Whilst the old adage "don't change a winning (or in our case drawing) team" has a lot of merit it is worth observing that someone like Gower is well into his thirties and might not be capable of two games in a week leaving the way open for Jackson or Pritchard if fit.
Cousins seems to have a lot of energy from what I've seen and him and Pritchard harrying with two of Harriott, Wilson or Stewart on the flanks would give the opposition something to think about even if the potential creative spark offered by a Stephens, Jackson or Gower might be missing.
If Cousins, Stephens and Gower form a partnership which works then it's upto to Pritch and JJ to win their places back. Which is good news for us
In a paper thin squad it is good to know that there is still competition for places. I would like to see Jackson back ion the team, but let him fight to get there when he is fit, along with Hughes and Pritchard. We have a team on a one match unbeaten run so why change it now.
Stephens is too inconsistent to say he'll be a starter every match though, let's see him perform to that level a few more times.
I agree with this. People saying that the midfield from Tuesday have taken their chances forget that Stephens in particular has had literally dozens of chances and taken precious few of them. So to suggest that one solid performance is sufficient to oust the likes of Jacko and Pritch, who put the effort in week in and week out and have done for a long time, seems somewhat bizarre.
I agree with this--Stephens is a talented footballer but needs to be used in the right way and now that he has at last been given a player like Cousins to play alongside him I suspect we'll see more performances like we saw on Tuesday. Why on earth Cousins hasn't played all season is beyond me. Chris can be a bit too cautious at times.
I agree with this--Stephens is a talented footballer but needs to be used in the right way and now that he has at last been given a player like Cousins to play alongside him I suspect we'll see more performances like we saw on Tuesday. Why on earth Cousins hasn't played all season is beyond me. Chris can be a bit too cautious at times.
Or maybe he can turn performances like that in because he's been used relatively sparingly?
For me Harriott was playing a free-role behind the Strikers last night in almost a 4-3-1-2 formation - If that was the case I think that position would be perfect for Kermorgant or Jackson
I wasn't at the game so can't comment on how well I though it worked, but I like the idea of us having a player centrally who has pace and can run at the heart of the opposition defence with the ball. Look at the damage Sessignon did to Man Utd at the weekend and the havoc Parker used to cause. We haven't had a player like that in the team for a long time now. Maybe Racon in flashes, but very brief and irregular flashes.
I don't know how well Harriot is suited to a central role, but he certainly has pace and the ability to run with the ball. Kermorgant and Jackson don't really offer the potential to carry the ball 40 to 50 yards.
I wasn't there on Tuesday but as I understand it our midfield did really well. On that basis it's up to Pritch and Jacko to fight their way back in or await their chance and then grab it. As far as I am concerned we have only two players that cover the scenario of if they are fit they play. Solly and Kermorgant.
Comments
Cousins seems to have a lot of energy from what I've seen and him and Pritchard harrying with two of Harriott, Wilson or Stewart on the flanks would give the opposition something to think about even if the potential creative spark offered by a Stephens, Jackson or Gower might be missing.
Good to have options.
The strengths and weaknesses of Jackson and Pritchard vary.
On there day they are great players for this club.
The team should remain unchanged for the next game but let's keep our heads in tact.
I don't know how well Harriot is suited to a central role, but he certainly has pace and the ability to run with the ball. Kermorgant and Jackson don't really offer the potential to carry the ball 40 to 50 yards.
If he gets fit he has to play.