fbm
Blue tinted optimist⭐
Firstly, the stadium plans. Well done RM, and in my opinion the plans look absolutely superb. There is no way anyone can say that it looks crap - it may not look how they might want a ground to look, but it will be clean, futuristic, spacious and worthy of Championship football. It may be unusual - but crap it ain't.
But now the real issue - how we are going to stay in this league and why are Col U having a better time than we are?
In my opinion we came up too quickly. We essentially have the nucleus of a league 2 side that through spirit, guts, passion and a fair amount of luck have elevated ourselves to the second tier of English football.
Col U on the other hand have an established league 1 side that had a superb season last year. If you look at the physical stature of their players - especially at the back - they are more equipped to cope with the demands of this league.
This is highlighted by the volume of goals this year we have conceded from set pieces. We just are not big enough.
Lets now look at each individual player and the partnerships they have (or haven't) developed.
Flahavan - Has been superb over the last season and a half but his physical stature is now possibly showing itself to be more of a liability. Is he commanding enough at this level? Do we need a 6'4" monster keeper who comes for everything and prevents the danger from happening in the first place?
Francis - I mentioned in one of my pre season friendly reports that he looked better at centre half. His attacking play is first class, but he seems lacking in his defensive duties at times and I think Hunt would be a better choice at present.
Hammell - A huge improvement in the left back berth - but again his defensive qualities seem to let him down a bit. I'd still have him over WIlson though.
With both our new full backs, these shortcomings could be down to the fact that they are still settling into a new team and gelling with their team mates.
Now, the real concern - the centre backs. Prior is ageing and injury prone, despite the aerial dominance and organisational quality he gives us. Barrett has performed adequately enough but lacks a yard or two of pace against the pacy players. Clarke is in my opinion too similar to Barrett and must really play instead of rather than alongside him, if he is to play at all. He has had such a torrid time of late that he must now surely take a back seat for a while. Our only remaining dominant defender, Efe Sodje, must now come into the side and stay there, fitness permitting. We must, must, MUST have a large and aerially dominant centre half and if Sodjes fitness is doubtful then get one in on loan.
Up front, we all know what Freddy can do but he is finding it tougher this season. Despite his goal tally, 3 of those have come against league 1 opposition in the league cup, and one of his league goals was a penalty. That has just left 2 goals from open play in 10 league games. He is definitely shouldering the burden up front and the pressure is showing.
Paynter just hasn't gelled and I am not sure he is our "type" of player. He seems a bit like Broughton and that style of play makes us too one-dimensional. Besides, Freddy is not a feeder - he can make things happen himself. Hooper may be a better partner for Paynter. Talking of Hooper - he looks a good prospect but it's a big step up from 5 minutes of first team conference football as a sub to the Championship. He could be better played behind the front 2 rather than a striker.
Ricketts has obvious class but I have concerns over his fitness. A half fit Ricketts is probably best avoided and I suspect an operation on his achilles will be needed. Then there's Lawson who doesn't do it for me as an out and out striker and Matt Harrold, who again is possibly only a bit part player this year. However, he could be the most effective partner for Mr Eastwood, thereby giving us "Fred and Ginger" as an attacking force. We'll have to wait and see though, due to his injury as well. This leaves us with Bradbury, who could prove to be the ace in the hole once he is fit too. I don't think it's co-incidence that the last game he played was the last game we won (in the league).
Now the real problem area - the midfield.
In order to play a defensive midfielder like Kevin Maher you need three other midfielders who can chip in with 8-10 goals a season at least. We just don't have that. Gower might, but as for the others - Guttridge, 4 or 5 at best, Hunt, well he's only just scored his first ever goal. JCR maybe 3, Bradbury 1 or 2 when played in the midfield, Lawson the same, The only other 2 potential goalscoring midfielders are Cole and Smith, neither of whom are in the team. This is where we miss a player like Bentley.
What we need to play alongside Maher is someone with the skill of JCR, the creativity of Gower, the stamina of Bentley, the speed of Cole, the stature of Ricketts, the aerial ability of Sodje and who knocks in a dozen goals a season. I hate to say it, and it won't happen, but we need to give serious thought as to whether we can afford to have a defensive midfielder like Maher in a 4-4-2 formation.
So, should our team be
Collis
Hunt Sodje Barrett Hammell
Maher
Gower Guttridge
Hooper
Eastwood Harrold/Bradbury/Ricketts
Thoughts?
But now the real issue - how we are going to stay in this league and why are Col U having a better time than we are?
In my opinion we came up too quickly. We essentially have the nucleus of a league 2 side that through spirit, guts, passion and a fair amount of luck have elevated ourselves to the second tier of English football.
Col U on the other hand have an established league 1 side that had a superb season last year. If you look at the physical stature of their players - especially at the back - they are more equipped to cope with the demands of this league.
This is highlighted by the volume of goals this year we have conceded from set pieces. We just are not big enough.
Lets now look at each individual player and the partnerships they have (or haven't) developed.
Flahavan - Has been superb over the last season and a half but his physical stature is now possibly showing itself to be more of a liability. Is he commanding enough at this level? Do we need a 6'4" monster keeper who comes for everything and prevents the danger from happening in the first place?
Francis - I mentioned in one of my pre season friendly reports that he looked better at centre half. His attacking play is first class, but he seems lacking in his defensive duties at times and I think Hunt would be a better choice at present.
Hammell - A huge improvement in the left back berth - but again his defensive qualities seem to let him down a bit. I'd still have him over WIlson though.
With both our new full backs, these shortcomings could be down to the fact that they are still settling into a new team and gelling with their team mates.
Now, the real concern - the centre backs. Prior is ageing and injury prone, despite the aerial dominance and organisational quality he gives us. Barrett has performed adequately enough but lacks a yard or two of pace against the pacy players. Clarke is in my opinion too similar to Barrett and must really play instead of rather than alongside him, if he is to play at all. He has had such a torrid time of late that he must now surely take a back seat for a while. Our only remaining dominant defender, Efe Sodje, must now come into the side and stay there, fitness permitting. We must, must, MUST have a large and aerially dominant centre half and if Sodjes fitness is doubtful then get one in on loan.
Up front, we all know what Freddy can do but he is finding it tougher this season. Despite his goal tally, 3 of those have come against league 1 opposition in the league cup, and one of his league goals was a penalty. That has just left 2 goals from open play in 10 league games. He is definitely shouldering the burden up front and the pressure is showing.
Paynter just hasn't gelled and I am not sure he is our "type" of player. He seems a bit like Broughton and that style of play makes us too one-dimensional. Besides, Freddy is not a feeder - he can make things happen himself. Hooper may be a better partner for Paynter. Talking of Hooper - he looks a good prospect but it's a big step up from 5 minutes of first team conference football as a sub to the Championship. He could be better played behind the front 2 rather than a striker.
Ricketts has obvious class but I have concerns over his fitness. A half fit Ricketts is probably best avoided and I suspect an operation on his achilles will be needed. Then there's Lawson who doesn't do it for me as an out and out striker and Matt Harrold, who again is possibly only a bit part player this year. However, he could be the most effective partner for Mr Eastwood, thereby giving us "Fred and Ginger" as an attacking force. We'll have to wait and see though, due to his injury as well. This leaves us with Bradbury, who could prove to be the ace in the hole once he is fit too. I don't think it's co-incidence that the last game he played was the last game we won (in the league).
Now the real problem area - the midfield.
In order to play a defensive midfielder like Kevin Maher you need three other midfielders who can chip in with 8-10 goals a season at least. We just don't have that. Gower might, but as for the others - Guttridge, 4 or 5 at best, Hunt, well he's only just scored his first ever goal. JCR maybe 3, Bradbury 1 or 2 when played in the midfield, Lawson the same, The only other 2 potential goalscoring midfielders are Cole and Smith, neither of whom are in the team. This is where we miss a player like Bentley.
What we need to play alongside Maher is someone with the skill of JCR, the creativity of Gower, the stamina of Bentley, the speed of Cole, the stature of Ricketts, the aerial ability of Sodje and who knocks in a dozen goals a season. I hate to say it, and it won't happen, but we need to give serious thought as to whether we can afford to have a defensive midfielder like Maher in a 4-4-2 formation.
So, should our team be
Collis
Hunt Sodje Barrett Hammell
Maher
Gower Guttridge
Hooper
Eastwood Harrold/Bradbury/Ricketts
Thoughts?