That midfield three

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Ricky

Ricky

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Fleck, Coutts and Duffy - they were excellent today. Three quality footballers playing in a system they're comfortable in and linking together very well.

I think 3-5-2 with those three in midfield is the way to go for us at home most of the time. They were all on the pitch vs Bristol Rovers but we played 4-4-2 that night. Today was the first time we've seen this formation with that midfield in a home game, and the signs are very encouraging. With those three we can dominate teams at this level to the extent that we can cope without a dedicated defensive/ball winning midfielder. Not only home games either - we dominated at Fleetwood with the same line up.

I thought Fleck in particular was outstanding. Didn't put a foot wrong, quality, awareness and composure in abundance. It's a shame that goal was disallowed because he deserves one and is due one.
 



Fleck mom for me

Coutts calm and assured and tracked back brilliantly

I'd still like to see more from Duffy but this was his best performance I've seen.

I'd like to see him get wide more often so sharp and done don't have to run the channels as much so they are both in the middle when the crosses come in.

Either that or get in the box himself quicker,I guess that's an issue with the 352.
 
Agree 100% Herb, and Fleck gets my man of the match, that disallowed goal would have been the icing on the cake.

I was worried about Grant running the show especially as Basham was missing but we closed Grant down early on and he was never in the game.

I can't really fault anybody today, my only surprise is that he didn't give Lavery a run.
 
Ricky said:
Fleck, Coutts and Duffy - they were excellent today. Three quality footballers playing in a system they're comfortable in and linking together very well.

I think 3-5-2 with those three in midfield is the way to go for us at home most of the time. They were all on the pitch vs Bristol Rovers but we played 4-4-2 that night. Today was the first time we've seen this formation with that midfield in a home game, and the signs are very encouraging. With those three we can dominate teams at this level to the extent that we can cope without a dedicated defensive/ball winning midfielder. Not only home games either - we dominated at Fleetwood with the same line up.

I thought Fleck in particular was outstanding. Didn't put a foot wrong, quality, awareness and composure in abundance. It's a shame that goal was disallowed because he deserves one and is due one.
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Damm you Ricky, just got in and thst was exactly what I was going to post, spot on, I said on here weeks ago that thst midfield,in that system is quality, they looked like a divivsion above, quick passing, on the front foot, all played well today, the best performance since the hull semi final? I just really enjoyrd it, winning first,playing with style and scoring goals, the confidence that performance will give the players (and us) will be emmence, they will feel like they can beat anybody, must stick with thst formation and team home and away, why change when away? We have the better players lets go and stuff Shrewsbury in the same way,
P.s. I am drunk with emotion at thae moment just fuckin wait till I've had some ale later.
 
Can't see a better midfield 3 in the league at the moment, so glad Flecks getting his chance, rated him at Coventry and think he'll be important for us, can see him getting plenty of assists and Coutts is just a calming influence on the ball, looks so relaxed on the ball just dribbles past players effortlessly.
 
Yep. Bash has his work cut out to get back in.

But we do lack a dominant aerial player in the middle when he's out so Wilder may use him when we come up against teams with bigger players in there.

If previous selections are anything to go by, Fleck would be the one to make way.

But after that performance ? Me thinks not. Unchanged for Tuesday !

UTB
 
Absolute first rate performance from the whole team

However, as Ricky points out, the midfield 3 were exceptional today and with Bash, Clarke and Lavery all waiting in the wings we now have a bit of quality in depth

Jan could be huge for us. I'm hoping we are up and around the top and the board show ambition by investing in a little insurance, just to make sure all bases are covered for what could be the most important run-in for many a season
 
Feel as if these guys have a great understanding on the pitch. Whenever Coutts & Duffy are pushing up, Fleck sits back and covers. When Fleck pushes up with Duffy, Coutts covers. Whenever Coutts is putting pressure on the opposing player, Fleck is always behind him covering.

Felt as if Vale barely got past our midfield... obviously they did but they barely had any REAL chances thanks to the quick closing down and cover from our quality midfield
 
Deadly_D'Jaffo said:
People say without Bash we have no aerial or physical presence in the middle.

With Coutts and Fleck we don't need it. We have two gifted CM's who keep the ball instead of needing to chasing it.

I'll take that every day of the week.
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Fleck is as good,maybe better at tackling than bash, bash does offer something different, his energy and hight in midfield can be a bonus and will be at sometime again this season, but fir now lets play these three footballers playing together and getting better and better, they are capable of dominating every team this season, fingers crossed re injuries.
 



Playing 3-5-2 allows Coutts and Fleck to play roles suited to them. Play them in a 4-4-2 and we're dead.
 
s4-blade said:
Think that's a bit harsh. We might not totally dominate midfield be we wouldn't be "dead".
Click to expand...
We looked dead with a 442 at the start of the season, though gelling many new players also contributed to that.

Coutts is a new player this season, but undoubtedly suited to playing in a three, not a two.

UTB
 
Ricky said:
Fleck, Coutts and Duffy - they were excellent today. Three quality footballers playing in a system they're comfortable in and linking together very well.

I think 3-5-2 with those three in midfield is the way to go for us at home most of the time. They were all on the pitch vs Bristol Rovers but we played 4-4-2 that night. Today was the first time we've seen this formation with that midfield in a home game, and the signs are very encouraging. With those three we can dominate teams at this level to the extent that we can cope without a dedicated defensive/ball winning midfielder. Not only home games either - we dominated at Fleetwood with the same line up.

I thought Fleck in particular was outstanding. Didn't put a foot wrong, quality, awareness and composure in abundance. It's a shame that goal was disallowed because he deserves one and is due one.
Click to expand...


Agreed .

Fleck was outstanding today . He needed to be though , Duffy ran him close for MOM
 
The whole team weee exceptional I thought. The moment they got the ball they were surrounded by red and white. So many of our attacks came from us bullying them off the ball. Last season we would barely of had a shot because we would have sat and watched Them pass the ball, that's the big difference.

Personally I can't believe the fitness out there. They all ran for 90 minutes solid.

It's all very pleasing stuff, we have a team of grafters at last, and that at the very least is something we can be proud of
 
Trueblade said:
The whole team weee exceptional I thought. The moment they got the ball they were surrounded by red and white. So many of our attacks came from us bullying them off the ball. Last season we would barely of had a shot because we would have sat and watched Them pass the ball, that's the big difference.

Personally I can't believe the fitness out there. They all ran for 90 minutes solid.

It's all very pleasing stuff, we have a team of grafters at last, and that at the very least is something we can be proud of
Click to expand...

Actually, we ought to be more proud of the football we played, including, as you say, the fitness and effort required to dominate in the way we did. But it's a team of footballers that we we want to be proud of.
 
Trueblade said:
The whole team weee exceptional I thought. The moment they got the ball they were surrounded by red and white. So many of our attacks came from us bullying them off the ball. Last season we would barely of had a shot because we would have sat and watched Them pass the ball, that's the big difference.

Personally I can't believe the fitness out there. They all ran for 90 minutes solid.

It's all very pleasing stuff, we have a team of grafters at last, and that at the very least is something we can be proud of
Click to expand...
interesting point about fitness. there are chasing the opposition in packs when they first get the ball and vale were making mistakes as a result. I did wonder if they would last but they did, whereas earlier in the season a number of players were totally knackered after 60 minutes. It's a factor.
 
blade67 said:
interesting point about fitness. there are chasing the opposition in packs when they first get the ball and vale were making mistakes as a result. I did wonder if they would last but they did, whereas earlier in the season a number of players were totally knackered after 60 minutes. It's a factor.
Click to expand...

It's astounding. I was watching Done yesterday charging about like a mad man. Didn't seem to stop. It was only the opening 5 minutes of the 2nd half where we didn't seem to get on them so quick, and as a result they had a little spell for the only time in the game. Although to be fair didn't do anything.

Whether as the season goes on, legs will tire I don't know. Good times though
 
It was just nice to see John Fleck yesterday doing everything Basham doesn't. Primarily creating and maintaining momentum rather than killing it.

And as the laws of physics dictate, if you move towards the direction of the opposing goal you stand a good chance of putting the ball into it. Association Rules seem to agree.

I believe this is "The Right Way".
 
Pinchy said:
Actually, we ought to be more proud of the football we played, including, as you say, the fitness and effort required to dominate in the way we did. But it's a team of footballers that we we want to be proud of.
Click to expand...

You have to earn the right to play football first though Pinchy
 
Hope people see how important Duffy is now. His ability to find space behind the opposition midfield is something teams at this level can't get to grips with. Just look at his movement for his goal - looks left and right before deciding which direction to draw his defender, ensuring he leaves Sharp with a clean route to goal. He can frustrate on the ball occasionally, but you don't create if you don't take risks. And he's always available - a genuinely brave footballer.

This could be the best footballing centre midfield since McDonald, Williamson and Quinn were in there. With a fit Lavery and Clarke to add options, the goals should flow better. I also suspect Hussey will change some opinions when he gets to play wingback.
 



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