Interesting that Curbs feels we need 3 CMs in this league so he'd use 4-3-3.
Did Curbs actually say he'd go 4-3-3 or just that he'd used three CMs? You can use those in 3-5-2, 4-5-1, and of course England used four under Ramsey in 4-4-2: Stiles, Charlton, Ball and Peters.
One of the goals they showed Parker scoring when they did Brownies 5 aside team had Stuart, Jensen, Parker and Kinsella all in the box! Now that's a "4".
Interesting that Curbs feels we need 3 CMs in this league so he'd use 4-3-3.
Did Curbs actually say he'd go 4-3-3 or just that he'd used three CMs? You can use those in 3-5-2, 4-5-1, and of course England used four under Ramsey in 4-4-2: Stiles, Charlton, Ball and Peters.
Yeah he did. 4-5-1 is really the same as 4-3-3, it becomes a midfield 5 when you defend and 4-3-3 (or 4-2-3-1) in attack.
433 is fine. The issue is the game it failed hugely against Cheltenham, Kirk and DJ showed awful work rate and little understanding of the role. From then we've been a bit scarred and looked for solidity and work rate, eg Washington, Davison.
The idea of formations is they can change when you attack to when you defend*. The best teams is any divisions always look like they have an extra man. Man City on a good day have six players attacking the box.
San Marino against the big International team play a rigid 5-5 formation and hope they keep the score under 5 !
Solid performance. Kirk and Lee teamed up well and added much needed creativity. They both perform so much better when the two midfielders behind them provide energy and cover given their defensive limitations. Can Arter and Gilbey provide that all season - I hope so because, I am not convinced that the likes of Dobson, Morgan or Watson can cover that much of the pitch. Typical Leko performance - frustrating most of the match but then 2 or 3 moments of absolute brilliance. Defense was a little shaky in possession which will be a concern until at least January. Also, I am not completely convinced yet with Davison and Soare. Davison has shown a lot of energy and decent pace this year, I just don’t know if he has that scorers mentality to lead the line. I would lean towards Stockley and Purrington as long as we don’t revert to hoof ball with Stockley. All in all, positive signs
Aaagh no way
Davison works hard but he would not have scored the chance Stockley did today.
Stockley is the best forward at the club. He should start. Why overcomplicate things. If professional footballers cannot resist temptation to pump long balls to him they should be managed better.
Just the same thing people said of Stockley for Josh's last couple of goals.
I like Davison but I thought the Portsmouth goal was a chance any professional striker should take.
We have got a big squad and in my opinion we need to focus on playing our best players. Fortunately the Adkins tombola spat out Arter, Gilbey, Lee, Kirk and Leko today which is our strongest 5 midfielders by miles. I think Stockley is the right forward to go with them.
Tombola? Give me a break. Some of those players might be dropped agains if they have a bad performance… and so they should be.
Let’s hope he gets to make those decisions based on performance rather than fitness/injury
After yesterday, Nigel must be sure of 8/9 of the 11. He's probably not 100% about the left side or Stockley/Davison. And that's progress.
Yeah certainly. The way I see it we have (my 1st choice first).
Why was that guy dragged out during the second half, I couldn't see what he had done?
I hear it was about dissing Sebo.
Someone clearly shouted an offensive term against Seb in the quiet after a rendition of "Sing a song for Sebbo". There was then understandably tension around it. Initially unclear if the fella carried out was the perpetrator or someone agitating to get at whoever made the remark. Now clear it was the former. Hope he's never seen again. If he is, he'd probably do well to turn up in disguise to avoid being carried off more forcibly than the Fleetwood stewards afforded him. You see some troubling stuff go on but that episode is up there for me.
I know exactly who it is. Bully boy who I’ve come across years ago in the covered end.
Solid performance. Kirk and Lee teamed up well and added much needed creativity. They both perform so much better when the two midfielders behind them provide energy and cover given their defensive limitations. Can Arter and Gilbey provide that all season - I hope so because, I am not convinced that the likes of Dobson, Morgan or Watson can cover that much of the pitch. Typical Leko performance - frustrating most of the match but then 2 or 3 moments of absolute brilliance. Defense was a little shaky in possession which will be a concern until at least January. Also, I am not completely convinced yet with Davison and Soare. Davison has shown a lot of energy and decent pace this year, I just don’t know if he has that scorers mentality to lead the line. I would lean towards Stockley and Purrington as long as we don’t revert to hoof ball with Stockley. All in all, positive signs
Aaagh no way
Davison works hard but he would not have scored the chance Stockley did today.
Stockley is the best forward at the club. He should start. Why overcomplicate things. If professional footballers cannot resist temptation to pump long balls to him they should be managed better.
Just the same thing people said of Stockley for Josh's last couple of goals.
I like Davison but I thought the Portsmouth goal was a chance any professional striker should take.
We have got a big squad and in my opinion we need to focus on playing our best players. Fortunately the Adkins tombola spat out Arter, Gilbey, Lee, Kirk and Leko today which is our strongest 5 midfielders by miles. I think Stockley is the right forward to go with them.
Tombola? Give me a break. Some of those players might be dropped agains if they have a bad performance… and so they should be.
Let’s hope he gets to make those decisions based on performance rather than fitness/injury
After yesterday, Nigel must be sure of 8/9 of the 11. He's probably not 100% about the left side or Stockley/Davison. And that's progress.
Yeah certainly. The way I see it we have (my 1st choice first).
Arter/Dobson Gilbey/Clare Lee/Morgan (but we need someone better in that position as back up)
Kirk/DJ Stockley/Davison (Davison really impressed me though ultimately think Stockley is better) Leko/CBT
I definitely think we should target another number 10 type player in January as feel it could fall apart if Lee gets injured.
Hard on Washington, who I do really rate, and is a fantastic utility squad player across the front line.
Think Morgan can still have a role to play in the midfield - though not sure I want him starting games.
Hopefully never see Watson have to play again (not through lack of effort on his part, but just seems so limited to me.
As Watson is in his last season with us its probably a given that his role will diminish as the season progresses, I think having him and Pearce around the squad and available if called upon is a very good thing.
Solid performance. Kirk and Lee teamed up well and added much needed creativity. They both perform so much better when the two midfielders behind them provide energy and cover given their defensive limitations. Can Arter and Gilbey provide that all season - I hope so because, I am not convinced that the likes of Dobson, Morgan or Watson can cover that much of the pitch. Typical Leko performance - frustrating most of the match but then 2 or 3 moments of absolute brilliance. Defense was a little shaky in possession which will be a concern until at least January. Also, I am not completely convinced yet with Davison and Soare. Davison has shown a lot of energy and decent pace this year, I just don’t know if he has that scorers mentality to lead the line. I would lean towards Stockley and Purrington as long as we don’t revert to hoof ball with Stockley. All in all, positive signs
Aaagh no way
Davison works hard but he would not have scored the chance Stockley did today.
Stockley is the best forward at the club. He should start. Why overcomplicate things. If professional footballers cannot resist temptation to pump long balls to him they should be managed better.
Just the same thing people said of Stockley for Josh's last couple of goals.
I like Davison but I thought the Portsmouth goal was a chance any professional striker should take.
We have got a big squad and in my opinion we need to focus on playing our best players. Fortunately the Adkins tombola spat out Arter, Gilbey, Lee, Kirk and Leko today which is our strongest 5 midfielders by miles. I think Stockley is the right forward to go with them.
Tombola? Give me a break. Some of those players might be dropped agains if they have a bad performance… and so they should be.
Let’s hope he gets to make those decisions based on performance rather than fitness/injury
After yesterday, Nigel must be sure of 8/9 of the 11. He's probably not 100% about the left side or Stockley/Davison. And that's progress.
Yeah certainly. The way I see it we have (my 1st choice first).
Arter/Dobson Gilbey/Clare Lee/Morgan (but we need someone better in that position as back up)
Kirk/DJ Stockley/Davison (Davison really impressed me though ultimately think Stockley is better) Leko/CBT
I definitely think we should target another number 10 type player in January as feel it could fall apart if Lee gets injured.
Hard on Washington, who I do really rate, and is a fantastic utility squad player across the front line.
Think Morgan can still have a role to play in the midfield - though not sure I want him starting games.
Hopefully never see Watson have to play again (not through lack of effort on his part, but just seems so limited to me.
As Watson is in his last season with us its probably a given that his role will diminish as the season progresses, I think having him and Pearce around the squad and available if called upon is a very good thing.
Pearce gets a lot of stick, but for me he is a solid enough defender at this level (if he has the correct quality around him). When teams are pumping long balls at the back four, you’ve got to feel that’s his bread and butter to defend.
From my understanding Watson is a ‘proper pro’ who trains well and is very good with the players around him. I just personally don’t think he is good enough in that role anymore. He has his strengths for sure - but his lack of pace, and his inability to carry the ball really cause us lots of trouble.
Look at the difference Arter made against Fleetwood - we saw him (at the right times) being the furthest player up the pitch pressing the defenders, as well as supporting the full backs and being an option to pass to, and when he did get the ball he didn’t just look to first time pass it everytime.
433 is fine. The issue is the game it failed hugely against Cheltenham, Kirk and DJ showed awful work rate and little understanding of the role. From then we've been a bit scarred and looked for solidity and work rate, eg Washington, Davison.
Which is funny as it is the only formation Kirk has ever played in as a pro......
433 is fine. The issue is the game it failed hugely against Cheltenham, Kirk and DJ showed awful work rate and little understanding of the role. From then we've been a bit scarred and looked for solidity and work rate, eg Washington, Davison.
Which is funny as it is the only formation Kirk has ever played in as a pro......
With Kirk I think a lot of us have to accept that we wont see a massive amount of work rate from him - He certainly tracked back a little better yesterday but equally didnt appear interested to do the Washington role of busting a gut to close down the opposition from the front.
As someone said to me when I mentioned it after Cheltenham; the Crewe fans warned us it was a weakness of his game - and is unfortunately is going to be a part of his game, along and loads of others
433 is fine. The issue is the game it failed hugely against Cheltenham, Kirk and DJ showed awful work rate and little understanding of the role. From then we've been a bit scarred and looked for solidity and work rate, eg Washington, Davison.
Which is funny as it is the only formation Kirk has ever played in as a pro......
With Kirk I think a lot of us have to accept that we wont see a massive amount of work rate from him - He certainly tracked back a little better yesterday but equally didnt appear interested to do the Washington role of busting a gut to close down the opposition from the front.
As someone said to me when I mentioned it after Cheltenham; the Crewe fans warned us it was a weakness of his game - and is unfortunately is going to be a part of his game, along and loads of others
The Crewe fans might of warned us. Did anyone warn Thomas before he handed over half a mill of his hard earned?
Smacks of Liverpool signing Henderson as a right winger to me. Not that I am suggesting that Kirk could become a top class DM mind.
433 is fine. The issue is the game it failed hugely against Cheltenham, Kirk and DJ showed awful work rate and little understanding of the role. From then we've been a bit scarred and looked for solidity and work rate, eg Washington, Davison.
Which is funny as it is the only formation Kirk has ever played in as a pro......
With Kirk I think a lot of us have to accept that we wont see a massive amount of work rate from him - He certainly tracked back a little better yesterday but equally didnt appear interested to do the Washington role of busting a gut to close down the opposition from the front.
As someone said to me when I mentioned it after Cheltenham; the Crewe fans warned us it was a weakness of his game - and is unfortunately is going to be a part of his game, along and loads of others
The Crewe fans might of warned us. Did anyone warn Thomas before he handed over half a mill of his hard earned?
Smacks of Liverpool signing Henderson as a right winger to me. Not that I am suggesting that Kirk could become a top class DM mind.
That's not a dig at Kirk more of how he fits.
The analysis by the Crewe guy was interesting but I did wonder when it said Charlie drifts out of games for long periods ! He also praised him and from memory thought he said he worked well with Harry Pickering when he was overlapping and Kirk either fed him or went inside on to his right foot.
A 4 year contract for Charlie Kirk means either Roddy, Gallen or Atkins will be worried if Charlie is a dud. I'm still hopeful that he can settle after his personal circumstances and grow with this team and make the long contract not seem a poor decision.
Early days in his career at Cafc and similar to Gilbey last season will improve as players start to dovetail.
That photo of Arter celebrating makes me think he cares. I think he will become a decent signing. @Leuth might not like my opinion though.
I have no problem with your opinion. If he has the legs and the drive to be a success here then I'll agree with it. I have only seen 45 minutes of not being remotely bothered but it sounds like he put in a shift this time and influenced our play positively. Good. I don't want our players to fail!
433 is fine. The issue is the game it failed hugely against Cheltenham, Kirk and DJ showed awful work rate and little understanding of the role. From then we've been a bit scarred and looked for solidity and work rate, eg Washington, Davison.
Which is funny as it is the only formation Kirk has ever played in as a pro......
But with an attacking/overlapping full back. Not an aging right back afraid to cross the halfway line.
433 is fine. The issue is the game it failed hugely against Cheltenham, Kirk and DJ showed awful work rate and little understanding of the role. From then we've been a bit scarred and looked for solidity and work rate, eg Washington, Davison.
Which is funny as it is the only formation Kirk has ever played in as a pro......
But with an attacking/overlapping full back. Not an aging right back afraid to cross the halfway line.
Do we need or want a player that needs someone to hold his hand in order to be an effective player? It is a team game, but a player should not need that degree of support, and personally I don’t think he needs that. I also think Purrington and Souare can give that support.
That photo of Arter celebrating makes me think he cares. I think he will become a decent signing. @Leuth might not like my opinion though.
I have no problem with your opinion. If he has the legs and the drive to be a success here then I'll agree with it. I have only seen 45 minutes of not being remotely bothered but it sounds like he put in a shift this time and influenced our play positively. Good. I don't want our players to fail!
433 is fine. The issue is the game it failed hugely against Cheltenham, Kirk and DJ showed awful work rate and little understanding of the role. From then we've been a bit scarred and looked for solidity and work rate, eg Washington, Davison.
Which is funny as it is the only formation Kirk has ever played in as a pro......
But with an attacking/overlapping full back. Not an aging right back afraid to cross the halfway line.
Do we need or want a player that needs someone to hold his hand in order to be an effective player? It is a team game, but a player should not need that degree of support, and personally I don’t think he needs that. I also think Purrington and Souare can give that support.
I agree that he should be able to adapt but I don't think he had at that point, and given his personal circumstances its not surprising that took time.
Some great action there, but right at the start was that Gunter (who is as bad as Matthews), who just stood still and let their player run in unchallenged?
How can an experienced player be that inept week in week out? I mean you don't even have to be able to play football, to be able to run alongside someone and keep goal side of them.
It looks to me as if he’s slightly distracted by a player advancing out wide and is telling someone to pick him up whilst trying to hold a high line. However the opponent points to where he wants the ball and times his run to perfection. I agree though he switched of momentarily which is all it takes and McGillivray saved his bacon and a disastrous 0-1 early doors.
Agreed, he was pointing to Leko to get back & to get behind his man. In doing so he lets his own player run through unchallenged for a one on one with the keeper. I'm afraid both Matthews and Gunter are rank and they seem to be getting worse. They can't even get the basics right.
I am really not sure how much of the right back problem is purely the right backs fault.
If you look at Bolton's equaliser on Tuesday, for example, yes Matthews bought the drop of the shoulder and should have shown him outside. If you look at when the winger gets the ball he is in miles of space and Matthews is in field picking someone else up. By the time he engaged Matthews he had the ball well under control and was running with it. Which makes defending much harder.
It's a problem than we had last season as well. Do teams focus on our right back because they are a weakness? Or is it a weakness somewhere else that makes it one, like the right CB channel or the winger not tracking back. Gunter's legs haven't gone and neither him nor Matthews are worse defensively, as players, than Purrington.
Neither of them are as bad as they sometimes look. It would be a massive coinsidence if our only 2 right backs are both not bothered, or words to that effect.
watch Boltons win at weekend.Both goals they score come from the the same area as they scored against us( in fact the first is further out). Maybe this is a particular strength of their team? re Matthews -any player may have dips in form. He has been dropped, so a chance for Gunter to grab the place-
Some great action there, but right at the start was that Gunter (who is as bad as Matthews), who just stood still and let their player run in unchallenged?
How can an experienced player be that inept week in week out? I mean you don't even have to be able to play football, to be able to run alongside someone and keep goal side of them.
It looks to me as if he’s slightly distracted by a player advancing out wide and is telling someone to pick him up whilst trying to hold a high line. However the opponent points to where he wants the ball and times his run to perfection. I agree though he switched of momentarily which is all it takes and McGillivray saved his bacon and a disastrous 0-1 early doors.
Agreed, he was pointing to Leko to get back & to get behind his man. In doing so he lets his own player run through unchallenged for a one on one with the keeper. I'm afraid both Matthews and Gunter are rank and they seem to be getting worse. They can't even get the basics right.
I am really not sure how much of the right back problem is purely the right backs fault.
If you look at Bolton's equaliser on Tuesday, for example, yes Matthews bought the drop of the shoulder and should have shown him outside. If you look at when the winger gets the ball he is in miles of space and Matthews is in field picking someone else up. By the time he engaged Matthews he had the ball well under control and was running with it. Which makes defending much harder.
It's a problem than we had last season as well. Do teams focus on our right back because they are a weakness? Or is it a weakness somewhere else that makes it one, like the right CB channel or the winger not tracking back. Gunter's legs haven't gone and neither him nor Matthews are worse defensively, as players, than Purrington.
Neither of them are as bad as they sometimes look. It would be a massive coinsidence if our only 2 right backs are both not bothered, or words to that effect.
watch Boltons win at weekend.Both goals they score come from the the same area as they scored against us( in fact the first is further out). Maybe this is a particular strength of their team? re Matthews -any player may have dips in form. He has been dropped, so a chance for Gunter to grab the place-
Speaking of Quest, Ian Maatsen v. Fulham was a bit special.
Wasn't there meant to be unrest in the squad? That wasn't a team not giving their all.
Nonsense basically. We’ve never looked like a team not trying to me, just a team that’s been out thought and out played.
They looked very much like a side not trying in the last 30 minutes against Bolton.
I mean, we capitulated after Bolton scored their 2nd goal in the 73rd minute (even though we could have got it back to 2-2) and before then it was a even game.
But when we went 2-1 down we started chasing the game, and the players were out on their feet, as pointed out by the Bolton manager, so there were always going to be gaps.
To say they weren’t trying for 30 minutes is disingenuous.
Had a super busy weekend, so havent had the chance to post until now. Great work all round eveyone! Nige got it right, we scoted two great goals, could have had more by the sound if it and we battled hard to secure the win with Big Mac making two big saves. Ive been firmly in the Adkins out camp for a few weeks, but credit where its due, thats a great win. Good to see Gilbey back too. Hopefully we can push on a little bit now. COYA
Comments
San Marino against the big International team play a rigid 5-5 formation and hope they keep the score under 5 !
*I say what a genius
MacG/Henderson
Gunter/Matthews
Lavelle/Innis
Famewo/Pearce
Soare/Purrington
Arter/Dobson
Gilbey/Clare
Lee/Morgan (but we need someone better in that position as back up)
Kirk/DJ
Stockley/Davison (Davison really impressed me though ultimately think Stockley is better)
Leko/CBT
I definitely think we should target another number 10 type player in January as feel it could fall apart if Lee gets injured.
From my understanding Watson is a ‘proper pro’ who trains well and is very good with the players around him. I just personally don’t think he is good enough in that role anymore. He has his strengths for sure - but his lack of pace, and his inability to carry the ball really cause us lots of trouble.
Look at the difference Arter made against Fleetwood - we saw him (at the right times) being the furthest player up the pitch pressing the defenders, as well as supporting the full backs and being an option to pass to, and when he did get the ball he didn’t just look to first time pass it everytime.
As someone said to me when I mentioned it after Cheltenham; the Crewe fans warned us it was a weakness of his game - and is unfortunately is going to be a part of his game, along and loads of others
Smacks of Liverpool signing Henderson as a right winger to me. Not that I am suggesting that Kirk could become a top class DM mind.
That's not a dig at Kirk more of how he fits.
The analysis by the Crewe guy was interesting but I did wonder when it said Charlie drifts out of games for long periods ! He also praised him and from memory thought he said he worked well with Harry Pickering when he was overlapping and Kirk either fed him or went inside on to his right foot.
A 4 year contract for Charlie Kirk means either Roddy, Gallen or Atkins will be worried if Charlie is a dud. I'm still hopeful that he can settle after his personal circumstances and grow with this team and make the long contract not seem a poor decision.
Early days in his career at Cafc and similar to Gilbey last season will improve as players start to dovetail.
I also think Purrington and Souare can give that support.
Excellent strike that from Maatsen.
But when we went 2-1 down we started chasing the game, and the players were out on their feet, as pointed out by the Bolton manager, so there were always going to be gaps.
To say they weren’t trying for 30 minutes is disingenuous.
Disappointment all around. Fleetwood Town vs Charlton Vlog
Barker however did okay there, could he be converted? He could be second choice for now.