Our Wing Backs

[Iffy Onuora's Shiny Head]

I think that both Freeman and Lafferty are very key in how we have been playing recently. Whilst they have got a few goals between them, they must get 4 or more chances between them every single game. Looking back over the past 10 games they could have easily had 5 or 6 each.

Its obvious they've both been encouraged to attack the far post when the ball is on the other wing - Wilder stated as much about "overloading the box" in his interview after Chesterfield. The fact they can enter the box late and almost undetected gives them that space at the far post - or at least creates space for our other central players with the opposition full back/centre backs worrying about who is behind them.

On Lafferty specifically - I actually think he has been a very shrewd addition for us. Whilst he isn't flash I do think he does a lot of (dare I say it) "unseen work" positionally. If you look back over our recently conceded goals (the small few), hardly any have come from his side of the pitch. I for one would like to see him sign permanently.

 

[Good Pinch Of Snuff]

Good shout I would love us to make Lafferty a perm signing in Jan if possible

 

[Bladey McBladeface]

I think that both Freeman and Lafferty are very key in how we have been playing recently. Whilst they have got a few goals between them, they must get 4 or more chances between them every single game. Looking back over the past 10 games they could have easily had 5 or 6 each.

Its obvious they've both been encouraged to attack the far post when the ball is on the other wing - Wilder stated as much about "overloading the box" in his interview after Chesterfield. The fact they can enter the box late and almost undetected gives them that space at the far post - or at least creates space for our other central players with the opposition full back/centre backs worrying about who is behind them.

On Lafferty specifically - I actually think he has been a very shrewd addition for us. Whilst he isn't flash I do think he does a lot of (dare I say it) "unseen work" positionally. If you look back over our recently conceded goals (the small few), hardly any have come from his side of the pitch. I for one would like to see him sign permanently.

Totally agree with this.

I had my reservations about Lafferty after the first couple of games, but since then he's proved to be a really consistent player - not spectacular, but consistently good.

Freeman (along with Coutts) has improved immeasurably. Having said that, I did think Freeman was our best player for the early part of last season before he was frozen out.

 

[Liaminho9]

I'd agree, but i think one position we need to bring in is cover for Freeman. Who do we currently have if he gets injured/suspended? Basham and Brown? Both too defensive minded to play that role effectively. (Granted Bash likes to get forward but i think his final ball would let him down)

 

[Iffy Onuora's Shiny Head]

I'd agree, but i think one position we need to bring in is cover for Freeman. Who do we currently have if he gets injured/suspended? Basham and Brown? Both too defensive minded to play that role effectively. (Granted Bash likes to get forward but i think his final ball would let him down)

Do we have any full backs coming through at youth level?

 

[TJB.]

I'd agree, but i think one position we need to bring in is cover for Freeman. Who do we currently have if he gets injured/suspended? Basham and Brown? Both too defensive minded to play that role effectively. (Granted Bash likes to get forward but i think his final ball would let him down)

Well there's this beardy bloke at Burton I've heard of...

 

[blade too long]

using Duffy in a Bryson style role seems to be Wilders trump card

the width provided from Lafferty and Freeman opens up areas for Duffy and Fleck to work their magic
Wilder admitted he was a bit old fashioned in flinging the kitchen sink into the opposition box in terms of players coming in from all angles

 

[GroovyBrad]

I do rate both of our full backs in this system. Impressed with how Freeman (like Coutts) has turned things around and it shows Wilder is a man of his word, he said even though they were transfer listed, the right attitude in training and they will get their chance!

As for Lafferty, I like his willingness to get forward and have a pop at goal, however he had 2 chances yesterday (on his weak foot granted) I thought the first one especially he should have tested the goalkeeper.

 

[Ricky]

It's an area we could look at for strengthening, we could do with someone out there with pace and trickery who offers a real direct threat. But if you take either of the current wing backs out of the team, you definitely lose something. Freeman in particular gives us physicality, which is a bonus at wing back. Lafferty is versatile, intelligent, provides good balance and is a goalscoring threat.

Every game without fail they're both getting in the box at the back post and getting on the end of crosses. They're both useful in the air too. It adds a lot to the team from an attacking point of view and makes the formation work. They'll both score more goals this season.
Then there's Hussey who can come in and do well in that position too.

We do need proper competition for Freeman - I don't think Brown's the answer in that position. He's played a lot of games and has previously been inconsistent. He has to be managed correctly, and kept fresh. It's something Wilder will be looking at. The hard thing for him to do is decide if we try and upgrade or get someone a bit cheaper to likely be more of a cover player. He could consider recruitment at LWB too but is probably more likely to focus on the right side.

 

[carthesis]

Well we've got both Hussey and Keiron Wallace... both traditionally deployed on the left but i suspect could do a job on the right...

Liked the look of Wallace when he played, but another victim of constant chopping, changing and general cluelessness by Adkins.

 

[Grecian2000]

They remind me of Borbokis and Quinn from years ago, in that they are both better suited to a wing back rather than that of a traditional full back. Thought both were a lot less effective v MKD when we switched formations for much of the match.

 

[sitwell]

Defenders don't know how to handle ,Lafferty and Freeman ,they get in the box and no one has the responsibility of marking them. Freeman got the one yesterday ,but I expect Lafferty might get double figures if he plays all season ,would love to see him permanent.

 

[Grecian2000]

Defenders don't know how to handle ,Lafferty and Freeman ,they get in the box and no one has the responsibility of marking them. Freeman got the one yesterday ,but I expect Lafferty might get double figures if he plays all season ,would love to see him permanent.

Think double figures is a tad optimistic for the simple reason he does finish a bit like a full back and he'll need 30 chances to net the 10 in my view.
10 between the pair I can easily see though.

 

[wizadry]

I've always liked Freeman, he can be suspect defensively sometimes but he more than makes up for it in an attacking sense in our preffered formation.

Lafferty has been getting better and better game by game, he's better defensively than Freeman and also has a great work ethic, a couple of times yesterday I thought he was playing CM his energy levels were that good. His crossing can be a bit suspect but again he makes up for it in other areas.

To be honest, we could have a thread on every position in the squad and say how they've impacted the season, it's that good at the minute. The club has got it's mojo back and long may it continue.

 

[BushBlade]

Well we've got both Hussey and Keiron Wallace... both traditionally deployed on the left but i suspect could do a job on the right...

Liked the look of Wallace when he played, but another victim of constant chopping, changing and general cluelessness by Adkins.

Wallace has vanished. Went on loan to Fleetwood and doesn't appear to have played a game for them. I don't know if he's injured or what. I thought when players get bad injuries they usually return to their parent clubs but I've heard nothing.

 

[BushBlade]

They remind me of Borbokis and Quinn from years ago, in that they are both better suited to a wing back rather than that of a traditional full back. Thought both were a lot less effective v MKD when we switched formations for much of the match.

They remind me of Dani Alves and Jordi Alba.

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

Wallace has vanished. Went on loan to Fleetwood and doesn't appear to have played a game for them. I don't know if he's injured or what. I thought when players get bad injuries they usually return to their parent clubs but I've heard nothing.

Things aren't going too well for him it seems.

Fleetwood wheeled him out for a Checkatrade Trophy game in front of a few hundred last week and ... well, he still 'has a way to go before breaking into the first team'.

Seems to have gone backwards.

http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/s...to-make-his-changes-and-play-youths-1-8234070

 

[BushBlade]

Things aren't going too well for him it seems.

Fleetwood wheeled him out for a Checkatrade Trophy game in front of a few hundred last week and ... well, he still 'has a way to go before breaking into the first team'.

Seems to have gone backwards.

http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/s...to-make-his-changes-and-play-youths-1-8234070

Very odd. And Wooly only lasted eight minutes.

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

Very odd. And Wooly only lasted eight minutes.

Yeah, he got injured apparently. Which they're pissed off about, because Rosler changed his entire first eleven (& took the hit of the resulting fine) to avoid injuries to his first-teamers - Woolford being just about the only usual first-teamer that played. (Blessing in disguise, I'd have thought.)

Shame about Wallace though. Thought he had something about him, going by some of his cameos from last season.

 

[Stretch]

Anyone know why Lafferty was talking to the crowd on his own after the players had done their round of applause yesterday? He was there for a while talking to a few lads who had arms round him.

 

[blade too long]

doesnt anyone else long after signing their star man , the youth opportunities player that came on the sylph like youngster Humphries
took Freeman a while to run round him

 

[BushBlade]

doesnt anyone else long after signing their star man , the youth opportunities player that came on the sylph like youngster Humphries
took Freeman a while to run round him

He was struggling to cope with Humphries' gravitational pull.

 

[corkysbeard]

Well there's this beardy bloke at Burton I've heard of...

Is it worth fetching Brayford back in January as cover for Freeman or to push for a place as right wingback,just a thought?

 

[Bladesthorpe]

Anyone know why Lafferty was talking to the crowd on his own after the players had done their round of applause yesterday? He was there for a while talking to a few lads who had arms round him.

Yes showed him on telly doing selfies for the lads behind the goal.

 

[Iffy Onuora's Shiny Head]

They remind me of Dani Alves and Jordi Alba.

Cafu and Roberto Carlos.

Ever since Freeman shaved his head he's become a new player. From now on we know all we have to do for anyone out of form is get the Babyliss shaver out.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

oops, posted in wrong thread

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Is it worth fetching Brayford back in January as cover for Freeman or to push for a place as right wingback,just a thought?

In pure footballing terms, yes. It’d be good to have those 2 competing for that spot. But Brayford’s wages are high and bringing him back might compromise our ability to retain EEL. Perhaps we can get a cheaper alternative and maybe persuade Burton to part with a fee to make Brayford’s transfer permanent (as much as I like him).

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Cafu and Roberto Carlos.

Ever since Freeman shaved his head he's become a new player. From now on we know all we have to do for anyone out of form is get the Babyliss shaver out.

From now on he should be known as nosmaS