Re: Some positives...and yet...

By rwakeley11/9/2019 09:47Wed Sep 11 09:47:03 2019In response to Re: Some positives...and yet...

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I still think we're in an evaluation mode. Two play-offs in five years, each with a different formation and contrast in personnel. I think that is your basic benchmark and your template handed to us. We have to decide which route we go down. 2 up front in the one year or as looks increasingly likely the gaffers going for 3. Then comparisons are drawn to the latter Gary McCann eleven. Last game I saw at Yate was a mis-match formation of both - absenteees notwithstanding. The lad Corks and his namesake in the play-off side remain for me the defining role in a 3 up-front - and he's here - re-incarnated. Under the 2 up-front model, there were times the lad Big Dave never got a look in. Much to his chagrin it doesn't work. If we go 3, I think the biggest obstacle becomes the goals. Those lads under McCann were devastating and Niko hit what 40! As eluded below, the one aspect of the 2 up-front campaign was the tight close win margins of that side. 2-1 become common place. We can certainly strive towards that - you don't have to blow away sides. That solid composition is what we need and I re-iterate is slowly coming into effect. I think we've been searching for a model. I think we are now capable of putting it into effect. We have lacked cohesion and an identity. I think the gaffers thoughts are consolidating. The role of Connor becomes integral, we have to play to his requirements, not just go long. We have to go beyond just playing through balls down the flanks and letting the wide lads just to get on with it. The roles of the right/left back are then scrutinised. It does need some time to get functional. It can click quickly - I think the gaffers done well, you need the personnel, I think we've a lot to work with. I think it's positive and we're on the right track. We've been here before. Just to conclude my thoughts as a footnote. I re-iterate my pre-season manra - It's all about Tingey. I think the lad is doing a decent job at centre-half - but it's not his natural role. I don't absorb this Hamblin improving him mantra. Which is why I maintain another solid centre-half is the missing link. I don't think it would hurt from a defensive stand-point. Boycs referenced it, you can't marshall players. I think Luke is the potential fulcrum. Corks can equally fill the role, dependent upon the midfield. That's why we become stretched second halfs. Average teams hit us on the counter - building from the back is something which was touched on pre-season - and gone out the window. Annoyingly, we've got it in us.

Edited by rwakeley at 10:22:05 on 11th September 2019