Time for square pegs in square holes

[apb1]

Footballers are a simple bunch mostly and I think with the 6 most important games, like, ever, coming up, we need to stop fannying about playing people in the wrong places. Many have done a good job, but let's get the team knowing where it's playing - back to basics!

Dickinson is a defender, Pugh isn't. Play Dicko Tone, he's a good defender and will get even better with games.

Pugh is a midfielder, Cressie isn't. Pugh on the left is fine, with 2 creative players in Lawro and Whelan able to get forward more.

Bothroyd is a forward. Don't start telling him to play wide left or something. Play him next to Mama next game. (If no Kamara)

Zakuani is a centre half, and will do fine for a week on Saturday - he's quick and sharp.

Above all, keep the players in their natural positions as much as possible.

Come on super Tone! Time to show some real leadership is now. Lawrence is such a good player for us - not just creatively but he tracks back so well too. We are gonna do it!

[lordb]

can anyone disagree with this?

[Deleted]

Pugh can play left back and play it well. He did it better than Wilko on Saturday.

Tone knows what he’s doing; we are top last time I checked.

[apb1]

I know we are top! I think Tony has done a fantastic job!

Christ almighty are we not allowed to have any opinions now? I am not arguing Wilko should be left back anyway.

[Deleted]

When did I say you weren’t allowed to an opinion?

I was merely voicing mine. Pugh is not a natural left back but can play well there. Cressie is not a natural left winger, but can do a good job there (I would prefer to see him up front but if he’s on the left then so be it).

[The Toxic Avenger]

Pugh hasn't looked good at left midfield at any stage.

[apb1]

Fair enough WD I thought you were saying Tone knows best don't dare tell him what to do!

I think Pugh is an OK left back, prone to mistakes (like the header back against Burnley was it) but is better suited to midfield. He doesn't look flashy at left mid but is quite effective.

Dicko has not played badly when given a chance - just needs to improve his distribution I think.

[Deleted]

I prefer Dicko to Wilko, I thought Wilko looked shaky on Saturday. I think Pugh looked probably at his best in centre mid when he was given a chance there. He is also an apt replacement at left back if Dicko is injured or suspended.

Oh, by the way, Tone knows best don't dare tell him what to do

[apb1]

Wilko is very right footed I think, unlike Griffin who actually looks better on his 'wrong' side.

Pugh is good at centre midfield but Whelan and Delap look certs there - Delap is much less effective than Pugh on the left? I don't have the irrational hatred of Cresswell some people seem to, but if anyone needs a break it's him - very low on confidence wherever he starts.

I worship the ground Tony walks on but don't want the glorious leader to miss out on some wise counsel

[Deleted]

Cressie deserves a run up front IMO. He’s done well there when given the opportunity and also found the net. You can analyse different players in different positions all day long but the big thing about Saturday for me was realising how much we missed Fuller and Lawro. We were a completely different outfit without them and it’s bloody frustrating knowing they were missing because they can’t keep there mouths shut.

Tone should tell them if they can’t keep it shut and get booked for shouting there mouths off then they will get fined. I don’t care if they are the best players in the team. It’s not like you’re asking them to change there game in terms of not going in for challenges or losing any passion, it’s just about channelling it in the right way.

[scfclifer]

cressa is shit up front as he showed against blackpool amongst other games he looked far happier when he went back out on the left

bothroyd and mama for me against sheff

[The Toxic Avenger]

When, other than Palace away, has Cresswell done well up front for us?

[Deleted]

Ok, let me rephrase, he has found the net when played up front.

[lordb]

Wilko @ LB & Griffin @ RB proves the point!

Pugh is weak defensivly @ LB.
Not good as LM either
has played well or very well as CM.

Cresswell has had only a handful of good games - but HAS scored goals of course,& works aaard -.

[bayernoatcake]

whydelilah said:

Pugh can play left back and play it well. He did it better than Wilko on Saturday.

Tone knows what he?s doing; we are top last time I checked.

Pugh isn't a left back and neither is Wilko!

[The Toxic Avenger]

Only rarely even then WD, he's been unimpressive for the most part when played up front.

[dexter97]

Cresswell's looked most effective getting on the end of balls into the box (often from set pieces), but I've not been convinced about his quality from open play. We definitely need better options on the left of midfield, and if I was TP, this would be as high a priority as a "hitman".

[Deleted]

I beg to differ, if he played regularly up front for a season he’d get between 15 and 20 goals. He’s bagged about 10 playing predominantly out of position on the left.

[The Toxic Avenger]

I think he's looked better on the left tbh. Seems to struggle to get into the game when played up front - maybe our style of play doesn't suit him.

[okeydokeystokie2]

Don't panic, we can pick up enough points in the remaining games to WIN this league.

I'm really not sure how much extra impact another player could give us right now. Even assuming Kamara were released, surely we have enough options without him. The other thing is, regular matches count for a lot. Gally just didn't look sharp on saturday-he showed some great touches, (one 30 yard crossfield pass to Cressie out of this world) but also a number of lapses in concentration. How many games for Kamara to fit in and be sharp?

Saturday was a tough game with key players missing. I thought Jay Bothroyd looked pretty lively when he came on, with pace to burn. And as has already been said, Zak was excellent at the back, with one great defensive header when he was running toward his own goal. No worries about these 2 playing against Wednesday. Think Cressie will play again, as much for his covering as the chance of nicking a goal. Seem to remeber Jermaine Johnson(?) is quite handy out wide for them.

TP has already said that he likes to play Dicko at LB away, but thinks Danny Pugh offers better drive and crossing at home. I think that is spot on.

Go back to basics. It would be ironic if Nash went back to Wigan, and we finished the season with Simmo in goal. Liam back on Sat which is massive, then Ricky back for the last 5 games.(Remember when he returned from suspension last season?) These are the players have brought us to this position, and these are the guys I would like to see to finish the job.

And finish the job we will. Everybody will drop points, and we can get back to winning ways against teams where we will be too powerful. Enjoy the ride!

[eriksson74]

It would be a novelty for Tony to play folk in their respectful positions!!

Players will be missing for various parts of the season, that is why its useful to have a squad and make best use of it throughout the season.

If we did sign anyone I don't expect Tony to play them anway, given his comments on Saturday

[OldStokie]

Cresswell is a good player but he struggles in Super Tone's 4-4-1-1 system when played up front. Saturday was typical of that. He was very poor.....which brings us nicely back to apb's point....Time for square pegs in square holes ....which is an excellent one.

OS.

[Deleted]

Tone will get it right, he has done so far this season.

[10 Pint Potter]

Pugh's best game this season was at CM v Newcastle

although at left back people say he never wins far post headers but i remember a number of times seeing him get his head to a cross and flick it away from an incoming right winger