Absolutely.
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That was a match between 2 reserve teams in the EFL trophy.
Irrelevant when comparing one player to himself in two different positions and how he looked.
And anyway, Reserve team? 10 of the players that featured played Saturday.
Not seen anyone mention the 3 CH formation we tried a few time last season - would mean we could play Jules on the left side of defence alongside Scarr, plus Clarke or Sadler as the “wise old head” between them.
For that to work though we need either FBs playing as wingbacks or wingers who are able to get back and help out in defence. However, neither of those goes well with Wes playing as an out and out left sided wide man, especially on his form in the 4 games so far.
On the other hand, it could mean we only need 1 defensive/central/holding midfielder to play just in front of the back line, so we could sacrifice either Kinsella or Bates and play Osadebe as well as Holden in a more attacking midfield to compensate?
I absolutely hate 3 at the back at this level. It almost always ends up with the following scenarios.
3 center backs with none taking responsibility (Ball watching) Or at the very least a spare man marking thin air.
You also need very good specialist wing backs to make it work well. Dean Smith had a decent go at it with Henry and Demetriou. With the current squad it would also begin the start of fitting sqaure pegs in round holes all over the place.
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It can work, Plymouth last season used it well and they even converted attacking midfielder in George Cooper to a LWB in the process. Ryan Lowe used it the season before with good success with Bury aswell.
I do agree though that it’s not the right fit for us. I think the last time we saw it being used was the first half against Northampton at home in February when we were awful at 2-0 down at half-time. We switched to a 4-2-3-1 in the second half of that game and I think we’re unbeaten since then!
I am sure it can work. You have just provided two examples, and there are probably many more. I think it has to be well planned out though with the right personnel. I don’t think it is something you can just hop to when you are trying to fix something. Especially when you have to start playing players out of position and doing jobs they aren’t used to.
I think the single biggest problem last season was how often we shifted formations, tactics, players. You should be able to incorporate several different strategies, patterns of play etc within one or two similar formations that suit your best players.
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But why are we even thinking about 3 at the back? Is it to keep James Clarke in the team and to give Jules a game at centre back? Says it all really - simple answer is to take Clarke out and play scarr and Jules as centre backs! No need to mess with a formation we play best with our personnel.
I’m guessing Sadler and Jules hasn’t been mentioned and isn’t really an option as both would want to be the left sided centre back.
Shame as that could be an interesting combo.
I have been unconvinced by James Clarke since day 1. I personally think the bloke is a cart horse. He was terrible again against Harrogate but Scarr also had a poor game. I would move Jules into the centre back role along with Scarr for the next match and put Nurse in at left back. Alternatively bring Mat Sadler back into the 11.
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A few people commented that they didn’t think either Jules or Scarr play that well without a more mature partner alongside to keep them focused. So the only way to accommodate both at CH would to have either Clarke or Sadler in there with them as a 3.
Having 2 raw CHs playing behind 2 raw CMs without a wise old head in there to help them read the game is a bit of a gamble …
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Problem I’ve had with Jules on the few occasions he has played is that he seems to have lapses of concentration where he switches off and loses his man.
Maybe a run of games will help, or maybe not.
Agree Jules does needs a run of games feel sorry for him playing well then out of the team . Interesting to know what the biggest run of games he has had in the team since joining despite good performances and showing a lot of potential.
First half we struggled to contain them but second half we were fine, partly because we defended as a team more so than in the first.
They will cause plenty of problems for defenders this season so I’m content to see a few more performances before calling for changes, particularly the captain.
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I’d agree with all that tbh. Which is why I thought / suggested Sadler and Jules could arguably be our best 2 centre backs but wouldn’t go together as both would want the LCB position.
Maybe Scarr and Sadler is the best option, not that Sadler is blessed with pace either these days. Tricky decisions, doesn’t appear to be a perfect scenario for any combo of 2 CBs.
Not entirely sure how raw they are to be honest. They have 100 apps between them in SPL/Football League. That’s not counting non league games for both as well.
That said, I still think Matt Saddler is the best centre half at the club regardless of rawness or not (even if he wouldn’t be first on the team sheet because of age/game management). Him and Jules would be my pick. I’ve seen plenty of same footed centre half pairings work before.
He was pretty rated at Macc in league 2 playing for them, pretty sure he was more a CB than LB for them although not 100%.
Think the problem is DC sees Clarke in the team at all costs but hopefully avoid situation like last year when he was being put in the full back positions which wasn’t pretty.
Clarke is ■■■■■ and always has been drop him and give someone else a go.
As I’ve said before in other threads Clarke looks off the pace and always has done, no where near mobile enough, Likewise Scarr is truly awful, looks the part but doesn’t play the part, doesn’t dominate players, has mind wandering moments and the least said about his on the deck ability the better, in Clarke and Scarr we have a pair of Conference defenders, in my humble opinion. And should never play together in a defensive duo.
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Don’t agree with Scarr at all. Had one bad half against big tough strikers and you are writing him off. James Clarke on the other hand does my head in, looks a leader but makes the most stupid decisions. I’d give Jules and Scarr a go, they both seem to be players who react to team talks and once given the chance in the past they have both done well.
Saying this, we are unbeaten in 7 so are we worrying about nothing?
Some people have commented above about playing two left footed players in centre back positions… this doesn’t matter one bit. Plus footballers should be comfortable using both feet anyway in a professional job!