Monday's game and changes in the squad

Discussion in 'Bulletin Board' started by orsenkaht, Jan 3, 2018.

  1. orsenkaht

    orsenkaht Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2009
    Messages:
    11,240
    Likes Received:
    10,618
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Style:
    Barnsley (full width)
    These are thoughts posed as questions really - particularly for anyone who went on Monday. I've only seen the highlights.

    Harvey Barnes has had a magnificent half season with us, and is surely a star of the future - even at the highest level. But did we slowly become too reliant on him? It's great to see Lloyd Isgrove back, and with him and Hammill in the team we have attacking threats on either flank. If one is closely marked, does the other get more space? It's also more suggestive of the team spirit that got us promoted. We had more shots than Sunderland and more on target. Whilst they are poor, Coleman had begun to eke out small signs of improvement prior to Monday.

    Monday also provided more proof - if it were needed - that with the squad as it is at the moment we unquestionably do better with 4-5-1 (or 4-1-4-1 in the club's view). Is Mamadou better suited to this type of setup than Tom? The ball sticks to him with his impressive control and layoffs. I expect the lone striker role will probably be rotated between them as Mamadou gets more game time. I think that Thiam looks an incredible prospect - easy to forget that he's only 22. There will come a time when we struggle to hold on to him - even with the new owners. Unlike most on here, I also think Ugbo will have continuing value as an impact player.

    It's a real shame Everton have rebuffed us over signing Joe Williams permanently. He is a natural and developing replacement for Josh Scowen. We have him for the rest of the season, but we should be grooming another player for that role now, ready for the summer. That way we won't be caught out, as we were when Josh departed.

    And have we unearthed something special in Ethan Pinnock? He looked impressive on Saturday and strong too, considering his slim build. All that and he is closing in on second top goalscorer! He reminds me a bit of Ian Evans. Let's hope he continues his progress. It sounds too as though Cavare impressed, although I couldn't spot much of him on the highlights.

    Looking forward to 3-1 (again!) on Saturday.
     
    Kettlewell and Connor like this.
  2. Spuggy

    Spuggy Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2017
    Messages:
    1,750
    Likes Received:
    1,191
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Transport/Warehousing
    Location:
    Brierley
    Style:
    Barnsley (full width)
    If what I saw on Monday is anything to go by, then Lloyd Isgrove offers a completely different type of threat to Barnes and argubley a better threat too.
    He's probably not going to get the worldies that Barnes did but to have a player in the team that can pick the ball up when we are under pressure and run 40 - 50 yards with it is vital to a team like us, and he did it several times v Sunderland.

    Thiam looked a lot better player than he did on Saturday v Reading too, I'm still not too sure about his fitness but when he does get it there, we could have a real player on our hands.

    Pinnock and Lindsay look like they could form a great partnership too. Our options at CB are looking great with Macdonald waiting in the wings and Jackson to come back. We just need a couple of signings and the future could be looking bright again!
     
    Connor likes this.
  3. SirPsychoSexy

    SirPsychoSexy Banned Idiot

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2007
    Messages:
    7,248
    Likes Received:
    270
    Trophy Points:
    83
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Upton
    Style:
    XenForo - Xenith Reds
    Barnes hasn’t really done anything of note for a good few weeks now, so I’m personally not too fussed to see him leave, we have more pressing issues to sort. Plus I think Hedges can offer us similar when back fit, and he is our player after all.

    Having Isgrove back is a massive boost, always pressing and harrying players, and in turn turning over possession in vital areas of the pitch. And for the smallest player on the pitch he won every header!

    Thiam is getting better the more minutes he plays. He clearly wasn’t match fit when he arrived. He just needs to add goals to his game now and we have some player.

    Just seen that Ugbo has returned to Chelsea which is a good move for both parties. Clearly not good enough at this level yet and gives us chance to bring someone else in, that target man we have been crying out for.

    Pinnock is proving to be some find, head and shoulders above everyone on the pitch, he will play for a top premier league club within a few years I am sure.
     
    Connor likes this.
  4. redarmychris

    redarmychris Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2013
    Messages:
    6,807
    Likes Received:
    1,481
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Style:
    Barnsley (full width)
    Everyone can see Ugbo isn’t good enough.
     
  5. orsenkaht

    orsenkaht Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2009
    Messages:
    11,240
    Likes Received:
    10,618
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Style:
    Barnsley (full width)
    Seems somewhat academic now, Mr RAC.
     
  6. pompey_red

    pompey_red Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2005
    Messages:
    13,224
    Likes Received:
    9,034
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Fareham
    Home Page:
    Style:
    Barnsley Dark
    One concern re our formation and Thiam.

    Everyone saying he just needs to add goals well it’s pretty hard when he drops deep all the time.

    Hecky was right v reading to drag him off, I agree he’s getting fitter and looking more like a footballer now however if he’s always 30 yards from goal receiving the ball he’s not going to score many goals. Allied to that the team does not have a midfielder running beyond him it leaves us awfully light in the penalty area

    One way to rectify this is to change formation to 3412 or 352 maybe? This would mean Hammill and Isgrove probably our 2 best attacking options playing in unfamiliar positions however
     
  7. Spuggy

    Spuggy Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2017
    Messages:
    1,750
    Likes Received:
    1,191
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Transport/Warehousing
    Location:
    Brierley
    Style:
    Barnsley (full width)
    I agree but I'm not sure thats his job. He looks more like a striker that links up play with others.
     

Share This Page