Thetownend.com

So what do we all think then. I know it gets bought up on here so thought i would start a thread.

seen the following statements today so based on this if Thompson is fit we agree he shouldn't play centre half do we ?

 "The two central defenders have been in fantastic form and they are as important as anyone else on the pitch."

  "Nathan Thompson is getting close and he's getting back to fitness. He's got a good chance for Saturday."

But, we have a right back here on loan now but by all accounts can play LB so that is fine,problem is Thomas played RB last week and we won.

So the question is do we start Thompson saturday if fit or not ?

 

If he's fit I'd keep the new loanee at left back, Jones and Branco in the centre and start Nath at RB

This. If he's fit.

I'd never though I'd suggest Branco should play, but was excellent last week by all accounts.

I'd play Dabo at right back, Brophy at left back and NT on the right side of the midfield diamond.

This.

I suspect if he's fit enough they will switch back to 3 at the back to accommodate him

Personally, neither Brophy or BOO should be near the team so I would want another natural LB and put Dabo at RB.

Thompson I would let go at the end of the season, as I honestly reckon he only has 2/3 seasons left max before he will need to retire with injury and has been a square peg in a round hole for the past 3 seasons.

That's my thoughts,would you do it on saturday though.

I wouldn't break a winning team as it breeds confidence of players keep their place, but not sure on Williams / Sherwood / Power / Tea boy / whoever picks team this week

If he is close to fitness why wasn't he given a bit of a runout in the development game this week?

The team that won at Bolton have earned the right to start Saturday.

In the longer term, what  jayohaitchenn  said - RB.
 

Back row as they were on Saturday and play NT in centre mid as the defensive/holding base of a midfield diamond.

Think it will be back to a three at the back if he is fit.
Nathan would be wasted at RB imo.

A 4-1-4-1 might be interesting with NT as defensive midfielder, keep the diamond but move it up the pitch a bit, but lose a striker. Easy to switch to a 4-2-3-1 if required.

With the new arrivals, the midfield is the strength again so setup with this in mind.

I was thinking instead of Kasim.

Wait - people are genuinely suggesting playing NT instead of Kasim. As the pivot in midfield. Crumbs.

Correct.

There aren't many players at STFC I'd put Thomas ahead of - and Thompson certainly isn't one of them.

Might as well go with one up front as none of the strikers score. Ben Gladwin might.

Nathan's off at the end of the season, so might as well use him if we can.

Rory, I never suggested putting Thomas ahead of Thompson, I suggested replacing Kasim with Thompson. 

One of our weaknesses is in defence and many of our problems start in midfield where the ball is lost due to inability to retain the ball, tackle and the lack of pace to retake when the ball is lost. 

In my opinion, Kasim is guilty of those faults and therefore makes our  frail defence look worse.  I think that we require a stronger holding midfielder and that Thompson would be suitable for that role.

My opinion of course.

Kasim has barely played recently. A midfield screen of Rodgers and Murray/Thomas isn't good enough. We know that, and we know the midfield has been poor.

By bringing in Colkett, Gladwin and having a fit Kasim, that area of the pitch is now considerably stronger.

NT shouldn't be anywhere near this side as a midfielder. Obviously. Because he's not a midfielder. He'd have no clue where to go and when. How play expands and develops etc. It's not a case of saying "oh, he's alright on the ball, relatively mobile and good in the tackle, he'll be good at CDM".

Joe Butler started out as a full back and became the best holding midfielder we've ever had....so it can happen.

Panda Paws, like I said, its my opinion and just because a player plays out of position, it does not mean that he is not competent playing there.  An example is Thomas, rightly criticised for some of his performances in midfield.  I would say that his best performance that I have seen him play was at centre back.

Right back or bench; I've never bought in to Thompson at CB

Lots of fullbacks have been converted to central midfielders, for instance, Adam Chambers. Think NT has all the requisite attributes to play in central midfield.

I think NT could be an excellent defensive midfielder if Kasim did in fact leave.

LW seems to rate him at CB though despite the all the evidence pointing towards the contrary being true.

I think Williams likes him in that position because ironically he is good at moving forward and adding that extra man to the middle.

My main worry is that we totally change formation etc from saturday when it clearly worked.

found this the other day, he does have the ability to merk people! nice knee to the head!

https://1drv.ms/v/s!AuPmjcBy7sMKhX47qTxo1lfmXvcW (https://1drv.ms/v/s!AuPmjcBy7sMKhX47qTxo1lfmXvcW)

Luke (or whoever picks the team) does like to tinker.

Have we looked any better with Nathan in the team? I think,no