First of all because I think it's the right way to go. Secondly can you think of another player other than Clarke in the squad, don't say McCourt because they aren't even similar.
you think shoe-horning youth players into the first team is the right way to go? by definition, shoe-horning means forcing something to fit, which doesn't. we shouldn't be shoe-horning anyone into anything.
Think of a barnsley player who didn't pull up any trees while out on loan.... And your right, they aren't similar, and as much as I want Clark to progress and make it mccourts three times the player Clark is at this moment in time.
So you would put McCourt into the centre of the pitch deetee, with him having to defend or at least cover areas. If so far enough but I wouldn't.
I don't mean shoe horn do I it was the wording he used. I'm looking for the natural fit and that's Clark for me. Dawson etuhu fox aren't and neither would McCourt but others might not think that and that's okay.
I can't image Jordan Clark will be chosen ahead of Dawson, Etuhu, Fox and McCourt. All four of them are more accomplished Championship midfielders than Clark.
Assuming Danny goes with the same formation As he did on Saturday, he may elect to play any number of individuals in Mellis' place (Etuhu, Digby, Dawson). It wouldn't be a like for like swap, but that may not be what he wants to do anyway. He may also decide to move Cywka from out wide to a more central position, as it's where he's spent most of his career prior to joining Barnsley. If experience has taught us anything with regards to Danny Wilson as a manager, is he's never been afraid to select young players if he believes they're good enough.
I don't think he'll change too much. McCourt for Mellis. O'Grady for Tudguy. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Anyone of Mellis' replacements may be asked to move central and play a more attacking role. If Danny has seen something which he thinks makes Jordan Clark a better option than all of Etuhu, Fox, Dawson, Digby & McCourt, fair enough. But I very much doubt it. I see no reason why Jordan Clark would instantly jump into the first XI, ahead of all those players. If it was the only option we had, fair enough. But it isn't.
What's to say the the formation and team that was picked on Saturday wasn't picked to do a job against an in-form Leeds team away from home, and the team/formation we have on Saturday won't be a completely different set up? Perhaps we don't need a like-for-like swap? And I've no problem with young 'uns being tried in the first team, but I think they need to get a few more minutes under their belts when we're winning comfortably first in a game that's already dead, rather than slinging them in from the start. It's a massive step from developmental squad to first team, especially when the team is under pressure to perform. Shoe-horning - and I like that expression - could do far more harm than good.
I'm not convinced that we'll use the same system on Boxing Day. Bobby Hassell was the best player on the park before cramping up, but it wouldn't surprise me to see us with two up front on Thursday, and no holding midfielder (although to be fair, Bobby was chief playmaker as well). Which doesn't mean Bobby has to be dropped. He could slot in alongside Cranie at centre half, or form part of a two in central midfield with Perkins. But I think the likelihood of us seeing two up front depends on the fitness of O'Grady. I thought Etuhu was very impressive as a substitute on Saturday. Never seen him play like that before on the wing. He looked very sharp. So perhaps he could start there on the right, with Jim on the left, and would finally allow us to see Cywka in a central position where he's played most of his career. I think I'd like to see him given that chance, as we all know he can strike a ball. I remember his debut at Rochdale, he transformed that game from the middle, set up both goals for Dagnall. I think he's the 'like for like' replacement for Mellis. I'd usually be trumpeting the case for Noble-Lazarus to get a chance centrally, he has similar attributes, probably the best striker of a football on our books. But he's not available for whatever reason, be it still on loan or injured. Then there's Paddy. Now, when Danny told Andy Giddings the other day that Steele and Digby apart, we had no injuries, I expected Paddy to be involved. So I'm a bit confused on that score. However, a little part of me thinks Danny won't use Paddy as often as Flitcroft did. I could be wrong. Kind of hope I am. And then there's Dawson and Fox, although for me, the latter ought to be back in Norwich. Nowt against him, but I've seen nothing from him to suggest he brings anything different to the table than our other central midfielders. But Dawson I'd like to see involved instead of Perkins. He looked a tad better Saturday in patches, did Perkins, but this season he's become even more infuriating to watch when we're attacking. He's never been very skillful or owt, but his tendency to delay everything he does is serving only to make an already pedestrian attacking unit that bit slower still. But then, the Dawson that impressed me so often last season I'm not sure exists anymore. But I'm willing to see if he does. Options galore. As we ought to have, considering the squad Flitcroft left us with. And the more time Danny spends with them, the more he'll suss out what's needed and when. It may only have been a draw at the weekend, but the signs were there in my opinion. He'll make us harder to beat initially, and with that confidence built up in defensive areas the lads will be able to relax more with the football and only the harshest of critics would tell you we haven't got players to hurt opposing teams. We've got plenty, in my opinion. Using them effectively is the key. And I believe Danny will do that. It just takes time. Thursday, if all are fit, I'd like to see this: ........................................Butland.................................... Wiseman...............Cranie...........Hassell................Nyatanga Etuhu.................Dawson............Cywka....................O'Brien .....................................McCourt....................................... .....................................O'Grady........................................ Would also be quite happy to see Paddy wide on either flank and Scotland/Pedersen alongside COG. In fact, who am I kidding? I'll be happy with whatever Danny goes with. AND, I'm hoping to make it over on Boxing Day. Fingers crossed.
I was just trying to think of a replacement for Mellis. Would love it if he can get Mellis and Digby in to centre of the pitch togehter. Full backs split.
Digby's not fit yet. But if anybody will use our talented kids, it's Wilson. We'll never know how good/**** they are until we do what Keith did with Stones and Butterfield and give them a proper run of games.
If I was Wilson I'd play McCourt for Mellis, Digby when fit should start on bench until proper match fit then maybe start him? Jordan Clark has done nothing at Scunny so why should we throw him straight into 1st team?