I agree with your overall point about the likelihood of central midfielders making errors in such a pressurised area of the pitch, but I don’t think Josh loses possession as frequently as you suggest.
Last night showed that we would very much miss Harvey if he was out for an extended period because Hartridge offered nothing going forward other than some truly awful crosses and passes
It was harsh on Hartridge. He's not a bad player; he's just not the right type of LB for our system to work effectively, hence that role in the side is Harvie's. I expect we will bring someone in next month.
Agree @flymofrank - he is a decent left sided CB and defensive LB, but as you say he doesn't fit as well into what our system demands from a LB/LWB hybrid i.e desire to push forward, pace to recover if needed, decent crosser etc.
Hartridge should stay as 3rd/4th choice CB & cover for Harvie - not sure with Leahy also in the squad we really need to use a slot to bring in another LB/LWB
to be fair...both Humphries and Bakinson tried things that did not come off and led to Bolton regaining possession. Sometimes trying to be intricate in the middle of the park bites a team in the bum.
And sometimes it takes you top of the league. People used to have a go at Eze and Mehmeti for giving the ball away. At the right time and place though, we don't want to go full Russell Martin/ Big Ange.
Comments
And me.
Playing that role will mean the ball gets given away from time to time. Even Josh Scowen gives the ball away on multiple occasions during the game.
I thought Luke played well last night
I agree with your overall point about the likelihood of central midfielders making errors in such a pressurised area of the pitch, but I don’t think Josh loses possession as frequently as you suggest.
Not sure why this got so many down votes?
Last night showed that we would very much miss Harvey if he was out for an extended period because Hartridge offered nothing going forward other than some truly awful crosses and passes
It was harsh on Hartridge. He's not a bad player; he's just not the right type of LB for our system to work effectively, hence that role in the side is Harvie's. I expect we will bring someone in next month.
Agree @flymofrank - he is a decent left sided CB and defensive LB, but as you say he doesn't fit as well into what our system demands from a LB/LWB hybrid i.e desire to push forward, pace to recover if needed, decent crosser etc.
Hartridge should stay as 3rd/4th choice CB & cover for Harvie - not sure with Leahy also in the squad we really need to use a slot to bring in another LB/LWB
Definitely not a donkey, but much closer to the "adequate" stand in someone said earlier, rather than any sort of display that'd "show anyone".
Enjoyed seeing him give someone some verbals having been smashed down for the numerous time over however short a period it was.
to be fair...both Humphries and Bakinson tried things that did not come off and led to Bolton regaining possession. Sometimes trying to be intricate in the middle of the park bites a team in the bum.
And sometimes it takes you top of the league. People used to have a go at Eze and Mehmeti for giving the ball away. At the right time and place though, we don't want to go full Russell Martin/ Big Ange.
@StrongestTeam indeed I'm all for it as it makes for more exciting football.