WeststandRob
Well-known member
Last night he was not in the game....beaten to most headers and imo not Mobile enough. We have several lads out on loan Apter and Bange who would relish the chance.
I think Critchley definitely sees his defensive and physical duties as important as goal scoring - we don't have anyone else like him in the team against physically strong teams in this division, with there being quite a lot of them. I guess it means that he's going to need resting though.I think he must have stayed on to help the defence with corners. Goal Machine I think not.
Apter and Bange? Over Madine?Last night he was not in the game....beaten to most headers and imo not Mobile enough. We have several lads out on loan Apter and Bange who would relish the chance.
In games where we need the defensive cover we should play three at the back. Both Gabriel and James can support the midfield and attacking options. I just don't feel Madine is giving us enough at the end that matters. We need more goal threat on the pitch. All of course with the usual caveat that the manager knows best.I think Critchley definitely sees his defensive and physical duties as important as goal scoring - we don't have anyone else like him in the team against physically strong teams in this division, with there being quite a lot of them. I guess it means that he's going to need resting though.
Yep…. We’re always going to be at the very limit of our capabilities in a game like last night. What it showed up for me in particular was how well drilled the side is as a unit, despite some of the limitations of individual players.Played a Premier League team last night and people are trying to pull players apart.
Bowler on one thread and now Madine you lot need to get real.
100% correct, he was isolated when up front and played the majority of the second half in a defensive role and battled hard along with the other lads at the back. A decent shift.I think he must have stayed on to help the defence with corners. Goal Machine I think not.
Fine with that but you also have to take into consideration the quality of the opposition if we'd have been playing Barnsley for example and Madine/Bowler had been poor but we weren't.Yep I have posted elsewhere how disappointing Madine was going forward last night and the same was certainly true of Bowler whilst the defence was magnificent.
I don`t get the idea that on here we can`t identify the failings as well as praising the strengths of the team.Surely that`s what this site is for, to hear a range of opinions.
Not so sure on your first point, Wizz. And your second is correct but one of those things that happen - wise after the fact.His inclusion last night must have been influenced by the fact that they had some very big units on set pieces. Allardyce legacy. He played a full part with some nice touches and layoffs. Mind you, he should have put in Bowler instead of turning and shooting in the second half.
Yep, that was one of 2 moments in the 2nd half where composure was needed in the box, the other being CJ who had a lot more time than he realised.His inclusion last night must have been influenced by the fact that they had some very big units on set pieces. Allardyce legacy. He played a full part with some nice touches and layoffs. Mind you, he should have put in Bowler instead of turning and shooting in the second half.
nature of the game is that centre halves always win more of the long balls hit forward.I think by his own admission he was off the pace earlier, after such a long layoff. But as his match fitness had improved, so has his working their back lines.
Last night he scrapped great on the deck and got our width into play loads of times. Won a few headers as well.
The bit of Gaz that puzzles me is when he doesn't win them. Quite a lot of the time, he seems to start in the wrong position, at best off the shoulder of the defender, sometimes completely behind him. He's got no chance from there.
Ok maybe the defender's doing his job well and has won that battle. If it's a quick ball out he hasn't a chance to adjust. But if Maxi/Grim are clearing long then, unless we're trying to hit the width direct, then Gaz is the target and he has time to get in front.
And yes of course it's not always possible because they're doubled up on him either side, and all he can hope there is to suck them in which does great. I'm only meaning when he's 1-1.
Plus it doesn't always necessarily matter. They're unlikely to produce a well directed defensive header with Madine at them. Far easier against our smaller albeit more nimble forwards. Then our midfield etc can pick up the loose ball and go from there. I think this is a big part of the plan, I just wish sometimes we'd be even more direct when we pick up those scraps. Often we then build slowly and then, I feel, lose a bit of momentum. But there I go again. Critch knows best.nature of the game is that centre halves always win more of the long balls hit forward.
agree. the title of the post is "time Madine was rested". He was at Swansea or doesn't that count? The fact is Critch values him and the evidence is pretty clear from the teams he picks is that it's all about the squad and in the case of the forwards about rotation. Madine is a big asset to the squad.Plus it doesn't always necessarily matter. They're unlikely to produce a well directed defensive header with Madine at them. Far easier against our smaller albeit more nimble forwards. Then our midfield etc can pick up the loose ball and go from there. I think this is a big part of the plan, I just wish sometimes we'd be even more direct when we pick up those scraps. Often we then build slowly and then, I feel, lose a bit of momentum. But there I go again. Critch knows best.
Apter and Bange? Over Madine?
Hear, hear.Played a Premier League team last night and people are trying to pull players apart.
Bowler on one thread and now Madine you lot need to get real.
It was some time next year. Come on Lytham, get a grip.I read the title as 'Time machine rested' and wondered when we got one of them.
I may need to take a break.
I agree and I honestly think a couple of good loans could get us comfortably in the top six.Yep…. We’re always going to be at the very limit of our capabilities in a game like last night. What it showed up for me in particular was how well drilled the side is as a unit, despite some of the limitations of individual players.
We could have won the game, but equally so could West Brom….
We are potentially one or two players off being able to mount a real challenge in this league. January could be very interesting, particularly if we can stay in touch with the play off pack
Marv there is interesting. But have you seen his pace? I think he could play LW.I'm really thinking of doing an AVFTT 'Bad Take XI'.
TBCCould start @ing people to, to credit them.
Marv - TBC - TBC - TBC
Garbutt/James - TBC - TBC - Sterling
Bowler - Bange
No.Apter and Bange? Over Madine?
Surely TJJ in as a CDM for his hard work and graft?I'm really thinking of doing an AVFTT 'Bad Take XI'.
TBCCould start @ing people to, to credit them.
Marv - TBC - TBC - TBC
Garbutt/James - TBC - TBC - Sterling
Bowler - Bange
Our best performances are not always with a target man. And ultimately we need a mobile player up front who can finish, in my opinion. Mitrovic, Solanke, Gyokeres, Piroe. Simms.We are always a better team with a target man in it particularly as we play the ball around the back and then launch quick.
Occasionally it suits 4-5-1 but the vast majority of games suit a target man and not a number 10 and quick 9 in our formation.
Gaz struggled, Bowler struggled, Lavery struggled. Only Keshi got the better of his man on the evening
Some on here seem to revel in putting players down for the sake of it.Played a Premier League team last night and people are trying to pull players apart.
Bowler on one thread and now Madine you lot need to get real.
We seem to forget that we are playing against teams that are, in theory, better than us and we are coming across teams that will have excellent defenders like the other night. But lets not forget we are becoming a match for these teams and are equalling these "big" clubs. We came away with 1 point the other night but it could have been 3. Trust our manager!Please let’s not be so naive here.
They played 3 big and mobile centre backs. If the ball went aerial to Gaz then two big CBs contested with him for the header. If it went wide then the wing back had dropped in and was doubled up by the CB too (why Bowler struggled)
Just like Marv and Hubby snuffed out Phillips and their wonder kid RF they did the same to us. Shayne for all his aggression, pace and willing couldn’t trouble them either. It’s probably why Critch left Jerry on the bench as he couldn’t see how it would alter the status quo.
Sometimes you have to accept that opposition teams do a good defensive job on us. We are always a better team with a target man in it particularly as we play the ball around the back and then launch quick.
Occasionally it suits 4-5-1 but the vast majority of games suit a target man and not a number 10 and quick 9 in our formation.
Gaz struggled, Bowler struggled, Lavery struggled. Only Keshi got the better of his man on the evening