Collins needs to play

[Colburn_Claret]

Collins played very well today
And will be ready for next season no matter what league we are in
But today we played another team who struggle to score goals
Tarks has to play Weds if available, and for the rest of the season
Simples !

It wasn't his debut, you do realise that don't you. He's played half a dozen games, and has looked accomplished and comfortable in them all.
Just as no one wanted to lose Keane, not many were upset because we knew we had a good un in Tarks to step up. In the same way no one wants to lose Tarks, but I have no doubt that Collins can fill his boots, and at his age that's some going.
We need our best players on the pitch, and the younger, the quicker, the better. Collins fits the bill, and while I wouldn't drop Tarks for him, he deserves to be on the pitch, and we need him on the pitch. Roberts couldn't buy a game, yet has taken to it like a duck to water, imo so will Collins.
All the crap about playing a CB in midfield is ********, because I have never suggested he play in midfield. He'd do a specific job, in specific matches, where the need to occupy that hole between midfield and the back 4 is imperative.

[claretandbluesky]

Why do people think players can’t adapt to new roles, that is the whole point of SD. Attackers become defenders, just look at how Lennon and McNeil have been used. People are for ever banging on about the need for new players to adapt to SD’s methods. Perhaps sometimes SD needs to adapt to accommodate the talent he has at his disposal.
This win at Brighton could be the start of something big or it could be a retrenchment of a failing endeavour. I just hope it’s used to explore new possibilities not sit back thinking we now have the answers.
There is now the real possibility of an exciting side if all it’s assets are used.

[davetheclaret]

It wasn't his debut, you do realise that don't you. He's played half a dozen games, and has looked accomplished and comfortable in them all.
Just as no one wanted to lose Keane, not many were upset because we knew we had a good un in Tarks to step up. In the same way no one wants to lose Tarks, but I have no doubt that Collins can fill his boots, and at his age that's some going.
We need our best players on the pitch, and the younger, the quicker, the better. Collins fits the bill, and while I wouldn't drop Tarks for him, he deserves to be on the pitch, and we need him on the pitch. Roberts couldn't buy a game, yet has taken to it like a duck to water, imo so will Collins.
All the crap about playing a CB in midfield is ********, because I have never suggested he play in midfield. He'd do a specific job, in specific matches, where the need to occupy that hole between midfield and the back 4 is imperative.

I think Collins could play a number of roles, Dyche now has to decide whether to change a winning team or go unchanged, as i said yesterday i think both Tarky and Westwood if available will return, if we get a poor result on Wednesday many on here will say he should have left it as it was, its a nice problem for Dyche to have, you need competition right through out the team. With regard to playing players out of position, can some some tell me what Cornet's position is ?

[claretandbluesky]

SD has form. If my memory serves me right he used Edgar in a holding role towards the end of his first season in charge with some reward, and then of course he did employ Tarkowski there for a few games, and then we have seen it work with Alexander, and of course both Duff and Mee moved from full back into the centre.

Would it work ?
We don’t know.
Maybe it would prove too disruptive.
Maybe a back three would be better
But we know SD won’t go there.

It’s a great shame we didn’t use Cup matches to experiment rather than wasting them as we have

[NewClaret]

Really tough one as Tarks is our best player, in outstanding form and has the experience - but it’s hard seeing Collins play so well and then sit on the bench.

We won’t change formation mid season in a relegation battle. That would be madness. Given his ball playing skills I would probably play him in the games against the lower teams we hope/have to beat.

Plus maybe in a 3 vs City which is a free hit and worth trying something different in my opinion.

[Guller Bull]

What I have noticed and like about Collins is that he is not afraid to communicate. Sometimes when a young player comes into an established part of a team I.e defence, midfield etc it can be a bit daunting to let others know where they should be or should be doing.
Collins does that really well. I guess that comes through his experience at Stoke. (Wasn't he captain?)

[mkmel]

Future Claret captain?

[elwaclaret]

Collins has looked like a fabulous prospect. And there is an argument to be made about sticking with a winning side… but judging by the number of experts who seem to think playing players out of position and dropp mainstays of the team and randomly slag off anyone who is not playing like we’re going for the title… I think I’ll stick with SD, thanks.

[CrosspoolClarets]

If we play Collins every game and go down there is every chance the vultures will be in for him and we won’t be able to refuse. As it stands, he’ll be a mainstay of our promotion bid, and if we stay up he will be first choice then too. Less chance his head will get turned if he is under the radar.

So I think we are doing it exactly right, but next August he will need to be first choice.

[Cirrus_Minor]

Apart from filling in for Tarkowski or Mee I think the only time he will play is to reinforce the defence in later stages of the game if we are winning or drawing.

[Im_not_Robbie_Blake]

4-4-3 is the answer.