3 at the back - A Carry over from the season earlier - can work when people are coming at you constantly but can also leave you struggling when relying on reserve defenders or midfielders filling in at wing back, and struggling to impose yourself when on the ball, particularly if some of the midfielders also sit deep while others go forward, can occasionally end up with a weird gap in the middle which ends up encouraging punts forward, and you need a lot of good crossing.
A fairly attacking 442/451 - Scowen running everywhere to cover while Anis & McCleary run riot, Horgan threading balls and Hanlan or Sullay helping Vokes out from wider. Seemed to work pretty well until injuries ballsed it.
Towards the end with Gape also back and Obita playing left wing and covering a tiring JJ we kind of went between 3 and 4 as needed but struggled a bit to create and support Vokes. Except for MK at home which was remarkable.
I'd like us to be able to mix it up as required. It's not all about starting position. Forino will have a lot to do but there's no reason to suggest we won't have lots of injuries again and need reinforcements
Btw Pearce and Neville as wide centre backs with proper wingers as wing backs made Euro 96 as thrilling an England team as most of us will ever have seen.
I thought JJ looked jaded late in the season. At Gillingham away - after Mehmeti went off injured - JJ was a shadow of his former self. Unsurprising given his age, the nature of the fixture list (worsened by the Covid postponements) and he’d featured in an incredible number of games in the season.
Hope he’s back to his best this season. At times his reading of play in defensive phases is absolutely outstanding. Evaluates danger much faster than most other natural defenders in the league.
We do look more comfortable in the games when we have had more players in midfield, either as a 4-4-2 or a 4-2-3-1 rather than 5-3-2 that has left us being over-run in the wide areas.
Turns out he was 'only' our fifth-biggest creator last season, although the amount of moves that start with a swing of his left peg must be off the charts
I agree @Wanderers82. As an Old Maidstonian and admirer for some time, I was disappointed a year or two ago that Wycombe’s rumoured interest in Joe Piggot was either unfounded or that the parties were unable to reach agreement. He is a proven goalscorer and in his prime at 28.
I confess that I know nothing of the player exchange deal between Portsmouth and Ipswich.
Disagree entirely. At this point in their careers they need to adjust their playing style to suit their body/limitations (pace etc). Playing full back getting roasted by Thpeedy Gonthalez every week is not going to do JJ any favours.
Pigott was a bit of a failure at Ipswich and obviously is going on loan to Pompey. Marcus Harness gone in the other direction for a reported £600,000 plus add ons.
Sometimes left back, sometimes left mid I suppose. Do either of them have to start and finish every game? 5 subs this season remember, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Obita coming off the bench to replace JJ quite regularly with 25 minutes or so left.
Comments
Didn't think JJ really did at all.
But thought Grimmer was well off his first season level.
I think we basically had 3 setups last year.
3 at the back - A Carry over from the season earlier - can work when people are coming at you constantly but can also leave you struggling when relying on reserve defenders or midfielders filling in at wing back, and struggling to impose yourself when on the ball, particularly if some of the midfielders also sit deep while others go forward, can occasionally end up with a weird gap in the middle which ends up encouraging punts forward, and you need a lot of good crossing.
A fairly attacking 442/451 - Scowen running everywhere to cover while Anis & McCleary run riot, Horgan threading balls and Hanlan or Sullay helping Vokes out from wider. Seemed to work pretty well until injuries ballsed it.
Towards the end with Gape also back and Obita playing left wing and covering a tiring JJ we kind of went between 3 and 4 as needed but struggled a bit to create and support Vokes. Except for MK at home which was remarkable.
I'd like us to be able to mix it up as required. It's not all about starting position. Forino will have a lot to do but there's no reason to suggest we won't have lots of injuries again and need reinforcements
Btw Pearce and Neville as wide centre backs with proper wingers as wing backs made Euro 96 as thrilling an England team as most of us will ever have seen.
Great post. I agree with all of it.
I thought JJ looked jaded late in the season. At Gillingham away - after Mehmeti went off injured - JJ was a shadow of his former self. Unsurprising given his age, the nature of the fixture list (worsened by the Covid postponements) and he’d featured in an incredible number of games in the season.
Hope he’s back to his best this season. At times his reading of play in defensive phases is absolutely outstanding. Evaluates danger much faster than most other natural defenders in the league.
Could still do with another LB, somewhere we've been looking to add judging that report we bid six figures for Ali Koiki in Jan
I thought JJ was good as LCB. He Taf and Forino would be a great 3. Forino looks more comfortable with the ball at his feet than Stewart
I actually prefer Grimmer at RB to McCarthy whose limitations were exposed at Wembley IMO. Plus McCarthy is presumably currently injured.
RWB is still the position that could be improved if we go back to a 3. Freeman?
Agree re Jack Grimmer; disagree re JJ (he’s much better as a left side centre back than as a left back).
Has to be back four though, surely?
Freeman did well at LWB, so ought to spot in just fine on the right. Grimmer > McCarthy for me too.
Freeman played RWB.
We do look more comfortable in the games when we have had more players in midfield, either as a 4-4-2 or a 4-2-3-1 rather than 5-3-2 that has left us being over-run in the wide areas.
I almost voted for JJ as player of the season, with a fair bit of that played at LCB. He was outstanding.
What are you thinking about JJ when you say this?
A goodbye tour as 3rd choice? Or more outings at centre back as cover, or in a 3?
More in that LCB role. Really depends on the oppo as to whether he can do a job at LB these days.
I reckon he'd be fine on the left of a CB pair if absolutely necessary, but you'd rather it didn't come to that!
JJ creates most of our chances so you need to play him somewhere
Turns out he was 'only' our fifth-biggest creator last season, although the amount of moves that start with a swing of his left peg must be off the charts
Agree and he reads the game well...which given he cannot catch anyone these days...is vital!
I thought his defending was excellent last year.
It was JJs tackle in the 2nd leg at MK wasn’t it? For a player who some say is past it and slow that was sensational defending.
To be honest I nearly turned away thinking they must score and expecting the ball to nestle in the corner.
Absolutely amazing tackle and anticipation.
JJ is a legend and should continue to play LB in a back 4.
Then where do you play Jordan Obita?
Pompey sign Pigott on loan....good signing
I’d rather have Vokes.
You didn’t mention it was part of a deal that sent one of their best players to Ipswich.
I agree @Wanderers82. As an Old Maidstonian and admirer for some time, I was disappointed a year or two ago that Wycombe’s rumoured interest in Joe Piggot was either unfounded or that the parties were unable to reach agreement. He is a proven goalscorer and in his prime at 28.
I confess that I know nothing of the player exchange deal between Portsmouth and Ipswich.
Joe Pigott.
Competition is good.
Disagree entirely. At this point in their careers they need to adjust their playing style to suit their body/limitations (pace etc). Playing full back getting roasted by Thpeedy Gonthalez every week is not going to do JJ any favours.
Pigott was a bit of a failure at Ipswich and obviously is going on loan to Pompey. Marcus Harness gone in the other direction for a reported £600,000 plus add ons.
Sometimes left back, sometimes left mid I suppose. Do either of them have to start and finish every game? 5 subs this season remember, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Obita coming off the bench to replace JJ quite regularly with 25 minutes or so left.
Obita > JJ in a 4, both of them in a 3/5
Another set of JJ is written off posts to match the ones from the last two or three seasons.
Hoping we sign Thpeedy Gonthalez. Sounds useful.