Morgan has certainly impressed in his last 2 appearances, I've no idea who Bowyer will go with, though Reeves not starting any of the recent matches suggests he's slipped down the pecking order A risk playing someone so inexperienced in such a big game though
Reeves started against Scunthorpe and played well!
I would say albie Morgan had a poor first half vs sunderland at the valley so maybe worth a degree of caution that maybe it won't be the same in a big game. That said he then bossed the second half of that game and we played them off the park so what do I know
Your memory is letting you down ! Albie Morgan was the only good thing about Charlton in the first 35 minutes against Sunderland at the Valley. We were totally on the back foot, including Taylor and we were lucky not to be out the game by HT Second half the whole team played well and we could and should've finished with the 3 points.
Mind playing tricks on me, confusing him with another midfielder possibly Cullen?
Morgan is one for the future and is an option. I trust Bowyer to pick the best team for now. The ball Morgan played for Taylor's goal was so perfectly weighted it was sublime. Bowyer reckons he needs to get fitter and I am wondering what a player we would have on our hands if he added that quality which anybody can attain with hard work, to his natural ability. Very exciting, although we also know that when we see the very best of him he will be gone in a month or so. So right to enjoy a great prospect as he is now!
Reeves is decent for this level. He is a bit of a spongefoot but when he plays well he can get goals and does a good job. I doubt Reeves or Morgan will play on Doncaster barring injuries. Bielik, Cullen , Aribo and Williams will probably be our starting midfield. Not too shoddy really!
Morgan has certainly impressed in his last 2 appearances, I've no idea who Bowyer will go with, though Reeves not starting any of the recent matches suggests he's slipped down the pecking order A risk playing someone so inexperienced in such a big game though
Reeves started against Scunthorpe and played well!
- The Official Ben Reeves Fanclub (membership: 1)
Ben Reeves has played well in quite a few matches at the Valley. Wasn't it the Coventry match when he was having a good game and taken off when we were 1-0 up and we lost 2-1. The great thing is Bowyer has options in midfield but not up front if Igor is crooked. I would play Aribo as Taylor's partner because for all his work rate Parker isn't good enough. I'm judging him over his whole career and not just from Saturday.
Morgan was mustard on Saturday and won't let anyone down.
I really hope Williams doesn't play. He breaks up our passing play, constantly loses the ball and fall over but even more importantly means Aribo has to play deeper. For me It's definitely Morgan for the home game. Up there I would probably play him but consider Lapslie as the 4th midfielder alongside Cullen Bielik and Aribo. Must play 2 up top even if one has to be Parker.
I really hope Williams doesn't play. He breaks up our passing play, constantly loses the ball and fall over but even more importantly means Aribo has to play deeper. For me It's definitely Morgan for the home game. Up there I would probably play him but consider Lapslie as the 4th midfielder alongside Cullen Bielik and Aribo. Must play 2 up top even if one has to be Parker.
I hope he does play Williams - top, top player well above this level.
Morgan is good .. but away in a potentially tight, possibly 'dirty' game I'd go for all action Duracell man, a k a George Lapslie alongside Williams, Aribo and Bielik
Leaving out Cullen?
good point ! .. perhaps Cullen for Williams, BUT I am a fan of Williams though he can be very frustrating .. Aribo and Bielik are certainties
To me Williams doesn't deliver enough. I'd rather play Aribo in the free role at the top of the diamond, like he did on Saturday, as he then has more freedom to roam, the play one of Morgan or Reeves in midfield
Be interesting to see how LB sets up on Sunday, he will believe we can win both matches but my take is that he will go for the cautious approach for the away leg. Personally I would play Morgan as he is more positive than Reeves and creates chances, also his presence allows Aribo to play in a more attacking position. Funnily, although at times I think if Parker fell off a boat he wouldn't hit water, he actually played his part on Saturday by creating room and act as a foil for Lyle so in the absence of Igor I would keep him in.
As for Williams he obviously has a fan base on this site, fair enough we all have our own opinions, but I have yet to see anything from him that excites me. How can a midfielder who neither scores or creates chances be "way too good for this league" Reminds me of Wagstaff running around aimlessly, falling over and moaning I would have Morgan every day of the week and twice on a Sunday over Williams.
I really hope Williams doesn't play. He breaks up our passing play, constantly loses the ball and fall over but even more importantly means Aribo has to play deeper. For me It's definitely Morgan for the home game. Up there I would probably play him but consider Lapslie as the 4th midfielder alongside Cullen Bielik and Aribo. Must play 2 up top even if one has to be Parker.
I hope he does play Williams - top, top player well above this level.
He's not really shown that though has he? There have been a few moments but not nearly enough for someone meant to be above this level.
This is what I said on the post match thread, about 10 hours ago.
I've been contemplating why we played our BEST football of the season yesterday. Ok, Rochdale came and tried to play football which always helps. But my conclusion is the biggest reason was Albie Morgan.
When Morgan gets the ball he passes forward at every opportunity. When Williams or Reeves get the ball they stop, often turn round in a circle and often pass sideways or backwards. Alternatively, Williams runs forward head down like a Rugby League player and gets tackled.
Keep Albie in the team !
The only reason not to would be because it is a big, big game away from home. Personally I think the lad seems to have the right head on his shoulders to handle the pressure, but we'll have to trust Bowyer on that. He's certainly ahead of Reeves now. Williams can do serious damage, but can also flatter to deceive. Albie is more direct in his passing, and I think he's got a better range than Reeves. It definitely helped us on the break. The way we played on Saturday, it was Aribo who was the most advanced of the midfield and he did a lot of damage. I think it's probably most important that he retains that roll, more so than if Williams or Albie starts. Williams played deeper and wider with Aribo pushed up second half vs Luton and we looked just as good in that game too.
Morgan has certainly impressed in his last 2 appearances, I've no idea who Bowyer will go with, though Reeves not starting any of the recent matches suggests he's slipped down the pecking order A risk playing someone so inexperienced in such a big game though
Reeves started against Scunthorpe and played well!
He will go 4-3-3 on Sunday as Doncaster are leathal on the break and we are going there to disrupt that first, worry about our own game second. As a result I see Pratley in the mid 3. I don't like it but it'll be Taylor uptop as a false 9 and Aribo with WIlliams trying to break up Donnys regimented defence. Lapslie to get a game as a sub to keep disrupting donny in the second half. No room for Albie, barely room Cullen.
He will go 4-3-3 on Sunday as Doncaster are leathal on the break and we are going there to disrupt that first, worry about our own game second. As a result I see Pratley in the mid 3. I don't like it but it'll be Taylor uptop as a false 9 and Aribo with WIlliams trying to break up Donnys regimented defence. Lapslie to get a game as a sub to keep disrupting donny in the second half. No room for Albie, barely room Cullen.
Bowyer's stuck with his preferred diamond formation in most big games/tough away games hasn't he? Not sure that'll change for the play-offs.
We were undone on the break several times in March up there because of that formation. We were the better side but scraped a draw becasue of the late disallowed goal. But still they ould have had us out of sight because of the counters earlier on. I believe Bowyer wants to just get it back to the Valley and smashe them at home
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- The Official Ben Reeves Fanclub (membership: 1)
Reeves is decent for this level. He is a bit of a spongefoot but when he plays well he can get goals and does a good job. I doubt Reeves or Morgan will play on Doncaster barring injuries. Bielik, Cullen , Aribo and Williams will probably be our starting midfield. Not too shoddy really!
The great thing is Bowyer has options in midfield but not up front if Igor is crooked.
I would play Aribo as Taylor's partner because for all his work rate Parker isn't good enough. I'm judging him over his whole career and not just from Saturday.
Morgan was mustard on Saturday and won't let anyone down.
That's what I mean't 😀
Be interesting to see how LB sets up on Sunday, he will believe we can win both matches but my take is that he will go for the cautious approach for the away leg. Personally I would play Morgan as he is more positive than Reeves and creates chances, also his presence allows Aribo to play in a more attacking position. Funnily, although at times I think if Parker fell off a boat he wouldn't hit water, he actually played his part on Saturday by creating room and act as a foil for Lyle so in the absence of Igor I would keep him in.
As for Williams he obviously has a fan base on this site, fair enough we all have our own opinions, but I have yet to see anything from him that excites me. How can a midfielder who neither scores or creates chances be "way too good for this league" Reminds me of Wagstaff running around aimlessly, falling over and moaning I would have Morgan every day of the week and twice on a Sunday over Williams.
Morgan was very unlucky not to score.
Bowyer has already said Morgan really needs to improve his fitnes
Glad some people got the joke and reference
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