JCR has one trick, run the ball to the byline, smash a deep cross in, rinse, repeat. As an attacking player he seems to be much of a muchness, but as mentioned earlier, he takes pressure off the defence by being pretty much the only player in the squad who consistently runs at the back 4. Reed's assist was mental on Tuesday, but he needs to be 1 on 1 off ATM because he's little more than a kid.
One tactical element that has confused me thus far this season is Clough's apparent refusal to play 2 strikers. 4-5-1 is perfectly fine, but you need to have attacking midfielders dipping into the box a lot more, and not just swing in speculative crosses. 2 up front would solve that. Maybe Higdon's not fully fit, but I tell ya, when they took off McNulty in the 2nd half on Tuesday, there was a lot of discontent on The Kop. Just play 2 up front, it's only bloody Crewe, in't it. 4-5-1
depends on flowing, pass and move football. Digging down to the byline and chipping a ball in yields nothing with that formation. Players need to have the confidence to push inside and challenge defenders, not run away and pass back to the 'keeper, which has happened far too often this season with little pressure on the ball.
Baxter needs to push forward more, Murphy too, and drop Scougall, he's been average all season.
