The Lock-picker Conundrum

[A Storm of Blades]

The more time that passes, the more it’s becoming clear to me how important Duffy was to making the Wilder years and system a success. He owned that 10 role, and floating 35-40 years from goal in a central position stopped teams from being able to fully defend against the overload.

I know, I know, 9th in the Premier League etc, but that was a season of razor thin margins (like last year but on the other side) and built on a titanium defence, including JOC - someone equally as important to the system. The flat 3, and favouring a workmanlike, cart horse approach, really did signal the end.

The squad doesn’t have any flair or creativity in its culture, rather than (necessarily) in its individuals. I personally think we do have players with that bit of magic in them, but it needs to be allowed to flourish. No doubt we do need to buy someone with some imagination, but we also need to value that skill again. Wilder stopped putting faith in flair and it derailed us.

 

[Bladeinleeds]

That We ended last season with a utility left back providing the creativity tell us everything we need to know about the squad.

we are crying out for some attacking flair, not having to make do with Brewster on the wing. At least 2 fitting that bill is a must otherwise we’re on a hiding to nothing

 

[mattbianco1]

I said other day that we've never replaced Duffy.
McGoldrick is trying that role but he doesn't unlock defences like Duffy could.

 

[Carlton Blade]

I said other day that we've never replaced Duffy.
McGoldrick is trying that role but he doesn't unlock defences like Duffy could.

Didzy is a support striker. He's not a midfielder.

 

[The Bear]

The more time that passes, the more it’s becoming clear to me how important Duffy was to making the Wilder years and system a success. He owned that 10 role, and floating 35-40 years from goal in a central position stopped teams from being able to fully defend against the overload.

I know, I know, 9th in the Premier League etc, but that was a season of razor thin margins (like last year but on the other side) and built on a titanium defence, including JOC - someone equally as important to the system. The flat 3, and favouring a workmanlike, cart horse approach, really did signal the end.

The squad doesn’t have any flair or creativity in its culture, rather than (necessarily) in its individuals. I personally think we do have players with that bit of magic in them, but it needs to be allowed to flourish. No doubt we do need to buy someone with some imagination, but we also need to value that skill again. Wilder stopped putting faith in flair and it derailed us.

You could say then "he was in a world of his own"

 

[mattbianco1]

Didzy is a support striker. He's not a midfielder.

Hence the reason he's not unlocking defences like Duffy.

As I say, we haven't replaced Duffy but are continuing to try the tippy tappy stuff in and around the box. Without a "Duffy" this will fail more than it works. We need to start drilling balls across the box to the million strikers on the pitch

 

[Carlton Blade]

Hence the reason he's not unlocking defences like Duffy.

As I say, we haven't replaced Duffy but are continuing to try the tippy tappy stuff in and around the box. Without a "Duffy" this will fail more than it works. We need to start drilling balls across the box to the million strikers on the pitch

The 35 yard gaps either side of the 'midfield' yesterday were pretty funny. Having to play that many forwards to try and scrape together an attacking threat is a damning indictment of this squad

 

[Guesty]

Didzy is a support striker. He's not a midfielder.

The 'Didzy-as-midfielder' train is picking up steam and I have no idea why. Possibly as a result of us having so many forwards on the books, possibly because any creative forward must be able to play deeper.

However on the evidence so far, it's clearly not his role.

 

[Bladeinleeds]

The 35 yard gaps either side of the 'midfield' yesterday were pretty funny. Having to play that many forwards to try and scrape together an attacking threat is a damning indictment of this squad

100%

we are having to do that as the strikers are the only ones in the side who’s primary job is attacking. Slavs been left with no other options

we seemingly forgot when assembling the squad that just cos they might be goal scorers doesn’t mean the my can create anything.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Didzy is a support striker. He's not a midfielder.

And I’m not sure we have a role for a support striker in how Slav seems to be setting us up.

 

[Carlton Blade]

And I’m not sure we have a role for a support striker in how Slav seems to be setting us up.

If it's 3 forwards I don't think Didzy can be one of them

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

If it's 3 forwards I don't think Didzy can be one of them

My concern on the first few games is that as he doesn’t trust our full backs to provide attacking width so we’ve got Brewster in particular playing right or left midfield not forward or wing. It’s needs to be a front three.
With Davies and Vieira hopefully secured, this is the area we’ll look at. Vieira in particular will add something we’re seriously missing in someone who will do the breaking up and snapping around. Not sure how far away from starting he’ll be though which is why I have a hunch we may also look to get Garner who’s a does both the breaking and shuttling Berge does. Clearly someone like Elliott or similar to play as one of the front three is imperative but the manager and board seem to be aware of the need.

 

[Carlton Blade]

My concern on the first few games is that as he doesn’t trust our full backs to provide attacking width so we’ve got Brewster in particular playing right or left midfield not forward or wing. It’s needs to be a front three.
With Davies and Vieira hopefully secured, this is the area well look at. Vieira in particular will add something we’re seriously missing in someone who will do the breaking up and snapping around. Not sure how far away from starting he’ll be though which is why I have a hunch we may also look to get Garner who’s a does both the breaking and shuttling Berge does. Clearly someone like Elliott or similar to play as one of the front three is imperative but the manager and board seem to be aware of the need.

We've needed 6 or 7 in from the minute Wilder left. I'm genuinely unsure what formation suits who's left and still playing at a decent level.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

We've needed 6 or 7 in from the minute Wilder left. I'm genuinely unsure what formation suits who's left and still playing at a decent level.

If Slav wants to play this way then it’s the beginning of the end of the old guard. Bash, Norwood, Fleck, Dids and Billy and maybe even Baldock and Stevens are all looking at supporting roles at best. His formation needs energy and drive and simply it’s not in their game.

 

[Blade58]

My concern on the first few games is that as he doesn’t trust our full backs to provide attacking width so we’ve got Brewster in particular playing right or left midfield not forward or wing. It’s needs to be a front three.
With Davies and Vieira hopefully secured, this is the area well look at. Vieira in particular will add something we’re seriously missing in someone who will do the breaking up and snapping around. Not sure how far away from starting he’ll be though which is why I have a hunch we may also look to get Garner who’s a does both the breaking and shuttling Berge does. Clearly someone like Elliott or similar to play as one of the front three is imperative but the manager and board seem to be aware of the need.

Bob, if Viera is here to do as you say, how do you see Norwood, Fleck or even Berge fitting in within that midfield?

As it stands today and the way our midfield are operating, I see very little in a creative or attacking sense

This may be for a number of reasons. Lack of confidence, lack of ideas, lack of movement up front. We do tend to be quite static up top which is a worry and that must obviously contribute to the lack of creativity from midfield

 

[Stretch]

Binning Duffy for being proactive and just enquiring about a new contract, and then abandoning the system that got us promoted twice.

Signing a potential replacement in Freeman, and loaning him out.

Persisting with a disinterested Lundstram, after he actively refused a new contract.

Wilder played an absolute blinder didn't he?

 

[Wincobank S9 Blade]

We’ve needed a creative midfielder sine lockdown 19/20 season that’s when we’ve struggled to create chances, should’ve have gone for John Swift.

 

[Freddie]

That We ended last season with a utility left back providing the creativity tell us everything we need to know about the squad.

we are crying out for some attacking flair, not having to make do with Brewster on the wing. At least 2 fitting that bill is a must otherwise we’re on a hiding to nothing

Get Zak Brunt in.

 

[Carlton Blade]

If Slav wants to play this way then it’s the beginning of the end of the old guard. Bash, Norwood, Fleck, Dids and Billy and maybe even Baldock and Stevens are all looking at supporting roles at best. His formation needs energy and drive and simply it’s not in their game.

The frustrating part is players like Cairney, Mcdonald and even Norwood thrived. You don't have to be Sessegnon. But it's a ling way back from the current level our lads are at

 

[Blend-it-like-Harris]

Call me a traitor if you like, but I've always admired Barry Bannon; we don't have anyone in our squad who can do what he does.

 

[ancientblade]

If Slav wants to play this way then it’s the beginning of the end of the old guard. Bash, Norwood, Fleck, Dids and Billy and maybe even Baldock and Stevens are all looking at supporting roles at best. His formation needs energy and drive and simply it’s not in their game.

i think your right bob this team is going to get broken up and to be honest it needs to be its like the end of a small era from thinking 2 weeks ago that this set of players were certs for top 6 i now think it will be a season of transition and mid table might be the best we can achieve

 

[Stretch]

Call me a traitor if you like, but I've always admired Barry Bannon; we don't have anyone in our squad who can do what he does.

Too busy tearing up the pub league mate.

That tanker won't steer itself you know.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Bob, if Viera is here to do as you say, how do you see Norwood, Fleck or even Berge fitting in within that midfield?

As it stands today and the way our midfield are operating, I see very little in a creative or attacking sense

This may be for a number of reasons. Lack of confidence, lack of ideas, lack of movement up front. We do tend to be quite static up top which is a worry and that must obviously contribute to the lack of creativity from midfield

I think I covered it above, I’m not sure they do but it depends on the formations. Fitting it to Fulham you can see there’s a role for deeper lying role which you would think Vieira would play. Again assuming he’s fit, leaving you with the two roles further forward for Berge and Garner if they get him. If not then there’s the spare role.

 

[Youngand70]

3 competitive games gone 1 goal look familiar ? We keep being told we have a long list of strikers and we don't need any more. So when are this bunch of wasters going to earn their large amounts of money ?

 

[Blade58]

I think I covered it above, I’m not sure they do but it depends on the formations. Fitting it to Fulham you can see there’s a role for deeper lying role which you would think Vieira would play. Again assuming he’s fit, leaving you with the two roles further forward for Berge and Garner if they get him. If not then there’s the spare role.

Ah sorry, I am asking on the basis that is assuming Viera and Davies are the only two signings, as they look like done deals. The other player mentioned Garner is just rumour at this stage

My concern is Norwood plays deep. Viera plays deep and Berge can go forward, but it's not enough

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

3 competitive games gone 1 goal look familiar ? We keep being told we have a long list of strikers and we don't need any more. So when are this bunch of wasters going to earn their large amounts of money ?

Comments like this make me wonder if folk even watch the game.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Ah sorry, I am asking on the basis that is assuming Viera and Davies are the only two signings, as they look like done deals. The other players mentioned are just rumours at this stage

Yeah, I think there are more to come. As I said way back in the summer, our loan deals will be done late because of the players we’re looking at. Nothing I’ve seen so far has changed my opinion on that. We wanted a centre half and targeted Davies we had to wait for squad decisions to be made and for him to weigh up his options and it looks like we’ll secure our top target. We’ve seemingly not stepped up with Kirk which makes me think we’ve a higher level target we’re confident of securing for our creative role.

 

[A Storm of Blades]

You could say then "he was in a world of his own"

 

[A Storm of Blades]

Hence the reason he's not unlocking defences like Duffy.

As I say, we haven't replaced Duffy but are continuing to try the tippy tappy stuff in and around the box. Without a "Duffy" this will fail more than it works. We need to start drilling balls across the box to the million strikers on the pitch

Didsy has excellent technique and can beat a man. Duffy had those traits too but his passing in and around the box was stellar. Slipping balls into forwards, or quick give and goes. Didsy doesn’t have the same ability (but has some Duffy didn’t). Playing him in that creator role isn’t working, as much as I thought it would.

 

[Pittsburg Blade]

I can only imagine that this magical Duffy everyone talks about must have moved onto PSG or Real Madrid..