Flemming

[willsclarets]

I saw exactly the same

I'd sooner drop Brownhill than hannibal if we are to play flemming in the 10. I agree he was one of our better players. He wins the ball back high up the pitch, which can be incredibly productive if you have attacking players in positions to take advantage

[claretspice]

In fairness I think Hannibal got one of the Preston midfield booked with a cute turn, same as Brownhill. I thought he had a bitty game on Saturday, but I agree he's technically good under pressure for the most part and for that reason I do wonder if we should be using him deeper, where he can receive the ball and use that ability to turn to help us beat an opposing team's attempts to press us. I don't think I've seen Hannibal pick the ball up from centre backs in his own half once in the games I've seen him play for us and I wonder if we're missing a trick - certainly, our most effective period in the game on Saturday came when during a 5 minute period during which by accident or design, Brownhill was more advanced and Hannibal deeper. It isn't as simple as saying Hannibal is playing as a 10 and Brownhill as an "8" (against Portsmouth at times they played alongside each other ahead of Cullen) but certainly Hannibal is generally further up field than Brownhill and if we are going to play all three of them, it feels the wrong way round.

That switch would also make sense because Brownhill is far more comfortable getting into the opposition box to make up the numbers - I've pointed out elsewhere that when Anthony shot at the keeper in the first half, Hannibal ought to have been right in the six yard box for a cross or rebound as he was our most advanced player when Anthony got the ball, but he'd actually dropped off deeper.

As for Flemming, I increasingly wonder whether Parker sees him as our centre forward in the long run. Foster was trying, regularly, to drop in to pockets off the centre halves on Saturday (see again Anthony's chance - Foster is coming away from goal as Pires has the ball as Brownhill is running towards the box) but that simply isn't his game - he doesn't have the sort of instinct for finding space, nor the subtlety of touch, for that sort of role - and it would appear to be exactly Flemming's strength. Whether that leaves Foster playing off the left (which might be the making of him IMO - he certainly needs scope to drift to and play from the left flank) or from the bench I'm not sure.

The alternative is to retain Foster at centre forward but with freedom to play higher and/or wider, with Flemming off him - but if we're doing that, one of Brownhill or Hannibal has to drop out and it'd be a brave call to drop our captain and most potent goalscoring threat at present. That leaves Hannibal the odd one out.

There are various good options, but it's going to need a tough call or two to make the system work I think.

[summitclaret]

If we are to continue to play 3 proper centre midfielders, then we really have to let our full backs push on, especially at home. We also generally need to play at least another 15 yards up the pitch.

Also, whilst CJER has done better than I expected at cb, I think his lack of pace, height and expertise is the reason for our retience to get men forward. We need Worrel, Beyer or Ekdal asap a d until then put Humps at cb.

[boatshed bill]

If we are to continue to play 3 proper centre midfielders, then we really have to let our full backs push on, especially at home. We also generally need to play at least another 15 yards up the pitch.

Also, whilst CJER has done better than I expected at cb, I think his lack of pace, height and expertise is the reason for our retience to get men forward. We need Worrel, Beyer or Ekdal asap a d until then put Humps at cb.

Egan-Riley has done fine, and is he slower than worrall or Ekdal? I doubt it.
We could do with a faster right-back, not Humphreys' fault that he's primarily left-footed but I can't see him bombing up the wing in the style of Kieran Trippier.

[claretspice]

Egan-Riley has done fine, and is he slower than worrall or Ekdal? I doubt it.
We could do with a faster right-back, not Humphreys' fault that he's primarily left-footed but I can't see him bombing up the wing in the style of Kieran Trippier.

Egan Riley has done very well as cover and deserves huge credit. He's definitely not slower than those players - I think he's actually pretty quick of foot. The issue with Egan Riley is that he is (understandably, given his lack of experience) a bit slower and more hesitant in his decision making than any of those more experienced centre backs. But I agree with a previous post- once Roberts is fit, I'd slot Humphrys in at centre back because he looks a more complete and composed ball-playing defender to me than Egan Riley (at this stage in their development). Apart from anything else, Humphrys has a very good raking long pass on him which he showed a couple of times against Plymouth and I'd like to see utilised from a more central position.

[dougcollins]

No real problem with that, but I'd like to see Humphreys going into tackles with a little more enthusiasm than he's shown so far.

[NewClaret]

If we are to continue to play 3 proper centre midfielders, then we really have to let our full backs push on, especially at home. We also generally need to play at least another 15 yards up the pitch.

Also, whilst CJER has done better than I expected at cb, I think his lack of pace, height and expertise is the reason for our retience to get men forward. We need Worrel, Beyer or Ekdal asap a d until then put Humps at cb.

Really don’t see the criticism of CJER. He’s no slower than Worrall. Height point I accept but it’s not like we’re conceding goals.

But more to the point he moves the ball faster than Worrall was and is far more progressive. Plays some great passes.

I’d go as far to say as he keeps his place if Worrall were fit.

Agree on your other points on full backs and getting higher up the pitch.

[jojomk1]

Flemming played mainly as a No 10 for Millwall and his stats back that up - scores goals but, just as important, contributes a good few assists
Foster needs support up the middle - wide men hugging the lines and little forward running from our midfield has isolated him in just about every game
What a change to the first game of the season when Oddobert played as the No 10

[boatshed bill]

Flemming played mainly as a No 10 for Millwall and his stats back that up - scores goals but, just as important, contributes a good few assists
Foster needs support up the middle - wide men hugging the lines and little forward running from our midfield has isolated him in just about every game
What a change to the first game of the season when Oddobert played as the No 10

Yes, and the pace lost with Odobert, Vitinho and O'Shea.

[ecc]

Hi claretspice,

I've taken a paragraph from your post:

"The alternative is to retain Foster at centre forward but with freedom to play higher and/or wider, with Flemming off him - but if we're doing that, one of Brownhill or Hannibal has to drop out and it'd be a brave call to drop our captain and most potent goalscoring threat at present. That leaves Hannibal the odd one out. "

I very much hope this - Foster with Flemming off him - is SP's intention. Hannibal, to my mind, is improving but is not a player who can play the role Flemming can.

If one has to go then it will be Hannibal but Brownhill cannot be allowed to think he's untouchable.

Worst case scenario if SP is absolutely fixed on playing with just one up top: Flemming because he's more mobile, more subtle and more technical.

[claretspice]

I can see that argument. Personally, that is one of two good options, with the other being (for now) playing Foster off the left in the role Anthony played on Saturday - but to make that work, you'd swap Hannibal and Brownhill round to play more to their respective strengths.

If and when Tresor is deemed fit and focused enough to feature, the equation becomes even more interesting because on current evidence you'd want his ball-playing ability.

I don't have any concerns that Brownhill thinks he's untouchable. He's having a good season thus far.

[boatshed bill]

In an attempt to fit Flemming in:

Trafford,
Roberts, CJER (or Humphreys), Esteve Pires,
Cullen, Brownhill,
Hannibal,
Koleosho, Flemming, Foster

A bit more fluid than I've put it. i reckon we could dispense with an outright left winger as Pires could do that job

[helmclaret]

If we go with Foster and Flemming just behind, I’d like to see Hannibal and Laurent as the midfield two. We’ve been so timid in the middle of the pitch since the Blackburn game.

Something needs shaking up, and as good as Brownhill and Cullen have been over the years, we need to try something else.