The Pompey at our patch thread.

[choirboy]

Originally Posted by Inspector Morse

Valerian, agree all good players. No problem with them individually.
It's the balance between central and wide midfielders that I think is out.
It doesn't help that our other main creative player Pritchard is out.

It seems clear to me that it is the formation of the team which needs a change or two.
I simply prefer to play a back four which allows forward looking full backs to get forward when we are in possession and on the attack. Four across midfield is the norm for me but one of these can be a ‘holding’ deeper player who can be the central fulcrum of passes through midfield. The other central midfield player needs to be the mobile offensive type who can also support the central forwards. The two wide midfield players need to be able to play like wingers. This leaves two centre forwards to play either side by side or one central and the other buzzing around the central man. This type of formation gives a team a solid spine and mobility down the sides of the pitch and some force up front. It also ‘covers’ the pitch zonally leaving few gaps. Of course it depends upon the quality and fitness of the individual players picked in each position. I believe that our squad this season has these players although one of our best is out injured and another has frozen himself out of contention.
As you read my formation description you can probably ‘pick’ the players for these positions as you work through the set up!
Sometimes I think that formations are thought about too much as some kind of science. I believe that it is much simpler than that. The ‘tactics’ that make the difference and win matches are in working out ‘set pieces’ from free kicks and corners but also in management creating the ‘mobile pieces’ during normal play. For example, getting the ball to the opponents goal line and pulling it back towards the penalty spot…..what I call ‘The Golden Position’ on the field. Another factor is being able to adapt the players selected a good example of which occurred on Saturday with our early substitution.
Just some of my thoughts….

[choirboy]

on stanley on

[Inspector Morse]

Out of interest who would your fullbacks be?

[choirboy]

Originally Posted by Inspector Morse

Out of interest who would your fullbacks be?

If all players were fit, committed and available my set up would be:

Savin
Rogers Sykes Nottingham Amankwah
Hamilton Pell Coneelly Pritchard
Bishop Charles.

Of course anyone can tell me who is not fit to play physically or other!
So read my first line again please.

[Inspector Morse]

I completely forgot about Harvey. Good shout for right back.

I'm not sure about your left back choice tho. He looks more like a centre half to me. Albeit one who cant clear his lines.

No space for Butcher? Takes us back to my initial post re too many players of the same position.

[choirboy]

Originally Posted by Inspector Morse

I completely forgot about Harvey. Good shout for right back.

I'm not sure about your left back choice tho. He looks more like a centre half to me. Albeit one who cant clear his lines.

No space for Butcher? Takes us back to my initial post re too many players of the same position.

Well, this is why we have a ‘squad’.
To cover injuries and unavailability currently I would select this formation:

Savin
Sherring Sykes Nottingham Amankwah
Hamilton Pell Coneelly McConville
Bishop Mansell

I do agree with you that it is at both full back positions that we are the weakest. I am surprised that Harry Perritt has been allowed to go out on loan at this time.

[choirboy]

Regarding young Amankwah. I do believe that he will be a great centre back. At the moment he is actually still growing both in height and in physical stature. In a couple of years he will be an inch or two taller and have another stone of muscle on him. I would love to see him in a Stanley shirt in two years time! In the same way that Sykes has grown taller and stronger over the last couple of years into the much more mature and physically capable player that he is now.
With three at the back though Sykes gets stretched out into playing more like a right back. IMHO Sykes is a centre back not a pseudo ‘right and centre’ back!

[VALAIRIAN]

Originally Posted by Inspector Morse

Valerian, agree all good players. No problem with them individually.
It's the balance between central and wide midfielders that I think is out.
It doesn't help that our other main creative player Pritchard is out.

Cannot disagree I.M.

The problem as I see it, is the 3 at the back, as I do not believe that we have the players to play it - Sean being the prime example

[VALAIRIAN]

Originally Posted by cashman

aye but it would have only been the last 5 mins.

This is the way forwards for us Cashy

Hope Coley and Co. have read this

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59018115

[Twenty Eight]

When was the last time the club had a recognised reliable left back ?

[Exile on Spencer St]

Joe Jacobson stands out in my memory.

[andyd]

Originally Posted by Twenty Eight

When was the last time the club had a recognised reliable left back ?

Been asked on here countless times since Joe Jacobson left.

[choirboy]

Originally Posted by Twenty Eight

When was the last time the club had a recognised reliable left back ?

Steve Hollis, one of the best left foots ever!

[AccyMad]

Originally Posted by Twenty Eight

When was the last time the club had a recognised reliable left back ?

Craig Linfield? I'll get me coat

[andyd]

Could be the reason for playing 3 at the back we have 9 defenders named in the first team squad 1 of which Stephen Sama seems frozen out so leaves 8 if we reverted back to a back four I think personally Harvey Rodgers has the most experience so he would be my choice any thoughts?