Highlights vs Wrexham

[matt_magpie]

Well, by bringing in 'disastrous start' from nowhere, you were suggesting I was critical of the start we've made whereas I'm very happy whilst still 'reading the tea leaves' and projecting ahead...

That's a good question. No, I'm happy with the keeper. Sam will work it out, I'm sure.
Midfield is a question mark, isn't it? Any talk of Doyle playing will have me throwing the laptop against the wall. Let's see how Francis progresses...it's a very important position. We need someone to stamp their authority in there and have a real presence about them..

My main concern though is the right-hand side. I think they may have screwed up. Nemane has played, what 16% of our match time so far? Does IB intend to use him much more than that? I've got more faith in Chicksen and Taylor on the other side. But I think it's hard to recruit for 3-5-2, there aren't many specialist wing-backs out there. Between DKE and Nemane they have defence and attack covered, but the fact that neither can offer enough of both is a real problem IMO. So what I predict is that 3-5-2 won't last, and it'll be the latest in the long line of failed wing-back experiments. A 4-2-3-1 with a back line of Brindley Lacey Cameron, Taylor and any 3 of our great attacking players behind Woots could be on the cards - a lucky accident from a recruitment failure

I’m sure Nemane had some sort of injury or was recovering from an injury when we signed him and was behind the others pre-season fitness wise.

[matt_magpie]

Well, by bringing in 'disastrous start' from nowhere, you were suggesting I was critical of the start we've made whereas I'm very happy whilst still 'reading the tea leaves' and projecting ahead...

That's a good question. No, I'm happy with the keeper. Sam will work it out, I'm sure.
Midfield is a question mark, isn't it? Any talk of Doyle playing will have me throwing the laptop against the wall. Let's see how Francis progresses...it's a very important position. We need someone to stamp their authority in there and have a real presence about them..

My main concern though is the right-hand side. I think they may have screwed up. Nemane has played, what 16% of our match time so far? Does IB intend to use him much more than that? I've got more faith in Chicksen and Taylor on the other side. But I think it's hard to recruit for 3-5-2, there aren't many specialist wing-backs out there. Between DKE and Nemane they have defence and attack covered, but the fact that neither can offer enough of both is a real problem IMO. So what I predict is that 3-5-2 won't last, and it'll be the latest in the long line of failed wing-back experiments. A 4-2-3-1 with a back line of Brindley Lacey Cameron, Taylor and any 3 of our great attacking players behind Woots could be on the cards - a lucky accident from a recruitment failure

I agree about the formation KK and I would prefer the 4231 but what I would say is Cameron and Brindly could really excel in a back 3 in terms of carrying the ball out and start off attacks.

[the_anticlough]

I’m sure Nemane had some sort of injury or was recovering from an injury when we signed him and was behind the others pre-season fitness wise.

OK, wasn't sure myself. But will he show us a well rounded wing back game when he is fully fit?

There's a problem with my prediction that we'll end up going 4-2-3-1......IB seems so committed to it that it'd take a run of 6 bad games for him to drop it, by which time we'd be out of the race for the top. Sterry was what we needed. Could he be proactive say to the recruitment guys, get me what I need even now or I'm going to have to change up the system.

It's nothing against DKE or Nemane btw, they could both play in a great 4-2-3-1

[jacobncfc]

It didn’t in terms of winning. But, I do think it said to Wrexham that we’ve not come here to cling on for point and probably stopped them from being to adventurous.

It definitely coincided with their momentum fizzling out. Not much happened after the equaliser at either end. Whether that’s down to them leaving more players back because of our subs or both teams being leggy after two games so quickly, who knows?

[the_anticlough]

I agree about the formation KK and I would prefer the 4231 but what I would say is Cameron and Brindly could really excel in a back 3 in terms of carrying the ball out and start off attacks.

Yeah, they really do. That's a massive plus with the present formation...but balanced against being poor down an entire side of the pitch?
As I said, someone like Sterry would've solved it all, but there aren't all that many around

[jacobncfc]

Once he’s fully fit, I’m pretty sure we’ll see Nemane at right wing back in most home games and the easier looking away ones. DKE there in games like Monday night.

I don’t really know what Nemane’s skill set is like more defensively, he’s only played against Torquay in the second half where they barely left their own box. He’s got the pace to make recovery runs, I guess, and Burchnall was comfortable playing Miller there who was also a converted winger who didn’t really seem to have any defensive awareness.

[Killerkline]

Well, by bringing in 'disastrous start' from nowhere, you were suggesting I was critical of the start we've made whereas I'm very happy whilst still 'reading the tea leaves' and projecting ahead...

That's a good question. No, I'm happy with the keeper. Sam will work it out, I'm sure.
Midfield is a question mark, isn't it? Any talk of Doyle playing will have me throwing the laptop against the wall. Let's see how Francis progresses...it's a very important position. We need someone to stamp their authority in there and have a real presence about them..

My main concern though is the right-hand side. I think they may have screwed up. Nemane has played, what 16% of our match time so far? Does IB intend to use him much more than that? I've got more faith in Chicksen and Taylor on the other side. But I think it's hard to recruit for 3-5-2, there aren't many specialist wing-backs out there. Between DKE and Nemane they have defence and attack covered, but the fact that neither can offer enough of both is a real problem IMO. So what I predict is that 3-5-2 won't last, and it'll be the latest in the long line of failed wing-back experiments. A 4-2-3-1 with a back line of Brindley Lacey Cameron, Taylor and any 3 of our great attacking players behind Woots could be on the cards - a lucky accident from a recruitment failure

Your projecting ahead/reading tea leafs appeared to be on the negative side. Gave the feel of it’s like we’ve had a disastrous start.

In terms of positions of concern(forgot your exact words) you referred to a couple. If GK isn’t one, which is the other. For the record I’m very pro Slocombe. There is a question mark over midfield, but only time will tell.

With regards to RWB. Very difficult to find the complete play at our current level. DKE can be more attacking, as he proved against Barnet. In terms of Nemane, I don’t know if he does possess the defensive capabilities to cope. Yes, from the limited view of him I’ve had, I would suggest he’s more attacking. Who plays I think is partially determined by who’s on the opposite side - balance.

I’d be very surprised if Burchnall changes the formation, certainly anytime soon.

[the_anticlough]

I hope IB does recommit to the Miller-type selection and then we'll get to see what Nemane has to offer as our RWB. But let's see, he might bottle it!

To get on top of the better sides in the NL, you need quality play in all areas of the pitch - and that certainly goes for an entire flank - ball retention, strength, pace, decision making, creativity in their half, discipline in ours. Tough ask when you're asking it of one player

[Killerkline]

I agree about the formation KK and I would prefer the 4231 but what I would say is Cameron and Brindly could really excel in a back 3 in terms of carrying the ball out and start off attacks.

I don’t dislike like that formation. I just think to much training, planning and recruitment has been invested into our current formation. I agree with Anticlough, it would take a monumental run of bad form for Burchnall to change.

[jacobncfc]

I hope IB does recommit to the Miller-type selection and then we'll get to see what Nemane has to offer as our RWB. But let's see, he might bottle it!

To get on top of the better sides in the NL, you need quality play in all areas of the pitch - and that certainly goes for an entire flank - ball retention, strength, pace, decision making, creativity in their half, discipline in ours. Tough ask when you're asking it of one player

The other factor on the right is Roberts. I know he’s playing as a third central midfielder when you put it down on paper, but in reality when we’re on the ball
and come forward he’s taking up the same positions he used to, mostly on the right wing. That will affect what the wing back is supposed to be doing - we probably want them to be constantly making the run on the overlap to create space for Cal to cut inside, but not necessarily getting the ball all that often. Whoever plays on the left is naturally going to be involved in the play more because of that, I think.