Champagneblade
Stop moaning and get on with it
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2010
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I do hope that Adkins will perseveres with 3-5-2 as a formation.
From my reckoning, we are averaging 1.44 points per game in the league overall. Under 3-5-2, it has been 1.64 points per game, which would see us reach between 75-76 points.
If Adkins confirms his plan to stick with this, then he strengthens the thoughts around his own planning. The players also seem to like this, and I would argue less recruitment is required and as such greater continuity can be fostered.
Conversely, if Adkins is going back to 4-4-2, his original preferred formula, then given this failed, more recruitment, which wasn’t Adkins’ strong point this season, must raise further the question as to whether the starting from scratch type operation could be just as well executed with a new manager as well!
As well as building on momentum, I do feel the cost of recruitment and number of changes is a key factor. Some players will be retained and I think we have to be realistic. We aren’t going to bring in front line names and have them as squad players. Also, if we need to recruit on masse, then the time taken over each deal will be diluted.
Of 43 players remaining on the books, I believe as many as 20 are out of contract. I’d be inclined to release 17 of them. This would leave McEveley, McGahey (sorry Deadbat) and possibly Willis depending on feedback from Matlock.
Keeper – Unless a senior, been there, done that, keeper comes available and affordable, Long can develop. Robinson would be a choice for me, not Kenny. You then have a healthy batch of home grown keepers in Willis, Ramsdale and Eastwood.
Back 5 – McEveley has done enough for me to retain a spot. Few players around who have the knowhow of going forward from fullback and the height of a center half to play the LCB role of three so effectively. Get two top drawer center back signings there as your first recruits; as good as Baptiste, more dominating than Edgar. Basham is doing well at right wing back and can offer another center back option. If you keep Brayford and Freeman, both more suited to wingback, you’re collectively covered on the right. On the left, both Wallace and Kelly can be cover for LWB and LCB and McGahey can complete the set of those young enough to accept the role of understudy. If he worked on it in the summer, Done can make the LWB role his own. His energy and enthusiasm is a must and he is a threat, but he isn’t going to displace Sharp. So, 10 defenders - 2 new center backs.
Midfield 3 – I would say we need 2, possibly three players here. We need someone to play the role Hammond plays as destroyer, so that would be one signing. We then need attacking intent and a record for goals, one, possibly two from say Roofe, McGeehan and Moncur would be ideal. I think then we can get away with Reed and Whiteman providing competition plus young Brooks will hopefully also emerge and you still have Basham's versatility. I’d be making efforts to offload Woolford, Coutts and Scougall, but appreciate the odd one may remain and who knows, one might re-emerge. You are talking therefore about six or seven here including possibly three new signings.
Front two – Sharp and Adams have shown promise, Adams will continue to develop, Sharp I don’t think will decline just yet. There is an array of contracted options behind them in – Calvert-Lewin, McNulty, Diego, Wright – which we can either embrace or trade in and out. Not a priority for me.
The important factor for me is the cost. 4 to 5 signing is not so substantial. Also recruiting center backs and defensive midfielders are not typically expensive roles. The only which may cost would be the attack minded goal scorer(s).
Contrast this to playing 4-4-2. We’d need 3 defensive players as I doubt we have someone strong enough to be out and out left back too, so have one additional senior player to cater for. We then have no wingers of note so need two additions, and attack-minded wingers who also score the occasional goal don’t come cheap. We would still need the defensive destroyer and attack minded central midfielder, but who also had the mobility to function in a two. Overall, not only would this create more disruption and overall cost, but also the type of players would be expensive too.
Now Adkins has arrived at 3-5-2, assuming he is staying, I’d advocate that he sees it through.
From my reckoning, we are averaging 1.44 points per game in the league overall. Under 3-5-2, it has been 1.64 points per game, which would see us reach between 75-76 points.
If Adkins confirms his plan to stick with this, then he strengthens the thoughts around his own planning. The players also seem to like this, and I would argue less recruitment is required and as such greater continuity can be fostered.
Conversely, if Adkins is going back to 4-4-2, his original preferred formula, then given this failed, more recruitment, which wasn’t Adkins’ strong point this season, must raise further the question as to whether the starting from scratch type operation could be just as well executed with a new manager as well!
As well as building on momentum, I do feel the cost of recruitment and number of changes is a key factor. Some players will be retained and I think we have to be realistic. We aren’t going to bring in front line names and have them as squad players. Also, if we need to recruit on masse, then the time taken over each deal will be diluted.
Of 43 players remaining on the books, I believe as many as 20 are out of contract. I’d be inclined to release 17 of them. This would leave McEveley, McGahey (sorry Deadbat) and possibly Willis depending on feedback from Matlock.
Keeper – Unless a senior, been there, done that, keeper comes available and affordable, Long can develop. Robinson would be a choice for me, not Kenny. You then have a healthy batch of home grown keepers in Willis, Ramsdale and Eastwood.
Back 5 – McEveley has done enough for me to retain a spot. Few players around who have the knowhow of going forward from fullback and the height of a center half to play the LCB role of three so effectively. Get two top drawer center back signings there as your first recruits; as good as Baptiste, more dominating than Edgar. Basham is doing well at right wing back and can offer another center back option. If you keep Brayford and Freeman, both more suited to wingback, you’re collectively covered on the right. On the left, both Wallace and Kelly can be cover for LWB and LCB and McGahey can complete the set of those young enough to accept the role of understudy. If he worked on it in the summer, Done can make the LWB role his own. His energy and enthusiasm is a must and he is a threat, but he isn’t going to displace Sharp. So, 10 defenders - 2 new center backs.
Midfield 3 – I would say we need 2, possibly three players here. We need someone to play the role Hammond plays as destroyer, so that would be one signing. We then need attacking intent and a record for goals, one, possibly two from say Roofe, McGeehan and Moncur would be ideal. I think then we can get away with Reed and Whiteman providing competition plus young Brooks will hopefully also emerge and you still have Basham's versatility. I’d be making efforts to offload Woolford, Coutts and Scougall, but appreciate the odd one may remain and who knows, one might re-emerge. You are talking therefore about six or seven here including possibly three new signings.
Front two – Sharp and Adams have shown promise, Adams will continue to develop, Sharp I don’t think will decline just yet. There is an array of contracted options behind them in – Calvert-Lewin, McNulty, Diego, Wright – which we can either embrace or trade in and out. Not a priority for me.
The important factor for me is the cost. 4 to 5 signing is not so substantial. Also recruiting center backs and defensive midfielders are not typically expensive roles. The only which may cost would be the attack minded goal scorer(s).
Contrast this to playing 4-4-2. We’d need 3 defensive players as I doubt we have someone strong enough to be out and out left back too, so have one additional senior player to cater for. We then have no wingers of note so need two additions, and attack-minded wingers who also score the occasional goal don’t come cheap. We would still need the defensive destroyer and attack minded central midfielder, but who also had the mobility to function in a two. Overall, not only would this create more disruption and overall cost, but also the type of players would be expensive too.
Now Adkins has arrived at 3-5-2, assuming he is staying, I’d advocate that he sees it through.
