January 2021 Transfer Window

Thing is, with this formation, do we even need wingers ?

 

Yes, badly. Pace frightens the life out of teams. Always good to have different options.

 

No, because that changes the formation and this 4/2/3/1 doesn't need the pace that a 4/4/2 does but is much more solid, introduce wingers and we change the whole set up of the team from a massively solid one at the back to one that could be a lot more open. I don't think we need out and out wingers at all. Perhaps just someone on the right who can do what Billy Clarke is doing but a bit faster.

 

Not hard to be faster than Billy Clarke. Caravan speed.

 

The 4231 is designed to play with wingers. I'm sure if we had wingers available when T&S took over, they would have taken up the positions that Clarke and Evans have.

 

I disagree. The system is solid, but still lacks a cutting edge. If we can get one, or possibly 2 players with pace either side of Rowe, it'd add a new dimension to our play. Not necessarily flying wingers, but wide forwards with more pace or mobility than Clarke, with an ability to get beyond Rowe. Rowe has already shown an eye for a pass, but we lack players to get beyond him and open teams up. I'm hoping that Evans display last night is an indication that now he's up to speed in terms of fitness, he can add goals to our game. But we do lack pace in forward areas. Its still evident and it needs addressing.

 

It does get a bit frustrating seeing Clarke come back inside everytime he gets the ball out wide. He’s all left foot and being asked to do a job on the right so it is always gonna happen. It would be nice to see a few balls whipped in from that side from time to time.

I think he starts though as FCD is inexperienced behind him.

 

No it's not. That would leave us really exposed in midfield. It's designed to create runners and space off a centre forward, as Evans showed last night, with those two midfield players who can drop deeper when out of possession. 4/2/3/1 with two wingers either side of Cooke (or Rowe if Novak was leading the line) would be suicide. Players in a 4/2/3/1 are tucked in behind a front man not exposed out on the wings.

 

The commentary team, we were told by both our manager at the time and the then communications officer or whatever Ryan's position was at the time James Vaughan would not be leaving the club Vaughan was adamant he would not give his best for the club if he was made to honour his contract, a in McAleny case he has refused another contract offer were given to believe, Oldhan would be stupid to turn any sort of transfer fee down

 

I should've made myself more clear, by wingers I meant inverted wingers who like to come inside rather than your Kyle Reid and Mark Marshall type. Much like the job Evans and Clarke are doing but neither of those have legs or the ability to beat a man, which is what we simply have to get in the side.

 

Who needs pace when you play a defence like Southend's?
Our second goal, they had one defender against Rowe and
Evans and the rest chasing back couldn't catch up!

 

Hope if we get another striker he will be useful in the air.
Headed goals aren't really an option with our current
strikers so having wingers putting balls in we need someone
to get on the end of them.

 

At 6'1" Rowe should be capable of winning a few headers in the box, not that I'm unhappy with his contribution so far.

 

That's fair enough. Theres no way Kyle Reid & Mark Marshall type players would fit in this. So you are thinking more Adam Reach kind of wingers. which makes sense.

 

I think Scales will play the right side of the 3 position in the future.
Got a good turn of speed too.

 

With the size of his ass i doubt many goals he scores he will be springing to head in.

 

Agree although his shooting ability is great
entertainment alone. Wonder how many
goals he's scored with his head?

 

Look at how Man United play the same system. Having Rashford/Martial/Greenwood in those roles is what makes it work and creates the opportunity for Fernandes to be as effective as he is. If you stuck less mobile players in those roles, like Mata or Van Beek, they'd be less effective. Similar principle at Liverpool - Firminho works so well because of the mobility of Salah and Mane. Completely different end of the scale obviously, but none of those players are classic wingers. In this system, you need that pace either side of a forward. At least on one side.

Clarke on the right would work better with Hossanah bombing past him.

 

True, but in the interest of a balanced team Cousins-Dawson beats Hosannah hands down to the right back spot.

 

Hossanah looks better going forward and we've yet to see him in a 'proper' City side.

That said, I'm really pleased with how FCD is developing and he deserves to keep the shirt.