Midfield without Bannan

[Holmowl]

What to do?

 

First, hats off to the team last night. Bannan was pulling every string and his departure at 0-0 could have derailed us, so to go onto a 2-0 was excellent.

 

Assuming we (PLEASE PLEASE DARREN!!) stick to the sumptuously satisfying successful 352 who plays?

 

Byers - doh. Though he needs to miss the first man with his crosses.

 

Bakinson and Vaulks have been very moderate recently. In fact Bakinson has been right off it.

 

Dennis - what a difference he could make. His body is clearly an issue but what a player when he’s fit! Even if we only get him while Baz is out, what a difference he would make.

 

And Fiz….seems to be the current Marmite for fans. I rate him highly, but yes he’s frustrating. Should do more than he does with that immense talent, but still I’d have him in ahead of some of the other choices.

 

And what about Windass? I despise him playing up top (you don’t say?) but if Baz is out could he be the answer in the advanced role in a three? Trouble is if he’s got his greedy head on he’ll starve the strikers of chances with his ridiculous 25 yarders , and they are already feeding off scraps. 
 

Vaulks

Fiz Byers
 

 Fiz Byers

 Windass

 

Dennis Byers Fiz

 

I’m usually quite definite with my wish-list but honestly this is a struggle. Apart from Byers and Bannan no midfielder has grabbed the shirt all season. 
 

Coch on the block….Dennis Byers Fiz

 

You?

     

[Fablon Dunlop]

For me, it has to be Windass stepping in to take the place of Baz. Earlier this season he showed that he can play that playmaker role and is the closest in skillset to Baz. That attacking midfield role is definitely where he is strongest. 

 

Byers   Vaulks

 

     Windass

[Sultan_Pepper]

I think we look better with Vaulks in than without him. He's been around the block and knows how to win football matches.

 

He's more than happy to make little fouls to break up counter attacks, his headers have purpose and we keep the ball better with him than Backinson. I think there's a great player in Backinson but he needs to up his tempo in everything he does.

 

So Vaulks and Byers for me with one of FDB, Windass, Adeniran or dare I say Paterson between them and the front two

 

Can Wilkes play in that central role? I've not seen enough of him to know

 

The other option is to go 442 but with our available defenders I think we're unlikely to change that.

 

 

[areNOTwhatTHEYseem]

45 minutes ago, Fablon Dunlop said:

For me, it has to be Windass stepping in to take the place of Baz. Earlier this season he showed that he can play that playmaker role and is the closest in skillset to Baz. That attacking midfield role is definitely where he is strongest. 

 

Byers   Vaulks

 

     Windass

 

Yeah, I think that's maybe where Windass is at his most comfortable, as he can drift between the lines but also use his pace to break beyond the front two at times.

 

Oddly, he's not actually contributed as many assists from there compared to when he's played up top so far this season, though...

 

 

Dele-Bashiru should be a real threat in that advanced midfield role too, but he's not notched a single assist in the league so far, and he's probably more likely to dribble through a packed defence and create something for himself than he is to pick a defence-splitting pass and create a chance for his teammates. 

 

The ace in the pack could be Adeniran, though - he's a quality player, and one who offers a real attacking threat. If Bannan is out for a while, he could have returned to the squad at just the right time. He's a very different player, but he could offer us a bit of drive and forward impetus.

[onlyonedavidhirst]

All season we've looked liked we've got 5 quality CMs and that's the part of the pitch where we are absolutely fine. Suddenly Bannan is out, Byers is an injury worry, FDB is coasting at half speed likely to leave, Bakinson is out and Dennis is made of glass.

In a 3-5-2 we've got enough still I hope and with everyone fit I'd probably go BB, Denis and Byers. I think most fans would chose Byers and BB every time. The question is, will he feel like strengthening (or can one of the youngsters like Shipston fill in). The transfer window is crucial, right now you could make an argument for a CM, a striker, a RWB and a CH, though we'll probably sign a winger who can play as a wing back or 2nd striker at a push knowing the Wednesday way. 

[Kopparberg]

(Pato) BYERS VAULKS FDB (Johnson) 

 

Until Dennis gets his fitness back anyway. 

[Holmowl]

2 minutes ago, onlyonedavidhirst said:

All season we've looked liked we've got 5 quality CMs and that's the part of the pitch where we are absolutely fine. Suddenly Bannan is out, Byers is an injury worry, FDB is coasting at half speed likely to leave, Bakinson is out and Dennis is made of glass.

In a 3-5-2 we've got enough still I hope and with everyone fit I'd probably go BB, Denis and Byers. I think most fans would chose Byers and BB every time. The question is, will he feel like strengthening (or can one of the youngsters like Shipston fill in). The transfer window is crucial, right now you could make an argument for a CM, a striker, a RWB and a CH, though we'll probably sign a winger who can play as a wing back or 2nd striker at a push knowing the Wednesday way. 

Cheat!

 

You’ve included Bannan.

[Pieman]

Good OP. 
 

I am on a bit of a crusade at the minute with this one. Our issue is the wide players in the 5. Their lack of penetration and in the case of Marv, the amount of times he turns the ball over, is affecting our play. For me Famewo in at LCB freeing James to move to LWB. Pick Hunt and see if he can re-create his form of last year. This strengthens our midfield, meaning we can have more flair in the middle. Byers is guaranteed. Vaulks or Bako against more physical sides or away from home. Dennis or Fizz when we want to be more attacking. Then, Windass as the attacking central mid. Of course Baz is a big loss, but this team will be very hard to beat.

[onlyonedavidhirst]

1 minute ago, Holmowl said:

Cheat!

 

You’ve included Bannan.

Well I'm hoping it's not long term.  Right now, you can't really include Dennis as he's not entirely fit so if I go with those who are currently fit and available it'd be Byers and Vaulks with Windass in front. I think FDB has been too lazy and gets put back to being an impact sub. His contract situation seems to be affecting him. I also hope we keep giving Denis more minutes.

[twolaptops]

Fizz needs to Fizz off...........half hearted sulky efforts....get shut ASAP

[Paul..]

Hate to be a doomster but it doesn't look good to me, just watched it again this morning, clearly a best case pulled hamstring which is weeks, worst case torn hamstring which is months...

[Mike Hunt]

Depends who we play really 

Cambridge at home I would probably go

 

Byers Vaulks Windass 

 

For the top six sides probably stick Backinson in there instead of Windass 

If Fizz goes we need another body in but just to mess with your mind I reckon James could do well centrally 

 

I keep saying you can’t play 

Fizz Windass and Mighten in the same side 

[S72 Owl]

Next game I’d go 

 

Byers Dele and Windass.

 

Problem with that is that Dele and Windas don’t work hard enough defensively and would leave Byers too much to do so you’d either have to go…

 

Byers Vaulks Windass or

 

Byers Dele Adeniran/Bakinson

[Jim]

I could see games where both Vaulks and Bakinson start particularly away from home. I would like to see him have a look at Shipston but I get his game time would have to be managed carefully.

[Marro]

In the absence of Bannan, a fit Byers and Vaulks start for me with FDB and Dennis being rotated.  
 

I don’t dislike Windass as a player but just can’t see how he fits into the team and contributes.  He’s a real headache for a manager.  

[striker]

Byers and Vaulks are certain starters for me. 

 

The others likely to be rotated. Bakinson runs hot and cold, Dele-Bashiru mostly anonymous in games and Adeniran coming back from injury.

 

I'm less bothered about Dele-Bashiru leaving in January than I was if I'm honest. Think a fresh face in there might be of benefit.

[twolaptops]

3 minutes ago, striker said:

Byers and Vaulks are certain starters for me. 

 

The others likely to be rotated. Bakinson runs hot and cold, Dele-Bashiru mostly anonymous in games and Adeniran coming back from injury.

 

I'm less bothered about Dele-Bashiru leaving in January than I was if I'm honest. Think a fresh face in there might be of benefit.

'm less bothered about Dele-Bashiru leaving in January than I was if I'm honest.............."and so say all of us "

[The only way is S6]

Was it under DM when we were last down to our bare bones, we kept knocking out good results, despite our so called first XI being injured?

I seem to recall us playing different formations with our second string, yet maintaining a decent record.

The squad might earn its keep now. Players with a point to prove coming in.

Also, maybe some playing for a shirt against Newcastle. 
Doesn’t have to mean points dropped with injuries. McGuinness was equal to 3 defenders last night anyway!

Get past Cambridge with a win, the FA Cup is an extra recovery week for some

UTO 

[lukeyswfc]

Against Cambridge at home, Windass.

 

If Bannan is out for Wycombe away, Vaulks. I care not for Newcastle in between.

 

But this also depends if Dele is here or not.

[GMOwl72]

Dele was a total passenger last night which is a concern given the possession we had in the first half and the fact he couldn’t get on the ball and create or force anything. Don’t think he will start on Sunday.

If Dennis is fit to start might be that he plays just forward of Byers and Vaulks. What isn’t helping is that both wingbacks flatter to deceive and Moore needs to somehow get whatever team he selects to be more creative. Chances and goals are currently at a premium…….unless Smith continues with his Worldies.