Wingbacks, (inverted, or not) and the No.10 conundrum . . .

Just catching up with a few of the other threads and some really interesting comments about the players coming back in, the newbies and the options Maynard now has at his disposal.

Obviously who and where we are playing will have some influence on team selection but assuming Jones, Grant and Edwards are now all fully fit, where does Maynard shoe-horn them in?

I don't have a massive issue with inverted wing backs but it's clear that Tsaroulla is much better down the left on his natural foot and that a fit Jones can cause problems with either foot down the right. That then displaces Austin from a position he has excelled at in recent games but you could argue more through endeavour than natural talent, but where does that leave him?

Didzy slots into a 10 role very easily but then Jones could also and with that in mind do we keep Austin in that RWB role ad stick Jones alongside Didzy behind Jatta. problem is are we sacrificing Jones' ability out wide by doing so or gaining a new, influential player in a 10 role?

That still leaves us Grant and Edwards who can step into that role along with Jarvis and Whitaker, although Jarvis has excelled in a wide position at Shelbourne and Whitaker maybe a little more advanced and central.

I think I've over thought things a little now but would be interesting to see what others think!

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Originally Posted by ncfcog

Just catching up with a few of the other threads and some really interesting comments about the players coming back in, the newbies and the options Maynard now has at his disposal.

Obviously who and where we are playing will have some influence on team selection but assuming Jones, Grant and Edwards are now all fully fit, where does Maynard shoe-horn them in?

I don't have a massive issue with inverted wing backs but it's clear that Tsaroulla is much better down the left on his natural foot and that a fit Jones can cause problems with either foot down the right. That then displaces Austin from a position he has excelled at in recent games but you could argue more through endeavour than natural talent, but where does that leave him?

Didzy slots into a 10 role very easily but then Jones could also and with that in mind do we keep Austin in that RWB role ad stick Jones alongside Didzy behind Jatta. problem is are we sacrificing Jones' ability out wide by doing so or gaining a new, influential player in a 10 role?

That still leaves us Grant and Edwards who can step into that role along with Jarvis and Whitaker, although Jarvis has excelled in a wide position at Shelbourne and Whitaker maybe a little more advanced and central.

I think I've over thought things a little now but would be interesting to see what others think!

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I don't know enough about Whitaker and Jarvis to make a judgement.

What I know is Jones needs to play in his preferred position wherever that is once he's fit. Austin has a lovely weight of pass so I wouldn't mind him in the 10 role if needs be.

It's nice to finally have options.

For all our bad luck with injuries thank Christ Bedeau, Platt and Bass have stayed fit so far.

I still think Jones is more effective on the left, he can go wide and put in some great crosses or cut inside. But on the right the opposition know he will cut in onto his left, he rarely crosses with his right foot.

What would our match day 18 look like?
Probably the same as last Saturday.
Bass, Bedeau, Platt, McDonald
Palmer, Abbott
Austin, Grant ,Tsaroulla
Didzy, Jatta
Jones, Edward?s, Hinchy, Johnson/Cundy, Slocombe, Jarvis and Whitaker.

I know this includes 3 unproven newcomers but if only 2 of them come up to scratch we will be delighted. A very strong squad hopefully injury free.
So Hinchy to cover for Palmer or Abbott
Jarvis to cover for Tsaroulla or Didzy
This leaves Grant, Edward?s or Whitaker for the number 10.
Austin to cover Jodi (when he is fully fit) or anyone of about of about 3 other positions.

Also in the pre-Accrington interview.
Didn?t SM say in answer to a question as to whether we might expect anyone else in for Saturday, after a slight pause ?I don?t think for Saturday afternoon?? That leaves things hanging nicely.
So possibly even more dilemmas

Personally, I think Jones has to play wide. He will be head and shoulders above most playing on either the left or right. Tsaroulla is our best all round wing back option. I would predominantly have Tsaroulla at LWB (he and Bedeau work nicely) and Jones at RWB. They can also both play on either side which is useful, especially again, for getting the best out of Jones.

For now, I would move Austin into the 10 and continue with a single 10. I think playing Austin here utilises his best attributes and those of Abbott. We have been at our best when our 10 and Abbott and Palmer have been more fluid and Austin would bring this. I think Edwards and Grant would be able to do this too (probably Edwards more so than Grant) but I have not seen enough of Grant to warrant him starting over Austin (I think Grant has plenty to offer) and Edwards may need to be dripped back in.

McGoldrick should remain as he is; playing closer to Jatta but given the room to drift, rather than being a 10.

I like the idea of Jones in the 10 as an option, but not a starting option. I think he would need Abbott and Palmer to be a bit more solid behind him and I prefer to see Jones with space in front of him; he would get more of this out wide, even though he is generally doubled up on.

I have no real understanding of how good the new lads are, so I think anything they bring would be a real bonus, which is a nice luxury to have.

I am also heartened that Maynard understands at times it needs to be horses for courses which will see our array of players who can play in various positions become invaluable.

Bass
McDonald, Platt, Bedeau
Jones, Palmer, Abbott, Tsaroulla
Austin
Jatta, McGoldrick

Slocombe, Johnson, Hinchy, Edwards, Grant, Jarvis and Whittaker.

With everyone fit and available I think our best duo at wing back is Jones on the right and Tsaroulla on the left. Jodi is good enough to just be a machine wherever when hes up and running, and Tsaroulla has been pretty good whenever hes played on the left this season for me, hes just not good at inverting.

I personally see the other ten role as being Grants for the time being. He needs to add some goals and assists, but to me he looks good at moving the ball on quickly, working hard out of possession and pressing the opposition quickly. Austin and Edwards can do similar as other options. I dont believe were going to be short of creativity or goals with Jones, Tsaroulla, Didzy, Abbott and Jatta in the team, and IMO that balances us far better than Crowley or a similar player.

Its harsh on Austin who is great, but hell get plenty of games when someone needs a break in whatever position. The new boys need to show us what they can do while we work out their best positions, theyve come into a team doing well so will have to be patient.

Not a bad position to be in really
There are loads of games to come in a relatively short time
Everyone will get a chance

I do like Austin but it?s no coincidence that since being played at RWB we have seen his best performances. He rarely produced enough playing in the middle or further forward, not through any lack of effort I might add.

Some interesting comments and although I think the squad is strong we still need to see a striker coming in IMO, if we lose Jatta or Didzy for any reason we really dont have many options.

Just having a rethink and if we can't drop Tsaroulla he has to stay out on the left, so with this in mind would it be worth considering a hybrid WB role on the right featuring both JJ and Austin? I could see those two interchanging, no, dovetailing quite nicely in that respect. Would need a bit of work but get it right and that could be a very productive area of the pitch for us.