This is probably the most frustrating time of the year. The games have started, albeit with the emphasis on fitness, the start of the new campaign is in sight (just a few hot, sweaty days and one more friendly to get through) – and as usual there’s still nothing that can be said with confidence about our chances of promotion or who is going to form the backbone of the team/squad for the season ahead.
Ben Garner reportedly commented that he wants a further two or three signings to “complete his squad”, hopefully before the season starts, talking in terms of one or two key positions where we need “a little bit more depth”. That language suggested fine tuning and cover rather than game-changing incomers, but that’s just trying to read between the lines. There is still plenty of scope for the big picture to change – and the comments were made before confirmation of the signing of ‘attacking midfielder’ Jack Payne.
Just as important as the arrivals are whether there will be others leaving. If the rumour mill is to be believed any of Davison, Forster-Caskey, Gilbey, Morgan, or Kirk could depart, presumably on the basis that Garner hasn’t been overly impressed with what he’s seen, while there is always the possibility of bids coming in for others, such as Stockley. Given that, assessing how players perform in the friendlies, whether this or that combination might work, seems a rather pointless exercise, at least ahead of the Swansea game, when presumably we will be going with what Garner considers to be our strongest available squad.
So at the risk of a rehash of previous remarks, here’s my take on how well we are set up as things stand, on the basis of an 18-man squad for each game and a 4-3-3/4-5-1/4-1-4-1/4-3-1-3 set-up (they are basically all the same with slight tweaks).
In goal we don’t know whether MacGillivray or Wollacott will be considered first choice. From what I’ve seen so far, it’s MacGillivray for me. But then I really don’t care if a goalkeeper can pass the ball well. What worries me about Wollacott is that he does not seem to command his area, being reluctant to come off the line for high balls and not obviously directing those in front of him. I don’t think MacGillivray was especially strong in those areas last season either, but did seem to take the criticism on board. Either way, can we please avoid alternation. Every team needs a first-choice keeper as differences in style only confuse the defence. Of course who is first choice can change.
At full-back, with the injury to Egbo and with Sessegnon struggling to get game time under his belt, so far we’ve seen more of Clare (plus Ness) and Clayden in the two spots than might have been expected. The former may do a job filling in but presumably isn’t seen as a lasting option for the position, the latter certainly impresses going forward but defensively looks a little raw (he is after all billed as a midfielder). As things stand it is an area of concern.
Central defence does seem well covered with Inniss, Lavelle and Elerewe joined by O’Connell, plus the versatile Clare being another option if necessary. Just which two get the starting berths is not clear, but for me if he’s fit Inniss starts, then you select whichever of the others complements him best. Central defence isn’t the area of the pitch where you expect to make tactical changes during a game and with two replacements available we will need to be unlucky with injuries and suspensions to be short on this front.
The central midfield three is now perhaps overloaded, with the incumbents – Dobson, Forster-Caskey, Gilbey, Morgan and Fraser – joined by McGrandles and now Payne. Nice to have the numbers but it’s hardly surprising that there’s speculation of a departure. That may depend on another club coming in for one of them of course and on the players’ attitudes.
Up front, we are struggling with square pegs and round holes. With Stockley, Aneke and Leaburn coming through we are covered for the central spot. Yes, I know Leaburn is getting time playing wider and Chucks played deeper when he came on at the weekend, but I don’t think this is more than experimentation. Aneke is a powerful force, one which is wasted as a ‘No.10’.
When it comes to who plays either side of a central forward we do, I think, have problems. We have three wingers – Blackett-Taylor, Jaiyesimi and Kirk – and a central forward who may or may not stay with us, ie Davison. Nothing wrong with playing a winger in one of the roles, perhaps even both if we adopt more of a 4-5-1 (and rely more on 'goalscoring midfielders' getting into the box). But if it’s more a front three I think we are at least a man short, one who can play inside and out and will contribute goals. Of course the name that springs to mind is Washington, but that’s history now. Not really the three wingers we have (I still think CBT should be told to just run the flank in the opposition half as most teams will not be able to handle him).
Strangely enough, a player who would (IMHO) fit the bill would be Leko. I appreciate he didn’t pay off last season, he may not be interested in coming back. But his career is at something of a crossroads going into the final year of his contract at Birmingham and apparently not likely to feature in their plans (which might mean a bargain price – and a permanent signing would be a clearer statement of intent than another loan spell). We had discussions (ie differences of opinion) last season about whether he should be played as a winger or second forward. But now, I suspect he could thrive as one of a front three – and contribute the goals we need from that position. Nothing more than idle speculation, but if it isn’t him I’d suggest the need is for someone of that style, whether or not Davison stays.
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