Jose Baxter

[curtisblades]

If certain strikers were to be brought in this summer, Jose will probably have to play in a different position next season. Clough has voiced the fact that he prefers the 4-4-2 system meaning he would not be able to play Baxter in his favoured position. I would personally like him to do a similar role as Huddlestone does for Hull: spraying balls out to the wings and the strikers. What role do you think Baxter should play in next year, if any or will he play a similar role to last season?

 

[Punk Blade]

I think one thing to keep in mind with Baxter is that, although he may be our most technically proficient player, he wasn't signed by Clough. If Clough has a particular system or way he wants to play next season and Baxter doesn't fit, he may be reduced to sub. I think we are likely to see a first choice striker come in before the end of the summer so I expect Baxter is most likely going to be used between the midfield and the striker still to come, or up alongside the striker.

I don't expect to see him in CM, wide or as a lone striker unless we are desperate.

With the variety of positions, roles and strengths of players like Flynn, Murphy, Scougall, JCR, Baxter and possibly Davies + one more to fill three or four places in the starting XI, we are likely to have plenty of options to change things from the bench, which sounds good to me.

 

[Gibbo89]

Sorry but must have missed Clough voicing the FACT he prefers the 4-4-2 system. Personally think he's the most versatile manager we've ever had regards formation.

 

[upton blade]

I'd play him behind a striker. ...

 

[Woodwardfan]

I'd play him behind a striker. ...

I'd play him behind two strikers!!!

 

[blader]

I'd play him behind two strikers!!!

Can't be done IMO. With murphy and Flynn needing to play wide, we need 2 CMs. You either play Baxter in a 4-4-1-1 or put him on the bench.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Can't be done IMO. With murphy and Flynn needing to play wide, we need 2 CMs. You either play Baxter in a 4-4-1-1 or put him on the bench.

I understand the dilemma. Whatever is needed I would build the side around a player o his ability.

How? Play 3 at the back for a start. Otherwise, 4-3-3, 4-2-4, "W" formation - what;s wrong with that, maybe call him an "inside forward", they were always my favourite players.

Formations apart, football is a simple game. If you've got a real creator on your books play him and make everything else fit around him. All last season Baxter was asked to play out of his comfort zone. I suggest we play a formation which allows him a free role, then just watch him go!!

 

[sitwell]

Madness ,build a team around a player ,who may not turn up some games, bonkers. 'Out of his comfort zone' ?? sums him up Im afraid.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Madness ,build a team around a player ,who may not turn up some games, bonkers. 'Out of his comfort zone' ?? sums him up Im afraid.

I entirely understand your point of view, but disagree entirely. Am I "mad"?, I hope not.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Sorry but must have missed Clough voicing the FACT he prefers the 4-4-2 system. Personally think he's the most versatile manager we've ever had regards formation.

True. A year ago he was experimenting with formations for Derby, i.e. even at that point he hadn't identified one particular that he wanted them to play: http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Clo...s-friendlies/story-19483752-detail/story.html

One of the differences between him and McLaren at Derby was that McLaren stuck to his favoured 4-3-3 formation. Clough proved last season that it's possible to change it around and also get good results. He'll have the benefit of adding a couple of strikers that he actually likes this summer, which will enable him to play 4-4-2 more if he wants to.

 

[curtisblades]

Sorry but must have missed Clough voicing the FACT he prefers the 4-4-2 system. Personally think he's the most versatile manager we've ever had regards formation.

In hindsight he may have not actually said this an interview, however traditionally with Derby and Burton he tended to use a 4-4-2 system.

 

[Bergen Blade]

In hindsight he may have not actually said this an interview, however traditionally with Derby and Burton he tended to use a 4-4-2 system.

Are you sure about that?

A Derby fan's comment on the article I linked to above:

Derby_Stu | July 08 2013, 10:22AM
This is a scary thought. How long we pleading for him to drop the 4-5-1 or 4-3-3 in favour of our strongest formation and it worked!! 4-4-2 all the way.

Suggests he didn't play 4-4-2 very often?

 

[Derby_Blade]

Are you sure about that?

A Derby fan's comment on the article I linked to above:



Suggests he didn't play 4-4-2 very often?

Mates say he picks his best 11 players available, then puts those 11 into a formation. Saw that last season a bit. So probably have to wait until we finish our transfers and decide our best players before we speculate on the formation

 

[Woodwardfan]

Last season when he joined us Clough played a conservative 4-4-2 until he had made a couple of signings and knew his squad better.Quite rightly he was looking to consolidate and move on.

Once he had judged his players he devised a system to suit his squad and we watched 4-5-1, with a midfielder up front as striker.

I know nothing, but I suspect Clough was very happy with that "modern" system and loved his midfield pouring through in numbers. I'm watching out for more of that. I'd love to see him going for all that with just 3 at the back.

Whatever's necessary, play Baxter please.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

I'd love to see him going for all that with just 3 at the back.

Did we play that in one of the televised away games - Cambridge or Preston maybe?

I think Clough was quoted the other day as saying that he wants Flynn to really focus more on his attacking work next season, so I'm expecting him to have a formation that will almost always have him and Murphy as the two wingers.

 

[CarlingBlade]

Baxter was one of our stand out players last season, is find a role for him, sitting behind a striker allowing Murphy and Flynn to play higher up the field and support the striker with basham and Doyle protecting the back 4.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Baxter was one of our stand out players last season, is find a role for him, sitting behind a striker allowing Murphy and Flynn to play higher up the field and support the striker with basham and Doyle protecting the back 4.

Where does Scougs fit into that?

 

[sitwell]

That sound like 4-4-2 to me , the only place for Baxter is as one of the 2 ,it may work but he will have to really work on his fitness and attitude in the summer in my opinion.It also depends on the other one in the 2 .

 

[sitwell]

Baxter was one of our stand out players last season, is find a role for him, sitting behind a striker allowing Murphy and Flynn to play higher up the field and support the striker with basham and Doyle protecting the back 4.

Where does that leave Scougall then ?
Do you really think he was one our stand out players ? I thought he was poor in 80 % of his games ,and just stood out in a few ,I don't think he was anywhere near as good as ,Maguire ,Harris ,Brayford ,Flynn, Murphy , Scougall or even Doyle in the last 15 games.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Did we play that in one of the televised away games - Cambridge or Preston maybe?

I think Clough was quoted the other day as saying that he wants Flynn to really focus more on his attacking work next season, so I'm expecting him to have a formation that will almost always have him and Murphy as the two wingers.

Cambridge yes. Rotherham at home was another (maybe a couple more as well).

 

[Woodwardfan]

Where does Scougs fit into that?

Very astute comment. Scougs and Baxter play their football in the same areas. May I pose the question of which one is more or less involved in games in terms of involvement, touches, contribution etc.? Both of them are players who feature in progressive forward moves. Both of them have flair, different kinds of flair, but nevertheless flair. Once we have a proper striker there will be no room for both of them in a starting eleven. Or will there??

In my dreams I imagine Clough turning into a "total football" man , trading goals type of manager, taking League 1 by storm.

In reality, I know we have a pragmatic manager who will do the job without headlines or fuss.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Very astute comment. Scougs and Baxter play their football in the same areas. May I pose the question of which one is more or less involved in games in terms of involvement, touches, contribution etc.? Both of them are players who feature in progressive forward moves. Both of them have flair, different kinds of flair, but nevertheless flair. Once we have a proper striker there will be no room for both of them in a starting eleven. Or will there??

In my dreams I imagine Clough turning into a "total football" man , trading goals type of manager, taking League 1 by storm.

In reality, I know we have a pragmatic manager who will do the job without headlines or fuss.

I like Baxter, there's a degree of class in his finishing that I feel is unique in the team. But if it's a toss up between him and Scougs for a spare midfield role he loses out for me.

Selection problems of who to leave out. 8 months ago it was selection problems of who out of the sorry bunch was actually worth playing!

 

[Woodwardfan]

That sound like 4-4-2 to me , the only place for Baxter is as one of the 2 ,it may work but he will have to really work on his fitness and attitude in the summer in my opinion.It also depends on the other one in the 2 .

I don't think Baxter fits into 4-4-2. That's why he is not a worldbeater in the lower leagues. Put him in the Premiership and he would show the likes of some highly paid players how to play in a "diamond", "in the final third", "in the hole". Give him licence to appear "between the lines" and watch him create. Players of natural ability will always be accused of being fat, lazy or disinterrested until they play in a successful team. Then they are "maestros".

 

[sheffielder]

Am I the only one who has never heard Clough say he prefers 442? Did he play 442 at Derby because I thought he was more 433 there

 

[sitwell]

Am I the only one who has never heard Clough say he prefers 442? Did he play 442 at Derby because I thought he was more 433 there

I haven't but I think if Porter and Miller had not been injured or off form I think he would have gone for them in a 4-4-2. This is why I think Baxter will not be part of our team long term ,he didn't really fit into any system we played.

 

[sheffielder]

I haven't but I think if Porter and Miller had not been injured or off form I think he would have gone for them in a 4-4-2. This is why I think Baxter will not be part of our team long term ,he didn't really fit into any system we played.

I think Baxter is going to be a great sub (played midfield, left wing, in the whole and upfront) and I think the formation of 4-4-1-1 will stay as Scougs is perfect for a midfield 3 than 2.

 

[CarlingBlade]

Where does Scougs fit into that?

Bench for now fighting Baxter for the free role behind the strikers.

 

[sheffielder]

Bench for now fighting Baxter for the free role behind the strikers.

Really? Scougs on the bench and Baxter is playing in the hole, what is the formation?

 

[Woodwardfan]

I like Baxter, there's a degree of class in his finishing that I feel is unique in the team. But if it's a toss up between him and Scougs for a spare midfield role he loses out for me.

Selection problems of who to leave out. 8 months ago it was selection problems of who out of the sorry bunch was actually worth playing!

Really? Scougs on the bench and Baxter is playing in the whole, what is the formation?

I think it's fair to say that any further new signings will not be in forward central midfield.

 

[upton blade]

I actually think baxter is good enough to be a top player in the championship. ...BUT like has already been said his fitness and sometimes his effort let's him down. .let's hope he has a good pre season and gets himself as fit as possible and I think he'll do well for us