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

[LeftPeg_Pie]

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.

I am not sure Tsaroulla has to stay exclusively on the left. He is not as effective at RWB, but plays it in a similar way to Jones, by cutting in more often than going down the line, so tactically it would not have too much of an impact.

I think Jones, Tsaroulla and Austin will manage the wing back positions between themselves. Gordon can obviously play there too and maybe Jarvis? Although I know nothing about his particular style of play.

I can see Austin and Jones working a RWB/10 rotation effectively and although I would choose Austin in the 10, I tend to agree with Jacob and think Maynard will play Grant in the 10 for now. This would see Jones/Austin/Tsaroulla as orthodox wing backs (not that I feel we play wing backs in an orthodox fashion).

A couple of interesting aspects of who plays RWB is who plays RCB. McDonald has done brilliantly so far at RCB but against better teams, or quick wingers, may need helping out a little more than Bedeau. In these circumstances you would favour Tsaroulla or Austin over Jones.

Also, when receiving the ball, McDonald will not naturally turn to play the ball into a wing back consistently as he will naturally not take a first touch that will take the ball out of his feet and shape him up that way. He is more likely to play into Palmer and Abbott, or a wing back who does not always want to hug the touchline; Jones.

[ncfcog]

Career heatmaps for Jodi and Tsaroulla. Jodi as expected comfortable playing either flank but doesn't track back much. Tsaroulla on the other hand very much left sided and having played as a LB in the past see's him with more defensive ground covered on the left flank.

I think it shows whatever happens, to get the best out of Tsaroulla he needs to be on the left. Jodi on the other hand a lot more versatile but likely to have to sacrifice some of the defensive duties expected of a WB.

[the_anticlough]

Career heatmaps for Jodi and Tsaroulla. Jodi as expected comfortable playing either flank but doesn't track back much. Tsaroulla on the other hand very much left sided and having played as a LB in the past see's him with more defensive ground covered on the left flank.

I think it shows whatever happens, to get the best out of Tsaroulla he needs to be on the left. Jodi on the other hand a lot more versatile but likely to have to sacrifice some of the defensive duties expected of a WB.

Considering that, NT did really well in his stint on the right. He never stopped trying and wanting the ball, went both ways still and got into a tonne of promising positions. It might have been a bit freakish statistically that there was no end product. We'll see him on the left now anyway...

I want to see one game of JJ and Didzy behind Jatta. I don't thank many teams would relish facing those two interchanging, either coming deep at times to join in the play.

We've seen Grant in about 8 games at inside-forward and not seen anything really. This was one of his games before he was injured. We'd love him to be a hit there but it's easier to imagine what we've seen so far continuing. And if that's the case we need somebody else.

https://boards.footymad.net/showthre...ght=gillingham

[LeftPeg_Pie]

Career heatmaps for Jodi and Tsaroulla. Jodi as expected comfortable playing either flank but doesn't track back much. Tsaroulla on the other hand very much left sided and having played as a LB in the past see's him with more defensive ground covered on the left flank.

I think it shows whatever happens, to get the best out of Tsaroulla he needs to be on the left. Jodi on the other hand a lot more versatile but likely to have to sacrifice some of the defensive duties expected of a WB.

Do you have a this season specific heat map for Tsaroulla?

[ThePieWhoCameIn]

I don't think we will or should see JJ in the 10 for a good while yet. He doesn't yet look match sharp and this is likely to be mental as well as physical. He needs to be given time to get back to his best in his favourite position(s) before we ask any more of him.

When the time is right it would probably be opposition-dependent. It would be very exciting to watch him running through the middle in all the space left by a team that tried to press us.

For teams that sit deep, the middle is too congested, he could be doubled-up on without pulling any opposing players far out of shape (and it would worry me how much more of a kicking he might get, which is already concerning).

[ncfcog]

Do you have a this season specific heat map for Tsaroulla?

Yes I can do that.