Quote Originally Posted by Mud Pie View Post
you're suggesting SM might NOT be trying to make the best side from who's available? Weird.

Seems clear to me that SM's first XI is still taking shape (Matty Palmer, Tequila, Robertson, + ?) as they get fit/signed. There will be an element of experiment as he sees how all the new and returning players actually combine in real games, and I'd say the club is due some criticism for the lateness of that, but really think this extreme bedwetting is a bit juvenile.
Hi Stuart, is it really ‘extreme bedwetting’ to say that Scott shouldn’t be starting a game as a left winger, purely so the opposition don’t know which formation we’re playing (until they work it out like everyone else 30 seconds in)?

Macari, Platt, Bedeau were again warming up as a back three so the whole focus of our preparation was catching them out. Well done, that worked - but then we’re stuck with a left side of Chicksen and Scott so is it really worth it? A bit of unpredictability is useful, but it shouldn't be the core focus when picking a team. It’s far more important that we build our identity and our players know their roles, rather than changing system every game and the manager being able to say ‘ah, wasn’t I clever’ in his post-match interview. How often do Pep and Arteta change their formations? There’s a reason, and it isn’t because they’re not as astute as Maynard.

In terms of playing alternatives to what we’ve got currently, Scott as a back-up striker is fine. No experiment was needed to know he hasn’t got the skillset to play as a winger at this level. If we’re playing the set-up we did on Sunday regularly we probably need an attacking wide player brought in (unless Tsaroulla plays further forward). For wing backs I think we’re covered with Jones, Gordon, Tsaroulla, Chicksen and Austin (who played well there whenever called upon last season).