilwell, James, etc end up involved in more goal chances and assists and are making "wingers" redundant or just squad players.
Those players are light years away from cafc but Purrington despite his lack of pace ( similar to Shaw) has proved that he can be a dangerous attacking player in a 3-5-2 as long as you have the cover; Dobson more than a Watson plus the LCB.
I think BP is actually quicker than most give him credit for.
His positional awareness to get into the right place at the right time when attacking is incredible for a defender.
this .. he was out pretty wide on the RIGHT when he scored on Saturday
The most interesting bit of his goal was how he took it like a forward and not a defender. Not just the finish, but he peeled off the defenders and forwards competing for the ball in the event they'll miss it, which they did!
Is Purrington's role sustainable for a promotion push next season? I'm not sure.
He's defensively solid and gets into the box well (it feels a bit churlish to say 'the goals have dried up recently' about a wing-back, but scoring goals is definitely part of his job), but with the ball he is never going to beat his man and get crosses in, or attack the box at pace.
Definitely worth keeping around, not least as he covers LCB as well, but if 3-5-2 is the way forward, might we not want someone who scares defenders a bit more? Or, in League One, is what Purrington brings adequate?
(Yes I know for comparison's sake DJ's crossing hasn't been ideal, but at least he gets lots of crosses away thanks to his excellent close control and burst of pace)
Is Purrington's role sustainable for a promotion push next season? I'm not sure.
He's defensively solid and gets into the box well (it feels a bit churlish to say 'the goals have dried up recently' about a wing-back, but scoring goals is definitely part of his job), but with the ball he is never going to beat his man and get crosses in, or attack the box at pace.
Definitely worth keeping around, not least as he covers LCB as well, but if 3-5-2 is the way forward, might we not want someone who scares defenders a bit more? Or, in League One, is what Purrington brings adequate?
(Yes I know for comparison's sake DJ's crossing hasn't been ideal, but at least he gets lots of crosses away thanks to his excellent close control and burst of pace)
Of course it is.
However, if the rest of the midfield (whoever that may be) doesn't chip in with its fair share of goals and assists, and we don't have cover/alternatives on the front line then it doesn't matter whether Ben Purr's chariot has a souped-up engine or not: we won't be going up.
Okay, well if it is, how do we mount attacks down our left? Does a forward come wide and work the space with Lee (as has often happened)? That means one less player in the box
Okay, well if it is, how do we mount attacks down our left? Does a forward come wide and work the space with Lee (as has often happened)? That means one less player in the box
Okay, well if it is, how do we mount attacks down our left? Does a forward come wide and work the space with Lee (as has often happened)? That means one less player in the box
With an overlapping left sided centre back.
Well, the incumbent can certainly run with the ball, if not deliver it accurately to anyone under any circumstances. (I've noticed that Famewo does sometimes 'come alive' down the left, but usually only towards the end of games if we're getting desperate)
Is Purrington's role sustainable for a promotion push next season? I'm not sure.
He's defensively solid and gets into the box well (it feels a bit churlish to say 'the goals have dried up recently' about a wing-back, but scoring goals is definitely part of his job), but with the ball he is never going to beat his man and get crosses in, or attack the box at pace.
Definitely worth keeping around, not least as he covers LCB as well, but if 3-5-2 is the way forward, might we not want someone who scares defenders a bit more? Or, in League One, is what Purrington brings adequate?
(Yes I know for comparison's sake DJ's crossing hasn't been ideal, but at least he gets lots of crosses away thanks to his excellent close control and burst of pace)
I'd certainly like another option at LWB who offers something different to compete with him and to help us unlock teams that are just sitting back. But, its the lopsidedness of the system we play that his been its major strength and having 2 wing backs similar to DJ might not actually make us stronger.
Purrington is excellent in the current system and he is great at timing his runs into the box and appearing on the back post - hes an extra presence for the defenders to be aware of. he has also hit a number of decent crosses from deep.
It's the attacking wingback on one side, and the defensive wingback on the other that's a key part of Jacko's gameplan.
DJ on the right wing is principally an attacking winger, charged with certain defensive responsibilities. He's got the athletic and mobile Clare behind him to cover when he gets forward.
On the left side, Purrington is a solid and experienced left back playing further forward, and part of his remit is to drop back to be the additional defender to supplement the back 3 to make a back 4 when required.
He's also got license to get forward when safe to do so - and is showing the old Jacko trait of ghosting into the box unmarked with a late run.
What we are also seeing is Purrington's positional discipline and holding the team shape - plus his industry and timing as to when to get forward and when to get back. He's a vital part of the team's off-ball game, and often under-rated by many.
It's the attacking wingback on one side, and the defensive wingback on the other that's a key part of Jacko's gameplan.
DJ on the right wing is principally an attacking winger, charged with certain defensive responsibilities. He's got the athletic and mobile Clare behind him to cover when he gets forward.
On the left side, Purrington is a solid and experienced left back playing further forward, and part of his remit is to drop back to be the additional defender to supplement the back 3 to make a back 4 when required.
He's also got license to get forward when safe to do so - and is showing the old Jacko trait of ghosting into the box unmarked with a late run.
What we are also seeing is Purrington's positional discipline and holding the team shape - plus his industry and timing as to when to get forward and when to get back. He's a vital part of the team's off-ball game, and often under-rated by many.
This feels like a post-hoc justification of what we've gone with so far this season rather than Jacko's ideal setup. You think he wouldn't snap your hand off if you offered someone who performs Purrington's defensive duties to a similar standard but also gets down the wing and threatens the box with ball at feet? You say it like Famewo ISN'T mobile, which he very much is.
Comments
The way the top managers use full/wing backs is fascinating really. Pep plays a No10 at left most of the time, Klopp has wing backs in a 4, both Conte and Tuchel use a winger ala JJ.
Trent-AA and Robertson as wing backs in a 4 looks crazy if Liverpool weren't so good all over the pitch.
Liverpool, Chelsea and Man City have such talented squads they have the luxury of playing several different ways and we all know they will be the top 3 and clear of the rest.
For Cafc, JJ demanded we change from passive to aggressive and 3-5-2 so we attack in numbers and defend in numbers in 5-3-2 if game management dictates. Other formations are available but JJ prefers this one for now.
In our new system under JJ, some players might not look great on the ball at times but Davison for example is working his socks off and defending from the front.
Yes Jacko is still only a caretaker, but it didn't stop us giving CBT a new contract
Curbs used to say Johnny Robinson used to play out of his skin, whenever his contract was nearly up!
He's defensively solid and gets into the box well (it feels a bit churlish to say 'the goals have dried up recently' about a wing-back, but scoring goals is definitely part of his job), but with the ball he is never going to beat his man and get crosses in, or attack the box at pace.
Definitely worth keeping around, not least as he covers LCB as well, but if 3-5-2 is the way forward, might we not want someone who scares defenders a bit more? Or, in League One, is what Purrington brings adequate?
(Yes I know for comparison's sake DJ's crossing hasn't been ideal, but at least he gets lots of crosses away thanks to his excellent close control and burst of pace)
However, if the rest of the midfield (whoever that may be) doesn't chip in with its fair share of goals and assists, and we don't have cover/alternatives on the front line then it doesn't matter whether Ben Purr's chariot has a souped-up engine or not: we won't be going up.
Purrington is excellent in the current system and he is great at timing his runs into the box and appearing on the back post - hes an extra presence for the defenders to be aware of. he has also hit a number of decent crosses from deep.
DJ on the right wing is principally an attacking winger, charged with certain defensive responsibilities. He's got the athletic and mobile Clare behind him to cover when he gets forward.
On the left side, Purrington is a solid and experienced left back playing further forward, and part of his remit is to drop back to be the additional defender to supplement the back 3 to make a back 4 when required.
He's also got license to get forward when safe to do so - and is showing the old Jacko trait of ghosting into the box unmarked with a late run.
What we are also seeing is Purrington's positional discipline and holding the team shape - plus his industry and timing as to when to get forward and when to get back. He's a vital part of the team's off-ball game, and often under-rated by many.
yes he’s good enough
He may well be good enough for a promotion team. But scoring at Wembley has nothing to do with anything.