Ben Tomlinson – Danny Cowley
I keep waxing lyrical about Ben Tomlinson because I feel he would have been a big success had he been around not only when Danny was manager, but maybe even now as well. I’m not saying he is League One quality, but in his prime, I firmly believe he could easily have played in the Football League. Put it this way: if we signed the Ben Tomlinson of 2013 in 2019, I’d have no issues with him playing as our number nine under Danny.
Tomlinson suffered, in my opinion, for playing under the wrong manager. How often did we see him on the left of a three, or even on the left wing? Too often. He had all the qualities of a number nine; he was strong and aggressive (a little too aggressive at times), he played with a certain arrogance, but he could finish, too. He should have played at the head of a 4-2-3-1 or at the very least as part of a two-man attack in a 4-4-2.
His perfect role would have been the Big John role of 2018/19. If you got it up to him quickly, he could run the channels and hold the ball up, but if you needed him to sniff around the box for a chance, he could do that too. I’d argue that peak Ben Tomlinson would have been a better fit than John Akinde. I know his popularity faded a little after he left, but under the right manager, Ben Tomlinson would have hit double figures every season for City.
Do you have any suggestions for players who played under the wrong manager? Let us know in the comments below.
Simon Yeo in Micheal Appleton’s team now, just think he would fit in well with the way MA wants to play.
Great Shout!
A YOUNG Lee Frecklington in Michael Appleton’s team. What a waste in Danny Cowley’s team, spending most games watching the ball sail backwards and forwards over his head.
Now I know why I never progressed beyond village football level as a player. I just did not have the right manger – if only I had Sir Alex, I could have been a Bobby Charlton look alike!