Yes I agree with all that except the fantasy Machine section, obviously!
I'd be getting Connolly into CD asap i think, with Husband. Leaves us short at right back til we sign someone, but we are also at risk on the other side where Championship teams will relish the space behind Garbutt, surely. It will all get sorted. Maybe James will wrench that spot off Garbutt. I actually thought Casey looked capable and like he might be ready sooner rather than later, but need to see him in a proper contest against Championship opposition.
James did ok in midfield, tidy, like you say. Ward is tidy too. They are water carriers. Dougall is a superior water carrier.
That front 4 doesn't work. They don't link up well. Demi is quick but not great. Same with CJ. He and Yates don't link up well. I foresee another period of early season sifting of options. TJJ and Lavery provide some. Carey was lost out left.
I think a three behind Yates or Lavery is what might suit us best. And the evidence so far, that might actually be Carey in the middle and Bowler and TJJ outside him. CJ and Demi are rapid and will be very useful in counter attacking situations. And I am guessing about TJJ's suitability to play wider. He may suit the middle role.
We were best last season when Yates and Simms played up front, and I think that style is much more the way to go than the Machine route. Have we got a Simms replacement yet? Maybe, maybe not. Need to see what TJJ can do, and maybe Lavery. But there is still time for CJ and Demi (hope he's ok) to grow into the attacking roles, a run of games together can make a huge difference. But we lacked guile, at least until Bowler came on. We need to find guile, and shooting boots, before next Saturday.
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