In many interviews, LJ has indicated he needs to pick Nyatanga, Mawson and Roberts because of the lack of height elsewhere in the team. He cites the need to be competitive in the air on set pieces as his reasoning, but in his latest interview, he points out the Barcelona are a set of midgets, but that they do not concede many goals at set pieces. So my question is this. Does the team have to have at least three tall players, or can we get away with fewer? I am a great advocate for picking footballers at full back. In my view, full backs have to have the qualities that you would expect from a player who normally occupies a defensive midfield position. That is, they must be able to pass the ball, they must be able to read the game and they must have a good engine. In addition, they must be able to cross the ball. Midfield players are not usually tall, and a lack of height should not disqualify a player from playing full back either. The lack of height in a team is only likely to pose a problem at set pieces because in the normal course of the game, the two centre backs will be taller than the players they are marking, and the midfield players and full backs should ensure the delivery forward is not accurate enough to cause the centre backs a problem. So, lack of height is only a problem at set pieces, and even then, it is only a problem if the opposition is accurate in its delivery of the ball. So the question is whether the increased risk of conceding at set pieces is worth the offset of better ball retention and better control in midfield, which should lead to more chances being created at the other end. I think that recent performances suggest that it is worth giving it a try.
You've basically repeated what Johnson talked about yesterday. The dilemma/decision to be made with putting certain players in certain positions and leaving others out and the consequences thereof.
Barcelona don't concede many goals from set pieces because they don't concede many corners or free kicks in dangerous positions. We concede more corners and free kicks so probably need taller players. What's more, many teams in this division tend to play long balls forwards. I don't agree that just because we have two centre halves who should win the majority of their aerial battles in that area of the field, we don't need any other tall players in defensive positions. Last week Shrewsbury constantly played long balls into the wide positions from goal kicks. We had Nyatanga there and he was able to cope with it but I wouldn't have liked to have seen us rely on Smith to win every aerial battle from a goal kick. Playing Nyatanga at full back has it's pros and cons. Many seem to focus on the cons.
I think it also about muscularity as well. Some smaller defenders can out-muscle big attackers, whilst some taller ones might not. The basic point LJ makes is a good one, especially as SSW is not that tall. The issue arises at set pieces when we are both attacking and defending. I think it may be worth having Nyatanga at left back for that reason. We will be facing quite a lot of big players in this division and, at set pieces, it will matter. On the other, so will having a quick left-back. Swings and roundabouts eh? Horses for courses as well - need to pick either pace, or height depending on what we are up against.
Brek Shea was beanpole material but was as much use as a Chocolate Fireguard. As Mr Reev would say. Hth
The longer he waits to bite that particular bullet the less confidence I have in his abilities as a manager.
Re: The longer he waits to bite that particular bullet Must admit, for me that is one glaring fault so far
Re: The longer he waits to bite that particular bullet Maybe worry less about the opposition and pick a team to play to our strengths , especially at home
Re: The longer he waits to bite that particular bullet Can't wait for tomorrow's team sheet. Will Lee Jay change tact or will he stick to the tried,tested and failed mode ?
Offensively Nyatanga is ok at corners set pieces and the like but in free play and at left back the man is a liability. We have to decide how we are going to set up and then enforce that on the opposition, if that means conceding a few from corners that so be it
I wonder once Michael Smith plays up front whether LJ then feels comfortable about going with a diminutive left back? Certainly we need more of a threat down that left hand side. Harris has done quite well but he is a right footed player who tends mainly to cut in and shoot. Crowley, when played on the left, does the same. In fact, I'm not sure I've seen anyone reach the byline on the left hand side and cross with their left foot.
Whats that saying? A good big un will always beat a good little un? One of the qualitys red rain seems to have missed off his list is the ability to tackle. Was pretty fundamental in my day.
