callum cooke

Quite simply - no.

 

As i said in another post , midfield is our weakest department. Watt Sutton and Cooke , then not much else, i am not including the wide men Vernam and Crankshaw. Clarke and Evans , just about adequate for an odd game, not a prelonged period.
I think the play offs were a long shot after the start we made, so why not give one of the youngster a go. Staunton and Finn cousin have both done well, so why not give another one a good taste of proper football. Might find another gem ready for next season.

 

Evans was actually doing well out wide when he had a consistent run in the side. Admittedly he has been ropey out of position and presumably regaining some fitness in the last couple.

I think we need a system change to cope with Cooke's absence - however I'm on an internet forum and quite limited in my tactical nouse, hence why I'm on an internet forum and not on a training pitch.

 

As big a blow as this is, it also gives T&S a chance to see what the rest of the squad are really made of. No team should ever become so relient on one player that it means the season is as good as over if they get injured.

 

A centre back or a right back in for Cooke?

 

sadly........no!

 

4-1-3-1-1 basically means a back four, defensive midfielder, three central midfielders, an attacking midfielder and a striker.

I can't imagine playing the likes of Evans and Crankshaw in that kind of formation, especially in the central midfield line.

That would be an utter disaster no matter how you appraise it.

 

Sorry Fordy, staff recruitment and competence issues is Sparks's job, probably with input from T&S but I do agree with you that loads of clubs have had injuries.

 

All this discussion and you just know on Saturday it'll be the same system with either Clark or Evans in the 10 role.

And the subs will be Rowe for Cook (or vice versa), and Clarke (or the other wide player on the bench) with Stevens for both of the wide men with 10 minutes left.

 

it’s not Sparks job.

it’s T & S job. If T & S are unhappy with the back room staff then they will request a change and then Sparks & Rupp will ok it or not.

Football side of things needs to be left to the managers.

All teams have injuries. The squad isn’t good enough if you are moaning about injuries.

 

Look what’s happened to Liverpool best team in the country by a mile last year a few injuries and they are also rans

 

Losing Cooke for that length of time is a big loss, but looking at replacements to fill that void, I think we should try Vernam in there. He can carry the ball, takes on his man, has a trick and can score goals. IMO he's the most suitable candidate to support Cook or Rowe, and he can be replaced on the left by the very capable Crankshaw. Evans should be used in his more effective position out wide on the right, as both he and Clarke have failed to nail down that No.10 spot.

 

Danny Rowe for me to play in the number 10 slot. If Evans plays it's got to be on the right hand side of the 3 behind Andy Cook with Vernam or Crankshaw on the left.

 

I'd agree with @NorthernMonkey, I'd like to see us go to a 442. Watt and Sutton in the middle with two from Vernam/Crankshaw/Evans occupying the wide positions with Rowe and Cook top.

 

Carry the ball - into a blind alley
Takes on his man - and mostly fails
Has a trick - pick a card, any card?
and can score goals - when attempting to cross?

Don't get me wrong - I am hoping with a run next year we see the improvement needed to realise the promise of the signing. And I very much hope he proves me to be the idiot I often am this weekend.

 

I also like 442, but if that’s the case, then Rowe needs to stick in his position, and not come deep to get the ball like he often does. Is he capable of that? I don’t think he can play a rigid role. Tricky one, and you’ve got to ask the managers what role they had in mind when they signed him. Yes he’s done well so far in terms of goals, but when we have to play a formation that doesn’t suit him, then what do we do?

 

Not going to start sacking all the medical staff you spoon.

Plus it just highlights that their overall squad wasn't good enough. 1st 11 perfect. Maybe, 1st 14 players but outside of that not good enough.

Bradford City are not good enough as a squad. We are building hence why next season should be better for us.

However, in your eyes all our players are perfect but when it comes to match day then every game is tough. MAKE YOUR MIND UP!! Which one is it??

 

That feels like the most sensible change, however I’m not confident from what I’ve seen in Watt and Sutton in a two. Cooke’s work rate in there with them was huge, which is why I don’t think Rowe should play there either as he has poor work rate. It’s a huge loss, probably the only loss in the team we have no direct replacement for, it’s no coincidence we’ve lost our last two without him. Unless we adapt and quickly I can see a poor end to the season unfortunately, thankfully we are well safe by now, but if we are to stick with 4/3/2/1 then we need another like Cooke next season and also a midfielder who specialises in breaking the play up in case we go to a two in midfield. We still need 4 or 5 players to make it a balanced squad.

 

The one key position we didn't recruit for was a central midfielder unfortunately. One who could boss the middle of the park. This would allow a change of formation without weakening the midfield.

For me Rowe has to start on the bench, play Evans in the DM role and push Sutton forward. He has the legs to get up and down the pitch. Bring Ollie in on the left and Verham on the right. I have to agree about Vernham though, of the two between him and Cranshaw I was expecting more from him, but he drifts to nothing and doesn't carry a threat as the game goes on. Needs to up his game. I'd also like to see what Burrell has to offer.