On the principle of having two battle it out for every position, really wish CW had have got a tallish, energetic midfielder in to challenge Bash before the window closed. Personally, I see the other midfield position (the cultured one/the "tempo-setter") as being between Fleck & Coutts.
But we didn't, & we're doing well right now, so no point at all moping.
And it does offer a pathway, potentially, for Ben Whiteman.
There is an open question on who really has competition for their spot and who has players to back them up but arguably little competition.
The way I see it:
GK - Long started as 1st choice and Moore was brought in and is now custodian so competition there.
DR - Freeman has back up but no real competition. Basham can play there but will be primarily a midfielder and will only threaten if he loses his midfield slot. If Wilson was having a blinder then you could argue EEL would also come into consideration though he is currently on collision course with Wilson. Freeman has gone from unwanted to undisputed in around a month.
RCB - Definite competition between Wilson and Ebanks-Landell.
LCB - Both O'Connell and Wright swapped places already before 5-3-2 gave them both a berth.
LB - Hussey lost his place to newly arrived Lafferty though arguably 3-5-2 suits the former's game more. Healthy competition here.
CM - It seems when given a choice it has been between Coutts and Fleck even given one is left and one is right footed, it seems the creative element is the factor around team balance. Which brings us to Basham. Whiteman is an emerging understudy. Reed is a different type and more of a Coutts/Fleck type. This means his spot is largely uncontested which you may say is unhealthy. I'd rather a genuine rival to Basham than Brown on trial. If the Fleck Coutts partnership can work, then great but it's difficult to expect a player 5'6" to replace the attributes of someone 6'.
Wide midfield - 5-3-2 has perhaps muddied the waters slightly but assuming the squad was built for 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1, then Duffy seems untouchable. Scougall has reemergence but the supporting cast of Chapman and perhaps Brooks snack of cameo and back up rather than replacement. Perhaps Burke could up the ante in this department or maybe Lavery breaks through here if Sharp and Done click?
CF - competitive with 3 to 4 seniors vying for 2 spots.
To conclude, we see potentially how Coutts and Fleck can forge a partnership which may confirm how little competition Basham has which needs either addressing through recruitment or for someone like Whiteman to emerge as a real contender.
Either way, in contrast with others his spot seems most assured regardless of performance level which is a concern given his limitations in ability if not spirit.
For Freeman it seems his performance needs to drop alarmingly for Wilder to cast aside the Wilson/EEL rivalry. Ironically, competition for Basham may create the same for Freeman if the combative midfield role heats up.
A successfully trailed Chris Burke and an imposing Midfield general would appear to be the final pieces of the recruitment jigsaw.
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