A new role for John Lunny.

[Berlin Blade]

Okay guys, hear me out. This forum should be all about new ideas and discussion on the team we all love and obsess over. I’m going to float a suggestion and fully expect a lot of hate for this because I know what you’re all like, but I will try to be as concise as possible. Here goes:

I think the perfect role for Lunny is RCB.

PROS:

- We have all, at some point been thinking of a long term, younger replacement for Basham.

- he is probably the fittest member of the squad, behind only Basham himself.

- he knows the system inside out. Knows when to go, when to sit etc.

- he is a more defensive minded player but has the forward thinking mentality we require from a RCB.

- he is tall enough and decent enough in the air to win most headers, he loves a tackle and excels in a ‘backs to the walls’ defensive mentality making him suitable for a defender’s role.

- we could play 3-4-1-2 without having to drop him after his fantastic form and accommodate fleck, Norwood and an attacking midfielder (Mcgoldrick/ Freeman behind a striker) If we played Freeman in the hole, with Robinson as one of the strikers, we could even slide Lunny into midfield mid game and go 4-3-3 with robbo and freeman out wide and revert back in a heartbeat to confuse opposition.

- Basham could be on the bench as a perfect sub to make a really adaptable change at 55-65 mins. He could cover the CDM, RWB and CB role on the bench which could mean we could have more attacking players on the bench so we aren’t relying on the likes of Clarke on the bench.

- he has bags of energy to get up and down, and is famed for not only his long diagonals but also his whipped crosses nearly resulting in goals this season. We have tended to direct a lot of our attacking play down the left due to the delivery being better from O’connell and Stevens than Baldock and Basham. Basham is a fantastic player but you can’t deny he has his limitations, this in particular.

- he would happily do the role, and not complain.

- he is happy to have a dig when getting to the edge of the box.

CONS:

- we break up a very successful back 3, but to counter that, Basham wasn’t an overlapping RCB until we identified that he has the attributes to perform this role.

- we lose Lunny from a very effective box to box role that he has been performing, but again, to counteract that point, we do look a million times better in a 3-4-1-2 (a system lundstram looks lost in) and that’s what has got us here, battering teams over the years with bigger names than us while controlling the game. See Norwich this season, sticking to their guns/system and beating ‘invincible’ Man City using their tried and tested. There’s nothing to fear here.

- it might not work, and he might take a few weeks to get used to the new role when points are really vital this season.

What do you all think?

 

[raimond]

I reckon play him as a ball winning centre mid who can keep things ticking over and get forward occasionally, personally

 

[Ricky]

He's not defensive minded. He's a playmaker who adjusted his game because he's not good enough at playmaking. Does he 'love a tackle' because he puts tackles in? Is he actually a good tackler? I doubt he's our second fittest player. And if he was why would you move him away from central midfield?

Suggesting Lundstram for RCB just smacks of the same old underestimation of Basham.

 

[Barney]

Continue playing him where he's been playing very well.

Don't fix what ain't broke

 

[DronnieBlade]

His one and only appearance in this role was vs Fulham in a defeat where we conceded 5.

I don’t think you can make a case as a RCB,

But I do think he might develop in to a more deeper lying CM quarterback in the Coutts / Norwood role.

UTB

 

[Berlin Blade]

His one and only appearance in this role was vs Fulham in a defeat where we conceded 5.

I don’t think you can make a case as a RCB,

But I do think he might develop in to a more deeper lying CM quarterback in the Coutts / Norwood role.

UTB

Cameron Carter vickers played RCB this day and he played holding midfield which kind of contradicts that point completely but okay.

He may have developed his game a lot but from past experience and from 99% of opinion on this forum he can’t do the CDM role. There were only very few of us defending his abilities at that time and we’ve all been proven right. I think he’s more than capable adapting to a new role.

Continue playing him where he's been playing very well.

Don't fix what ain't broke

He’s been excellent, but the system kind of is partially ‘broke’ isn’t it? We don’t control possession like we used to because we are playing a flat 3. I don’t advocate dropping him and this is a way of changing the flat 3, not dropping him and reverting to a 3-4-1-2 which has been really successful for us in the 3 years Wilder has been in charge.

He's not defensive minded. He's a playmaker who adjusted his game because he's not good enough at playmaking. Does he 'love a tackle' because he puts tackles in? Is he actually a good tackler? I doubt he's our second fittest player. And if he was why would you move him away from central midfield?

Suggesting Lundstram for RCB just smacks of the same old underestimation of Basham.

Yes I do think he is excellent in the tackle. He wins the ball for us further forward a lot but that’s just because he plays further forward. His dual stats are great. Ask Grealish if he thinks Lundstram is any good at tackling. I’m not for a moment underestimating Basham I think he is an excellent player. It doesn’t have to be as polarised as that. I think he has a huge role to play in our squad.

 

[DronnieBlade]

Cameron Carter vickers played RCB this day and he played holding midfield which kind of contradicts that point completely but okay.

He may have developed his game a lot but from past experience and from 99% of opinion on this forum he can’t do the CDM role. There were only very few of us defending his abilities at that time and we’ve all been proven right. I think he’s more than capable adapting to a new role.




He’s been excellent, but the system kind of is partially ‘broke’ isn’t it? We don’t control possession like we used to because we are playing a flat 3. I don’t advocate dropping him and this is a way of changing the flat 3 while not dropping him.




Yes I do think he is excellent in the tackle. He wins the ball for us further forward a lot but that’s just because he plays further forward. His dual stats are great. Ask Grealish if he thinks Lundstram is any good at tackling. I’m not for a moment underestimating Basham I think he is an excellent player. It doesn’t have to be as polarised as that. I think he has a huge role to play in our squad.

He defo ended up playing at RCB and got roasted !!

UTB

 

[Berlin Blade]

He defo ended up playing at RCB and got roasted !!

UTB

I was at the game, but I don’t remember him reverting to RCB. Not saying it didn’t happen but I don’t remember it. I have always been a huge Lunny fan but I think his game has come on leaps and bounds and our system has also come on leaps and bounds since December 2017.

Do you honestly have nothing positive to say about the post? Do you write him off and think he couldn’t do it?

 

[DronnieBlade]

I was at the game, but I don’t remember him reverting to RCB. Not saying it didn’t happen but I don’t remember it. I have always been a huge Lunny fan but I think his game has come on leaps and bounds and our system has also come on leaps and bounds since December 2017.

Do you honestly have nothing positive to say about the post? Do you write him off and think he couldn’t do it?

See goals 4 & 5.

CCV had a stinker !!!

You won’t recall this, but I was also one of a few that suspected that there was a player in there even when certain evidence suggested otherwise and a lack of nailing down a regular spot.

But he ain’t no RCB and that’s my point. I have also pointed out how his role could / might develop going forwards.

UTB

 

[Berlin Blade]

See goals 4 & 5.

CCV had a stinker !!!

You won’t recall this, but I was also one of a few that suspected that there was a player in there even when certain evidence suggested otherwise and a lack of nailing down a regular spot.

But he ain’t no RCB and that’s my point. I have also pointed out how his role could / might develop going forwards.

UTB

I remember CCV getting hooked around 60, but it was a crazy game and the 2017 lundstram filling in for 30 minutes with no Coutts, no Norwood, a mismatched system and a squad with players that wouldn’t get anywhere near our team now doesn’t really hold much weight for me. Remember he was up against a front 3 consisting of an on fire sessegnon, Ojo etc.

It’s like saying luke freeman shouldn’t get a game this season based on his performance against Sunderland. There are variables here.

 

[DronnieBlade]

I remember CCV getting hooked around 60, but it was a crazy game and the 2017 lundstram filling in for 30 minutes with no Coutts, no Norwood, a mismatched system and a squad with players that wouldn’t get anywhere near our team now doesn’t really hold much weight for me. Remember he was up against a front 3 consisting of an on fire sessegnon, Ojo etc.

It’s like saying luke freeman shouldn’t get a game this season based on his performance against Sunderland. There are variables here.

You make some good points.

I just don’t see Lun as a RCB. Not in the near future in any event.

UTB

 

[Berlin Blade]

You make some good points.

I just don’t see Lun as a RCB. Not in the near future in any event.

UTB

Cheers mate, we’ll see I suppose! I just think if he did he could be a revelation. Worth a conversation anyway.

I will get drunk and scrape the barrel for any conversation about sheff utd I can get my hands on. Cheers for the debate.

 

[MoSF94]

I remember CCV getting hooked around 60, but it was a crazy game and the 2017 lundstram filling in for 30 minutes with no Coutts, no Norwood, a mismatched system and a squad with players that wouldn’t get anywhere near our team now doesn’t really hold much weight for me. Remember he was up against a front 3 consisting of an on fire sessegnon, Ojo etc.

It’s like saying luke freeman shouldn’t get a game this season based on his performance against Sunderland. There are variables here.

This. Saying Lundstram couldn't play at RCB on the basis of an unprepared cameo a good while ago in one of the craziest matches we've had in the last decade isn't convincing to me.

Having said that, I don't see any reason to move him from his current role at present, or to take Basham out of the team. But I wouldn't be adverse to Lundstram playing there if circumstances dictated it, I do think it could suit him really well, I just don't think it's currently necessary to attempt

 

[Gimli]

I think this is a really interesting idea.

I personally don’t think Lunny would be defensively reliable enough to do what is a very specialised role - not saying he couldn’t learn how to do it but there is a difference between loving a tackle and having the positional understanding to prevent needing to make a tackle - we all watched van Dijk last week and pretty much universally agreed he’s one of the best defenders seen in recent years - but how many tackles does he actually need to make? Not many because he gets into the perfect position - of course when needed he can put in a crunching tackle. I don’t think Lundstram would have this positional sense.

That said our defensive positioning is hardly conventional so it might just work!

Lunny for me is best used where he is, he’s creating chances, spreading the play round and using his good energy and fitness (where was that last year) to good effect.

 

[BigBed]

See goals 4 & 5.

CCV had a stinker !!!

You won’t recall this, but I was also one of a few that suspected that there was a player in there even when certain evidence suggested otherwise and a lack of nailing down a regular spot.

But he ain’t no RCB and that’s my point. I have also pointed out how his role could / might develop going forwards.

UTB

I say play Clarke!!!

 

[blade67]

Okay guys, hear me out. This forum should be all about new ideas and discussion on the team we all love and obsess over. I’m going to float a suggestion and fully expect a lot of hate for this because I know what you’re all like, but I will try to be as concise as possible. Here goes:

I think the perfect role for Lunny is RCB.

PROS:

- We have all, at some point been thinking of a long term, younger replacement for Basham.

- he is probably the fittest member of the squad, behind only Basham himself.

- he knows the system inside out. Knows when to go, when to sit etc.

- he is a more defensive minded player but has the forward thinking mentality we require from a RCB.

- he is tall enough and decent enough in the air to win most headers, he loves a tackle and excels in a ‘backs to the walls’ defensive mentality making him suitable for a defender’s role.

- we could play 3-4-1-2 without having to drop him after his fantastic form and accommodate fleck, Norwood and an attacking midfielder (Mcgoldrick/ Freeman behind a striker) If we played Freeman in the hole, with Robinson as one of the strikers, we could even slide Lunny into midfield mid game and go 4-3-3 with robbo and freeman out wide and revert back in a heartbeat to confuse opposition.

- Basham could be on the bench as a perfect sub to make a really adaptable change at 55-65 mins. He could cover the CDM, RWB and CB role on the bench which could mean we could have more attacking players on the bench so we aren’t relying on the likes of Clarke on the bench.

- he has bags of energy to get up and down, and is famed for not only his long diagonals but also his whipped crosses nearly resulting in goals this season. We have tended to direct a lot of our attacking play down the left due to the delivery being better from O’connell and Stevens than Baldock and Basham. Basham is a fantastic player but you can’t deny he has his limitations, this in particular.

- he would happily do the role, and not complain.

- he is happy to have a dig when getting to the edge of the box.

CONS:

- we break up a very successful back 3, but to counter that, Basham wasn’t an overlapping RCB until we identified that he has the attributes to perform this role.

- we lose Lunny from a very effective box to box role that he has been performing, but again, to counteract that point, we do look a million times better in a 3-4-1-2 (a system lundstram looks lost in) and that’s what has got us here, battering teams over the years with bigger names than us while controlling the game. See Norwich this season, sticking to their guns/system and beating ‘invincible’ Man City using their tried and tested. There’s nothing to fear here.

- it might not work, and he might take a few weeks to get used to the new role when points are really vital this season.

What do you all think?

I think this is a decent shout, especially as cover this season. We have some decent cover in Midfield now with Freeman and if we want someone to play that Basham role, then Lundstram probably offers more than Jags who I think is a decent shout to cover for Egan having seen him a couple of times now.

Beyond this season, I'd imagine we may see all manner of changes in both personnel and formation, but he may well challenge for RCB if we stick to the same approach

 

[LJBlade]

Okay guys, hear me out. This forum should be all about new ideas and discussion on the team we all love and obsess over. I’m going to float a suggestion and fully expect a lot of hate for this because I know what you’re all like, but I will try to be as concise as possible. Here goes:

I think the perfect role for Lunny is RCB.

PROS:

- We have all, at some point been thinking of a long term, younger replacement for Basham.

- he is probably the fittest member of the squad, behind only Basham himself.

- he knows the system inside out. Knows when to go, when to sit etc.

- he is a more defensive minded player but has the forward thinking mentality we require from a RCB.

- he is tall enough and decent enough in the air to win most headers, he loves a tackle and excels in a ‘backs to the walls’ defensive mentality making him suitable for a defender’s role.

- we could play 3-4-1-2 without having to drop him after his fantastic form and accommodate fleck, Norwood and an attacking midfielder (Mcgoldrick/ Freeman behind a striker) If we played Freeman in the hole, with Robinson as one of the strikers, we could even slide Lunny into midfield mid game and go 4-3-3 with robbo and freeman out wide and revert back in a heartbeat to confuse opposition.

- Basham could be on the bench as a perfect sub to make a really adaptable change at 55-65 mins. He could cover the CDM, RWB and CB role on the bench which could mean we could have more attacking players on the bench so we aren’t relying on the likes of Clarke on the bench.

- he has bags of energy to get up and down, and is famed for not only his long diagonals but also his whipped crosses nearly resulting in goals this season. We have tended to direct a lot of our attacking play down the left due to the delivery being better from O’connell and Stevens than Baldock and Basham. Basham is a fantastic player but you can’t deny he has his limitations, this in particular.

- he would happily do the role, and not complain.

- he is happy to have a dig when getting to the edge of the box.

CONS:

- we break up a very successful back 3, but to counter that, Basham wasn’t an overlapping RCB until we identified that he has the attributes to perform this role.

- we lose Lunny from a very effective box to box role that he has been performing, but again, to counteract that point, we do look a million times better in a 3-4-1-2 (a system lundstram looks lost in) and that’s what has got us here, battering teams over the years with bigger names than us while controlling the game. See Norwich this season, sticking to their guns/system and beating ‘invincible’ Man City using their tried and tested. There’s nothing to fear here.

- it might not work, and he might take a few weeks to get used to the new role when points are really vital this season.

What do you all think?

I know Ricky has already said this but I’ll repeat it. Lundstram is not a defensive minded player. It does my head in when people suggest that he’s a defensive midfielder. He’s less defensive minded than both Norwood and Fleck. Take a look when we next play, every time we attack, and you’ll notice which one of our midfield three is closest to the opposition net.

 

[Silent Blade]

Okay guys, hear me out. This forum should be all about new ideas and discussion on the team we all love and obsess over. I’m going to float a suggestion and fully expect a lot of hate for this because I know what you’re all like, but I will try to be as concise as possible. Here goes:

I think the perfect role for Lunny is RCB.

PROS:

- We have all, at some point been thinking of a long term, younger replacement for Basham.

- he is probably the fittest member of the squad, behind only Basham himself.

- he knows the system inside out. Knows when to go, when to sit etc.

- he is a more defensive minded player but has the forward thinking mentality we require from a RCB.

- he is tall enough and decent enough in the air to win most headers, he loves a tackle and excels in a ‘backs to the walls’ defensive mentality making him suitable for a defender’s role.

- we could play 3-4-1-2 without having to drop him after his fantastic form and accommodate fleck, Norwood and an attacking midfielder (Mcgoldrick/ Freeman behind a striker) If we played Freeman in the hole, with Robinson as one of the strikers, we could even slide Lunny into midfield mid game and go 4-3-3 with robbo and freeman out wide and revert back in a heartbeat to confuse opposition.

- Basham could be on the bench as a perfect sub to make a really adaptable change at 55-65 mins. He could cover the CDM, RWB and CB role on the bench which could mean we could have more attacking players on the bench so we aren’t relying on the likes of Clarke on the bench.

- he has bags of energy to get up and down, and is famed for not only his long diagonals but also his whipped crosses nearly resulting in goals this season. We have tended to direct a lot of our attacking play down the left due to the delivery being better from O’connell and Stevens than Baldock and Basham. Basham is a fantastic player but you can’t deny he has his limitations, this in particular.

- he would happily do the role, and not complain.

- he is happy to have a dig when getting to the edge of the box.

CONS:

- we break up a very successful back 3, but to counter that, Basham wasn’t an overlapping RCB until we identified that he has the attributes to perform this role.

- we lose Lunny from a very effective box to box role that he has been performing, but again, to counteract that point, we do look a million times better in a 3-4-1-2 (a system lundstram looks lost in) and that’s what has got us here, battering teams over the years with bigger names than us while controlling the game. See Norwich this season, sticking to their guns/system and beating ‘invincible’ Man City using their tried and tested. There’s nothing to fear here.

- it might not work, and he might take a few weeks to get used to the new role when points are really vital this season.

What do you all think?

 

[robbiez666]

He's too slow to play RCB. Too easily beaten by strikers/winger and will not be able to get back if goes forward. I've not overly convinced with his tackling wither.

If you wanted him at the back, the role which suits him would be as a sweeper. Starting play from the back and having time on the ball to pick a pass.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

Yeah, we could replace a supposed “weak link” with another supposed “weak link?”

 

[JimmyMuir94]

I say play Clarke!!!

Easy to forget how good Leon was, if he'd have netted last week. It would have been straight up legend status again.

 

[tincan]

I know Ricky has already said this but I’ll repeat it. Lundstram is not a defensive minded player. It does my head in when people suggest that he’s a defensive midfielder. He’s less defensive minded than both Norwood and Fleck. Take a look when we next play, every time we attack, and you’ll notice which one of our midfield three is closest to the opposition net.

He was a regular replacement for a CB when we were chasing a game and went to a 4 at the back, he then tried to quarterback games with his long passing but as a DM- not too successfully hence it was only a backup tactic.
It shows a player that good, took sometime for him to learn our system to become the star he is today. Rather than convert a good part of our system to do something else, Wilder has to recruit the replacements now for the current 30 somethings defenders/wingbacks so they have time to adjust to our system when the time comes to move the likes of Bash/Stevens on, perhaps Osborne is the start of that strategy.

 

[Grizzly blade]

Nope, he’s been the last line of defence before and was woefully exposed.

Stick to where he knows best.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

Okay guys, hear me out. This forum should be all about new ideas and discussion on the team we all love and obsess over. I’m going to float a suggestion and fully expect a lot of hate for this because I know what you’re all like, but I will try to be as concise as possible. Here goes:

I think the perfect role for Lunny is RCB.

PROS:

- We have all, at some point been thinking of a long term, younger replacement for Basham.

- he is probably the fittest member of the squad, behind only Basham himself.

- he knows the system inside out. Knows when to go, when to sit etc.

- he is a more defensive minded player but has the forward thinking mentality we require from a RCB.

- he is tall enough and decent enough in the air to win most headers, he loves a tackle and excels in a ‘backs to the walls’ defensive mentality making him suitable for a defender’s role.

- we could play 3-4-1-2 without having to drop him after his fantastic form and accommodate fleck, Norwood and an attacking midfielder (Mcgoldrick/ Freeman behind a striker) If we played Freeman in the hole, with Robinson as one of the strikers, we could even slide Lunny into midfield mid game and go 4-3-3 with robbo and freeman out wide and revert back in a heartbeat to confuse opposition.

- Basham could be on the bench as a perfect sub to make a really adaptable change at 55-65 mins. He could cover the CDM, RWB and CB role on the bench which could mean we could have more attacking players on the bench so we aren’t relying on the likes of Clarke on the bench.

- he has bags of energy to get up and down, and is famed for not only his long diagonals but also his whipped crosses nearly resulting in goals this season. We have tended to direct a lot of our attacking play down the left due to the delivery being better from O’connell and Stevens than Baldock and Basham. Basham is a fantastic player but you can’t deny he has his limitations, this in particular.

- he would happily do the role, and not complain.

- he is happy to have a dig when getting to the edge of the box.

CONS:

- we break up a very successful back 3, but to counter that, Basham wasn’t an overlapping RCB until we identified that he has the attributes to perform this role.

- we lose Lunny from a very effective box to box role that he has been performing, but again, to counteract that point, we do look a million times better in a 3-4-1-2 (a system lundstram looks lost in) and that’s what has got us here, battering teams over the years with bigger names than us while controlling the game. See Norwich this season, sticking to their guns/system and beating ‘invincible’ Man City using their tried and tested. There’s nothing to fear here.

- it might not work, and he might take a few weeks to get used to the new role when points are really vital this season.

What do you all think?

I think the big disadvantage in that position would be his lack of pace. Basham and Baldock are pretty fast, Lunny isn’t.

 

[haich1889]

Okay guys, hear me out. This forum should be all about new ideas and discussion on the team we all love and obsess over. I’m going to float a suggestion and fully expect a lot of hate for this because I know what you’re all like, but I will try to be as concise as possible. Here goes:

I think the perfect role for Lunny is RCB.

PROS:

- We have all, at some point been thinking of a long term, younger replacement for Basham.

- he is probably the fittest member of the squad, behind only Basham himself.

- he knows the system inside out. Knows when to go, when to sit etc.

- he is a more defensive minded player but has the forward thinking mentality we require from a RCB.

- he is tall enough and decent enough in the air to win most headers, he loves a tackle and excels in a ‘backs to the walls’ defensive mentality making him suitable for a defender’s role.

- we could play 3-4-1-2 without having to drop him after his fantastic form and accommodate fleck, Norwood and an attacking midfielder (Mcgoldrick/ Freeman behind a striker) If we played Freeman in the hole, with Robinson as one of the strikers, we could even slide Lunny into midfield mid game and go 4-3-3 with robbo and freeman out wide and revert back in a heartbeat to confuse opposition.

- Basham could be on the bench as a perfect sub to make a really adaptable change at 55-65 mins. He could cover the CDM, RWB and CB role on the bench which could mean we could have more attacking players on the bench so we aren’t relying on the likes of Clarke on the bench.

- he has bags of energy to get up and down, and is famed for not only his long diagonals but also his whipped crosses nearly resulting in goals this season. We have tended to direct a lot of our attacking play down the left due to the delivery being better from O’connell and Stevens than Baldock and Basham. Basham is a fantastic player but you can’t deny he has his limitations, this in particular.

- he would happily do the role, and not complain.

- he is happy to have a dig when getting to the edge of the box.

CONS:

- we break up a very successful back 3, but to counter that, Basham wasn’t an overlapping RCB until we identified that he has the attributes to perform this role.

- we lose Lunny from a very effective box to box role that he has been performing, but again, to counteract that point, we do look a million times better in a 3-4-1-2 (a system lundstram looks lost in) and that’s what has got us here, battering teams over the years with bigger names than us while controlling the game. See Norwich this season, sticking to their guns/system and beating ‘invincible’ Man City using their tried and tested. There’s nothing to fear here.

- it might not work, and he might take a few weeks to get used to the new role when points are really vital this season.

What do you all think?

Matty Lowton in January he's perfect for the role.

 

[Ricky]

Today showed why The Stram has to stay where he is. He was excellent.

He's cemented himself as PL standard in my mind. Looked comfortable on the ball all the time, never gave it away and made all the right decisions, moving the right way with the ball - even if it meant going onto his left foot.

Today also showed why we may want to upgrade on Basham at RCB in January. He looked like a weak link. But for me that says more about the increased standards of those around him than anything else.

 

[Silent Blade]

I think the big disadvantage in that position would be his lack of pace. Basham and Baldock are pretty fast, Lunny isn’t.

Lunny is the fastest player at the club.

 

[super_pig]

Okay guys, hear me out. This forum should be all about new ideas and discussion on the team we all love and obsess over. I’m going to float a suggestion and fully expect a lot of hate for this because I know what you’re all like, but I will try to be as concise as possible. Here goes:

I think the perfect role for Lunny is RCB.

PROS:

- We have all, at some point been thinking of a long term, younger replacement for Basham.

- he is probably the fittest member of the squad, behind only Basham himself.

- he knows the system inside out. Knows when to go, when to sit etc.

- he is a more defensive minded player but has the forward thinking mentality we require from a RCB.

- he is tall enough and decent enough in the air to win most headers, he loves a tackle and excels in a ‘backs to the walls’ defensive mentality making him suitable for a defender’s role.

- we could play 3-4-1-2 without having to drop him after his fantastic form and accommodate fleck, Norwood and an attacking midfielder (Mcgoldrick/ Freeman behind a striker) If we played Freeman in the hole, with Robinson as one of the strikers, we could even slide Lunny into midfield mid game and go 4-3-3 with robbo and freeman out wide and revert back in a heartbeat to confuse opposition.

- Basham could be on the bench as a perfect sub to make a really adaptable change at 55-65 mins. He could cover the CDM, RWB and CB role on the bench which could mean we could have more attacking players on the bench so we aren’t relying on the likes of Clarke on the bench.

- he has bags of energy to get up and down, and is famed for not only his long diagonals but also his whipped crosses nearly resulting in goals this season. We have tended to direct a lot of our attacking play down the left due to the delivery being better from O’connell and Stevens than Baldock and Basham. Basham is a fantastic player but you can’t deny he has his limitations, this in particular.

- he would happily do the role, and not complain.

- he is happy to have a dig when getting to the edge of the box.

CONS:

- we break up a very successful back 3, but to counter that, Basham wasn’t an overlapping RCB until we identified that he has the attributes to perform this role.

- we lose Lunny from a very effective box to box role that he has been performing, but again, to counteract that point, we do look a million times better in a 3-4-1-2 (a system lundstram looks lost in) and that’s what has got us here, battering teams over the years with bigger names than us while controlling the game. See Norwich this season, sticking to their guns/system and beating ‘invincible’ Man City using their tried and tested. There’s nothing to fear here.

- it might not work, and he might take a few weeks to get used to the new role when points are really vital this season.

What do you all think?

been saying this for months

 

[SK10Blade]

I reckon there is a good reason why Chris Wilder is Manager and i'm doing what I do.

 

[super_pig]

I think this is a really interesting idea.

I personally don’t think Lunny would be defensively reliable enough to do what is a very specialised role - not saying he couldn’t learn how to do it but there is a difference between loving a tackle and having the positional understanding to prevent needing to make a tackle - we all watched van Dijk last week and pretty much universally agreed he’s one of the best defenders seen in recent years - but how many tackles does he actually need to make? Not many because he gets into the perfect position - of course when needed he can put in a crunching tackle. I don’t think Lundstram would have this positional sense.

That said our defensive positioning is hardly conventional so it might just work!

Lunny for me is best used where he is, he’s creating chances, spreading the play round and using his good energy and fitness (where was that last year) to good effect.

a pundit on tv (could have been clough senior) once said that if you are a defender and you are relying on your speed then you were stood in the wrong place in the first instance