Cherry Street
a.k.a. Bailgate Blade
With our fundamental shape back we look a lot stronger. Last night was a totally bizarre result. The four woodwork-bound shots go in and we've won 5-1 against a team who were more than happy to sit back and defend, and wait for their chances. Which is exactly what they did. As did Fulham, Birmingham and Milwall. There's a pattern here. Nobody was more surprised by their results than they were, but it keeps happening.
There's something very uncomfortable about the last few matches, and I don't just mean the results. We're stuck between nobody really believing we'd be in this position and simply expecting better. However, if we're playing the right shape, and the right way, and we're still losing, how can we say we're playing the right way? Blaming a lack of luck doesn't cut it anymore.
Our strength has always been in our system. Wilder's brought out the best in players who weren't capable previously, making a system that worked with the individuals. However, different players don't play the same way in formations that are new to them. I've yet to see that Lundstram (who I genuinely believe could be better than Coutts as his career progresses), can play the same way as Coutts. We should be adapting the formation to the players, not the other way round, especially with our limited options, especially when we're in this kind of selection crisis (which has been somewhat alleviated by the return of Baldock).
Take the RB problem we've been facing. After both Baldock and Freeman got injured we were totally hamstrung by having to play Basham at RWB. He has the attacking impetus when he's playing as a RCB, foraying forward when it's right to do so, but he can't do it with the same consistency as a dedicated lateral player. The former position requires a completely different physicality and mindset, not to forget the pace that Baldock provides.
It's not a question of who's better, more how can Wilder make new players, who aren't established within the roles, be as effective as those they're replacing? The three midfield roles, occupied by Duffy, Coutts and Fleck are essential to the way we play. Now we're facing three games without two of those players. How can we expect the style to remain the same?
So, do we change the system? Or do we hope the players can adapt?
There's something very uncomfortable about the last few matches, and I don't just mean the results. We're stuck between nobody really believing we'd be in this position and simply expecting better. However, if we're playing the right shape, and the right way, and we're still losing, how can we say we're playing the right way? Blaming a lack of luck doesn't cut it anymore.
Our strength has always been in our system. Wilder's brought out the best in players who weren't capable previously, making a system that worked with the individuals. However, different players don't play the same way in formations that are new to them. I've yet to see that Lundstram (who I genuinely believe could be better than Coutts as his career progresses), can play the same way as Coutts. We should be adapting the formation to the players, not the other way round, especially with our limited options, especially when we're in this kind of selection crisis (which has been somewhat alleviated by the return of Baldock).
Take the RB problem we've been facing. After both Baldock and Freeman got injured we were totally hamstrung by having to play Basham at RWB. He has the attacking impetus when he's playing as a RCB, foraying forward when it's right to do so, but he can't do it with the same consistency as a dedicated lateral player. The former position requires a completely different physicality and mindset, not to forget the pace that Baldock provides.
It's not a question of who's better, more how can Wilder make new players, who aren't established within the roles, be as effective as those they're replacing? The three midfield roles, occupied by Duffy, Coutts and Fleck are essential to the way we play. Now we're facing three games without two of those players. How can we expect the style to remain the same?
So, do we change the system? Or do we hope the players can adapt?
