I always thought it was weird we signed a first choice LB in edwards when Small was one of our best players last year, and other areas were far more in need. Having Edwards, Small and Ramsay all fit is a conundrum which I hope doesn't upset the balance we've found in the last handful of games.
I think it can work quite well with Ramsay on the bench. Like yesterday, if we want to be more attacking he can come on for Mitchell, and he could start games there depending on the opponent. If we were winning and wanted to be more defensive then he could come on for Small
Many were predicting Ramsay for PotY before his injury. Now demoted to bit part player...
The guy will start when fully fit. We will probably revert to 3-5-2, which was the way we started the season. The formation was only changed when we lost both right backs in consecutive games.
Then it took a few games for NJ to find the right fit of players, including 2 (Mitchell and Small) being round pegs in square holes. And well played, to both of them, for making it work.
But that formation did bring us wins in our first 3 games.
And you could argue, that we'd be stronger now, as we didn't have Leaburn fit at the start of the season...
My own preference would be that Edwards drops into Macca's place. (I'm not a McGilliphray hater, but Edwards has more pace.) And move Small to left wing back, his more natural position.
The needs of the team out weigh the needs of the individual.
The thing is the improvement in our current setup, which has seen us not only get points but actually play well a decent amount of the time, has been taking advantage of our players' natural tendencies and using that to better effect. What is currently working for us is that we are playing with width, but both our wingers naturally invert. Small was really poor earlier in the season playing at LWB and when Tyreece was asked to stay central he didn't impact the game enough. TC naturally wants to pull wide to the left and then cut in on his right, Small wants to cut in from the right on his left. This allows us to have one player staying wide and receiving the ball out there and the other winger theoretically to move centrally and provide a second target up front.
If we put players in their old roles then we have the same problems we had before, with Small staying wide and high on the left and not getting anywhere, with the same problem out on the right. No-one cutting in and TC finding the space he would naturally drift into occupied by Small and so playing more narrow where he's less effective. Edwards stays further back and provides more of a shield compared to Small's main asset, which is his pace and aggressive running. Ramsay is a great candidate for playing RCB as he can more naturally push out to that right side in transition and gives us brilliant recovery pace in defence. The ideal really would be that Alex Mitchell be comfortable playing LCB in place of Gillesphey.
At the moment we are entirely indebted to TC proving width on the left and Small on the right, changing that would be the worst mistake we could make.
I always thought it was weird we signed a first choice LB in edwards when Small was one of our best players last year, and other areas were far more in need. Having Edwards, Small and Ramsay all fit is a conundrum which I hope doesn't upset the balance we've found in the last handful of games.
I think it can work quite well with Ramsay on the bench. Like yesterday, if we want to be more attacking he can come on for Mitchell, and he could start games there depending on the opponent. If we were winning and wanted to be more defensive then he could come on for Small
Many were predicting Ramsay for PotY before his injury. Now demoted to bit part player...
The guy will start when fully fit. We will probably revert to 3-5-2, which was the way we started the season. The formation was only changed when we lost both right backs in consecutive games.
Then it took a few games for NJ to find the right fit of players, including 2 (Mitchell and Small) being round pegs in square holes. And well played, to both of them, for making it work.
But that formation did bring us wins in our first 3 games.
And you could argue, that we'd be stronger now, as we didn't have Leaburn fit at the start of the season...
My own preference would be that Edwards drops into Macca's place. (I'm not a McGilliphray hater, but Edwards has more pace.) And move Small to left wing back, his more natural position.
The needs of the team out weigh the needs of the individual.
The thing is the improvement in our current setup, which has seen us not only get points but actually play well a decent amount of the time, has been taking advantage of our players' natural tendencies and using that to better effect. What is currently working for us is that we are playing with width, but both our wingers naturally invert. Small was really poor earlier in the season playing at LWB and when Tyreece was asked to stay central he didn't impact the game enough. TC naturally wants to pull wide to the left and then cut in on his right, Small wants to cut in from the right on his left. This allows us to have one player staying wide and receiving the ball out there and the other winger theoretically to move centrally and provide a second target up front.
If we put players in their old roles then we have the same problems we had before, with Small staying wide and high on the left and not getting anywhere, with the same problem out on the right. No-one cutting in and TC finding the space he would naturally drift into occupied by Small and so playing more narrow where he's less effective. Edwards stays further back and provides more of a shield compared to Small's main asset, which is his pace and aggressive running. Ramsay is a great candidate for playing RCB as he can more naturally push out to that right side in transition and gives us brilliant recovery pace in defence. The ideal really would be that Alex Mitchell be comfortable playing LCB in place of Gillesphey.
At the moment we are entirely indebted to TC proving width on the left and Small on the right, changing that would be the worst mistake we could make.
I think Ramsay would have a better chance than Mitchell at doing that. Mitchell is uncomfortable enough where he is.
Although Gillesphey is a bit of a liability, I don’t think we can put together a better line up than what we have at the moment that he isn’t in
I always thought it was weird we signed a first choice LB in edwards when Small was one of our best players last year, and other areas were far more in need. Having Edwards, Small and Ramsay all fit is a conundrum which I hope doesn't upset the balance we've found in the last handful of games.
I think it can work quite well with Ramsay on the bench. Like yesterday, if we want to be more attacking he can come on for Mitchell, and he could start games there depending on the opponent. If we were winning and wanted to be more defensive then he could come on for Small
Many were predicting Ramsay for PotY before his injury. Now demoted to bit part player...
The guy will start when fully fit. We will probably revert to 3-5-2, which was the way we started the season. The formation was only changed when we lost both right backs in consecutive games.
Then it took a few games for NJ to find the right fit of players, including 2 (Mitchell and Small) being round pegs in square holes. And well played, to both of them, for making it work.
But that formation did bring us wins in our first 3 games.
And you could argue, that we'd be stronger now, as we didn't have Leaburn fit at the start of the season...
My own preference would be that Edwards drops into Macca's place. (I'm not a McGilliphray hater, but Edwards has more pace.) And move Small to left wing back, his more natural position.
The needs of the team out weigh the needs of the individual.
The thing is the improvement in our current setup, which has seen us not only get points but actually play well a decent amount of the time, has been taking advantage of our players' natural tendencies and using that to better effect. What is currently working for us is that we are playing with width, but both our wingers naturally invert. Small was really poor earlier in the season playing at LWB and when Tyreece was asked to stay central he didn't impact the game enough. TC naturally wants to pull wide to the left and then cut in on his right, Small wants to cut in from the right on his left. This allows us to have one player staying wide and receiving the ball out there and the other winger theoretically to move centrally and provide a second target up front.
If we put players in their old roles then we have the same problems we had before, with Small staying wide and high on the left and not getting anywhere, with the same problem out on the right. No-one cutting in and TC finding the space he would naturally drift into occupied by Small and so playing more narrow where he's less effective. Edwards stays further back and provides more of a shield compared to Small's main asset, which is his pace and aggressive running. Ramsay is a great candidate for playing RCB as he can more naturally push out to that right side in transition and gives us brilliant recovery pace in defence. The ideal really would be that Alex Mitchell be comfortable playing LCB in place of Gillesphey.
At the moment we are entirely indebted to TC proving width on the left and Small on the right, changing that would be the worst mistake we could make.
I think Ramsay would have a better chance than Mitchell at doing that. Mitchell is uncomfortable enough where he is.
Although Gillesphey is a bit of a liability, I don’t think we can put together a better line up than what we have at the moment that he isn’t in
I don't think so based on the shape we adopt when we're on the attack. The RCB moves to RB and the LCB comes across to be the CB in a two. At the moment Mitchell is pushing out to RB and Gillesphey is the left side of the two, which he shouldn't really ever be. It's fine as long as we keep the ball but at turnovers it can be a bit dicey. Ramsay playing left-sided CB in a two on the counter would be so far outside of his wheelhouse it would leave us very exposed, especially with Mitchell covering the rightback spot. At least in the setup with Mitchell at LCB we're making the most of Ramsay covering the right side and Mitchell is a more reliable CB in a two even if he's not on his preferred side.
Gillesphey isn't great, he's at his best when you control the ball entirely and you can just use his passing range rather than his defensive prowess but we're not there yet. He's looked much better since we've started playing better and he's managed to get his radar sorted and has put in some excellent passes, particularly against Wycombe and Bolton. He can force things with a decent ball over the top in the way our other players can't. If we do get another LCB in I'd still like that player to be someone with a good passing range.
Great to see him back and an impressive first game back.
He might end up owning that RCB position, as his recovery is so impressive. He worries me in one area - putting his knees in some twisty and compromising angles at times!
Wasn't tested too much in terms of aerial bombardment but played well in that right centre back slot and obviously very comfortable stepping out into the space Small leaves when he bombs forward. Some nice distribution from him at times too. He could be very good there, long term.
Special shout out to Ramsay. First start in months, in an unfamiliar position and a genuine mom contender. His anticipation and handling of 1 on 1s is Wan Bissaka-esque.
Think he's a fantastic player. So good in a 1v1 and general play is top class. Would love him to stay injury free and stick around for a while. Definitely the quality of player a promotion chasing team is built around.
Great to have him back, I think that RCB position will be where he slots in most of the time now. Small is too effective in his role for us to change that too much.
Great to have him back, I think that RCB position will be where he slots in most of the time now. Small is too effective in his role for us to change that too much.
Small's so effective there it's arguably his best position. He's more predictable on the left where he's far more likely to drive down the line to get a cross in and only occasionally cut inside onto his weaker foot.
In Edwards, Small and Ramsey we have the best set of full backs in the division Not as good as Solly and Wiggins but the best we've had in a long time
Absolutely. As for Solly and Wiggins, during Chris Powell's League 1 Championship season, I don't think it's going to far to say that they were probably the best pair of young full-backs outside the Premier League.
In Edwards, Small and Ramsey we have the best set of full backs in the division Not as good as Solly and Wiggins but the best we've had in a long time
Absolutely. As for Solly and Wiggins, during Chris Powell's League 1 Championship season, I don't think it's going to far to say that they were probably the best pair of young full-backs outside the Premier League.
I’ve always said that you can make a huge difference to a squad with excellent full backs and goal keeper. They are positions where you get a lot of “bang for your buck” to use a somewhat outdated term. It costs a lot to get a decent striker / goal scorer so the relative return on investment to have the best full backs and GK in the league is a massive opportunity. I’m glad to see we’ve done it with the full backs. Not so sure we’re there on GK - though both Ash and Mannion are capable.
Different level of opposition but Ramsay reminded me very much of Rod Fanni last night. Similar build, very useful in the air, quick to see danger and cast-iron in the tackle.
Comments
If we put players in their old roles then we have the same problems we had before, with Small staying wide and high on the left and not getting anywhere, with the same problem out on the right. No-one cutting in and TC finding the space he would naturally drift into occupied by Small and so playing more narrow where he's less effective. Edwards stays further back and provides more of a shield compared to Small's main asset, which is his pace and aggressive running. Ramsay is a great candidate for playing RCB as he can more naturally push out to that right side in transition and gives us brilliant recovery pace in defence. The ideal really would be that Alex Mitchell be comfortable playing LCB in place of Gillesphey.
At the moment we are entirely indebted to TC proving width on the left and Small on the right, changing that would be the worst mistake we could make.
GK
Mitchell Jones Gillesphey Edwards
Docherty Coventry
Small Berry Campbell
Leaburn
And then defending it's more
GK
Small Mitchell Jones Gillesphey Edwards
Docherty Coventry Berry
Campbell
Leaburn
That can be swapped a bit with Ramsay slotting in at RB and having Mitchell and Jones slide across, with Edwards becoming the moving man.
GK
Ramsay Mitchell Jones Edwards
Docherty Coventry
Campbell Berry Small
Leaburn
GK
Ramsay Mitchell Jones Edwards Small
Docherty Coventry Berry
Campbell
Leaburn
However I'll be honest I prefer TC in the left and Small on the right, cutting inside with the fullbacks overlapping for the crosses if needed
Great to see him back and an impressive first game back.
He might end up owning that RCB position, as his recovery is so impressive. He worries me in one area - putting his knees in some twisty and compromising angles at times!
Not as good as Solly and Wiggins but the best we've had in a long time
Special shout out to Ramsay. First start in months, in an unfamiliar position and a genuine mom contender. His anticipation and handling of 1 on 1s is Wan Bissaka-esque.
starting to think he could play anywhere on the pitch and give you an 8 out of 10
Just shows the gems you can find at the lower levels.
I'm already getting anxiety about his contract, only on one till 2027, hopefully we sort that soon. 😂