What are the favoured positions for the new January transfers?
We know Harrison, Wheatley & Amantchi are strikers.
With Jellis, Stirk and Lakin being Sadlers first choice.
Where do these fit in?
Hall, Lipsiuc, Chang?
Still having Comley , Maher, McEntee and Earing?
For me, Jellis and Lakin deserve their position but I’m not a Stirk fan and would like to see an alternative, maybe McEntee or are the others central?
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Chang is aggressive, he’ll press but he’s also calm and composed on the ball.
Lipsiuc an all action, powerful midfield player. He wants to run, wants to work hard.
Hall is a box-to-box midfielder, he likes to win the ball, drive with it and is quite athletic so those are his main strengths
How do you know about Chang and Lipusic?
With those qualities, you’d expect one of Chang or Lipsiuc to be on the bench. That last 20 mins is key to our game and strategy - keep the ball in their half as much as possible, to either defend the lead or push to win the ball back as we need a goal - and Jellis, Lakin etc will be knackered so fresh legs for them, who can keep the press up, would be key.
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I can only guess Chang and Lipsuic aren’t fit?
But…wasn’t there a social media post about them? - something like ‘Just seen the two new midfielders and by God they look sharp?’ - can’t remember the exact words.
If they’re fit I can’t understand why one of them hasn’t made the bench. I must say though that Comely did well on Saturday so maybe I’ve answered my own question. As long as we keep winning I don’t mind who we pick!
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I think you have answered your own question -Comley. I think we might see 2 midfielders on the bench Saturday. Morecombe’s pitch looks worse than ours and we play Cheltenham on Tuesday.
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That sounds good, have you seen Chang and Lipsiuc play then?
Hall is still out injured for some time I think? Having seen him play I’d say his main strengths are his speed, not only how quick he is on over short distances, but also his speed of thought.
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Chang sounds good but the sort of player that need a Ching next to him for the right balance .
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Each to their own but not a Stirk fan? Think he’s been superb all season.
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I don’t know anything about Lipsiuc, other than what I’ve read, but I’ve seen Chang play a few times.
He is an aggressive, in your face midfielder and quick over the first few yards. Good technically and doesn’t panic on the ball.
He’ll be firmly in their plans if/when Blues go up… unless his body lets him down.
I was pleased when he signed and he will undoubtedly improve us, which is why I’m surprised he hasn’t been in the match day squad.
Maybe he’s picked up an injury since he’s been here or his original injury is hampering him?
If Harry’s injury keeps him out of the squad then at least one should make the bench on Saturday.
Lipsuic is definitly fit as he was in Stoke u21 team yesterday!
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People keep forgetting, what if we lose Stirk, Jellis, Larkin, Comley, and Barrett?
We have backup for Chang or Lipsiuc. (Earing and Hall should be ready in March.) The same goes for Asiimwe.
We need to prepare a backup plan.
In the next three months, one or more people will get injured.
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Yep.
Sadler has said many times that the coaching team prepare the fringe players to be ready to step up when needed, and that the players are motivated to take their chance when it comes along.
Evidence so far would support this.
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If Jellis only needs one more yellow before mid March to get a two match ban, I’d take that as he will miss two games somewhere.
I must say, I am surprised one of the new midfielders hasn’t at least made the bench yet.
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Maybe they were signed with next season in mind, not this one. Sawyers was first loaned and then signed permanently, other players have had a similar route I think, so it could be deals for next season. Now is the evaluation part.
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If that is the case, then we should have signed a midfielder that could contribute this season. Desperately short beyond our first choice 3 in midfield, in my opinion. Especially if McEntee is needed in defence.
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I think they’ll get some minutes, but they won’t be first team players now. Also, maybe someone will come back from injury and that could help too. And tbh, MS is not a ball possession enthusiast. So defence and attack are more important.
Chang has already played regular games in the championship with Blues and looked a good player, so it would be wrong to suggest he’s not ready for our first team.
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Stirk is the heartbeat of the side. He keeps things ticking over, and lets Jellis and Lakin do their stuff. Stirk should be in the League 2 team of the year.
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