The Midfield
I asked if Wednesday was the time Ellis Chapman came of age and was told by a couple of Twitter users that it was not. I disagree. He was up there for Man of the Match in my opinion and I didn’t see an emerging youth team player when he went into tackles and challenges; I saw a fringe first team player. Ever since he emerged I’ve seen him as a youngster settling into a man’s world but I feel over the last few weeks he’s proven to be a viable option in the middle of the park.
Here’s the thing; with Joe Morrell and Michael O’Connor fit, Ellis is benched, along with Freck and Tom Pett. If we lose Morrell, which is possible, or if Mickey’s injury doesn’t clear up, then I can see Ellis being the next choice. I don’t think MA sees Callum Connolly as a midfielder and I feel we have to get a grip of the battle in that area. Jorge Grant did well for some (not for others) and as a central player, he’ll split opinion. I really like Jorge when he’s on form, but his style is such that he will lose the ball at times. He tries ambitious passes and tricks which are all well and good further up the field, but not along the halfway line.
That’s not to say he lost the ball too much the other night, but I do feel we need more robust players in there, a mix of youth and experience with pace in one player and guile in the other. O’Connor and Morrell are the obvious choices, but Ellis could easily fill in for either if needed. Where does it leave Freck and Tom Pett? Honestly, the answer to that is on the fringe of the first team set up. Freck could operate alongside Morrell or Ellis, but I wonder if Tom’s performance against Gillingham has done him a bit of damage going forward. If he plays from here on in, I suspect it’ll be in the ten role and he’s a bit down the pecking order for that position.
I’ll also count the wide players in the midfield, assuming were playing a 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1. I know it looks like a 4-2-3-1 at times, but it would be silly to just cover the ‘1’ in attack!
Out wide, our options are plenty and Jack Payne, Harry Anderson, Jorge Grant and Bruno all stake a claim for a start. For me, Payne is not a wide attacker and when he does play out there, he struggles to offer the same width as the others. He has a tendency to drift infield and narrow our play, making our attack more predictable.
People criticise our forwards for not scoring enough goals, but in fact, it is the ten role and the wide players who have struggled to provide. Last season, by November 24th, players operating in the ten role or out wide had delivered 15 goals (Andrade 3, Anderson 4, Pett 3, McCartan 3, Kellan Gordon 2). That’s not counting the time Green and Akinde played at the same time. This season, the same areas have delivered 8 goals (Andrade 2, Anderson 3, Grant 1 and Payne 2). Of those eight, three have come in the EFL Cup, two against Everton. Right there is the problem we’re facing. Big John does miss good chances, granted, but he’s got five goals from just seven starts this season. At this point last season, he had six from 20.
For now, I think the best options out wide are Andrade and Jorge Grant. Harry is there or thereabouts, but at this level, his brute force is best applied late on; the trickery and guile of Andrade and Grant can be a success for us. Certainly, Grant can be more consistent and both need to add a few more goals to the tally, but they’d be my choices.
Next Page – The Attack
Balanced view as always. Personally I agree witht the Shackell comment, I think he is done and if you look at the stats that concurs. I think Bruno on his day is class but both wingers are luxury and for me Harry brings more than the others yes his end product is sketchy but before he was dropped he was in good form. Agree with Payne and if you talk to Bradforsd fans they say when going was good he was awesome but when it got tough he disappeared. I too like Big John he just needs some confidence and we can play a part by getting off his back. Lewis needs a run at RB for sure. January is going to be interested and I presume the Danny compo will be used???
Think your analysis is pretty good , my thoughts would be , if O’conner is fit play Connelly instead of Shackell , if your light in midfield play Shackell. Definitely Hesketh over Payne ( been really poor). Grant is way better than Harry ( he may be good for last 20 mins) and without doubt the best comment you made is Lewis for Eardley ( offers nothing in league 1). Anyhow enjoyed your review…UTI
Why is Eardley not being used for set piece deliveries?
Against Giliingham Andrade took everything and his delivery was woeful. Disagree about Shackell. Ok….error at Gillingham…but…apart from that? Disagree about Chapman. Publicity before the Gills game….this is my chance……The game passed him by….as it so often does in my opinion. Payne has been poor because Appleton plays him out of position. You are right….the guy is not a winger. He’s a ten. Think back to his performance and link up play with Bruno in the Sunderland game…..We’ll be fine…UTI