Done

[B.Lade]

In the last 2 games Davies has come in and shown us what we've been missing with regards a centre forward who can hold the ball up and allow time for the midfield to get up and support. I think it's no coincidence that we've kept clean sheets too as he allows the defence an out-ball if the option to pass it through midfield isn't on. Not sure where this leaves Done though as he's obviously a good goalscorer and works hard, but for me wouldn't be ahead of Flynn on the right or Davies upfront. Do we revert to 442 to accommodate him, or stick with 451 with him on the bench as an option to change things?

 

[pommpey]

I'd move toward a 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 to be honest

--------------------------Howard-------------------------
Brayford --- McEveley --- Kennedy --- Harris

------- Doyle -------------------- Reed/Scougall --

Flynn ------------- Done ---------------- Murphy

---------------------- Davies --------------------------

Done came to us as an attacking midfielder, did he not? Perfect position for him off the big guy at the front, pivotal for the midfield and wingers to feed to and from.

pommpey

 

[SwissBlade]

The big reason for the clean sheets is the defensive partnership of Beard & Bash. Freeman and Harris at fullbacks are looking very comfortable and in fairness Brayford has looked sharper at Centre Half. It certainly seems like we've got a settled back four now. If Howard gets fit id like to see the back five settled like that until the end of the season.

Done has probably been running on empty the last few weeks having really led the line well with some very energetic displays. Davies coming in has relieved him and even though they're totally different players, Davies has slotted in neatly.

Done will play a big part in the next few weeks

pommpey not really sure of your midfield on that formation, sure Doyle will play his part but looking at Coutts/ Baxter/ Holt through that middle certainly provides us with a great passing trio, I see Doyle been interchangeable for with of the three to add a bit more bite when we are trying to close a game or against more physical sides.

Done's role will most likely be in for Flynn/ Davies/ Murphy.

Having players like Che Adams, Scoogs (when fit), Ben D and McNulty on the bench all offer different options to come in

 

[DI36O]

Last night's performance makes me want to stick with that line up until we find faults in it. Although if we had harder fixtures we might stick Doyle in there (Barnsley maybe).

Not to understate Done's contribution of course, which has been quite profound - one of our best players ever since he signed. His versatility and the amount of ground he covers also makes him an ideal sub though, either as a lone striker when we need his workrate to grab something, a partner for Davies who drops back and links up, or a winger if we need it.

I can see him being important in games when we're struggling.

 

[Dkc]

I wouldn't leave Baxter on the bench given his current form. Though of course selection will depend to an extent on the opposition.

If it comes down to it, the game I'm dreading is a Play Off Semi Final second leg at MK Dons, Swindon or Preston, especially if we have a narrow lead from the first leg. If we try to sit back and defend, we're in trouble.

 

[sitwell]

Theres no point picking a side really as the team will change game to game ,with injuries , suspensions ,fatigue , loss of form and strength and style of opposition. Some games will be a grind , some will be more fluent and the personnel will change to suit ,as the cliché says 'we have to take every game as it comes' and hopefully we have the players to suit most circumstances.

 

[pommpey]

Play Off Semi Final second leg at MK Dons, Swindon or Preston, especially if we have a narrow lead from the first leg. If we try to sit back and defend, we're in trouble.

We are reknowned for exactly that. Turning a distinct advantage into a disadvantage by letting the game get to us and feeling the jitteryness of the fans.

It happened too many times and instead of putting a foot on the game and controlling it by passing our way out of danger or threats, it it lump it long into their half where they retrieve it and come back at us, put eleven shirts in our half and try to soak up the pressure. Invariably we lose concentration or the opposition capitalises on a bit of luck or a mistake. When we are in that game, I hate being a United fan. It's not bad if it is a PL side we are playing but teams like ... Yeovil ...?

pommpey

 

[itsinyerblood]

We are reknowned for exactly that. Turning a distinct advantage into a disadvantage by letting the game get to us and feeling the jitteryness of the fans.

It happened too many times and instead of putting a foot on the game and controlling it by passing our way out of danger or threats, it it lump it long into their half where they retrieve it and come back at us, put eleven shirts in our half and try to soak up the pressure. Invariably we lose concentration or the opposition capitalises on a bit of luck or a mistake. When we are in that game, I hate being a United fan. It's not bad if it is a PL side we are playing but teams like ... Yeovil ...?

pommpey

Let's hope we've learnt from past disasters pommpey, after last night's savvy display I would hope there's sufficient intelligence within the squad to know what to do and when to do it. Circumstance prevented me from getting to the game, but even as I followed it on the forum it was evident (to use a rather dark metaphor) we put both hands around their neck and squeezed tighter and tighter.....as their manager said, "That's the benchmark...". UTB

 

[bertieblade]

Whilst Done has scored goals, he does not seem to know how to create space for himself and his team mates.
We look a much better team with davies up top, not only is he a more physical presence he knows how to bring players into the game, I honestky do not see where Done fits in.

 

[YES Blade]

How has Davies become first choice ahead of Done all of a sudden? We've been poor in 4 of the 5 matches Davies has played in and 2 of the 4 goals last night were scored when Davies had been subbed.

Put Done in that team last night with Flynn and Murphy on the wings and attacking Midfielders behind him, you see just as good a performance from Done as you would Davies and he'd be more likely to score.

 

[bertieblade]

The last two matches have seen the team gradually improve and that in my opinion has been due to the midfield getting up alongside and sometimes beyond the guy with the ball and the replacement of Doyle to provide another attack minded midfield player to get up top. In both of the last two matches we have not started with Doyle and have not conceded in no small part due to playing on the front foot.
Davies provided a forward base enabling our midfield players to receive the ball from him and subsequently get beyond him.
Done whilst a good goal scorer, does not at the moment know how to bring others into the game, he has never been involved in any smooth interplay in keeping with that on display last night

 

[Hodgyman]

If Done doesn't know how to bring others into the game but can score given the chanceand if Davies can bring others into the game, why not play them a little closer together up front so they can feed of each other. Playing Done out wide seems silly when he can score goals if in the right place. 18 goals this season from him isn't a fluke and the last thing the team needed was another midfielder. We have almost cornered the market in that position

 

[Lane Ender]

If Done doesn't know how to bring others into the game but can score given the chanceand if Davies can bring others into the game, why not play them a little closer together up front so they can feed of each other. Playing Done out wide seems silly when he can score goals if in the right place. 18 goals this season from him isn't a fluke and the last thing the team needed was another midfielder. We have almost cornered the market in that position

From what I've seen of Done and Davies it could be a decent strike force

 

[Gavlar]

Davies is a totally different player to Done, both good in different ways. Davies needs some goals quickly tho really, if a certain Chris Porter seems to be able to do it, why cant he?

 

[Bladesway]

From what I've seen of Done and Davies it could be a decent strike force

Double, D it will do for me

 

[metalblade]

In the last 2 games Davies has come in and shown us what we've been missing with regards a centre forward who can hold the ball up and allow time for the midfield to get up and support. I think it's no coincidence that we've kept clean sheets too as he allows the defence an out-ball if the option to pass it through midfield isn't on. Not sure where this leaves Done though as he's obviously a good goalscorer and works hard, but for me wouldn't be ahead of Flynn on the right or Davies upfront. Do we revert to 442 to accommodate him, or stick with 451 with him on the bench as an option to change things?

Anyone thought the reason for clean sheets in the last two games might just be the piss poor opposition ? The only advantage defensively is Davies rather than Done coming back to help at corners and set pieces.

 

[Esablade]

Anyone thought the reason for clean sheets in the last two games might just be the piss poor opposition ? The only advantage defensively is Davies rather than Done coming back to help at corners and set pieces.

..but most of the opposition has been 'piss-poor' all season....we drew at Scunny about ten days ago and they define 'piss-poor'.
Anyhow, didn't someone mention Done has problems with his shin splints??? It'll be all that running about he does...

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

People forget that Done has only being playing up front for a season or so and will still be learning his trade, not to mention the fact he's at a different club and has had ever changing team mates since he arrived.

Davies is quite rightly the focal point, Done is not a 4-5-1 striker so I think we'll see him, Flynn and Murph in a sort of 4-2-3-1 type formation. Scoogs, Adams, McNuts would all be suited in that '3 behind Davies'.

 

[itsinyerblood]

From some of the posts above I think too much has been read into Done being placed on the bench. Seems he has been running on empty, also has shin problems, so with that in mind a rest was necessary. Davies offers a physicality that we've not had, thus he occupies the opposing central defenders in ways we've not seen this season. He's far more effective than I've been lead to believe, so well done Cloughie for making that call. And well done Davies for wanting to come here.

We'll benefit from Done having a rest. Between now and the end of the season we've several 'cup finals' that will require members of the squad to step up and make a contribution. Based on Tuesday, Davies' nuisance value cannot be emphasised enough.

 

[Bergen Blade]

From what I've seen of Done and Davies it could be a decent strike force

Agree with that, but a formation change to 4-4-2 does affect the job of our midfielders. Wingers may not be quite as advanced, not quite as wide as Murphy and Flynn usually are, they will have to tuck in more, work a little bit harder defensively, therefore having a little less energy for their attacking runs. Baxter and Coutts may struggle when they aren't helped by the running of Holt. They may be only slight adjustments, but we don't really know if we can maintain a good enough balance if we try it.

Obviously there are probably gains as well, but our attempts at playing 4-4-2 this season has not been successful.

 

[sheffielder]

Theres no point picking a side really as the team will change game to game ,with injuries , suspensions ,fatigue , loss of form and strength and style of opposition. Some games will be a grind , some will be more fluent and the personnel will change to suit ,as the cliché says 'we have to take every game as it comes' and hopefully we have the players to suit most circumstances.

Indeed, and by hook or by crook our team is now more versatility to different formations and different players. Horses for courses is another cliché

 

[Bladebri]

What ever lineup NC picks I will be satisfied if they are full of running, attack teams even if we are leading, and give 100% we can't ask for more than that, the player that run out on to the pitch should give there best, if we performed to a low level in our chosen profession week in week out we would suffer far grater punishment than dropping to the bench. UTB

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Agree with that, but a formation change to 4-4-2 does affect the job of our midfielders. Wingers may not be quite as advanced, not quite as wide as Murphy and Flynn usually are, they will have to tuck in more, work a little bit harder defensively, therefore having a little less energy for their attacking runs. Baxter and Coutts may struggle when they aren't helped by the running of Holt. They may be only slight adjustments, but we don't really know if we can maintain a good enough balance if we try it.

Obviously there are probably gains as well, but our attempts at playing 4-4-2 this season has not been successful.

You are indeed correct with the 4-4-2. Clough apparently wanted to pair Basham and Wallace pre season and saw it has his favoured pairing, but as to what wide players he would have used is anyone's guess. Flynn and Murph may have worked, but to play a 4 you need extra stamina - not sure that is Murphs best attribute. Flynn has stamina, but seems injury prone and in a 4 he tends to go more defensive - hence the issues with fans pre Clough.

It's a tough call and if I had an opinion in the playoffs, I liked what I saw v Bristol away - really solid - think you called it a diamond from memory.

UTB