I think it always has to be a balance of both, being aware of the dangers of the opposition but making sure while we respect the opposition and their strengths, counteracting those doesn’t completely nullify ours. The balance for me against a promotion favourite if we were to play both Hutch and TIerney is too top heavy, they would certainly both need to show good discipline to track back and one of them would need to play slightly deeper, given TIerney hasn’t been here too long and I doubt we’ve worked much on the training pitch with both of them playing together it would be too high risk for me.
I hope Sads picks Foulkes, he was excellent in the week and it sends a good message that those players when they get the opportunity if they impress then they keep the shirt. As much as I was pro-Flynn I think he’d have almost certainly reverted to type and gone back to Riley, it’s a good opportunity for Sadler to show he’s different to the old regime even if he was part of their staff.
I wouldn’t risk the Priest, he’s going to be a huge player for us this season, I’d resist the temptation to put him in yet. He should be fully fit for the Wrexham game.
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I think the plan was to see Tierney and Foulkes v Blackburn…a much less physically demanding games than the likes of Stockport….although both did well (Foulkes particularly) I don’t think either will play tomorrow.
The player who I think will keep his place is Comley. His performance, as usual, was grossly underestimated.
I’ve seen a lot of discussion around Tierney and whether he’s competition / assistance / alternative to Hutchinson and what almost everyone has overlooked was that they played completely different positions and had completely different roles / responsibilities from Saturdays game (Hutch) to Tuesday (Tierney). Hutch has been playing as an 8 alongside another 8 and has a responsibility to press outwards and support play from a little deeper. Personally I don’t see that as his best position so he’s already compromising.
Tierney played as a striker alongside or just off DJT. He had much less responsibility to get involved in the build up play and a different role in pressing to defend and his stats backed this up with his involvements more reflective of a forward than a midfield player.
I don’t think he could do the role from deeper in a league game against the physicality of a typical Stockport type and so the question will be whether he’s used as a second forward instead of Oteh rather than whether he plays as a midfielder instead of Hutch.
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I think I’d agree with Comley coming in for McEntee alongside Stirk - if we stay with the 2DCM/1AM formation. If only 1 DCM (i.e. bringing in Tierney alongside Hutch and being more attacking), then is it Stirk or Comley? Or maybe even Riley?
And if we drop the experiment of McEntee playing in midfield, does he replace Williams (until Farky is back) or drop to the bench?
And then there’s the option to go to a back 4 and play 2 CDM + 2 AM. It will be interesting to see if MS is going to be flexible and learn what works and what doesn’t, or just keeps religiously ploughing the same old furrow even when it’s plain it’s a non-starter (which is what did for MT).
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I think that’s the issue though and why I think we need a proper 8 to play with Hutch - we don’t have one, and I don’t think hutch is an optimal 8 either.
Stirk will play as another 8 if comley plays. I’m not sure about that - but at least he’s busy.
For me, I’d play
Evans
McEntee Daniels Hussey
Foulkes Comley Stirk Gordon
Hutchinson
Johnson Draper
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Probably replace Tierney with Draper (for now) - but that’s a good team
Not sure that Draper will start - but would expect him to be on the bench and most likely be used at some point. The starter alongside DJ will be either Oteh or DJT, with the other as a sub - although with Draper also there I’d expect that would mean dropping Matt out of the squad completely (3 strikers on the bench?? Only if we’re struggling to name the full 7 allowed)
I’d be disappointed tomorrow if we put McEntee as the 8, and Riley RWB. I hope Sadler puts his faith in youth a bit more and gives Foulkes a go.
Personally I’d go (but doubt it)
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I like that team but I think I would keep Draper to bring on in the second half. Perhaps Tierney or DJT to start alongside DJ.
I think we both agree that the squad and the best players we have suits that formation. Those 3 behind DJ offer much more movement rotation and creativity than having a front two could ever offer.
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Yep!!! I think we would be really quite threatening going forward with those 4 !
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I’d drop johnson, he did nothing for the first 68 minutes against Blackburn
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That team is full of attacking intent but is very well balanced as well I would stick with that formation i think it looks more solid and we have like for like players on the bench to bring on to Change it up
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I’ll put my CV for the managers job next time 
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I like this can we have it please?
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If we ever play with one up front, it will not and should not be Johnson. If you play a one up front, it has to be a strong player who can hold the ball up and bring in other players. Johnson’s strengths are elsewhere and we cannot afford to lose them.
No it doesn’t. It has to be a player that suits the system and the game plan that that formation is designed for to suit the players you have.
People have to not see that as one up front and actually see it as 4 up front and the movement and rotation that brings means more chances created for the likes of DJ.
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Johnson actually did this several times against Morecambe. It’s not his main asset, but I think he’s more than just a finisher and nothing else.
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Exactly - that’s the modern way.
That looks good,Hutch deserves his place as we all know what a talent and goal threat he is and he now has competition With Tierney (unlike last season with Earing injured).
