Last season Helik aside, he was our best and most consistent player. Up and down the left flank like he was powered by Duracell. He created umpteen chances, defended stoutly and scored some brilliant goals. Last night, our width was provided by Kitching - who tried his best, but obviously does not have the skill set to do what Styles does. Styles himself had a tidy, yet unspectacular game in the middle. We were all looking forward to Styles moving central this season and filling Mowatt's shoes - but I think we miss him more bombing up and down the wing.
I think this is a very good point. Im not sure Styles fits the more central role especially with Palmer but its early days. I think he would contribute wider. Im not sure if its form, confidence or just the position but he doesn't look comfortable right now. I think we look lightweight in midfield and too many short passes and not enough dictating tempo or creativity. Teams seem to easily come through is right now and we turn too many balls over in midfield. its odd Kitching is pushing forward and i felt he looked isolated when he did make the runs which again questions whether this formation really works. having said that we have seem players and formations come good over time.
He looked completely lost last night, especially first half. I don't think he or Brittain had a clue what role they were supposed to be doing.
Defensively Styles set up as a LWB. It’s just that when we attacked he tucked inside and our only width came from an overlapping centre half. If we’re going to play a narrow front three as well we desperately need him to stay high and wide. Luton only had to defend one flank.
I thought Styles played well last night. If he does play in midfield we need to give him and the team time to evolve.
The problem with Styles is that when we have the ball he has clearly been asked to move into the middle, but without the ball he then drops into a left back role, which appeared to confuse Palmer/Benson yesterday and noone seemed to know who picks up runners from midfield, with them often going spare. I would say its a work in progress but i do feel we lack abit of bite in the middle, maybe that is palmers role, but like i say, too often yesterday luton midfielders bombed past him without being tracked. I do think its a work in progress though and adjustment time is to be expected. The most annoying think about yesterday was the amount of thrown in we had where Brittain just threw the ball upto Odour/Woodrow/Frieser who never won an header so the ball just came back. It was the definition of stupid, doing the same thing and getting the same result. The midfield and centre halfs should be providing other options though and didnt really appear to "show" for it.
All last season people were saying they couldn't wait to see Styles moved into the middle, but I never understood that. He was fantastic on the left, and the way he played/the team played, meant he had the time and space to go with his ability which all added up to him being our most creative player. I'm hoping Benson finds his feet to take make that central midfield slot his own, allowing Styles to go back to doing what worked so well last term...
Id move styles back to lwb, keep benson and palmer in the middle and we could do with adding a scowen/sherridan type in the middle to scrap and win the ball. Maybe Jordan Williams could fit that role well - he's a good tackler, can get stuck in, quick, and has a good engine. The wing backs also need to be given license to overlap and let someone fill in because I lost count of the times brittain just stopped on the half way line because he had obviously been told not to over lap and get down the wing - yet benson was crying out for someone to drop into that space. Brittain also needs to start getting that end product. Wish he would get a goal cos its obviously getting to him now. Its also creeping into his crossing. He put some great crosses in last season but seems to be struggling this season. Sure he'll come good so long as he keeps believing in himself. And lets stop fannying about at the back. If there is a ball out play it - don't just passit around trying to create a 'trigger' cos they just end up playing a ball; under pressure or at worst losing it at the back.
Think it was a tactical issue last night more than a Styles issue. We had a narrow front 3 so needed someone to stay wide left. Styles was obviously told to play centre mid in possession, with Kitching pushing on. I like the concept, but last night there was space to be exploited by someone with more quality on the wings. Hopefully as players learn the system they'll spot these opportunities themselves, but Schopp should have changed it as we weren't creating much narrow through the middle. All our chances came through Brittain's wing despite him being a little off colour.
I thought Styles had two or three opportunities to strike at goal. There was the one at the end that he couldn't get over, and one or two where he was just a bit hesitant and couldn't get a shot away. I'm not too fussed about whether it's from CM or LWB, I just want to see him have a crack from distance when the opportunity presents itself.
I like the look of Kitching thus far in a pure defensive role however I can't help thinking - after watching last night - that Jordan Williams would be more suited to the role of an "overlapping left centre back" if that is going to be a requirement in future games.
I think Jordan is the best WB at the club. Pacy. Strong defensively. Excellent at charging forward. Can also stand in at CB.
Yes I think he's a good player, unfortunately for him I think he isn't as good as Brittain at RWB (imo) and we need a natural left footer on the other side which rules him out. He can easily cover any of the 5 defensive positions though if needed.
Fair point. Respect your opinion. However don't necessarily think we need a left footer in that position. Jordan has proved he can be effective on the left. Opinions eh?
When Mads comes back I think Sibbick could play that role as well. If we are going to abandon the press, a 3-5-2 formation may work out better, allowing Styles & Brittain to press on more. Morris / Woodrow or Frieser / Oulare up front, (if we ever see him). Halme & Jordan Williams as cover.
Oh absolutely he can - he's never let us down. I just feel that if the left hand forward is right footed and wants to naturally cut in, then we need a left footer to balance this out. But then again I work 40 hours a week for the council, so what do I know.
