Originally Posted by
the_anticlough
I agree with Durham that JJ and AN are not wing-backs - in the literal sense, they've been playing as wingers, or wide midfielders at best, in our back 3 system (wing 'backs' would make that a 'back' 5, wouldn't it?).
To play this, we have to able to dominate the ball/play/game. That's where a player like Palmer and a manager like Williams come into it. Without them, and without domination, watch out! And we've seen that, haven't we?
I remember writing in the Sutton away thread (Sutton have been his absolute cryptonite this season) that JJ couldn't play that position, especially away. He proved me wrong. Just like Chicks proved me wrong when he transformed his attacking game to score 11 or 12 in our promotion season. But Chicks fixing that is maybe easier that Jodi working on his defending. Crewe away - ouch. Sutton at home and so many other times he's been a defensive liability, and especially when we can no longer boss the play.
What to do? Palmer gone, LW gone, confidence at rock bottom. Change the shape and we see players totally unfamiliar with the roles, pattern of play...
For this one, I'd have JJ covering the inside-forward roles more and bring Chicks back in who has a good understanding with Cameron from last season. We'd still get JJ crosses and assists from the inside-forward spots.