Move Ben Mee back to left back?

Mala591 · Post by **Mala591** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 2:31 pm

Might be possible to move Ben Mee back to left back. Play Tarkowski alongside Kean at centre half and move Ward up to an attacking left half position. I understand he was a left winger early on in his career.

Certainly worth trying in training don't you think?

firebfcfire · Post by **firebfcfire** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 2:34 pm

Why change him when he has arguably for many been player of the season?

ablueclaret · Post by **ablueclaret** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 2:38 pm

3putt · Post by **3putt** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 2:39 pm

No, I don't think Mee is anywhere near good enough as a left back. He's been very good since moving into the middle including this season. Thing is, it looks very likely that Tarowski is just as good defender, but a much better all round player and should be starting. Selection headache for SD.

Lord Beamish · Post by **Lord Beamish** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 2:40 pm

ablueclaret wrote:No

I agree Ablue. The OP lacks imagination(like Dyche).
Ben Mee should only be moved to Holding Midfielder.

snapcrackleandpop · Post by **snapcrackleandpop** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 2:41 pm

Have you seen him at left back.

ElectroClaret · Post by **ElectroClaret** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 2:44 pm

Wouldn't like to see Ward disturbed. Start disrupting the back line
and you risk screwing up the whole unit.

We're doing fine, Tarks will come in naturally, when injuries and suspensions kick in.

LeadBelly · Post by **LeadBelly** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 2:44 pm

Ward is doing very well at left back, Mee is a good CH; leave well alone.
It's true that we have 3 very good CHs but it's up to SD to chose which 2 to play in any given match - good problem for him to have. I guess it gives him the option of the "three at the back + wing backs" set up if he ever fancies but we seem to be exceeding expectations as it stands.

Firthy · Post by **Firthy** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 2:44 pm

Obviously new to the forum

bfccrazy · Post by **bfccrazy** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 2:51 pm

I'd rather see Tark at left back.

dpinsussex · Post by **dpinsussex** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 2:56 pm

I think we should move Ben Mee half a step forward and leave in the centre of defence

bfccrazy · Post by **bfccrazy** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 3:01 pm

dpinsussex wrote:I think we should move Ben Mee half a step forward and leave in the centre of defence

Maybe we could use Gray at left back as his pace would be brilliant and he can put a good ball into the box.

Bin Ont Turf · Post by **Bin Ont Turf** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 3:03 pm

I suggested it for the first FA Cup game at Sunderland just to give one of our more consistent performers in Ward a break and keep injury free for the more important league games, and not because I wanted to crowbar James 'Lothar Matthaus' Tarkowski into the centre of defence.

The back line stays as it is until it 'has' to change.

dpinsussex · Post by **dpinsussex** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 3:03 pm

bfccrazy wrote:Maybe we could use Gray at left back as his pace would be brilliant and he can put a good ball into the box.

I reckon using tom heaton as the new striker might also be an option.

boatshed bill · Post by **boatshed bill** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 3:09 pm

The way BM smashed his goal in against ManCity suggests a left sided strikers' role is there for him.

Bordeauxclaret · Post by **Bordeauxclaret** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 3:13 pm

Has Ward played up front in his career before or am I imagining that?
Not that I'm suggesting moving him, unless it's to holding midfielder if Tarkowski and Mee are injured.

bfccrazy · Post by **bfccrazy** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 3:24 pm

boatshed bill wrote:The way BM smashed his goal in against ManCity suggests a left sided strikers' role is there for him.

After further consideration I have decided that Tarkowski would make be perfect for the role of a returning Bumble Bee and bring an end to Berties sorrows.

Steve-Harpers-perm · Post by **Steve-Harpers-perm** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 3:30 pm

The obsesssion with changing full backs into wingers continues on this message board!

vinrogue · Post by **vinrogue** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 3:33 pm

If it's not broke..... Home form and clean sheets say that at Home it is most definitely not broke. If away from home SD decides to have a tinker, I will support any tinkering SD thinks may work.UTC

bobinho · Post by **bobinho** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 3:42 pm

Mala591 wrote:Might be possible to move Ben Mee back to left back. Play Tarkowski alongside Kean at centre half and move Ward up to an attacking left half position. I understand he was a left winger early on in his career.

Certainly worth trying in training don't you think?

No.

Bens best position is where he is right now.

Wards best position is where he is right now.

Tarka will come in. When he does, I suspect he will play alongside mee.

Vegas Claret · Post by **Vegas Claret** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 3:49 pm

our full backs have both got better every game + there was a reason Dyche moved Mee away from full back !!!!

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 3:51 pm

Now that would be taking 2 steps back if Mee ever played at left back again. Never imo good enough in that position and there's no coincidence in him moving central and going on that 23 game run, which I seem to remember a lot of fans wanting to happen, me included.

simonclaret · Post by **simonclaret** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 3:51 pm

There's a strong argument for Tarkowski getting a run in the team but it would be a mistake to play others out of position to make it happen. If Dyche wants to do it he'll drop someone to do it (as he did this time last year).

andyh · Post by **andyh** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 3:54 pm

Id be ok with 3 at the back vs Arsenal, just as an experiment... I would be aghast if we moved Mee to LB. He hasn't anywhere near enough ball skills to do that... Only Tony Pullis would think LB was the future for Ben Mee.

Culmclaret · Post by **Culmclaret** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 3:59 pm

Mee came to us as a CB and was pressed into service as a LB, a position to which he applied himself admirably but in which his performances were never entirely convincing. Remind me where he played before and after the 23, 23 undefeated.

One of the rare instances where this board called it right!

BedfordsDad · Post by **BedfordsDad** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 4:00 pm

Stephen Ward has been one of our most reliable and consistent performers both in the Championship and Premier League since January 2016. He is a totally committed Dyche style player not only in defence but he also plays a significant role in the opposition's box at set pieces. The manager will be more than satisfied with Ward's current contribution to the team ethic.

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 4:03 pm

There's also an argument to keep the central pairing as is, with Tarkowski continuing on the bench. It's still very much Mee and Keane's place to lose and with us sitting 10th in the Premier League, that time hasn't yet come. I'd let Tarky continue in the cup games for the time being.

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 4:04 pm

It would make sense to play 5 at the back on Sunday as we will do a lot of defending. A bank of 3 central midfielders with two forwards ready for any long balls or service we can provide.

Colburn_Claret · Post by **Colburn_Claret** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 4:08 pm

WHY?

I like Tarks too but Ben Mee has been as good a centre half as we've had in years. You don't drop a player who is in form unless they warrant it, and he hasn't.

ksrclaret · Post by **ksrclaret** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 4:08 pm

Really tough decisions for Dyche to make now. He's got Keane and Mee who were the bedrock of our 23 game unbeaten run and on the whole have performed very well so far, albeit with Mee making more (noticeable) errors than Keane. He's then got Tarkowski waiting in reserve who's shown himself to be far too good to be sitting on the bench week after week and has to be very close now to winning a spot. Fantastic selections problems to have.

One thing is for sure though, Stephen Ward losing his place would be a travesty.

jlup1980 · Post by **jlup1980** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 4:35 pm

Ward has been arguably our best player since the start of December. He's in a rich vein of form. I wouldn't change left back currently, not a chance, and certainly not for Mee.

Blackrod · Post by **Blackrod** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 4:35 pm

No. Ward has been very consistent and should not be moved.

martin_p · Post by **martin_p** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 4:43 pm

Could we move Dyche upstairs as Director of Football, make Tarkowski player manager (he could pick himself for whatever position he feels like week by week).

joey13 · Post by **joey13** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 4:46 pm

Ward has been outstanding since he got back in the team over 12 months, I would imagine he is one of the first names on the team sheet, at left back .

andyh · Post by **andyh** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 4:48 pm

joey13: don't say that fidelcastro will be along to say the same thing!

dsr · Post by **dsr** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 4:49 pm

I can see why the OP thinks Tarkowski is better than Mee at centre half, though I don't agree.
I can see why the OP thinks Mee is better than Ward at left back, though again I don't agree.
But I can't see why the OP thinks Ward is a better left winger than any of Gudmondsson, Arfield, or Boyd.

joey13 · Post by **joey13** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 4:53 pm

Tarks is a better centre half in my opinion, Mee makes at least 2 bad mistakes per game , outstanding for the rest though .

HendricksHair · Post by **HendricksHair** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 5:01 pm

Bordeauxclaret wrote:Has Ward played up front in his career before or am I imagining that?
Not that I'm suggesting moving him, unless it's to holding midfielder if Tarkowski and Mee are injured.

Yeh you're correct he was used as a makeshift (I presume) striker at Wolves in his first season. Just seen he has a record of 26 goals in 93 games for Bohemians before he moved so can only presume he was used as a striker or winger there

bartons baggage · Post by **bartons baggage** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 5:01 pm

ablueclaret wrote:No

If you say no then its got to be feasible.

Mala591 · Post by **Mala591** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 5:08 pm

I agree that the back four are all playing very well and should be in any starting line up.

I just feel that Tarkowski is now one of our best 10 outfield players and we must find a way to fit him into the team especially for away games. A less risky strategy might be to play him alongside Barton just in front of the two centre halves. This would free up Defour to focus on a more forward creative role.

Whichever way that the 'away problem' is solved Mr Dyche has never had more options to find a solution.

martin_p · Post by **martin_p** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 5:10 pm

Mala591 wrote: I just feel that Tarkowski is now one of our best 10 outfield players and we must find a way to fit him into the team especially for away games.

Based on one performance against a woeful Sunderland team (at home)?

fidelcastro · Post by **fidelcastro** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 5:13 pm

Tarkowski in midfield?

How on earth has a canny manager like Dyche not thought of that idea... Oh hang on.

Jambo · Post by **Jambo** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 5:16 pm

Is Mee a better left-back than Ward? No. Is Ward a better wide midfielder than Boyd? No. So why weaken two positions?

I like Mee but Tarkowski is doing exactly what you have to do when you're out of the side - taking all of his chances and putting huge pressure on the place. I'm guessing Keane will leave in the summer and I really hope we get the chance to see Tarkowski and Keane as a pairing in the league before then. Dyche isn't one for changing things unless forced - and the fact we're 10th suggests we're doing pretty well - but it's hard to see what more Tarks could do at this stage.

minnieclaret · Post by **minnieclaret** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 5:48 pm

Post 28 for me. Arsenal are the one remaing side who still pass it in the box. We need ss many in there as possible.
It won't happen and we might still get something the form they are in.

NRC · Post by **NRC** » Thu Jan 19, 2017 3:23 am

Only way to accommodate Tarks is in a three, with Mee left and Keane right. Mee should never go FB. Wholly agree if there was ever a time, arsenal is it, but it won't happen

HiroshimaClaret · Post by **HiroshimaClaret** » Thu Jan 19, 2017 7:02 am

I posed the question the other day - `Would it be insane to suggest Keane & Mee are one of the Top 3 central defensive partnerships in the Premier League?` Chelsea, Spurs, Liverpool, Arsenal, City, Man U, Everton, West Brom, Southampton and Leicester have all conceded less BUT many of `em play 3 central defenders OR I would suggest the overall quality of the team is the reason for less goals conceded.

IF those teams played a 4-4-2 or a 4-5-1, I think Keane & Mee would more than hold their own in any of their line-ups (City for certain!).

What do people think?

SGr · Post by **SGr** » Thu Jan 19, 2017 8:44 am

Ben Mee at left back.

No. Just...no.

lakesclaret · Post by **lakesclaret** » Thu Jan 19, 2017 9:03 am

Mee would only be moved to lb in an injury crisis . Tarks really should be playing he's a class above Mee , though be very harsh if BM was dropped. Wardy is a steady Eddie but certainly a position we need to look at upgrading.

ClaretRock · Post by **ClaretRock** » Thu Jan 19, 2017 1:44 pm

I think Tark has shown in the brief apperences and the few games he could be a decent replacement for either in the future and may even surpass as he looks excellent on the ball however I have seen to little of him to go and remap the entire defence for him. I think the following link puts the origional post into perspective of how far the gun has been jumped here... http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/201 ... er-crouch/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

dsr · Post by **dsr** » Thu Jan 19, 2017 2:47 pm

lakesclaret wrote:Mee would only be moved to lb in an injury crisis . Tarks really should be playing he's a class above Mee , though be very harsh if BM was dropped. Wardy is a steady Eddie but certainly a position we need to look at upgrading.

I've seen no evidence that Tarkowski is a class above Mee. I'll accept he's a better ball player with more tricks and flicks and a better passer of the ball - but as John Stones proves, that's not all that defending is about.

And as for how good a defender he is, we aren't going to learn that by watching him playing against Defoe-less Sunderland.