65 minutes for Hector yesterday v Bournemouth. The same for Aneke. Wollacott back in goal
Glass half empty version = he's not ready/able do more than 65 minutes yet Glass half full version = they rested him up so he can play a part in the next senior fixture.
To be honest I am not sure if I would have him in the team if he couldn’t get to the fitness levels where he can start doing 90 minutes. ‘Managing’ his minutes this year clearly has not worked.
From first game in per season it’s looked like he’s had about 10 - 15 minutes running in him. So no wonder he breaks down so easily.
I’m not buying that we have some niche player who can come on for 10 minutes and change the game. What do we do in games where we are 2 - 0 down at half time, or it’s 0 - 0 and there’s 30 minutes left and we are really under the pump.
"Michael Hector played in a back three with Deji Elerewe and Harris O'Connor"
Unless Holden is considering this for the first team it seems strange that the U21s would play this formation.
I would imagine because we won't always play 4-3-3 but will change to 3-5-2 especially if Penney is at LWB and Sessegnon or anyone else with pace is at RWB. Holden favours at least a couple of different formations.
Football is always a battle to out think the other manager. Bowyer went too far at times and was the ultimate ' Tinker man' and JJ was successful with 3-5-2 at home in many games (not Oxford) but should have had another option up his sleeve away from home.
Michael Hector could do well but it's good that he has had time to bed in before starting a league match. 65 minutes isn't too shabby for first game in a while.
Hector played it canny tonight - knows he's not match fit, keep it simple, take no risks. Don't get drawn out of position. No fannying around with slow passing at the back, clear the lines, if in doubt Row Z.
He's a defender needing to first defend. He did the basics well.
Michael Hector used the 'Gary Owen' 🏈 up and under to clear his lines; not pretty but effective in the situation and Jack Payne replaced Kilkenney for his height 🙄
Hector’s cameo was critical to keeping the 3 points IMHO. He is renowned for being a ball playing centre half, but last night his wise head told him to go back to basics and buy time/run down the clock (as others also recognised) and it worked a treat. His style will little doubt change in full game mode, but talking style anybody else notice his Chris Perry ‘rash’ like defending style. He gets very tight to his man.
I’m excited to see him playing from the start and can see him displacing Inniss within then next 2-3 weeks.
Comments
Glass half full version = they rested him up so he can play a part in the next senior fixture.
I’m not buying that we have some niche player who can come on for 10 minutes and change the game. What do we do in games where we are 2 - 0 down at half time, or it’s 0 - 0 and there’s 30 minutes left and we are really under the pump.
Battle of the light weights
Unless Holden is considering this for the first team it seems strange that the U21s would play this formation.
I would imagine because we won't always play 4-3-3 but will change to 3-5-2 especially if Penney is at LWB and Sessegnon or anyone else with pace is at RWB.
Holden favours at least a couple of different formations.
Football is always a battle to out think the other manager. Bowyer went too far at times and was the ultimate ' Tinker man' and JJ was successful with 3-5-2 at home in many games (not Oxford) but should have had another option up his sleeve away from home.
Michael Hector could do well but it's good that he has had time to bed in before starting a league match. 65 minutes isn't too shabby for first game in a while.
https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/597c4ee2-6ffd-4202-9839-073f0e60faf4
Don't get drawn out of position. No fannying around with slow passing at the back, clear the lines, if in doubt Row Z.
He's a defender needing to first defend. He did the basics well.
Curbs would have approved.
I’m excited to see him playing from the start and can see him displacing Inniss within then next 2-3 weeks.
He was quite an imposing figure out there.