LancsGordoRoad
Vital Champions League
After ten (EFL) games played, what do we think ?
Ten games in, there`s usually enough evidence upon which to make a considered judgement from the stands. Time to indulge ourselves, have a little fun and pick our starting line-ups ?
I`ll start the ball rolling......
Unusually, which is an understatement for the times we find ourselves in, GFC has struggled to inject any form of consistency into its starting line-ups. Even at the back, where injury hasn`t been so much of an issue, we`ve had very little commonality. Having so many new players doesn`t help, of course.
As Eric Morcambe once suggested, it`s all very well knowing the right musical notes, it`s putting them in the right order that counts ! In defense, seems we`ve struggled to find our fab-four, or fab-five. Does Ogilvie sit better at LB or should he be in the middle ?
From what i`ve seen Jack Tucker is first on the team list. Who is the best partner for him - this is clearly giving the bosses a headache? From a fan perspective, I prefer Medley. Young Zech has aerial prominence and speed. For me, Ogilvie should be at LB, even though O`Connor offers a more attacking option on the LHS. What about the RHS. Much as i really like Ryan Jackson, there have been times when he`s been unconvincing. But, apart from maybe Mackenzie, can anyone else do that job as well or better ?
First choice back line = Jackson/Mackenzie, Tucker, Medley, Ogilvie
Finding cohesion in the middle of the park has been a big challenge and certainly not helped by the injuries to O`Keefe and Dempsey. However, there is a fair amount of choice still available. Is it that we haven`t decided whether or not we are a team that wants to play the ball through the middle and get into the attack or a team that is happy to bypass the middle of the pitch ?
Have we got enough talent to play it through the middle ? My answer would be yes to that. A few weeks ago I was certainly very excited by the quality of young talent being recruited, especially midfielders. A glance at the pedigree of our young guys and the recruitment system that has got them to where they`re at, leaves little doubt that they offer high potential. Are we brave enough to use them?
Is it a coincidence that when we were playing better and picked up most of our points the trio of Roberston, Eccles and Coyle were a lot more involved ? Robertson and Eccles both take people on, push the opposition defense to its back foot and look capable of finding the back of the net. Coyle on the left allows Graham to play on his preferred right wing plus, they both offer decent crossing and the potential to cut-inside and gain the penalty area. Graham has been exceptional in most of our games, whether in midfield or further up as a forward. In Dempsey we have real quality and an experienced head to influence the younger men. MacDonald has bite, but perhaps a bit too much.
First choice midfield = Coyle, Eccles, Dempsey, Roberston, Graham
Up front we`ve tried all three of the main men. In Oliver we have someone who`s not going to stop running and has an impressive knack of winning the ball against the odds. As a lone man forward he can do the job. Samuel remains an enigma. On his day, he`s excellent, but is he consistent enough ? Akinde, another player that can frustrate the hell out of us - at Ipswich he showed what he is capable of - he put in the model performance of a power forward. There`s no doubt he can perform - he showed us ! Again, consistency is a challenge. To my mind, as things stand, i`d rather see one forward up front winning the ball and feeding an attacking midfield.
First choice front line = Oliver
So, basically a 4-5-1 or maybe a 5-4-1 as a preferred line-up.
After ten games, there`s been enough skill evidenced to suggest a decent season is possible. How far we succeed might be dependent on how brave our selection process is and how motivated SE and PR can keep some of the more experienced guys.
What is your preferred line-up and why ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Ten games in, there`s usually enough evidence upon which to make a considered judgement from the stands. Time to indulge ourselves, have a little fun and pick our starting line-ups ?
I`ll start the ball rolling......
Unusually, which is an understatement for the times we find ourselves in, GFC has struggled to inject any form of consistency into its starting line-ups. Even at the back, where injury hasn`t been so much of an issue, we`ve had very little commonality. Having so many new players doesn`t help, of course.
As Eric Morcambe once suggested, it`s all very well knowing the right musical notes, it`s putting them in the right order that counts ! In defense, seems we`ve struggled to find our fab-four, or fab-five. Does Ogilvie sit better at LB or should he be in the middle ?
From what i`ve seen Jack Tucker is first on the team list. Who is the best partner for him - this is clearly giving the bosses a headache? From a fan perspective, I prefer Medley. Young Zech has aerial prominence and speed. For me, Ogilvie should be at LB, even though O`Connor offers a more attacking option on the LHS. What about the RHS. Much as i really like Ryan Jackson, there have been times when he`s been unconvincing. But, apart from maybe Mackenzie, can anyone else do that job as well or better ?
First choice back line = Jackson/Mackenzie, Tucker, Medley, Ogilvie
Finding cohesion in the middle of the park has been a big challenge and certainly not helped by the injuries to O`Keefe and Dempsey. However, there is a fair amount of choice still available. Is it that we haven`t decided whether or not we are a team that wants to play the ball through the middle and get into the attack or a team that is happy to bypass the middle of the pitch ?
Have we got enough talent to play it through the middle ? My answer would be yes to that. A few weeks ago I was certainly very excited by the quality of young talent being recruited, especially midfielders. A glance at the pedigree of our young guys and the recruitment system that has got them to where they`re at, leaves little doubt that they offer high potential. Are we brave enough to use them?
Is it a coincidence that when we were playing better and picked up most of our points the trio of Roberston, Eccles and Coyle were a lot more involved ? Robertson and Eccles both take people on, push the opposition defense to its back foot and look capable of finding the back of the net. Coyle on the left allows Graham to play on his preferred right wing plus, they both offer decent crossing and the potential to cut-inside and gain the penalty area. Graham has been exceptional in most of our games, whether in midfield or further up as a forward. In Dempsey we have real quality and an experienced head to influence the younger men. MacDonald has bite, but perhaps a bit too much.
First choice midfield = Coyle, Eccles, Dempsey, Roberston, Graham
Up front we`ve tried all three of the main men. In Oliver we have someone who`s not going to stop running and has an impressive knack of winning the ball against the odds. As a lone man forward he can do the job. Samuel remains an enigma. On his day, he`s excellent, but is he consistent enough ? Akinde, another player that can frustrate the hell out of us - at Ipswich he showed what he is capable of - he put in the model performance of a power forward. There`s no doubt he can perform - he showed us ! Again, consistency is a challenge. To my mind, as things stand, i`d rather see one forward up front winning the ball and feeding an attacking midfield.
First choice front line = Oliver
So, basically a 4-5-1 or maybe a 5-4-1 as a preferred line-up.
After ten games, there`s been enough skill evidenced to suggest a decent season is possible. How far we succeed might be dependent on how brave our selection process is and how motivated SE and PR can keep some of the more experienced guys.
What is your preferred line-up and why ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????
