Away vs Crawley Jan11th

Totally agree. That's my point. I have no idea why fans think that when he has the choice of these three he'd chose only one of them.

I sometimes wonder if fans can remember any further back than the last five matches

It's not as thought the one striker option has been some kind of unmitigated disaster. We played like that against Swindon at home and delivered our best performance of the season

 

Agree with the first sentence. That's my point. When they've been available, Bowyer has generally played two of the three

 

Oteh was played out wide for the majority of his time on the pitch which left Vaughan as a lone striker.

 

Donaldson and Vaughan are two class strikers at this level but i was never convinced when i saw them together. We did look at our best with Donaldson up top on his own, but then that leaves two unhappy expensive strikers on the bench and no manager would risk bring back the top scorer in the country and not starting him, he'd gets pelters for it.

 

I agree. My point is that if Bowyer has proven quality strikers, i.e. Vaughan, Donaldson and Doyle - he will play two of them, unless one of them is badly out of form etc

Oteh, who's done better than I thought is still a raw front player, still working out what his best position and role is. Thankfully, he's had more good games than bad - but I can understand Bowyer not playing him and preferring Connolly

 

Oteh at times has been more of a threat than Vaughan. To get the best out of Oteh he would have to played as we played Wells with Hanson. Not saying he's in that class but he needs to be in the box, not outside it. Bit like Doyle.

 

We agree again (we're going to have to stop this ). That's the point of my first comment. It's simply wrong for anyone to think that Bowyers preference is one up front, when he's got the choice of two good strikers

We'll see, but I'll be amazed if they both don't start. We saw that Crawley are quite good going forward (stuffed Northampton 4-0 recently) but quite poor at the back.

 

i.e. Donaldson and Oteh. Again, I agree

Donaldson is still the big loss to me. It's going to be interesting to see him and Doyle paired - which has a good chance of happening, if Vaughan can hold off getting another yellow card until Donaldson is back

I think we're seeing with all the various discussions and ideas, we have a very varied and fluid squad and yes it is time for us to exploit this positively, now they are all nearing full fitness

 

Donaldson was always a key loss. `Simple things like ball retention upfield and the ability buy a free kick and ease pressure. Not the greatest in terms of goal threat but if you're wanting to play with attacking midfielders such as Pritchard, Connolly and Ismail it allows you to play two sitting midfielders behind those three which allows your full backs licence to get forward. Very few managers if any will go all out attack with two attack minded out and out wingers, it leaves you wide open in the middle and at times Bowyer will have seen even the most limited of opposition has at times been allowed straight down the middle unchecked.
He now has plenty of options but i couldn't predict which way he will play it.

 

I hope so mate. That's what me and my lad are planning. Can't see anything yet on our website or Crawley's.

 

Hope it is pay on the gate as there’s 4 of us coming up from Bognor Regis... Rockaway Beach music weekend at Butlins... beery weekend and City... what’s not to like....

 

The football. Always the best way to spoil a good day out.

 

he isn't a proven striker.

 

Donaldson is though and Bowyer player him wide plenty of times.

 

Not sure it was plenty of times but I do remember one or 2.

 

Get Doyle up front with Vaughan and he will score goals if we give them service. Vaughan wins a lot of headers/flick ons and there is never a strike partner gambling. Doyle should have the ability to read the game and do that. Would prefer to see 442 but if we settle on 352 away from home then so be it. Either way starting those two up front it the best way forward IMO (until Donaldson is fit anyway).

 

How about 442 with a back 4 of AOC POC BRE and CW. I'm loathe to move our most consistent player but I though AOC looked comfortable in the RB position against Morecambe and used the ball very well, either down the line or into the forwards feet. I also though POC looked to be over his "wobble".

 

------------------ODonnell-------------------
Mellor-------AOC-------BRE-------Wood
Connolly---Reeves----Cooke---Taylor
--------------Vaughan----Doyle------------

I don't think that is far off our best team personally. I'd let Taylor play as more of a left sided CM, giving him freedom to break forward, but also keeps us a bit more solid in CM so we don't get overrun. Connolly to play as an out and out winger, with the option of swapping wings if he fancies his chances against the RB. Also gives Wood the support to get the crosses in without him having to do absolutely everything on the left by himself.

We then have the following as attacking options in the squad:
Devitt (to come in for Taylor)?
Ismail
Pritchard
McCartan
Donaldson (to come in for Vaughan)?
Oteh (who I actually think has done alright, but will struggle to get game time)

Bowyer is certainly going to have some decisions to make when all are fit, 2/3 of those players won't even make the bench!

 

We have to start Doyle upfront alongside Vaughan with two wingers supplying them.

O'Donnell

Henley AOC BRE Wood

Connolly Reeves Cooke Pritchard/Zeli

Doyle Vaughan