23 Sep 2019 17:35:10
Very good square ball article. To summarise we are using Eddie and Bamford the wrong way around. We dominate most games for 70 minutes. That is when you need Eddie on to put away the multitude of chances we invariably create. Last 20 we tire (all goals conceded in last 20 minutes this year) . That is when you bring Bamford on to work hard, be physical, hold it up, work back and link with the midfield. Think it is spot on. Got to be a try at least. Current approach is not working (at home for sure) .
23 Sep 2019 18:33:35
What i have been saying, nonsense not to.
23 Sep 2019 19:55:44
Animal Spot on except Paddy puts in a shift and would surely prove very useful for Eddie. The other reason I prefer two up front at home is because then we literally would have goals on our mind. We don't have them on our mind right now when we're apparently content playing pretty tippy tappy hoping Paddy on his lonesome might score. Goals are infectious and breed confidence. Team deserves to be rewarded. Play Eddie and Paddy. Find a way.
23 Sep 2019 20:35:09
It’s a very logical piece. My only reservation is the defensive benefit Bamford brings, but that is, in all honesty, without seeing enough of Eddie to make a judgement. got to say, I’m torn on this one, but at the same time, recognise that something needs to change. Thank heck my coaching career never came to this level!
23 Sep 2019 23:48:04
Ok George - for home matches at least - how about -
Casilla
Dallas
White
Cooper
Douglas
Phillips
Hernandez
Klich
Nketiah
Bamford
Costa
with Roberts on the bench to replace a flagging Pablo (when it happens) and Bogusz to replace Klich - and Alioski to replace whoever he is needed to replace?
24 Sep 2019 00:56:38
MP That would be my line up too but I believe Roberts is better replacing Paddy. Shacks for Pablo and Bogusz for Klich. I also think Gotts is very close now and Edmondson must take a spot on the bench instead of Harrison who I'd drop altogether. My bench would be Meslier Berardi Gotts Shackleton Bogusz Edmondson Roberts. Outside of the 18 vying to get in would be Ayling Davis McCalmont Forshaw Harrison Clarke and McKinstry.
24 Sep 2019 07:58:55
You’ve forgotten Forshaw I think. Think I would sacrifice pablo or Klich for Forshaw, probably Klich, to give a bit more stability. When Bielsa went 2 up before he opted for only one winger on the left I think on the basis that Dallas is pretty much a right winger anyway so you can play 2 central, pablo/ Klich can float and Dallas can bomb down the right?
24 Sep 2019 08:09:16
I was never the most gifted footballer, there were lots of more technically better players and some with more pace, but I knew the areas to get into and how to put the ball in the net. Sadly this was not me but Gary Lineker. he didn't score many twenty five yarders but give him a sniff of a chance in and around the area.
This player had belief in himself and his positional sense, something a good striker has. To me Bamford will score the occasional good goal but he isn't a proper forward, and what the last few seasons has shown is that the top teams that go up from this league have a good striker.
24 Sep 2019 09:35:45
George, fair point re Roberts/ Bamford. I’m not sure re Roberts finishing ability but he can clearly cope with the physical stuff - he gets up and he doesn't moan or let his head drop etc. - and he can certainly pick out a pass. He and Nketiah would be an interesting partnership. Pablo is still our most creative but there will have to be alternatives through the season - and Shackleton is a lovely, energetic and direct footballer.
24 Sep 2019 10:53:50
Mezzer, that’s a good point. Lineker was immense at that, as was a certain Mr Lee Chapman. Bamford is a very, very talented footballer who just hasn’t found his natural position. Number 9 and chief goal poacher, is not it. As others have suggested, I think he could do a job as a dropped off 10. He may yet show his value.
24 Sep 2019 17:19:12
lee champman would die a slow death in the current team. i reckon he would sturrgle to get ten goals. and that's not me knocking champan the man was an all time great.
24 Sep 2019 20:43:14
Didn’t even mention Chappy in this team, just that he was a natural goal scorer while he was playing. As was Lineker. Really don’t get what you’re on about Berm. Again.