Flemming

[Tricky Trevor]

Has to start up top next match. His display at Leeds was better than anything Foster has produced so far this term. He took the ball in, held it, brought others into play around him. All I saw from Foster yesterday was the one good run that led to Anthonys chance. He also missed the opportunity to feed Flemming an open goal when he blasted at a 3 man wall in front of him.
PS I am not against Foster in the side but not as the line leader.

[taio]

I think we should try Foster and Flemming

[RVclaret]

How about we get more attacking players on the pitch and start both? Flemming has played off the main striker for Millwall for 2 seasons and been a standout player, while Foster had 8 goal contributions in 24 games in the PL as a striker. I think it’s time to get them playing together personally.

[Elizabeth]

My Millwall friend says this player is the business and we have tried to buy him in the past so clearly he is highly rated. Hopefully over his recent injury issues and for me he will be the catalyst that transforms our recent performances. He will need a few games to get match fit.

[blatherwickstattoos]

I think we should try Foster and Flemming

We defo need more up top . Movement and strength missing. I was watching foster yesterday off the ball and he barely moves or runs the channels

[AGENT_CLARET]

We need to go 4-4-2

But slightly staggered Front two not in line



--------Trafford

RB----CB----CB----LB

RW----MD----MD----LW

-----Flemming
-------------Foster

[taio]

How about we get more attacking players on the pitch and start both? Flemming has played off the main striker for Millwall for 2 seasons and been a standout player, while Foster had 8 goal contributions in 24 games in the PL as a striker. I think it’s time to get them playing together personally.

The most relevant stats for Foster are that he's scored 2 goals from 18 championship appearances, or 7 goals from 42 premier league and championship appearances combined. That's nowhere near enough unfortunately. Hopefully he will improve quickly with Flemming playing alongside him.

[RVclaret]

The most relevant stats for Foster are that he's scored 2 goals from 18 championship appearances, or 7 goals from 42 premier league and championship appearances combined. That's nowhere near enough unfortunately. Hopefully he will improve quickly with Flemming playing alongside him.

It’s not enough but worth noting how many of those 18 were off the bench? Per minute is usually a better way at measuring.

Currently it’s a goal every 450 minutes and goal or assist every 265 minutes. Given most of those minutes were in the Prem that paints a slightly different picture.

I’m agreeing we need more and been critical of him but this constant attack seems targeted at this point. But yes let’s hope Flemming playing closer can improve him and us.

[Poulton-le-Claret]

Glad it's the international break so he has an extra week to get fit after his injury.

[Quickenthetempo]

We defo need more up top . Movement and strength missing. I was watching foster yesterday off the ball and he barely moves or runs the channels

Would love to see more from him but we offer zero to him as a team. We don't try and get it to him early or when he's in the box.

At what point would you make a run in this team?
Every time a player gets the ball they pass backwards.

[gtclaret]

I think the issue with him has been his fitness.He had virtually no pre season and I think the game against Leeds was his first competitive game.That is the only reason his was a late sub yesterday.Im sure Parker wants to play him ASAP

[blatherwickstattoos]

Would love to see more from him but we offer zero to him as a team. We don't try and get it to him early or when he's in the box.

At what point would you make a run in this team?
Every time a player gets the ball they pass backwards.

That’s one of the issues mate. There’s no point making runs when like you say the balls forever going back and sideways. Works both ways though I saw a lot of the time players asking for more movement and there was none. We need a dynamic forward who plays on the shoulder ,foster was getting into too many duels and losing them. If this is the case you’d usually switch up tactics and get in behind. Something parker hasn’t done since the luton game.

[willsclarets]

My Millwall friend says this player is the business and we have tried to buy him in the past so clearly he is highly rated. Hopefully over his recent injury issues and for me he will be the catalyst that transforms our recent performances. He will need a few games to get match fit.

You can see by his positioning, movement and the odd touch he's had that he has quality. I'm not lambasting Fosters whole performance, but a confident player a bit less desperate for a goal lays it to flemming for a tap in yesterday.

[Quicknick]

I was so pleased when we signed Flemming. He has to start.

[taio]

It’s not enough but worth noting how many of those 18 were off the bench? Per minute is usually a better way at measuring.

Currently it’s a goal every 450 minutes and goal or assist every 265 minutes. Given most of those minutes were in the Prem that paints a slightly different picture.

I’m agreeing we need more and been critical of him but this constant attack seems targeted at this point. But yes let’s hope Flemming playing closer can improve him and us.

A goal every 450 mins is poor, but appreciate your point about PL with it being a much tougher league. However, looking at his Championship record, I think it's a goal every 656 mins, which is concerning, but hopefully he'll quickly turn a corner from this point.

[Rowls]

Flemming looks like he ought to be a starter. He's clearly a very classy footballer.

However, switching personnel isn't going to resovle the lacklustre displays on its own. We're going to need a change in tactics, strategy and playing style at the same time.

[CoolClaret]

Flemming looks like he ought to be a starter. He's clearly a very classy footballer.

However, switching personnel isn't going to resovle the lacklustre displays on its own. We're going to need a change in tactics, strategy and playing style at the same time.

Not sure that I follow your logic here at all.

More creative/technically better players will see things quicker and have the ability to play passes that others cannot. Windows start opening up for them where as for others it's a sideways pass.

For example - we looked perfectly fine at carving Luton open at basically every opportunity when we played them on the opening night with a better team, right?

[Rowls]

Not sure that I follow your logic here at all.

It's simple: Players follow instructions.

Imagine 11 players managed by Owen Coyle.

Imagine the same 11 players managed by Gareth Southgate.

They're not going to play the same style. The style is set by the manager. Swapping the players around only goes so far. How they are being instructed to play is instrumental.

[Rowls]

For example - we looked perfectly fine at carving Luton open at basically every opportunity when we played them on the opening night with a better team, right?

This is looking more and more like it was the exception rather than the rule. All managers have a honeymoon period and it isn't a good idea to treat these periods as being representative of a manager's style.

[CoolClaret]

This is looking more and more like it was the exception rather than the rule. All managers have a honeymoon period and it isn't a good idea to treat these periods as being representative of a manager's style.

The point I was making in my rebuttal is that we had better players playing in those games who didn't have issues with carrying out SPs tactics to good effect.

I find the negativity a bit maddening when the only real decisions he has had to make regarding who to play in the final third of the pitch is Sarmiento or Anthony - the rest are injured.

[Myk]

Don’t think it works with Brownhill, Cullen and Hannibal together with foster on his own up top. It’s just who does he sacrifice to get Flemming in the team with Foster abit further forward.

[blatherwickstattoos]

It's simple: Players follow instructions.

Imagine 11 players managed by Owen Coyle.

Imagine the same 11 players managed by Gareth Southgate.

They're not going to play the same style. The style is set by the manager. Swapping the players around only goes so far. How they are being instructed to play is instrumental.

Extremely good point

[kentonclaret]

Not sure that I follow your logic here at all.

More creative/technically better players will see things quicker and have the ability to play passes that others cannot. Windows start opening up for them where as for others it's a sideways pass.

For example - we looked perfectly fine at carving Luton open at basically every opportunity when we played them on the opening night with a better team, right?

Forget about the performance against Luton on the opening night. Luton had a squad severely depleted by injuries and had 2 rookie teenagers making up their back 4.

[what_no_pies]

Actually closed down with intent of winning the ball back unlike Foster. If it's one or the other for commitment alone I'd take Flemming every day of the week.

[CoolClaret]

Forget about the performance against Luton on the opening night. Luton had a squad severely depleted by injuries and had 2 rookie teenagers making up their back 4.

So similar to us right now?

[GetIntoEm]

Parker is decent, but I don't think he's turned Flemming into a number 9 already. We need foster and Flemming. Drop hannibal

[Enola Gay]

Parker is decent, but I don't think he's turned Flemming into a number 9 already. We need foster and Flemming. Drop hannibal

On the basis of yesterday Hannibal is the only one of the midfield three I'd keep in place for the next match.

Flemming in for Brownhill, Laurent in for Cullen.

[bpgburn]

On the basis of yesterday Hannibal is the only one of the midfield three I'd keep in place for the next match.

Flemming in for Brownhill, Laurent in for Cullen.

I'd agree with and would like to see that combination..

[Burnleyareback2]

Feels like we arre trying to accommodate Brownhill, Cullen and Hannibal at the sacrifice of a 2nd striker.

I’m fine with that for away games, but Plymouth, PNE at home- we need to be starting with 2 upfront.

In the early games I thought Parker was going to flex the team based on the opposition- now I think we have gone back to playing whoever did well in the last game.

[Superjohnnyfrancis]

Feels like we arre trying to accommodate Brownhill, Cullen and Hannibal at the sacrifice of a 2nd striker.

I’m fine with that for away games, but Plymouth, PNE at home- we need to be starting with 2 upfront.

In the early games I thought Parker was going to flex the team based on the opposition- now I think we have gone back to playing whoever did well in the last game.

Need to drop one central midfielder and play a second striker or drop both wingers. Foster has zero service at the moment and is usually marked by two defenders and we have two wingers that get one cross in each game . It’s just not going to work in this current format.

Hope Parker has a big rethink in the break.

[Superjohnnyfrancis]

As said on another thread would like to see Flemming as no.10 with Kolo and foster up front rest of midfield to just support those three and no overlapping wingers. Let those front three do the attacking and interchange positions.

[louieollie]

On the basis of yesterday Hannibal is the only one of the midfield three I'd keep in place for the next match.

Flemming in for Brownhill, Laurent in for Cullen.

100% agree with this

[Mattster]

For example - we looked perfectly fine at carving Luton open at basically every opportunity when we played them on the opening night with a better team, right?

Given you've pinned a lot of our struggles on an inexperienced defence, it's worth noting that Luton had 3 teenagers making their first ever league starts of their careers in that game, 2 in central defence (next to a 22 year old) and 1 in defensive midfield.

[GetIntoEm]

You can't drop brownhill, he's arguably our best player. Laurent for cullen is something I'd do tho

[Alan Young]

On the basis of yesterday Hannibal is the only one of the midfield three I'd keep in place for the next match.

Flemming in for Brownhill, Laurent in for Cullen.

Can’t get my head round these sorts of takes. Hannibal seems to have become the new Mark Ford. People judging him on his reputation rather than what he’s actually producing in games. Brownhill and Cullen are not the problem and neither is Laurent an upgrade on either.

[TheFamilyCat]

Feels like we arre trying to accommodate Brownhill, Cullen and Hannibal at the sacrifice of a 2nd striker.

I’m fine with that for away games, but Plymouth, PNE at home- we need to be starting with 2 upfront.

In the early games I thought Parker was going to flex the team based on the opposition- now I think we have gone back to playing whoever did well in the last game.

They don't even have to have done well in the last game to be picked again.

[Newcastleclaret93]

On the basis of yesterday Hannibal is the only one of the midfield three I'd keep in place for the next match.

Flemming in for Brownhill, Laurent in for Cullen.

I’m honestly not sure how anyone can watch Hannibal in our side and think he’s even remotely effective.

He’s been my biggest disappointment this season. He was touted as a marquee signing and he wouldn’t get close to my starting eleven

[taio]

I’m honestly not sure how anyone can watch Hannibal in our side and think he’s even remotely effective.

He’s been my biggest disappointment this season. He was touted as a marquee signing and he wouldn’t get close to my starting eleven

Hannibal has done ok but once again needs to be given time to settle. Can see the case for playing Flemming rather than Hannibal - that's what I'd do right now - but he'd still be close to the starting 11. Not sure who described him as a marquee signing

[Newcastleclaret93]

Hannibal has done ok but once again needs to be given time to settle. Can see the case for playing Flemming rather than Hannibal - that's what I'd do right now - but he'd still be close to the starting 11. Not sure who described him as a marquee signing

Plenty of people called him marquee in the summer

[aggi]

Feels like we arre trying to accommodate Brownhill, Cullen and Hannibal at the sacrifice of a 2nd striker.

I’m fine with that for away games, but Plymouth, PNE at home- we need to be starting with 2 upfront.

In the early games I thought Parker was going to flex the team based on the opposition- now I think we have gone back to playing whoever did well in the last game.

I think the trouble is we don't really have another striker. Hountondjisn't of the required quality, Rodriguez isn't a starter anymore and that's about it until Flemming is fully fit.

[Dark Cloud]

I don't know enough about Flemming yet, but my hope is he becomes the link between the rest of our play and Foster and that this makes us much more dangerous in the final third. If so, he desperately needs to be in the team (if fit).

[fatboy47]

Laurent and Hannibal are the only ones to be troubling the opposition in the centre of the park..Flemming , whilst we've seen very little of him, has proved himself with Millwall and needs to be in the side.

Cullen is pretty inneffective in this system and needs to make way...along, for now, with Brownhill..

Foster is the enigma...maybe Rodriguez would hold the ball up top more effectively..and I'd expect him to partner Flemming soon.

[dougcollins]

Foster is the enigma...maybe Rodriguez would hold the ball up top more effectively..and I'd expect him to partner Flemming soon.

Much as I love him, we're finished if we're putting Jay back in the side.

[Enola Gay]

I’m honestly not sure how anyone can watch Hannibal in our side and think he’s even remotely effective.

He’s been my biggest disappointment this season. He was touted as a marquee signing and he wouldn’t get close to my starting eleven

Well, what I saw from Hannibal on Saturday was him doing a ton of work, winning a lot of possession (either picking up loose balls or taking it from PNE players) and getting half their midfield booked with his ability to turn.

In other words, considerably more than I saw from either Brownhill or Cullen.

[NewClaret]

Parker is decent, but I don't think he's turned Flemming into a number 9 already. We need foster and Flemming. Drop hannibal

I don’t think you can drop Hannibal. His ball recovery is sensational. I think it’ll be Cullen if any of the three get dropped for Flemming, as hard as that is to believe.

I actually think it’ll be Foster. He seems to be playing more of a 10 than a 9 anyway.

[NewClaret]

Well, what I saw from Hannibal on Saturday was him doing a ton of work, winning a lot of possession (either picking up loose balls or taking it from PNE players) and getting half their midfield booked with his ability to turn.

In other words, considerably more than I saw from either Brownhill or Cullen.

I honestly don’t think there’s a prayer Hannibal gets booked. Anyone thinking that isn’t watching the work he’s doing very carefully.

[fatboy47]

Much as I love him, we're finished if we're putting Jay back in the side.

I don't have your certainties Doug...and admit that in certain ways it'd be like playing with 10 men...eg whilst trying to press effectively, or when looking to break at speed.

But we're going to be trying to break packed defences and atm Foster hasn't been any more effective at retaining possession up front than the average wheelie bin might prove. I'd not be surprised to see JRod start some games (prob at home ) if things dont improve attack-wise.

[fatboy47]

Dropping Hannibal isnt going to happen...really. Massive contribution on Saturday.
Probably just a whisker behind Esteve for the "first name on the team sheet" prize.

[Colburn_Claret]

Hannibal is definitely a fighter, and works his socks off to get the ball back, he's also quick to try and get the ball forward in possession. I can't see anyway he is droppable. He and Brownhill play too much of a similar role, and get in the way of each others game. I would prefer to see Hannibal play that DM role, push forward when he can and get the moves starting.
I'd also like to see Laurent alongside him, he seems to read the game well, and is also happy to play forward and look for those balls over the top.

4 4 2 with Koleosho/Anthony or Sarmiento wide. Happy for them to share it until one of them claims a start.

It would leave 2 places for Foster, Fleming and Brownhill. Foster is the obvious one to go, although I don't want to write him off, but we need players who can win the ball high up the pitch, and play quick passes to feet, and also have an eye for goal. Whichever wing we attack down, the opposite winger has to be getting in the box, and the AM on the edge of the box to pick up the 2nd ball.

The next run of fixtures are going to tell us an awful lot about SP, is he proactive and make adjustments to his perceived style, or is the lady not for turning. We're Clarets, we want him to succeed but something has to change.

[ClaretTony]

Well, what I saw from Hannibal on Saturday was him doing a ton of work, winning a lot of possession (either picking up loose balls or taking it from PNE players) and getting half their midfield booked with his ability to turn.

In other words, considerably more than I saw from either Brownhill or Cullen.

I saw exactly the same