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

[tommopie8]

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!

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.

[i961pie]

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.