We're Well Placed, When You Look At It!

7 points from 5 games would equal 64 points across the season. Sixth place required 69 points last year. And (barring Millwall, which I didn't see) we've yet to play well in the league. So you could argue that if we can hit any sort of form, we're well-placed for a challenge!

We're not going to be able to rely solely on Sam due to his fragility, so we're going to either need Marley Watkins to show what LJ saw in him, or for LJ to bring in at least one more striker before teatime tomorrow.

Did Marley show any glimpses on Saturday, by the way? I haven't seen him mentioned?

 

No glimpses on Saturday.

He played out of position on the left wing though.

I've seen Watkins a few times now and although he has a nice touch he hasn't got the skill to go round a man.

From a standing position he struggles to beat a man.

If he's running with the ball though he has the speed and strength to go down the outside. I think he's a good player but again we need some presence upfront to help out the like of Watkins and Winnall.

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No striker or Left back before 6pm tomorrow = Mid Table Mediocrity at Best

 

I thought that was Watkins position wing??

 

Watkins played well against Everton but has been distinctly average in other games

 

How can you say he is out of position? He was a winger converted to striker last season. Personally I have yet to see why we chased him. Looks lightweight all round. Jury still out.

 

Agree 100%

 

Of course the jury is still out, we're 5 games into the season. Nyatanga has been a weak link for a bit now and people seem to like his crazy legs moves he does with the ball

 

Because he played on the left wing.

He's a right winger/forward.

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A lot of time wingers can play either wing if he is narually a right winger and he is put on the left will just cut inside on his favored foot to play the ball. It's not like playing him at center mid or right back.

 

To my mind, Watkins has more strength, pace and is able to hold the ball up better than either Winnall or Wilkinson.
Winnall can finish, but he doesn't have any pace or physical strength which makes him look like the weak link in the formation we play right now.

Watkins doesn't have the same goal-scoring threat as Winnall, but I would have thought he would be a better option if we insist on playing one up front as he will be able to hold the ball up and let others join the play better than Winnall.

Ideally we would be looking to buy the tier 3 equivalent of Drogba, as this is what the formation requires.

That said, our main striker can't hold the ball up forever so our midfielders need to be a bit closer to the striker to make this work. We also need midfielders attacking the ball on the very rare occasion that anyone gets to the byline and puts in a cross just in front of the 6 yard area. I'm not convinced there's many goals in our midfield.

It's not just about having a Jabo type figure up front, we need at least one midfielder playing off him and one or two attacking the box.

 

we do need a few players in and then we will be well placed to kick on rest of season .

 

I like Watkins. And despite everyone playing poorly he did get past the defender on 2-3 occasions. He will never stand out but his work rate, care of the ball and all round contribution has been good. I have stated before if you look at every goal we have scored this season he has been involved in the majority. I have given some examples based on our goals below.. He needs to get a few goals because unless he does that he won't appear on some people's radar. It seems his contribution so far hasnt been recognised.

Millwall - cross for Winalls goal
Millwall - great run down wing from picking ball in defence and fouled wide right. Free kick led to Nyatangas goal
S****horpe - nice flick for Scowan in the area fouled. pen,. Watkins took and missed.
S****horpe - won ball edge of their area and played one two for Penalty number 2
Everton - cross for Winnalls first goal
Everton - scored second goal

I find it hard to argue he doesn't contribute based on the facts just on our goals / chances alone. Not withstanding his work helping defend.

 

Some players are suited to it. Other aren't.

If Darren Barnard played right wing he would be out of position.

If you play George Smith at right back he's out of position.

It's the same with a winger. Not EVERY winger is suited to playing either side.

Marley Watkins likes to drive past players when running at pace. Like I said he isn't one for beating a man from standing.

I find in baffling that people think every winger should be equally suited to both sides.

You would never play Beckham on the left wing. If you did yes he could cut inside but he'd still be out of position.

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Good post icer. Watkins has had a useful, if unspectacular, start to the season. He looks after the ball well, finds a red shirt most of the time. He's tidy.

Had a poor game Saturday, but didn't they all. Let's not forget he was particularly struggling physically at the end of the Everton game, I was surprised to see him start on Saturday.

 

Did he bring some saddle soap?

Far too early to judge any of our signings. I'm still at the stage where I don't recognise them, never mind judge how good they are at football. He didn't do much on Saturday, but no Barnsley player did.

 

I would rest him tomorrow. He has played every game expect the first where he came on as sub. He will need a rest. I would look to bring Smith and Bree in too as a start. Nayatanga and Wabbara can rest. Attacking wise worries me. If Wilkinson is still in the reckoning tomorrow might be last chance he can show his worth.

 

Remember Winnall was unspectacular at the start of his time with us. Didn't score his 2nd goal until October

 

I hope we lose tomorrow and focus on the league. We don't need any more pointless games.

 

A day at Wembley in any cup is worth aiming for , we don't get many chances to go as a barnsley fan