Cornet conundrum

[CoolClaret]

I honestly think we look a better side without him. He impressed with his flurry of spectacular goals early on but has offered precious little since. I understand he's struggling to get a level of fitness but I thought the team was much better balanced in the previous games without him. Offered absolutely nothing last night so I can't agree with the OP's suggestion right now that he has to play.

I somewhat agree but he’s still our biggest goal threat; the offside goal & the time he was through but put it wide.

I’d go with the team that started the Spurs/Brighton games but *may* be incline to try a 4-3-3 with him wide left & McNeil LCM

[Quickenthetempo]

I’m not sure whether you are commending McNeil or criticising Cornet for missing. Could be a sarcastic observation.
Whatever it is , a snapshot in a game will do nothing to further this argument. Just like the snapshot of McNeil missing a good shooting opportunity in the box because he wanted to put it on his good foot won’t.

Just pointing out he is creating.

[ClaretPete001]

Absolutely. This is the challenge or conundrum as the OP describes it.

It doesn’t though diminish Cornet’s value to the side which is what I think you and others are doing with your criticism.

Rodriguez has to return to the side to support Weghorst because Cornet hasn’t the instincts to effectively do so. At the moment until Vydra is back in contention, Jay has earned the right.

The return to the side of Cork instead of Westwood gets us nearer the side that got the 7 points from 9 and I don’t see this as related to the Cornet issue.

If we are not careful by leaving Cornet on the bench we will not get the best out of him , simply because you deprive him of the opportunity to get match fitness.

I go back to this talk of McNeil and where he should play. Dyche rested him for one game I think and this is what I would like to see done again to accommodate Cornet. There are more goals in Cornet and McNeil is not creating or scoring.

So my view on Cornet diminishes his value whereas your view of McNeil is ......?

The question is - can he play up front and the answer is, based on what we know, possibly not.

The second question is: can you play him instead of Lennon or McNeil? Possibly, but it's a question of opinion.

At this point, I wonder whether Weghorst is more effective with Rodriguez and the 4-4-2 looks better balanced with McNeil and Lennon.

I suspect we are both right and there will be rotation. Let's see what Dyche does I trust his view more than mine tbh.

[bfcjg]

He's an impact player, I'd bench him and bring him on for 15 minutes,very disappointing of late.

[expoultryboy]

My thoughts are a combination of a few posts above . Jay and Wout seem to be building an understanding of each other and I'd like to see Cornet used as an impact if required . Cork used instead of Westwood as he turns and plays the ball forward to feet and keep Brownhill in as he's the engine in the middle .

[KRBFC]

If we're playing Cornet and Weghorst upfront, we need to pass the ball to them, it's no good wellying it forward, neither are good in the air.

Far too many times last night was the ball going backwards to be hit long because Westwood lacked the courage to play forward.

We need calm, confidence in midfield, Defour would never have just booted the ball anywhere like Westwood for the first goal, he'd have brought it down, realised he had time to turn and played a pass to set us on the counter attack. Brownhill recently has grown in confidence, he's started driving forward with the ball, beating men in central midfield to go forward.

[ClaretTony]

I somewhat agree but he’s still our biggest goal threat; the offside goal & the time he was through but put it wide.

I’d go with the team that started the Spurs/Brighton games but *may* be incline to try a 4-3-3 with him wide left & McNeil LCM

Cornet wasn't involved against Spurs

[Devils_Advocate]

Impact sub like at Leeds is his best position for me

[Newcastleclaret93]

I agree.

I think the team that started against spurs give us the best balance.

Cornet can come on to change things up if required.

[RMutt]

In some ways he’s a victim of his early, goal scoring, success. In order to fit the best players into the team he’s now being used as the second striker where his better position is probably wide in midfield. But with McNeil in there and now Lennon playing well there’s no room for him. It’s almost inevitable that a club like ours with only limited buying power ends up trying to fit square pegs in round holes to accommodate its better players. Last night, if he’d been on the bench, he could have come on for the tiring Lennon for the last twenty minutes and perhaps had more impact.

[AlargeClaret]

Mcneil should be dropped for Cornet,MC is best out left with a bit of space to work with and cut in and we knows he's far more dangerous than DM could ever be. I think WW works better with Jay Rod as MC ain't no centre forward. Its a pity DM can't play midfield as he's starting to be a real liabilty IMO. He's shockingly one fotted,loses possession constantly,seems unable to shoot,score,win anything in the air and his ridiculous diving (and staying down) is gonna cost us. As a side totally devoid of creativity we've had to rely on Mcneils occasional flashes and dribbles.

[CoolClaret]

Cornet wasn't involved against Spurs

I know that -

Perhaps my post was a bit unclear…

I meant to a man he’s probably still our biggest goal threat but I’d be more inclined (to leave him out) and play the XI that started against Spurs - but may be inclined for a 4-3-3 with him wide left

[RVclaret]

Interesting that Eddie Howe tweaked Newcastle’s system to a 4-5-1 with Joelinton in the middle from out wide, getting ASM to his best position of left wing rather than striker, and they’ve now gone on their longest unbeaten run in the Prem for 10 years.

[Swizzlestick]

Interesting that Eddie Howe tweaked Newcastle’s system to a 4-5-1 with Joelinton in the middle from out wide, getting ASM to his best position of left wing rather than striker, and they’ve now gone on their longest unbeaten run in the Prem without losing in 10 years.

The Kiwi lad up top may have helped with that too.

[RVclaret]

The Kiwi lad up top may have helped with that too.

I know they spent a bit of money in Jan but Bruno Guimares hasn’t played much yet and he was £40m out of the 90. Wood hasn’t scored or assisted and he was 25 of the 90. Howe has done a great job and could arguably be in for the manager of the season award.

[aggi]

Which one was this? I recall him having two chances. The goal, where I watched several times and thought he looked on but the VAR lines give a different view (not sure how reliable they are when viewed from different angles), but that was a pass from Lennon? And the one he poked wide. Was there another I’ve forgotten?

Personally I think he has to start up front with WW. He’s our only striker with real pace and will get better as he gets fitter/learns the league.

Yes, the Lennon one. Not sure why I thought McNeil

[Elizabeth]

Just pointing out he is creating.

He does and has done since he first came into the team 2-3 years ago.

My hesitation over McNeil is whether he is creating enough this season to warrant a regular spot in the starting eleven. I don't think so and therefore while I like his attractive style and poise I am of the opinion that he is a bit of a luxury.

If he was to create more and be a goal threat I would be championing him more but I cannot do that

[burnleymik]

It's fine margins though. If that pass from McNeil had been played a fraction earlier and Cornet had scored we probably wouldn't be having this discussion (or if he'd poked that chance the other side of the post).

Boils down to this for me. He wasn't in the game much, but I believe, as others, that is mainly due to us trying to long ball so often, but he was the most likely to score for us and had our two best chances. That's exactly what we need right now. We are desperate to nick a goal and our defence can do what it does best.

[Elizabeth]

So my view on Cornet diminishes his value whereas your view of McNeil is ......?

The question is - can he play up front and the answer is, based on what we know, possibly not.

The second question is: can you play him instead of Lennon or McNeil? Possibly, but it's a question of opinion.

At this point, I wonder whether Weghorst is more effective with Rodriguez and the 4-4-2 looks better balanced with McNeil and Lennon.

I suspect we are both right and there will be rotation. Let's see what Dyche does I trust his view more than mine tbh.

Yes , it's a challenge for Dyche.

I think the way he dealt with it last night was to decide to rest Cork and Rodriguez after the fourth game in 10 days and reintroduce Westwood and Cornet to the starting eleven.

It didn't work and I think his biggest challenge is Cornet. Where we might differ is that I take the view that Cornet needs to be allowed to build match fitness because he presents a goal threat in a team that is limited in this important area.

Leicester are a good team and won because they had quality players,who are proven goal threats, to throw on as the game entered the final stages.

I expect both Cork and Rodriguez to return against Chelsea and will wait to see what Dyche does about Cornet. Hopeful that the decision to have Cornet supporting Weghorst is reversed . It doesn't work

[ClaretPete001]

Yes , it's a challenge for Dyche.

I think the way he dealt with it last night was to decide to rest Cork and Rodriguez after the fourth game in 10 days and reintroduce Westwood and Cornet to the starting eleven.

It didn't work and I think his biggest challenge is Cornet. Where we might differ is that I take the view that Cornet needs to be allowed to build match fitness because he presents a goal threat in a team that is limited in this important area.

Leicester are a good team and won because they had quality players,who are proven goal threats, to throw on as the game entered the final stages.

I expect both Cork and Rodriguez to return against Chelsea and will wait to see what Dyche does about Cornet. Hopeful that the decision to have Cornet supporting Weghorst is reversed . It doesn't work

Agree with all that but I would say that our difference is whether Cornet's goal threat comes at the cost of the balance in the 4-4-2.

I agree Leicester have better player but then so do many Premiership teams the difference is that when we are playing well teams struggle to break us down. Ben Mee's departure was also probably a factor but we just looked vulnerable again in the way we haven't since before the Watford game.

I suppose we'll have ot wait and see what Sean does.

[Dark Cloud]

At the moment I'm not at all convinced it's anything to with WHERE he plays. He simply looks lightweight, slow and very much below par. Initially he was anything but those things and whatever his issues are, whether it's injury, attitude or even personal stuff, he's a shadow of the guy we saw in the few games he played after signing. I know Jay has rightly had his critics this season, but if I was Jay I'd have been fuming last night after I was benched and then saw Cornet's "contribution". He (Cornet) can definitely do miles better because we've seen it, but where's it gone?

[Elizabeth]

Match fitness would be my preferred answer DC.

[what_no_pies]

Cornet has been miles off it and essentially his contribution since AFCON has been to consistently give away possession, usually by simply running into traffic. He'll kick non though and wouldhhave looked miles better if we weren't playing lump it last night.

[IanMcL]

Struggling for fitness and to fit in.
Naive up front.

Fingers crossed all comes good.

[willsclarets]

Has to start for me. Obviously still rusty but all he needs is game time. I do think he would come good as a second striker too, but I would rather seem him wide left in a midfield 5, with Brownhill and Cork as anchors and McNeill given more freedom to roam

[superdimitri]

He just needs to learn to track back like McNeil had too.

[shanghaiclaret]

He has lost that big cheesy grin. What ever his problem is SD needs to sort it out.

[boatshed bill]

isn't he a wing-back?
Some conundrum playing as a second striker in a team which all too often resorts to hoofing it up front.

[PremierLeagueClass]

Thought he looked sharp when he came on yesterday. But better than that, his body language was excellent. I wondered if he might have had a sulk after being dropped but he was the one out there geeing the others up, telling them to keep going even at 0-4.

[Iloveyoubrady]

Thought he looked sharp when he came on yesterday. But better than that, his body language was excellent. I wondered if he might have had a sulk after being dropped but he was the one out there geeing the others up, telling them to keep going even at 0-4.

Absolutely. For those saying he offers little other than his moments, yesterday he was more of a threat in 5 minutes than anyone else in the whole game. Movement, linking with Lennon/WW/Barnes, finding good positions and showing good pace and skill to nearly break the back line a few times. Also great bit of work to pull a ball back which brownhill should probably have been a bit further forward for a tap in.

[RVclaret]

Looked much sharper yesterday than he has in a few recent games. Hopefully we can get the pre AFCON Cornet back and firing. Needs to start against Brentford.

[Woodleyclaret]

Maxwell has to be the second name on the team sheet after Nick
We play him wide left with Jay and Wout central with Aaron wide right
We don't encourage the nonsense of Maxwell dropping back to cover
When we clear the ball he is more than capable of turning defence into attack and scoring.The nonsense comment about us being better without him in the side is unbelievable
Maxwell would have scored twice in the same situation Dwight got into

[warksclaret]

Personally think we may need to try a version of 433, playing Brownhill, Cork, and Westwood in midfield , and then Lennon WVW and Cornet up front. Rest Dwight for a week , and ensure Roberts & Taylor stick to their defensive duties. Cornet plays better as a wide man

I know Sean sticks to 442 but he has gone to 433 when chasing games

[tiger76]

Maxwell has to be the second name on the team sheet after Nick
We play him wide left with Jay and Wout central with Aaron wide right
We don't encourage the nonsense of Maxwell dropping back to cover
When we clear the ball he is more than capable of turning defence into attack and scoring.The nonsense comment about us being better without him in the side is unbelievable
Maxwell would have scored twice in the same situation Dwight got into

Spot on we need to start on the front foot at Brentford, and give them something to think about.

And Max has already torn them a new one this season, so he should feel confident he'll be able to bag.

After all it is Brentford we are playing next week not Chelsea, so although we should naturally respect them we certainly shouldn't fear them.

And a great chance of our first double of the campaign next Saturday, so let's get after them from minute 1.

[Rileybobs]

Can anyone shed any light on why there were boos when Max replaced Jay yesterday? Head scratcher.

[daveisaclaret]

Can anyone shed any light on why there were boos when Max replaced Jay yesterday? Head scratcher.

They were booing because Dwight wasn't taken off. Terrifying behaviour IMO.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Maxwell has to be the second name on the team sheet after Nick
We play him wide left with Jay and Wout central with Aaron wide right
We don't encourage the nonsense of Maxwell dropping back to cover
When we clear the ball he is more than capable of turning defence into attack and scoring.The nonsense comment about us being better without him in the side is unbelievable
Maxwell would have scored twice in the same situation Dwight got into

Cornet against Leicester had better opportunities than Dwight yesterday and fluffed both of them.

Cornet is a great talent but do you honestly see him fitting anywhere in our 442 system? struggles at LM and we don’t play the ball on floor enough to make him effective.

I understand why Dyche selected Rodriguez ahead of him at the moment. Dyche has to find a way to incorporate Cornet, I’m just not sure that’s going to be in a 442

[Rileybobs]

They were booing because Dwight wasn't taken off. Terrifying behaviour IMO.

Really? Wow.

[Lancasterclaret]

Really? Wow.

There is a bloke behind me who was on Dwights back all game

He's the only one we've got who can do what he does, and its mystifying that a very vocal few can't see that

[bodge]

Thought Cornet looked a threat yesterday when he came on, encouraging cameo which bodes well.

As someone else said his attitude and encouragement to other players was noticeable as well.

[bodge]

There is a bloke behind me who was on Dwights back all game

He's the only one we've got who can do what he does, and its mystifying that a very vocal few can't see that

Yes Lancaster there's a bloke in the BL, row T around 110 to 115 who is an absolute disgrace in his constant haranguing of McNeil, started late yesterday, he lasted until 35 mins for his usual "GET HIM OFF DYCHE".

[quoonbeatz]

There was some tool sat behind us as well, who was at him from the first minute. 'McNeil you lazy *******/****' 'Get stuck in McNeil' 'you've been **** all season McNeil'.

Must have some real problems in his life if he goes to football matches just to hurl abuse at a player. He kicked off royally when he realised Dwight wasn't being subbed.

It's mental and just so counterproductive. If we're going to survive we need the team and the supporters together. Toxic atmospheres like yesterday will help see us down.

[bobinho]

Can anyone shed any light on why there were boos when Max replaced Jay yesterday? Head scratcher.

As said, it was because Dwight wasn't the one going off. Perfectly acceptable to me for fans to vent their frustration, considering we are paying to watch the game and we can actually see what's going on and where changes are needed. Just because we aren't professional football managers doesn't mean we can't see what's going on in front of our faces. I didn't boo btw, waste of energy, but I understand why folk did. Yet ANOTHER baffling substitution by the manager. Seems substitutions are his Kryptonite...

[RVclaret]

As said, it was because Dwight wasn't the one going off. Perfectly acceptable to me for fans to vent their frustration, considering we are paying to watch the game and we can actually see what's going on and where changes are needed. Just because we aren't professional football managers doesn't mean we can't see what's going on in front of our faces. I didn't boo btw, waste of energy, but I understand why folk did. Yet ANOTHER baffling substitution by the manager. Seems substitutions are his Kryptonite...

It wasn’t really that baffling. Dyche felt McNeil had a very good first half, which he did, aside from a few moments in front of goal. Also had he subbed him off to loud cheers, how do you think he would have felt?

[bobinho]

There was some tool sat behind us as well, who was at him from the first minute. 'McNeil you lazy *******/****' 'Get stuck in McNeil' 'you've been **** all season McNeil'.

Must have some real problems in his life if he goes to football matches just to hurl abuse at a player. He kicked off royally when he realised Dwight wasn't being subbed.

It's mental and just so counterproductive. If we're going to survive we need the team and the supporters together. Toxic atmospheres like yesterday will help see us down.

Wow. That's quite intense abuse all things considered.

Whilst I agree that we should all pull together, that HAS to include everyone.

There will probably be quite a few reasons why we have gone down, should we go down.... but someone whinging about a player not turning up isn't one of them. The damage has already been done due to lack of investment by the previous chairman, leaving us with an ageing and tired squad. Occasional lower than required effort levels from certain players. Crazy substitutions at weird times. Injuries and suspensions.

Someone having a pop at a player whose body language absolutely STINKS isn't on my list of why we could go down. That attitude, that head down and sulking display that we are witnessing more often from one or two in a group of individuals that should be absolutely together for the next 90 minutes is absolute poison. It spreads like wildfire and should be recognised and dealt with robustly. Failing to deal with that will hurt us more than some boozed up muppet shouting his mouth off.

[quoonbeatz]

Not sure how you've garnered that reply from what I posted but there we go.

[Newcastleclaret93]

There was some tool sat behind us as well, who was at him from the first minute. 'McNeil you lazy *******/****' 'Get stuck in McNeil' 'you've been **** all season McNeil'.

Must have some real problems in his life if he goes to football matches just to hurl abuse at a player. He kicked off royally when he realised Dwight wasn't being subbed.

It's mental and just so counterproductive. If we're going to survive we need the team and the supporters together. Toxic atmospheres like yesterday will help see us down.

If this board shows anything it’s that 95 percent of supports wouldn’t know a good footballer if it hit them in the face.

The abuse Dwight is getting social media is horrendous. Wouldn’t blame him if did everything in his power to get out of this club at the end of the season.

[Rileybobs]

As said, it was because Dwight wasn't the one going off. Perfectly acceptable to me for fans to vent their frustration, considering we are paying to watch the game and we can actually see what's going on and where changes are needed. Just because we aren't professional football managers doesn't mean we can't see what's going on in front of our faces. I didn't boo btw, waste of energy, but I understand why folk did. Yet ANOTHER baffling substitution by the manager. Seems substitutions are his Kryptonite...

Of course fans are allowed to vent their frustration, although as quoon says it can only have a detrimental effect on our chances.

I didn’t have a clue what the boos were for - I thought Jay was being booed off the pitch, but booing because he came off instead of McNeil is equally as perplexing.

[daveisaclaret]

There was some tool sat behind us as well, who was at him from the first minute. 'McNeil you lazy *******/****' 'Get stuck in McNeil' 'you've been **** all season McNeil'.

Must have some real problems in his life if he goes to football matches just to hurl abuse at a player. He kicked off royally when he realised Dwight wasn't being subbed.

It's mental and just so counterproductive. If we're going to survive we need the team and the supporters together. Toxic atmospheres like yesterday will help see us down.

It's not just having real problems, it's the entitlement and egoism of thinking the player and those sat around you need/want to hear you moan. The football would be a much nicer place without characters like that who think paying to watch a football match is also paying to excuse your behaviour while doing so.

[gawthorpe_view]

There was some tool sat behind us as well, who was at him from the first minute. 'McNeil you lazy *******/****' 'Get stuck in McNeil' 'you've been **** all season McNeil'.

Must have some real problems in his life if he goes to football matches just to hurl abuse at a player. He kicked off royally when he realised Dwight wasn't being subbed.

It's mental and just so counterproductive. If we're going to survive we need the team and the supporters together. Toxic atmospheres like yesterday will help see us down.

Bob Lord Stand block 2?