So Garner has told him he will be playing an attacking role. Does that mean two attacking midfielders (with Fraser the other) and Dobson behind?
It depends what shape/formation we end up playing. There's JFC to put into contention too depending on his fitness.
If it's 4231 or 352, the central midfield is still that triangle of 3.
I wonder if he might see JFC as Dobson's competition given Jake likes to drop deep to receive the ball.
Although a lot depends on if you play a 1 and a 2 or a 2 and a 1. We played both today. Swindon predominantly played a 1 and a 2 last season, like we did under Jackson. That said I think our most "similar to Swindon" midfield 3 currently would be
JFC Fraser McGrandles
Getting the midfield 3 right, with competition and flexibility is going to be the most interesting, and potentially controversial, talking point before the Accrington game. IMO.
So Garner has told him he will be playing an attacking role. Does that mean two attacking midfielders (with Fraser the other) and Dobson behind?
It depends what shape/formation we end up playing. There's JFC to put into contention too depending on his fitness.
If it's 4231 or 352, the central midfield is still that triangle of 3.
I wonder if he might see JFC as Dobson's competition given Jake likes to drop deep to receive the ball.
Although a lot depends on if you play a 1 and a 2 or a 2 and a 1. We played both today. Swindon predominantly played a 1 and a 2 last season, like we did under Jackson. That said I think our most "similar to Swindon" midfield 3 currently would be
JFC Fraser McGrandles
Getting the midfield 3 right, with competition and flexibility is going to be the most interesting, and potentially controversial, talking point before the Accrington game. IMO.
So Garner has told him he will be playing an attacking role. Does that mean two attacking midfielders (with Fraser the other) and Dobson behind?
It depends what shape/formation we end up playing. There's JFC to put into contention too depending on his fitness.
If it's 4231 or 352, the central midfield is still that triangle of 3.
I wonder if he might see JFC as Dobson's competition given Jake likes to drop deep to receive the ball.
Although a lot depends on if you play a 1 and a 2 or a 2 and a 1. We played both today. Swindon predominantly played a 1 and a 2 last season, like we did under Jackson. That said I think our most "similar to Swindon" midfield 3 currently would be
JFC Fraser McGrandles
Getting the midfield 3 right, with competition and flexibility is going to be the most interesting, and potentially controversial, talking point before the Accrington game. IMO.
Dobson dropped?
Like I said controversial but you can make a case for it can't you?
I wouldn't say dropped but for all intents and purposes none of those 3 played for us last season. New manager etc etc.
You could perm the 4 of them into 3 in multiple ways, but that's the most similar to Swindon's approach last season.
You could, and there’s an argument for not wanting Dobson and JFC playing together too.
I want to see Dobson play in a double pivot a few times in preseason because, for some reason, I don't think he can. We seemed to play Dobson, Clare and Morgan in different combination of roles last preseason and then went with the one that worked least well once the season started.
So Garner has told him he will be playing an attacking role. Does that mean two attacking midfielders (with Fraser the other) and Dobson behind?
It depends what shape/formation we end up playing. There's JFC to put into contention too depending on his fitness.
If it's 4231 or 352, the central midfield is still that triangle of 3.
I wonder if he might see JFC as Dobson's competition given Jake likes to drop deep to receive the ball.
Although a lot depends on if you play a 1 and a 2 or a 2 and a 1. We played both today. Swindon predominantly played a 1 and a 2 last season, like we did under Jackson. That said I think our most "similar to Swindon" midfield 3 currently would be
JFC Fraser McGrandles
Getting the midfield 3 right, with competition and flexibility is going to be the most interesting, and potentially controversial, talking point before the Accrington game. IMO.
Dobson dropped?
Like I said controversial but you can make a case for it can't you?
I wouldn't say dropped but for all intents and purposes none of those 3 played for us last season. New manager etc etc.
You could perm the 4 of them into 3 in multiple ways, but that's the most similar to Swindon's approach last season.
Dobson out because one assumes that McGrandles must be better but Fraser in on the basis of his Mk Dons form . Don’t see it .
Can we alsoplay Clayden behind Kirk to see if the latter magically transforms when he plays alongside a pacey overlapping full back?
He looked better with Fraser inside him as well. Maybe that is a trio we will try on the next game. Mandela offered little going forward, but not surprising all things considered.
So Garner has told him he will be playing an attacking role. Does that mean two attacking midfielders (with Fraser the other) and Dobson behind?
It depends what shape/formation we end up playing. There's JFC to put into contention too depending on his fitness.
If it's 4231 or 352, the central midfield is still that triangle of 3.
I wonder if he might see JFC as Dobson's competition given Jake likes to drop deep to receive the ball.
Said during the match that JFC could become our DM - but not necessarily our defensive midfielder.
There's no law that says the player that occupies that space just in front, shielding the defence HAS to be the midfield battler type. Think, Pirlo and Italy. When they played a midfield 3 Pirlo would be the one in front of CB's with one and sometimes both of Gattuso and De Rossi either side of him both of those being the more battler and tackler type, but that allowed Pirlo float around that DM space, pick up the ball and do what he did best in calmly and cooly turn and pick out passes. Gattuso/ De Rossi weren't there to shield the defence, they were there to protect Pirlo.
Of course we won't be playing the likes of Brazil so:
At home JFC Dobson Fraser
Those tough away games
JFC Dobson McGrandles
Dobson gets to do what he does best, face the oppo, charge down etc. JFC, being the link in passing from defence to midfield.
Can we alsoplay Clayden behind Kirk to see if the latter magically transforms when he plays alongside a pacey overlapping full back?
He looked better with Fraser inside him as well. Maybe that is a trio we will try on the next game. Mandela offered little going forward, but not surprising all things considered.
Can we alsoplay Clayden behind Kirk to see if the latter magically transforms when he plays alongside a pacey overlapping full back?
He looked better with Fraser inside him as well. Maybe that is a trio we will try on the next game. Mandela offered little going forward, but not surprising all things considered.
Can we alsoplay Clayden behind Kirk to see if the latter magically transforms when he plays alongside a pacey overlapping full back?
He looked better with Fraser inside him as well. Maybe that is a trio we will try on the next game. Mandela offered little going forward, but not surprising all things considered.
Even though it's a friendly we should still be concerned about any player that plays shit!
Bad touch, lazy in posession, not wanting to impress the new manager etc should be a cause for slight concern!
I agree. I am fed up with our performances and results in the last couple of years. Players who are poor, even at this stage, need to have it pointed out otherwise they may get complacent and not strive to improve. Similarly the whole squad losing yesterday to a terrible goal should not be shrugged off, but the football side should be pissed off. Sets the tone. A pre season friendly is still a match, and we didn’t match up because we lost, why play football of this kind if the result and performance doesn’t matter? You could’ve simply had a joint Kilmarnock/Charlton training session.
I’m quite excited about our options in central midfield.
In tougher games we can play both Dobson and McGrandles with one of Fraser or Payne (assuming JFC moves on).
We shouldn’t lack legs and ability to tackle in the middle, and that’s not something you usually associate with a third tier side focussed on possession.
We can also have a more attacking and creative midfield by playing both Fraser and Payne together with one other.
Comments
JFC
Fraser McGrandles
Getting the midfield 3 right, with competition and flexibility is going to be the most interesting, and potentially controversial, talking point before the Accrington game. IMO.
I wouldn't say dropped but for all intents and purposes none of those 3 played for us last season. New manager etc etc.
You could perm the 4 of them into 3 in multiple ways, but that's the most similar to Swindon's approach last season.
What were you expecting?
Said during the match that JFC could become our DM - but not necessarily our defensive midfielder.
There's no law that says the player that occupies that space just in front, shielding the defence HAS to be the midfield battler type. Think, Pirlo and Italy. When they played a midfield 3 Pirlo would be the one in front of CB's with one and sometimes both of Gattuso and De Rossi either side of him both of those being the more battler and tackler type, but that allowed Pirlo float around that DM space, pick up the ball and do what he did best in calmly and cooly turn and pick out passes. Gattuso/ De Rossi weren't there to shield the defence, they were there to protect Pirlo.
Of course we won't be playing the likes of Brazil so:
At home
JFC
Dobson Fraser
Those tough away games
Dobson McGrandles
Dobson gets to do what he does best, face the oppo, charge down etc. JFC, being the link in passing from defence to midfield.
"Carry On Regardless"...
Bad touch, lazy in posession, not wanting to impress the new manager etc should be a cause for slight concern!
I am fed up with our performances and results in the last couple of years.
Players who are poor, even at this stage, need to have it pointed out otherwise they may get complacent and not strive to improve.
Similarly the whole squad losing yesterday to a terrible goal should not be shrugged off, but the football side should be pissed off.
Sets the tone.
A pre season friendly is still a match, and we didn’t match up because we lost, why play football of this kind if the result and performance doesn’t matter? You could’ve simply had a joint Kilmarnock/Charlton training session.
In tougher games we can play both Dobson and McGrandles with one of Fraser or Payne (assuming JFC moves on).
We shouldn’t lack legs and ability to tackle in the middle, and that’s not something you usually associate with a third tier side focussed on possession.
We can also have a more attacking and creative midfield by playing both Fraser and Payne together with one other.
Hopefully he's already been on the phone to Peter crouch.
His legs survived many battles