Name your team !

[robindubois]

So we have all been moaning about GA etc. but assuming everyone was fit and available what team would we fans put out and why.

I'll start

Keeper: Bergovic - only decent keeper I trust, but left hopefully exposed by the defence up to now

Defence: Cannon Cook Clarke-Salter and Paal as a back four with Cannon and Paal quick enough overlapping to push opposition midfielders and wingers back 

Defensive midfield: Colback and Field in front of the back four to keep it tight and sit back when the backs overlap. Both have been a bit below par but that's the result of what is going on.

Attacking midfield: Willock and Chair and let them rebuild the creative pairing and scorers we know they can be, playing wide cutting inside or outside switching wings and taking dead balls.

Forwards No choice really . Dykes and Smyth as a front 2 - but play as a front 2 not a target man with one laying off. Stay upfront, side by side together, but switching diagonal runs to pull defenders wide or out of position and create space to receive balls from midfield or create the gaps for attacking midfield and overlapping full backs to exploit and get to the goal or by-line.

Old fashioned and may not work but a different mindset on defending - pushing the opposition back instead of sitting back and waiting for the inevitable,  and a different mindset on attacking, going at the opposition, with a bit of flair and creating and converting clearer chances. I bet at least it would be better than the dross we are seeing right now if the players were to play to their true capability. And therein lies the issue- how does a new man inspire these players who have been dragged through the mud under Ainsworth get back the form we know they can show. 


 

[rickyqpr]

I think that your pick is about right.
The only doubt I would have is if Willock is going to put in a shift ahead of the January window.
But you can extend that to quite a few in your team - they are probably calling their agents by the day.
Field, Chair, Dykes - all likely to want out - and how much have we lost on their values since last season?
A team that does not score goals is not worth a lot, is it?

[robindubois]

Oct 26, 2023 7:38:10 GMT rickyqpr said:

I think that your pick is about right.
The only doubt I would have is if Willock is going to put in a shift ahead of the January window.
But you can extend that to quite a few in your team - they are probably calling their agents by the day.
Field, Chair, Dykes - all likely to want out - and how much have we lost on their values since last season?
A team that does not score goals is not worth a lot, is it?

Agreed - I doubt we can actually sell anyone for cash apart from the 3 you name and then at less than half their true value. I suppose we could add Cannon if he really shines in the next couple of months

I based my "selection" on ability really - assuming fitness and attitude was right and a different manager (me) in charge. Given the choice of playing Willock or Albert or Dozzell or Kakay I know who I would go for.

I still do not get the Willock situation - is he just hopelessly out of form, or just he will never fit Ainsworth's model so not being played and cannot be bothered when used as a bit part for 10 minutes when we are out of the game, or he is running down his time and avoiding injury?

I would have thought that if he gets a chance with us he would put in some effort and show what he can do - bigger signing on fee and wages and more competition of his signature. But if he sulks his way through to January who will want to pay even small cash for him then or be prepared to wait.

[rickyqpr]

Willock wanted out in the Summer for free. He is not getting any younger, his promising career has stagnated.
The deals that his dad had lined up last Summer, will no doubt be resurrected in January, but probably discounted.
My reading is that he is not going to do anything to jeopardies that opportunity.
I think it is clearer at the ground than on TV. He pulls out of tackles, rarely sprints, and is going through the motions.
Part of me does not blame him - if he picks up an injury before the window, he could be here for another 6 months.
But I think that Ainsworth and the coaching staff can see that as well.
The only positive from him entering the field of play is that Chair will at least pass the ball to him - although on Tuesday that was not the case because Willock replaced Chair. That meant that Willock just wandered around for 15 minutes.
But once a player gets used to pulling out, it can be hard to shake that off.
He is a much bigger risk to any new club now, and his brother's hamstrings seem to be no better.

[hitmanrangers]

Totally agree about Willock, most certainly going through the motions. He has had some opportunities to impress, not a lot, but some time on the pitch yet offered little. No goals, no shots, no assists, no positive impact on any game including last season post Beale.

Chair is now going down a similar path I fear. Should be hitting his prime and one of our most experienced players now in the league but also no goals, no assists. A player with his talent, that is still in there, should be picking the ball up, beat a man and smashing into the goal. Has a great first touch that takes him away from his marker but often also in the opposition direction of his teammates. Then gets outnumbered or head down into a dead end, no one to pass too and loses the ball.

Dozzell is another player who still seems to be living off his wonder goal against Boro. Offered very little lately and I don’t understand why Dixon-Bonner has not been given a chance in his position.

[nomar]

If everyone is fit. 3-5-2.

Begovic
Cook, Clark-Salter, Dunne/Kakay
Cannon, Colback, Field, Chair, Paal
Smyth, Dykes


I would have Colback being the Rottweiler in the middle with Field. If his head is in it then Willock starts instead of Colback, but Field has to do that midfield enforcer role.

I'd play Smyth up top to feed off Dykes knock-downs. Sinclair off the bench as impact sub to torment tired legs on opposition defence.

Kakay would actually be better in central defence so he could play there in Dunne's absence, otherwise he rides the bench.

Warnock, or any other competent manager who knows how to set a team up and motivate players would have that lot well clear of the danger zone.

[robindubois]

Oct 27, 2023 8:32:01 GMT nomar said:

If everyone is fit. 3-5-2.

Begovic
Cook, Clark-Salter, Dunne/Kakay
Cannon, Colback, Field, Chair, Paal
Smyth, Dykes


I would have Colback being the Rottweiler in the middle with Field. If his head is in it then Willock starts instead of Colback, but Field has to do that midfield enforcer role.

I'd play Smyth up top to feed off Dykes knock-downs. Sinclair off the bench as impact sub to torment tired legs on opposition defence.

Kakay would actually be better in central defence so he could play there in Dunne's absence, otherwise he rides the bench.

Warnock, or any other competent manager who knows how to set a team up and motivate players would have that lot well clear of the danger zone.

Interesting variation - only surprise to me is Kakay.