Jalo starts

?

 

That’s not difficult to be fair. Connell has been poor but he’s the only midfielder with a tackle in him so simply has to play for me.

 

It’s a fact in your opinion.

 

No drama with Connell and Phillips being on the bench.

Nwakali and Connell are players who try to do similar things, so not an ideal partnership in my opinion.

Phillips has played a lot of football and has probably run out of fizz a little.

Great to start with three Academy graduates and Roberts as Captain (he should be full time for me). Excited to see how Jalo gets on.

 

No, it’s your opinion.

Better on the ball? More productive in possession? Yes, by a long way.

Have we conceded more chances and goals due to his lack of desire out of possession? Have we suffered by his running through treacle when coming back? Yes. A lot.

That’s my point about Russell and Nwakali as a two. It isn’t questioning their ability at this level, it’s questioning their desire out of possession and their game awareness/positioning off the ball to play as a two.

 

He's been playing further up the field this season. Connells been playing the role infront of the back 4 he's supposed to be the midfielder breaking up play. So you would expect him to make more tackles than any other midfielder but according to the stats he hasn't been.

 

Are you watching today?

If so, what do you think of the protection our back three is getting from the midfield?

It’s not just about making tackles. It’s about covering ground, cutting out paths of otherwise easy passes through the middle, doing the graft.

Russell and Nwakali don’t have that in their locker. Russell has looked better when he’s had someone behind him to do that for him. Nwakali isn’t that type of player.

Connell has been at times disgusting on the ball, simple passes misplaced. But he never goes missing or shirks. He always puts a shift in.

You could never accuse Russell or Nwakali of forcing the kitman to do overtime to double wash their kit, let’s be honest. Prince Andrew sweats more when he’s been out for a pizza.

 

Look at the goal away at Wrexham there's been plenty similar where he's been on the field and the opposition run freely without closing down he's been part of that.

You've banged the same agenda all season and then whitey posts the stats after games and Russell's made more tackles than connell. Nwakali has done well this half. Robbo and mdg have been the worst players on the pitch and o keffe at times

 

Connell.does a lot of the dirty work unseen. Whatever illness he had seems to have halted his development somewhat imo.

 

It isn’t just about numbers of tackles though is it? I don’t know how else to get this across.

If you think Russell is as effective out of possession as Connell, then great. Good for you.

I most definitely do not.

If we play all next season with a central midfield two of Russell and Nwakali we will not be successful. Bookmark it if you like. They can both play but they aren’t ever going to do the dirty graft that is needed, and it puts too much pressure on the defence. That doesn’t mean they are playing badly today or any day. It doesn’t mean we cant have good days and win well.

But there will be many a goal conceded against teams good enough and clever enough to recognise the weakness - and it won’t take that much I wouldn’t have thought.

 

Well done Jono!

 

Brilliant save Flavell!

 

I'd say there completely different midfielders with different attributes. Russell made most tackles today he breaks up play, scores and creates chances has done all season only phillips has contributed more statistically. He has played better this season than the role he did under Collins.
Nwakali is great on the ball and the best passer of a football at the club, he isn't strong or a great defencive player. They are both good enough to play league one football.

Connells been poor for ages he was gash against Cambridge and rightly dropped today unless your suggesting he should play every week regardless? Phillips form has also dipped since new year. I have no issue with either been dropped added to the fact we have nothing to play for.

 

So if we swap Russell or Nwakali for Connell then we will be successful next season?

 

You sir are one big yawn!