Another addendum.
I actually think we have the players for a 433 with Wilkinson, Miller and another as the front 3.
I think it would solve a lot of the problems.
It could, but which one of our midfielders are going to get into the box on a regular basis, because if you play that formation you need at least one who is going to be a goal threat. We just don’t have that box to box type player do we?
I have seen a few people saying Osedabe gets the blame every time we lose. I wouldn’t go that far because there are obviously other players that need to stand up and be counted but when you play 4-2-3-1 the number 10 role is key and he just doesn’t contribute enough. Think about Sawyers or Oztumer and what they did for the team. I know we have dropped a fair way since then but the principle is still the same, if you don’t have a player in that position that can contribute enough then I think it is best to find another system personally. Seems unlikely though, Taylor really seems set on it.
Earring ? I’ve seen Labadie has chipped in with a few goals at previous clubs (maybe I’m wrong).
But I think 4231 does not work with these players. The 10 role is pivotal, and Osadebe does not have the football intelligence to play the role effectively.
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Earing’s good with the ball but defensively he’s not that switched on. Doesn’t track runners, doesn’t switch on to danger. Not his fault, it’s not his position. He’s a luxury deep. A very good one, but a luxury non the less.
I slated Clarke for playing players out of position and I have to say it’s my one gripe with Taylor. When he came to the club he talked about players knowing their roles inside and out and being settled. Have to say his formations (I’ve largely agreed with his selections as in the personal on the pitch) have me baffled at times. Earing deep, Phillips and Wilkinson both played centrally at times. Labadie pushing forward. Leak’s chances have been at right back. Perry, although poor, was being asked to press high up the pitch while Earing sat, which isn’t his game. I do think he’s over thinking some of the roles within the team, just play players in their positions, in the roles they are good at.
As for Labadie contributing goals, much hoo-hah was made when he came that he was Kinsella but with goals. I’ve got to say I’m disappointed in that part of his game. He has no excuse, he’s being pushed up the pitch, and I can’t even remember him troubling the keeper. One header on target (Vs Barrow), as far as I remember.
He has had a few shots but, on the whole, he is hopeless in an attacking sense. His passing is poor and usually backwards. He gives us a lot in terms of breaking up play but costs us a lot in terms of linking with the attack.
On the “blame Osadebe” line, he is no worse, or better, than anyone else. I agree we are not building up attacks but much of that is because the back 4 pass it around and then hoof it forward for Miller. And Miller is not good at holding up the ball. We look best when we manage to get the ball down and play but we are taking too much time about it.
England play in a similar vein but the difference there is that the players are better so they pass and control the ball to a higher level. Our lads panic when pressed and struggle to hold possession of the ball. I would like to see a more direct approach - not long ball but not endlessly passing between the back 4.
Sawyers used to take stick on here as did Craig Westcarr (who I thought was excellent for us wherever he played). These are league Two footballers, there is a reason they are playing at this level, it’s about getting the most out of limited players. Same goes for the manager, still young and learning, as with Dean Smith it will take time for things to fall into place. At some point though we need to follow up a win with another win or two.
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Simply not true. That implies every player operates at the same skill level, they do not.
I see people defend Osedebe. I’ve never seen anyone say what he actually brings to the team and it be a fair point. He’s shit to bang average 9 games out of 10 at best.
I agree. A number 10 should be the focal point of the team in the sense that they’re there to create and be played through. Osadebe hasn’t got the football brain to do this to a high enough level to make a difference for us IMO. Comparing him to Holden in that role is like comparing chalk and cheese.
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He’s shit to bang average 9 games out of 10 at best.
It wasn’t that long ago people were slating Adybeyo, calling him Bambi on ice! No wonder players leave first chance they get.
Not me 
Stats from Transfermarkt for Osadebe.
Stats for Holden.
It’s like pouring yourself a glass of wine from a decent £10 bottle, then pouring yourself a glass of vinegar and expecting the same taste! 
Just what I was about to look for.
He’s played how many games for us now, do you really think he’s going to get better? Bear in mind he’s now 25/26 years old so isn’t one with ‘potential’ as they like to say.
Virtually same amount of assists in half the games is a shocking indictment for a 10. That’s before you consider most of that was out of position and with Holden being criticised for his output.
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I like Holden and would put him straight into the team but these stats are hardly vintage to pursue your analogy.
When Holden played last season, he was usually in the Wilkinson role, not just behind the striker(s). I think he would be a good try in the latter role but how often, when a player is injured, do we overstate his quality? It certainly happened with Gordon last year.
As for Osadebe, he is a patchy player. He rarely imposes himself on the game and is not the bravest. But what he does offer is the ability to break at pace and he does track back and cover for colleagues. That is why I think it unfair to pick on him solely. For example, Miller (who has his own strand on UTS) has missed chance after chance in the last few games - good chances too - and rarely holds up the ball to bring others into play. That doesn’t make him a bad player but those misses and the lack of the ball sticking has cost us a lot recently.
Correct, plus where the argument falls down about Osadebe is that when Holden is fit he is automatic choice for the No 10 role. I wouldn’t then be shoe horning him in the team ahead of the likes Miller, Wilkinson, Kieran, Earring, Labadie, Kinsella. In fact I would go as far as saying Phillips, Perry, Khan and Bates should be ahead of him as well. He was lucky to get a contract, he will be even luckier to get another at the end of the season from what I have seen.
It falls down when you ask what he actually brings to the side. I honestly don’t know what he does. He doesn’t tackle, he doesn’t score goals, he doesn’t assist, he doesn’t bring others into play, he doesn’t press, what does he actually bring?
13 in 122 for Newport not too shabby for a ball winning midfielder
You will note I avoided the use of Champagne and quoted a £10 bottle (this is Walsall an we are on a budget 
) as we can still not get away from the fact that Holden has been a predominantly injured League Two footballer. The fact we are relying on him to come back and give us a creative spark adds further weight to the questions around our summer recruitment.
In your responses on Osadebe this is what you have noted in your last two posts. Hardly an advertisement for him as a professional footballer. As @Scooby2167 has just mentioned, Labadie had scored 49 goals in 400 appearances, 1 in 8, as a ball winning midfielder. Perhaps we should put him as the No 10, it is better than Osadebe’s 1 in 13, and no I am not advocating it as a real suggestion.
I thought Osadebe had a great game against Vale, but a real shift in. Problem is that should be a given and his priority task is to contribute in an attacking capacity, he doesn’t. The fact that we discuss his attributes as a starter for me tells us how far we have fallen as a club in regards to the benchmarks we have set. Probably the reason why we find ourselves in 14th currently and finished 19th last season.
Agree on Miller, I think some of the recent games show exactly why he is in our price range and potential to sign.
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In osadebe I see a player who is improving, different to others in that he can carry the ball forward which defenders don’t like. Holden is a different type of player who if he comes back as good as he was is a player who would be first on the team sheet. I also seem to remember he took some stick on here in his early days.