Is Baxter a striker or a playmaker?

[Woodwardfan]

Clough has stated that we will have a strong strike force of four . Is Baxter one of those four?

This is a key issue for me. If Baxter is not one of the main four strike force my cup runneth over!

My dream scenario would be 4 strikers, (even if one of them is Porter!), with Baxter and Murphy predominantly midfield but back up for the strikers as and when.

If that dream were to happen I would be putting a big bet on us.

 

[Esablade]

Yes..we'll get two strikers.
Billy Sharp and Conor Sammon.

Ok?

 

[sheffielder]

With the purchases so far, I think we will be more versatile in terms of formation and for some players their position. If we just add Wallace, a right back and striker it looks to me as though Scougs might be asked to play in a 2 or in the hole and Baxter can play anywhere.

I think you're right that Murphy and Baxter will end up being rotated as the 4th/5th striker behind number 1 target, McNuts and Porter. I think the signing of Davies (who's favourite position is left midfield) allows us to move them both round at will.

The overall idea is obviously a good one, however a triple signing of Wallace, Brayford and Sharp(like) striker would finish the job. This team is made for a goal poacher with good movement.

 

[SwissBlade]

Clough said a while back that Jose was 'doing a job' by playing the almost thankless task of lone striker. I felt it was a case of playing him as he was the best of the bunch.

He's not really a lone striker but he has indeed done a job there and I'd suggest he'd be more suited to Scougalls position at the head of a five man midfield.

He's not fat, but he could trim down a bit to compete with Scougall.

So long way about it, no he's not really a striker, but if Scougall stays in form I reckon he'll be playing alongside a striker, perhaps mcNulty

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

The thing is, IF we bring in two further decent strikers, we will have a midfield and strike force capable of rotation.

And whoever we rotate (and as it proved last season it is needed) we will have quality in there.

People moan but the squad is coming together nicely. Compact and quality.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

I'm struggling to find a place for Baxter tbh. Towards the end of last season, Nige said he would be looking for someone to partner Scoogs up front. I don't see Scoogs as an out and out striker, he's more mobile and better suited to play behind someone else, the role Baxter was probably pencilled in for last season. McNulty is an unknown and maybe one for the future but then again so was Scoogs. The fact he's still looking for a 'main man' up front to me suggests that Baxter's days are numbered unless he's dropping back into midfield but Wallace seems to be the one he wants to play the 'Coady' role.

 

[SotonBlade]

I think Baxter should be vying for a slot with Scougall personally. But he needs to lose some timber.

Those spouting about Sharp should look elsewhere we need someone on the up.

 

[Esablade]

I think Baxter should be vying for a slot with Scougall personally. But he needs to lose some timber.

Those spouting about Sharp should look elsewhere we need someone on the up.

Yeah I agree...and I'm only half hearted suggesting Sharp as there seems to be some clamour from some fans for us to sign him (again!)

Having said that I definitely believe we need a 'Sharp type' striker ( and Shsrp is available!!) and also a 'Samon/type' striker...to get out of this league we're going to need guile and experience.

We've already signed Mcnulty, who is 'on the up' and perhaps we'll take a punt on another 'up and coming lad' but I reckon Nigel will go for 'quality' and experience...don't think we can risk this position this year.

UTB!

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

Wallace, Freeman, Sharp and Sammon. Good shopping list.

 

[SotonBlade]

Wallace would be good
Freeman still not sure one
Sharp I think his time is done
Sammon could be useful, not seen much of him

 

[sheffielder]

Wallace, Freeman, Sharp and Sammon. Good shopping list.

I know I am in the minority, however I was not convinced by Freeman at all, although he did improve towards the end. I think if he was coming he would be here by now too.

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

I know I am in the minority, however I was not convinced by Freeman at all, although he did improve towards the end. I think if he was coming he would be here by now too.

I reckon the thinking could be get Freeman in with the idea he'll be RB, then if we manage to get Brayford we have a RB and LB cover.

 

[davidpinder]

If wallace is close to signing than he is another midfielder, that would suggest he thinks Baxter is a forward otherwise we will have plenty of midfielders on the books.

 

[Sothall_Blade]

I'm struggling to find a place for Baxter tbh. Towards the end of last season, Nige said he would be looking for someone to partner Scoogs up front. I don't see Scoogs as an out and out striker, he's more mobile and better suited to play behind someone else, the role Baxter was probably pencilled in for last season. McNulty is an unknown and maybe one for the future but then again so was Scoogs. The fact he's still looking for a 'main man' up front to me suggests that Baxter's days are numbered unless he's dropping back into midfield but Wallace seems to be the one he wants to play the 'Coady' role.

I was thinking along similar lines.
I've nothing against Baxter but he was signed by Weir specifically to play in the "number 10" role.
If we're not going to play that 4-2-3-1 system, where does Baxter fit in?
Loan striker role? Scougall role? Murphy/Flynn role? Coady role?
Rather than trying to shoehorn him into a role he's not suited for, would Clough be better just adding a "proper" striker to the 19 man squad?

Of the 17 "first team squad" players we currently have, there are only around 4 that Clough didn't either sign or offer a new contract to. They are McGinn, Collins, Doyle and Baxter.
If we sign Wallace, McGinn will be on his way.
If we get the opportunity to sign 2 good new out and out strikers, Baxter may be on his way also

 

[Eskimo]

Well I like Baxter. He stuck at it when things were pretty grim last season and came good, showed how versatile he is and deserves a place in the team, not as out and out striker though. He reads the game very well and can pass the ball.

 

[dublin 10 blade]

Wallace would be good
Freeman still not sure one
Sharp I think his time is done
Sammon could be useful, not seen much of him

Agree on you take soton on the players above , Sammon is normally brought on as a sub for Ireland for your man from Stoke , Walters, would rather have a brown trout than Sammon in our team.
Like the Italie 90 Ava by the way .

 

[Bergen Blade]

Let's remember that most of last season we played without a no 10 role (in the 'hole'). Both Scougall and Coady pushed forward from the midfield while Doyle held back as the "sitter". Therefore there was no place for Baxter's favored role and he had to be played in different positions.

Weir's formation to the left (4-5-1/4-2-3-1). The one Clough used most often to the right (4-5-1 / 4-1-4-1).

I wonder if the midfield signings of Basham and Wallace will make him tweak the formation back to 4-2-3-1 (may be good news for Baxter).

At Tranmere, Wallace was playmaking from a not too advanced position (Xabi Alonso-like role). Will Clough want him to continue doing that alongside Basham or Scougall in a 4-2-3-1 or even 4-4-2? Or will Wallace be encouraged to push forward as much as Coady did (Lampard-like role) in the 4-1-4-1 of last season?

 

[Wards]

In an ideal scenario we should build the team around Baxter, the bloke is different class at times IMO. If the 4-2-3-1 is what's needed then that's what we should do to get the best out of him.

 

[Sothall_Blade]

I think Wallace would take on the Coady role and we'd play 4-1-4-1.
Why change what was so successful if we don't need to?

Even if we played 4-2-3-1 I would prefer Scougall to Baxter in the attacking central midfield role. It would be a waste of Scoug's attacking qualities to have him sat deep in front of the back four.

As things stand, I think Baxter would be a very useful and quality sub for a few positions but I can't see him starting.

 

[Pinchy]

We'll go 4-4-2 quite a lot next season. There'll be two proper first team strikers, by October at the latest.

As long as we have eleven talented players the formation will actually look after itself. That is NC's philosophy and, by pure coincidence , mine as well.

 

[Woodwardfan]

In his interview today about Wallace he talks about midfield and mentions Basham, Scougall, Doyle, and McGinn - not Baxter. He also mentions strength out wide and I don't think he's thinking of Baxter there really.

He must see him as a striker. So it appears to be McNulty, Porter, Baxter and one to come.

By the nature of the signings I think NC favours 4-5-1 again.

 

[wizadry]

For me getting rid of baxter is a non starter,he is by far the best technically gifted player we have,you simply don't get rid of your best players and expect to do anything.

He can start or come off the bench but whatever happens don't get rid of him,he is one of the few players who can actually change a game and we all surely know we haven't got many of them at the moment.

Baxters a midfielder for me,a ball player who can thread a pass.Play the 4-1-4-1 formation,him and scouggs behind the main man whoever he may be,murphy,flynny or jcr out wide interchanging, wallace,basham or doyle holding and i'd be happy with that,but its not down to me,just my view.

As for those people who question whether or not baxter stays,yet are happy for porter to stay on for another year, have a good old look at yourselves.

 

[blade too long]

he learnt his trade under Joe Royal at Everton

 

[Bergen Blade]

I think Wallace would take on the Coady role and we'd play 4-1-4-1.
Why change what was so successful if we don't need to?

Even if we played 4-2-3-1 I would prefer Scougall to Baxter in the attacking central midfield role. It would be a waste of Scoug's attacking qualities to have him sat deep in front of the back four.

As things stand, I think Baxter would be a very useful and quality sub for a few positions but I can't see him starting.

Wallace had a different role in Tranmere's side, and it may be like asking Xabi Alonso to do Frank Lampard's role. It would be interesting to see if he could adapt though. If we're sticking with the same formation we need the midfielders to get into the box and score goals.