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Got to the ground to be told that we were playing 1a 3 man central midfield. Evans, Grant, and Osman. Honestly could not believe it. Told my friend that I think I will go out and have a big-big bet on Brentford to win. It was a certainty.
Watching our games this season it is clear that Evans cannot play in the same team as Osman. As for Grant it is beyond doubt that he cannot play with Osman. From the moment that Osman was dropped it was patently obvious that we were a better balanced team, playing much better football. You could also see that the players were a lot happier. We also had 7 points from a possible 12. So it looked like against Brentford that we were going to be playing without a midfield.
At the start Osman was playing right centre back, left centre back. Within the first 10 minutes he had also managed to play right defensive midfield, centre defensive midfielder, and left central midfielder. He even achieved attacking midfielder. Unfortunately he was bleedi
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We got beaten By a far superior team and by 3 stunning strikes, although Garratt should have saved at least one, must agree that SD's tactics and selections are baffling at times and for me with 15 games left we are in deep trouble! some tough games left to try and win.
Trialist
We were always going to get beaten by Brentford, they are a championship team and from what i saw, capable of top half. I didn't have an issue with the thinking on the formation in that i can see why SD wanted to pack the midfield.
However, i do agree with you that midfield is an issue and i've said before that Osman and the captaincy was a hindrance as he looks lost and SD hasn't cut the tie completely and so gives him a place on the bench when others are more capable.
I also agree that our 3 best midfielders are Grant, Evans and nolan. If it was the first game of the season today, i'd even say it was Grant and possibly Nolan, but it's not and we stare both a derby and relegation squarely...
As Lukcour suggests, Nolan sits, screens,passes and chooses to do the simple things well,getting others on the ball. That sounds unremarkable, but for me Evans opts to do the difficult things and does them very poorly, losing possession when we are out of position.
Some posters have mention
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Ignore this thread, Lukcour has a habit of slagging off Osman at every opportunity yet being strangely absent when he plays well.
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You're correct, Renegade, but the trouble with Lukcour on Osman, is that he continually overstates his case. To compare him with a Sunday league player is an insult, and unnecessary when making his point that - this season - our midfield is better without Osman.Originally Posted by RenegadeDS
We first saw Evans, playing alongside Grant at home to Bradford. It looked a promising partnership to suit the 'front four'. As the season evolved from there, they became reunited within the pattern we've seen recently.
I think we were all looking forward to seeing how we shaped up with that pattern against the league leaders. With Ikpeazu injured though, Steve opted for something else, which didn't work really, because the midfield three couldn't really find the balance between supporting the attacking three and protecting the four in defen
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With respect, this is a message board and every poster is entitled to his / her opinion. I don't think it is right for one person to tell others to ignore a thread. It is surely a good starting point to enable a constructive debate on the issues raised.
As for Paul's comments, I would say that at least 8 clubs have an almighty struggle on their hands from now until the end of the season. We are not down and out just yet. There are plenty of points to play for, although I would agree that it is going to be a nail biting finale. When we were easily beaten by the likes of Stevenage, Walsall and Gillingham at home in the Autumn, I was fearing the very worst and thought that there was no way back. However, performances and results have improved since then, so all is not lost.
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Agree with a lot of the points made, particularly by Sacrewebleu but feel the comparison between Evans and Judge as potential loanees is a little unfair - you can bet that the differential in wages we would pay is eye watering! Steve has done well with his loan signings generally over the last couple of seasons.
Nolan deserves a chance but not sure at this stage he'd give us anything radically different - as stated probably one for next season - we'll still lack creativity in there though - I think ultimately Waters is a candidate to give us that, retained and protected the ball really well when I saw him in the youth team, though his stature is a potential issue. The other longer term option might be to try Brad Inman in there.
But, as things stand, it's a weakness so it does make sense just to play with two in there and try to attack with four offensive minded players - if Uche is not going to be fit, I'd give Vadaine Oliver a go, I think Chuks might benefit from playing off him
Trialist
Agree with most comments and most of us expected to lose on Saturday but were hoping for a point. SD has to make the hard decisions now and get his formations right. Osman is totally out of form with the burden gaining each week, he has to be on the bench. If we're going to play a 4:3:3 the midfield has to be Grant/Evans sitting with Inman in front (he was brought in as a central midfielder), top three Chuks,Pogs & Uche. Either that or as DGFG said looking forward move Inman into the midfield with Grant and put Waters/Byron on the left until Colclough/Clayton are fit. I know the emphasis is staying up but maybe utilising players from the club might be the winning formation.
Moderator
I have concerns about the midfield for the Vale game, not so much footballing abilities, as discipline.
Evans has been seen to be a bit hot-headed and emotional, and Grant makes the stand shudder when he is knocked off the ball and falls to the ground. This is a derby game against a physical side that is not averse to cheating (Pope). We cannot afford to lose a man.
Therefore, I'd start with Evans and, as soon as he is Yellowed, sub him with Osman.
We are playing the Vale: form books go out of the window.
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With respect, this is a message board and every poster is entitled to his / her opinion. I don't think it is right for one person to tell others to ignore a thread. It is surely a good starting point to enable a constructive debate on the issues raised.
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It was more a 'take it with a pinch of salt' suggestion, but thanks for teaching me the ways of the internet.
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