Baxter and Doyle in central midfield

[Fulwood Blade]

Hey Fulwood, it's you who is the Clough disciple, KTF and all that. All of a sudden you are listening!

The manager needs support, but that doesn't stop any of us "wanting" something different. Most have wanted 2 x centre forwards to bang the goals in - I just think a bit differently - if you don't concede you don't lose, which was the bedrock of the 2nd half last season. Our midfield don't create much, therefore we don't score many and frankly 2 x centre forwards wouldn't make much difference if they don't get chances.

With a defence that doesn't concede at least you have a better chance of getting something from a game.

As for Clough - as some have strongly eluded to - absolutely no reason to get rid - stupid idea and is just kneejerk.

UTB

 

[Woodwardfan]

The manager needs support, but that doesn't stop any of us "wanting" something different. Most have wanted 2 x centre forwards to bang the goals in - I just think a bit differently - if you don't concede you don't lose, which was the bedrock of the 2nd half last season. Our midfield don't create much, therefore we don't score many and frankly 2 x centre forwards wouldn't make much difference if they don't get chances.

With a defence that doesn't concede at least you have a better chance of getting something from a game.

As for Clough - as some have strongly eluded to - absolutely no reason to get rid - stupid idea and is just kneejerk.

UTB

Read your posts, you have changed tack in the past two weeks. Fair enough.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Read your posts, you have changed tack in the past two weeks. Fair enough.

so tell me how things have changed?

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Does Baxter fit into ANY system, or is he a luxury player that you have to build a team around?

These days i don't think you can have luxury players in any team . Even Currie used to work is bollocks off , and some called him lazy.

UTB

 

[Woodwardfan]

so tell me how things have changed?

so tell me how things have changed?

I started to lose my confidence in Clough last Novemeber through a combination of things, prior to that I was as optimistic as I had been for many years. The Forum helps me to balance my feelings and allays my concerns to a degree sometimes. I know full well who the Clough supporters are and i quickly detect any who are faltering. When respected fans start to falter I take note. Increasingly I find little to allay the fears I have about Clough, his brother and United.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Does Baxter fit into ANY system, or is he a luxury player that you have to build a team around?

Yesterday was another where it didn't work with Baxter as one of two advanced central midfielders, assuming it's correct that this was our main formation (we changed it around a couple of times according to Clough):

Howard
Brayford Basham McEveley Harris
Coutts
Davies - Reed - - - Baxter - Adams
Murphy​

Can anyone remember one game where we had a good team performance with him in that role? This is not picking on him, we have had many good team performances with him in different positions (wide left at QPR, holding midfield the last 30 mins vs Spurs at home and Preston at home in the league).

As mentioned this system has worked well for us in games where we've selected advanced midfielders with great stamina and the ability to work hard box to box all game, while also offering something in an attacking sense. Reed, Scougall, Cuvelier are able to do this, as was Coady last season.

From what I've seen Baxter he falls short both defensively and offensively. He is incapable of doing the aggressive pressing, chasing and covering, meaning the opposition teams find gaps to play in. Neither does he get forward into the box enough, meaning our central striker is too isolated and too easy to pick up. I would have liked the management (not just Clough) to share their thoughts on why they think it can work despite the appalling stats.

 

[Darthblade]

more knives from more people - still too early for me. Disappointed I would be, would have a shit summer thinking of what might have been and thinking of the easy six points we could have off our porcine neighbours.

I actually would fancy our chances in the playoffs as I reckon, even against Preston, we would revert to our site deep cup formation and hit teams on the break. It's what we seem to do well, not loved by everyone, but it's the prize at the end that will dictate how we play.

UTB

Regrettably, as our league position evidences, our current tactics do not work in this Division and still won't work if we were to be lucky enough to scrape into a play-off place.
UTB & FTP

 

[Darthblade]

The manager needs support, but that doesn't stop any of us "wanting" something different. Most have wanted 2 x centre forwards to bang the goals in - I just think a bit differently - if you don't concede you don't lose, which was the bedrock of the 2nd half last season. Our midfield don't create much, therefore we don't score many and frankly 2 x centre forwards wouldn't make much difference if they don't get chances.

With a defence that doesn't concede at least you have a better chance of getting something from a game.

As for Clough - as some have strongly eluded to - absolutely no reason to get rid - stupid idea and is just kneejerk.

UTB

We may not be best advised to get rid at this stage, however, NC must change his tactics, formation and favourite players, if we are to have any chance of getting into the play-offs this season. if we get there we will only be able to compete IF he loans at least one decent CH & one decent CF to get us some goals.
UTB & FTP