Preseason

[Bob's Orange]

I think people are misinterpreting what they are trying to do in midfield. There is no number 10. So far in preseason we have played with one deep midfielder, and that guy isn't a traditional ball winner. He is there to dictate play, quarterback style, get the ball to the wingbacks etc. Thats where the Swansea lad played today. The other two midfielders are playing as number 8's. Box to box midfielders who close down aggressively with the forwards and look to join the wing backs and 2 forwards in the final third. Thats where Clarke is playing as the right sided 8, and glatzel has been playing the left sided 8. Its not Glatels position, and i don't think its Cotterils either. He played Ofoborh there today second half, not sure its his position either. So feels like this is maybe the further midfield player they are looking to recruit.

I know we're trying to flog them, but how would Cain and Khan fit into the system based on what you've seen? Irrelevant really but interesting to get a thought on what 'could' have been.

[Nemo]

Well, Cain came on at LWB.

I think people are misinterpreting what they are trying to do in midfield. There is no number 10. So far in preseason we have played with one deep midfielder, and that guy isn't a traditional ball winner. He is there to dictate play, quarterback style, get the ball to the wingbacks etc. Thats where the Swansea lad played today. The other two midfielders are playing as number 8's. Box to box midfielders who close down aggressively with the forwards and look to join the wing backs and 2 forwards in the final third. Thats where Clarke is playing as the right sided 8, and glatzel has been playing the left sided 8. Its not Glatels position, and i don't think its Cotterils either. He played Ofoborh there today second half, not sure its his position either. So feels like this is maybe the further midfield player they are looking to recruit.

That's interesting stuff, thank you. Sounds a bit like the Thomson/Kasim/Luongo midfield - been a while since we've played with a deeper lying creative midfielder.

[RobertT]

By a while you mean not long? - Reed.

[Nemo]

By a while you mean not long? - Reed.

Well, probably, but not sure I'd quite count Reed as he also had plenty of defensive duties and got about the pitch. He was a bit more of a hybrid than a Kasim.

[Riddick]

By a while you mean not long? - Reed.

Yeah maybe, i think Reed played more simple passes. This guy needs to be able to hit the crossfield balls to wingbacks that are attacking.

I know we're trying to flog them, but how would Cain and Khan fit into the system based on what you've seen? Irrelevant really but interesting to get a thought on what 'could' have been.

I'm not sure they do, which is why they are probably trying to move them on. I think Cain could play as the left sided 8 honestly, but it depends on work rate. Clarke works extremely hard to close people down as well as making forward runs, as per his goal today.

I'm not sure we will always play like this. Russell talked a lot in The Moonraker about having two deep midfield players, so i guess its about options.

Its early days, but just sharing how i've seen them set up against Wycombe and Eastleigh.

Whats been disappointing so far has been the wing backs. They are supposed to get forward and give the width to the attack. I've not seen very much of that so far. Longelo did it well a couple of times today, and on one occasion that resulted in a goal. But so far Longelo/Sobowale haven't been on the pitch at the same time because of trialists. I assume they both start in the league so it will be interesting to see.

[Jimmy Quinn]

How did Smith play today as I’ve not read any comments🤔

[Batch]

Longelo was my mom but I completely agree about their attacking or lack of.

Could do with a Hutton, but with a better cross!

[Riddick]

How did Smith play today as I’ve not read any comments🤔

Hmmm. He adds something, but i think he will frustrate people. He has that unfortunate 'Andy Williams' style body language of shrugging his shoulders and flapping his arms around when things don't go his way and he blames others.

The team don't know how to use him yet. Bycroft couldn't hit him with long kicks (his kicks were really bad actually), and the team struggled to anticipate his flicks on's.

At present i think Drinan and Glatzel is my preferred front two. I'm sure Smith will start though.

[Jimmy Quinn]

Hmmm. He adds something, but i think he will frustrate people. He has that unfortunate 'Andy Williams' style body language of shrugging his shoulders and flapping his arms around when things don't go his way and he blames others.

The team don't know how to use him yet. Bycroft couldn't hit him with long kicks (his kicks were really bad actually), and the team struggled to anticipate his flicks on's.

At present i think Drinan and Glatzel is my preferred front two. I'm sure Smith will start though.

Thanks Riddick for your analysis. I still think smith would benefit from wide players getting crosses into the box even though he scores most of his goals on the ground.

[Riddick]

Thanks Riddick for your analysis. I still think smith would benefit from wide players getting crosses into the box even though he scores most of his goals on the ground.

Yeah that's fair, and i think the lack of attacking from the wing backs that i mentioned has not helped him as much so far.

[DV]

I know we're trying to flog them, but how would Cain and Khan fit into the system based on what you've seen? Irrelevant really but interesting to get a thought on what 'could' have been.

I mean it’s a bit of guesswork but if we are playing a deep Quarterback midfielder - I’d have thought Cain would be quite well suited to that.

From what has been explain it seems like we’ve signed midfielders to play either a 4,8 & 10 or two 8s & a 10 but are lining up with two 8s & a quarterback effectively making McGurk & Ofoborh pretty obsolete to my mind anyway.

I would absolutely not play Glatzel in midfield either. It should be Glatzel up front with one of Drinan & Smith with him.

Maybe it’s a ‘let’s try this because it’s pre season’ but on what I’ve read on here (and that is all. I’ve not seen any games myself) the tactics sound quite square peg round holey.

[Batch]

The team don't know how to use him yet. Bycroft couldn't hit him with long kicks (his kicks were really bad actually), and the team struggled to anticipate his flicks on's.

I disagree with this. He definitely made some bad kicks but I thought there were some accurate longer kicks onto Smith's head.

Smith was marked by their big man and it was a good tussle that I'd say he lost. When he did win it, we didn't really capitalise.

But regardless, it was very apparent we weren't trying to play out short much from bycroft .

[RobertT]

I don't think Cain can play at this level, it's not about a position.  He is similar to Aguiar, they struggle to get involved in games, which suggests they let the game go on around them at times and can't find the right positions, regardless of where they should be playing.  That's a tough description maybe, he has good technique, as shown by his dead ball skills, but very good technical players sometimes don't make it.

[kirky69]

An enjoyable game. What I took from today:-
Overall much more aggressive out of possession and more direct than last season
Cotterill looked very composed and tidy in possession in the defensive midfield position. Motm for me.
Hall is a quality player - if he can stay fit he will be a real asset. Wright also very impressive.
Freckleton has a mistake in him, but has the attributes to be a decent player
Unlike some others I felt that Longelo wasn't great particularly in the 1st half when he didn't beat his man at all
Bycroft made some quality saves, although kicking was indifferent
Smith and Drinan didn't link particularly well and feel Glatzel will probably start with Smith in a front 2 on Friday
Was sat directly behind Paul Cook and Gary Roberts and sure they will feel they can exploit the space behind our wing backs. Wycombe were very wasteful in possession and could have been a couple of goals up after 10 minutes
Still need a couple of flair players. Ideally a pacy forward as an alternative to play off Smith and a number 10 particularly given the injury to McGurk
Finally Khan surely has to be on his way getting no game time at all

[Ƭ̵̬̊: The Artist Formerly Known as CWIG]

I've always thought give Cain a run of games as a 10 and you might be surprised by him. He's got a great touch and good technique. Trying to turn him in to anything else is probably a waste of time. Too small and/or not quick enough.

A CDM he is not and a LWB and I can't imagine he is either.