Coz we never had it any better last time Callum, Ignorance is bliss and all.
I'd scrap the keeper, and have Taylor has back up, if he got injured though id probably keep a GK on the bench. But on the normal game presuming no injuries i'd have:
Cort
Pritchard/Alonso
Wagstaff/Green
Benson
Euell/Hughes(if it was a nasty physical side)
I'd also like SCP bringing on substitutes a little earlier, maybe one with 25 minutes to go, one with 10/15 minutes to go, then another nearer the end if he sees fit.
Another thing, if he wants to win a game and protect our lead I think the old mantra of "offence is the best defence" would be far more effective than ending match in a 5-5-0 which we have at times, and has ended in a very nervy end to the game which puts us in far more danger of conceding a goal (which could prove very important in some matches).
I agree with " offence is the best defence". Taking off forwards in exchange for defenders sends out the wrong message to the opposition....i.e. ,we're done attacking now try to break us down. It leads to total chaos and a surge in energy and enthusiasm from the opponents, not to mention the inevitable tightening of the chest of many Charlton fans. We should swap like for like, keep our shape and go finish off these teams,espescially at home. Me tinks
I agree with " offence is the best defence". Taking off forwards in exchange for defenders sends out the wrong message to the opposition....i.e. ,we're done attacking now try to break us down. It leads to total chaos and a surge in energy and enthusiasm from the opponents, not to mention the inevitable tightening of the chest of many Charlton fans. We should swap like for like, keep our shape and go finish off these teams,espescially at home. Me tinks
I see no point in having a big squad then ignoring them . Huges needs to be off the bench and replaced by Evina who will provide defensive cover and can play left wing with JJ moving into the centre if nesscessary. Benno has to be on the bench for pace and given good service( not from Waggy) ,will score goals. Euell doesnt need to be there as Evina and perhaps Waggy or Alonso will provide plenty of options. So for me the bench would be
Sullivan
Cort ...for CB cover
Evina ...full back and Left mid cover
Waggy...right mid and forward cover...Of course Green needs to be fit and starting for this ...otherwise Pritchard
Benno....He's a finisher given service
Alonso ( when fit)..if not then Pritchard or Bover to provide centre mid cover
It is also puzzling when we have A BIG SQUAD and then our striker picks up a knock , BWP for the Bury game, why then do we not dig into that squad and play a striker in his place instead of a makeshift striker???We got away with it and won the game BUT this will not always be the case.. Now we have the squad ,use it correctly lest the wrong messages get sent to the players. Also ,can't we have an injury section on the website so we know whos out and an approximate return date. This would be useful me tinks..
Can't be scrapping the keeper. Not only is it a big risk, but it's terrible for morale. I've seen a lot of people say that Taylor used to be a keeper so he's sufficient cover. He's not. Keeper is the hardest position on the pitch and if you rely on a centre half to cover that position then you get what you deserve, which is probably a tanking. I know what Steve Brown was like but he's the exception that proves the rule rather than anything else. Not only that, but Sullivan's already had to put up with a sudden change in the squad, being told he was challenging Robbie for the #1 shirt and then only a month later seeing another keeper brought in as #1 to replace Robbie. That's already got to have Sullivan questioning if he was ever really challenging for the starting role, and then telling him he's being dropped from the squad because we don't even need a second keeper would probably be the final straw for him. You just can't risk not having a keeper on the bench if you want to get promotion and it would be poor man management as well
In principle I agree about not scrapping the keeper .........although there maybe a case for Taylor to be back up, bearing in mind he was himself a professional keeper for many years.
But just as important, in the case of injury to a keeper you want the least disruption to the team; you don't really want to remove your lynchpin centre half out of the defence in order to put him in goal. Before you know it, you've undone the tightness and solidarity of your defence and opponents will be quick to take advantage.
Further, in a no keeper on the bench situation, what happens if Taylor is the one who gets injured or red carded? And then your keeper himself gets injured or red carded?
Then you have no keeper cover at all in the matchday squad.
Brad Friedel holds the record of 276 consecutive Premiership appearances (or approx 7 seasons) and is still going strong.
If he had been playing for us during that time at what point would we have said that it was worth having that extra forward on the bench instead of a sub keeper? After a season maybe, three seasons, possibly never?
And here's what Neil Warnock said on the subject during his time at Sheffield United:
"I've a message for all those managers who keep ringing up asking to take a striker on loan: sorry, I need all six, I like to have three on the bench.
But when we sign one I do check he can play in goal as well, since we don't have a 'keeper on the bench. We gave "Horse" [Geoff Horsfield] some handling before bringing him on loan from West Bromwich Albion this week. He caught most things, so we signed him."
It's no wonder he's never got a team promoted with that sort of philosophy ;-)
Warnock did get Sheffield Utd to the Prem ..... and relegated again.
The reason for that Oggy is that, with seven subs in the Premiership, he felt duty bound to have a keeper on the bench. He has openly admitted that was a big mistake ;- )
Comments
I agree with " offence is the best defence". Taking off forwards in exchange for defenders sends out the wrong message to the opposition....i.e. ,we're done attacking now try to break us down. It leads to total chaos and a surge in energy and enthusiasm from the opponents, not to mention the inevitable tightening of the chest of many Charlton fans. We should swap like for like, keep our shape and go finish off these teams,espescially at home. Me tinks
But just as important, in the case of injury to a keeper you want the least disruption to the team; you don't really want to remove your lynchpin centre half out of the defence in order to put him in goal. Before you know it, you've undone the tightness and solidarity of your defence and opponents will be quick to take advantage.
Further, in a no keeper on the bench situation, what happens if Taylor is the one who gets injured or red carded?
And then your keeper himself gets injured or red carded?
Then you have no keeper cover at all in the matchday squad.
If he had been playing for us during that time at what point would we have said that it was worth having that extra forward on the bench instead of a sub keeper? After a season maybe, three seasons, possibly never?
And here's what Neil Warnock said on the subject during his time at Sheffield United:
"I've a message for all those managers who keep
ringing up asking to take a striker on loan: sorry, I need all six, I
like to have three on the bench.
But when we
sign one I do check he can play in goal as well, since we don't have a
'keeper on the bench. We gave "Horse" [Geoff Horsfield] some handling
before bringing him on loan from West Bromwich Albion this week. He
caught most things, so we signed him."
It's no wonder he's never got a team promoted with that sort of philosophy ;-)
felt duty bound to have a keeper on the bench. He has openly admitted
that was a big mistake ;- )
I know this would not go down well with some but this would be my bench ( assuming the same starting 11)
Sullivan
Doc .Can cover both CB and 'target man' Striker
Hughes .Covers MF and both full backs .
Euell Covers MF and Striker
Green covers the wing / impact player moving Waggy to the middle
Sullivan
Cort
Pritchard
Wagstaff
Benson
Away
Sullivan
Cort
Hughes
Ewell
Wagstaff
I have not considered Alonso as we have not really seen him yet.