We have two of the best full backs in this League going forward. Lloyd Sam seems to have lost his way in the last few weeks. So, why not cut our cloth accordingly and try 3/5 (depending on how you look at it) at the back. Something like this:
................................................Elliot..............................................
................................................Dailly.............................................
Richardson................Llera/Basey....................Sodje........................Youga
..............................................Semedo.............................................
.................Racon........................................Bailey...............................
..............................................Shelvey..............................................
..............................................Burton................................................
0
Comments
I'd go for the same midfield formation that you suggest but with a back 4 and 2 strikers. JJ playing in the "hole", Semedo playing the holding role just in front of the back 4.
...........................................Elliot..............................................
Richardson................Dailly....................Sodje........................Youga
..........................................Semedo.............................................
................... Racon......................................Bailey...............................
...........................................Shelvey..............................................
...................................Mcleod.........Burton................................................
Good 1st touch, can receive balls to feet and turn, can run at defenders, cause mayhem in their defence and provides the unpredictable element that most in the team lack.
He also defends and covers Richardson very well.
Opponents are well wary of him, frequently doubling up which creates space for others to get forward.
He might not be having the direct match winning impact that he created before - but I shouldn't underestimate his contribution.
Couldn't have put it better myself Oggy, but please don't forget his goal-assists, I thank-you ;-)
Sam had two markers on him for virtually the whole match against Gillingham. Richardson missed almost all the second half which meant Sam had to assume more defensive duties than usual as Kelly Youga was in an unfamiliar position. Yet still I heard fans shouting "Sam you lazy b****** you've done f*** all!"
Lloyd didn't have his best ever match against Gillingham for sure but in the context of the situation of the team as a whole he put in a reasonable shift.
Good job I didn't hear 'em !!
Just to be clear, I'm not slagging off Sam. My point is that if you look at our squad of players, I think that it would suit a diamond system.
We have 2 attacking full backs, no nature left midfield player and it would allow us to play 2 strikers and have JJ in the side.
I just think it gives us other options.
Sometimes it seems he's expected to take on and beat defenders with ease, then put in a perfect cross to at times just one player in the box. At this level he does his job well. He has his weaknesses but at least he has a fairly all round game compared to the likes of Ambrose, Thomas and Rommedhal.
Do agree with Oggy that he offers an outlet, helps out defensively and with the other things he says he offers.
As for the diamond is possible (the 4-4-2 one, not with Dailly as a sweeper), but I would worry about us defending out wide especially if a team get their full backs forward. Also leaves out Sam who is useful because he offers very different things to other midfielders, most of who prefer to pass the ball around than run with it.
Waggy offers a more direct, speedy, hard running approach ..... ideal for the quick breakaway against tiring defenders late in the game.
I've also been impressed with Waggy's application defensively. Anyway, horses for courses and all that.
If injuries take their toll of atacking midfielders, I've often wondered whether Sam could play more centrally as a midfield schemer/in the hole type player (say if Racon or Bailey wasn't fit) with Waggy wide alongside.....?
I remember Sam putting in a very decent shift as a deep lying central forward home to Blackburn in the Prem, when Uncle Les was manager. He pulled defenders around easily, created loads of space and was always a threat in and around the box ...... just a thought.
Sam also looked good (for a while!) in the 5-0 debacle at White Hart Lane under Uncle Les' management in a similar role.
When I read that first line I was going to say he played there against Blackburn. I have a feeling it would suit him more than Bailey or Racon, so could be an alternative and different type of player to Shelvey in that role.
It could be a very effective pass and move game, with Sam centrally providing the unpredictable element linking midfield on the floor with Burton.
Again, just brainstorming different options and wondering if some could work?
Sam would give us more pace alongside Burton than Shelvey, so it could even be useful late on in games, not just from the start.
I actually wouldn't mind seeing that. Sam isn't the most composed player in front of goal himself, and probably not quite as quick than McLeod, but I can't see how he'd do any worse than him. Better touch, better dribbler and more likely to set up a chance for team mate. Wagstaff now plays with more confidence than he did when Pardew used him and he's better off getting experience in League One than the odd Championship game, which was probably a step too far for him.