i just don't see that formation working with stockley -p he needs to play up top with somebody - that can be washington, leko,lee or kirk but i would definitely start with Lee in the team - mac - purrer innis/lavelle famewho matthews - kirk arter lee leko - wash stock
Playing Lee in a number 10 role is essentially putting him up top with Stockley.
After Saturday, it feels a real mess to try and reconcile it, particularly in the centre of midfield.
Watson/Morgan shouldn't be a combo again - Watson lacks the pace/desire, whilst I feel Morgan is being kept in for set piece delivery. Dobson/Clare probably also shouldn't be a thing, despite being signed and seen as the answer for this problem. Maybe Arter/Morgan or Arter/Clare, but at this point, maybe even Dempsey gets a crack in the immediate term. I'm desperate to see if Arter could do 50-60 minutes, but sports science probably says otherwise. I feel like Dobson could help us a hold a lead, but not impact the game at all offensively, so the bench is the best we could probably see.
Arter, Gilbey and JFC would all need to come in with messiah-like performances straight back from injury which (probably) won't happen. It's so galling and frustrating we are lacking in these positions so much.
I’d be willing to bet a lot of money that Nigel Adkins will never play Elliot Lee as one of the two sitting midfielders.
Maybe I'm being naïve, but I honestly think he would offer more there than all of our currently fit central midfielders. Comfortable on the ball, plays with his head up and is creative. Perhaps too much of a square peg in a round hole, but considering our options and how poor our midfield has been, I'd at least give it a try. I doubt it could be any worse.
That said, I agree that he (almost certainly) won't go that far out of the box in his thinking.
I’d be willing to bet a lot of money that Nigel Adkins will never play Elliot Lee as one of the two sitting midfielders.
agreed - dobson holds amd lee and arter pull the strings in midfield - don't need 2 holders - get your best players / football brains on the ball in the middle
The amount of people putting Arter when we have no idea what state he's in.
What's your 11 out of interest?
MacGillivray
Gunter Lavelle Famewo Purrington
Watson Clare Lee
Leko Stockley Kirk
Best with what we've got which isnt much in the midfield. Haven't seen the Clare + Watson partnership yet, can't be any worse than what we've had before.
Gunter Lavelle (Innis when fit) Famewo Souare (Purrington maybe when fit)
DJ Arter Dobson Kirk
Washington (Lee?) Leko
We’re way too one dimensional with Stockley and I don’t think he’s good enough to build your entire team around which is what it seems we’ve tried to do so far. Keeping it on the floor and using our pace might give us a better chance.
The amount of people putting Arter when we have no idea what state he's in.
What's your 11 out of interest?
MacGillivray
Gunter Lavelle Famewo Purrington
Watson Clare Lee
Leko Stockley Kirk
Best with what we've got which isnt much in the midfield. Haven't seen the Clare + Watson partnership yet, can't be any worse than what we've had before.
I think I'd probably opt for Dobson over Clare & Washington over Kirk (based on current performances) but otherwise agree.
Maybe I'm in a minority, but I find it astounding that anyone would consider putting Watson in any current best starting 11. Imho, he doesn't run enough, doesn't make nor deny space and everything he does is excessively negative/backward. By far, he is the player I like the least in this squad and that is without considering who has played for in the past. He should be getting infinitely more questions asked of his performance on Saturday than many others, but I feel a lot more ire has been at Morgan.
With the weaker performances of Dobson/Clare, plus injuries/fitness concerns of the other players (old and new), then yes, he gets in the side. But in our best 11? Definitely not for me.
To mix it up, I would be tempted to revert to a diamond. DJ and Kirk have been poor and Stockley encourages too many long balls. Not convinced by Dobson but has potential to do the donkey work and give the ball to someone who can play.
Big Mac Gunter Lavelle Famewo Soare Dobson Arter Gilbey Lee Leko Washington
Comments
MacG
Matthews, Lavelle, Famewo, Souare
Arter
DJ, Lee, Clare, Leko
Stockley
I don’t wanna see Morgan or Watson for a while and I especially don’t wanna see Morgan AND Watson.
Hurry up Gilbey.
CMac
Gunter Innis Famewo Purrington
Arter Dobson
Stockley
is just wrong.
MacG
Kirk/DJ, Arter, Lee, Gilbey/Clare (we need a lefty)
Leko Washington
Watson/Morgan shouldn't be a combo again - Watson lacks the pace/desire, whilst I feel Morgan is being kept in for set piece delivery. Dobson/Clare probably also shouldn't be a thing, despite being signed and seen as the answer for this problem. Maybe Arter/Morgan or Arter/Clare, but at this point, maybe even Dempsey gets a crack in the immediate term. I'm desperate to see if Arter could do 50-60 minutes, but sports science probably says otherwise. I feel like Dobson could help us a hold a lead, but not impact the game at all offensively, so the bench is the best we could probably see.
Arter, Gilbey and JFC would all need to come in with messiah-like performances straight back from injury which (probably) won't happen. It's so galling and frustrating we are lacking in these positions so much.
McG
Matthews Pearce Famewo Gunter
Lee Watson Clare Leko
Stockley Washington
bench
Henderson, Soaré, Elerewe, Arter, Morgan, CBT, Davsion
souare
lavelle
famewho
matthews
Dobson
Lee
Arter
Washington
Stockley
Leko
That said, I agree that he (almost certainly) won't go that far out of the box in his thinking.
McGillivray
Matthews
Lavelle
Famewo
Papa Don’t Preach
Arter
Lee
BlackettTaylor
Leko
Washington
Stockley
MacGillivray
Gunter
Lavelle
Famewo
Purrington
Watson
Clare
Lee
Leko
Stockley
Kirk
Best with what we've got which isnt much in the midfield. Haven't seen the Clare + Watson partnership yet, can't be any worse than what we've had before.
Gunter
Lavelle (Innis when fit)
Famewo
Souare (Purrington maybe when fit)
DJ
Arter
Dobson
Kirk
Washington (Lee?)
Leko
We’re way too one dimensional with Stockley and I don’t think he’s good enough to build your entire team around which is what it seems we’ve tried to do so far. Keeping it on the floor and using our pace might give us a better chance.
With the weaker performances of Dobson/Clare, plus injuries/fitness concerns of the other players (old and new), then yes, he gets in the side. But in our best 11? Definitely not for me.
Matthews, Inniss, Famewo, Soare
Lee, Arter , Gilbey, Jaiyesimi
Leko, Stockley.
To mix it up, I would be tempted to revert to a diamond. DJ and Kirk have been poor and Stockley encourages too many long balls. Not convinced by Dobson but has potential to do the donkey work and give the ball to someone who can play.
Big Mac
Gunter Lavelle Famewo Soare
Dobson
Arter Gilbey
Lee
Leko Washington