Collins was 'decent' in the first half. He did the basics well and had Jean-Francois and McDonald to give the ball to so he could do the flashy stuff. Only a couple of aimless balls forward.
Changed when Maguire was beside him and Monty and Doyle were in front of him. Maguire is inexperienced and needs someone reliable beside him to give the ball to when he needs to. So Collins had to do more with the ball and with Monty in front of him, he had little chance. Cue the usual 'panicky' central defence and Collins starts to look woeful again.
If we play Collins, he has to play alongside Jean-Francois with Kruk at LB. He cannot play alongside Maguire.
But what a waste of Maguire that would be. So I'd go with Maguire and Jean-Francois at CB, Kruk and Lowton at FB. Yes, not much experience there BUT I'd rather see younger lads making a couple of mistakes - as is their right to as younger players - than someone like Collins making the mistakes that he is guaranteed to.
Simonsen is enough of a liability without Collins as well. The knock on effect of Collins with few options around him is scary. Blackpool came right into the game when Monty and Maguire came on and Kruk and McDonald went off. Not a knock at Big Harry, he needs someone other than Collins beside him.
If I was Wilson, I'd be signing up Kruk for sure and I'd be offering McDonald a short term deal to prove himself (Maybe till January?) with a chance of a longer deal if he does.
I'd be happy with this at Oldham next week ...
Simonsen
Lowton - LJF - Maguire - Kruk
Flynn/Willo - McDonald - Doyle/Quinn/Willo - Tonne
Slew/Boggy - Porter
