Styles position

I think Callum should be put next to Mowatt in the middle as we are lacking and the lad knows how to play and can score. We have other people who can play the wing back position. I think things have got a bit stale off late and Styles would bring a bit of menace to the midfield that is struggling a bit at the moment and I dont think we will see Kane for a while.

 

Palmer seems to be struggling, might not be a bad idea.

 

Exactly the same thought occurred to me.

 

That's a good shout

 

I did not watch the Coventry game, so this is not a comment about that game. It is purely about 3-4-3, and how I see the way that the system works.

The two wing backs are too far forward to be class as part of the back line. That is why the system is referred to as 3-4-3. They are midfield players who drop into the back line when the opposition has territorial control. That means that 2 of our back 3 (Sibbick and Andersen) cover the opposition wide players when they break away, which is the reason they need to be quick. That could leave us weak in the centre, where Helik will often find himself isolated. His support is from the 2 central midfield players (Mowatt and Palmer). As a result, those 2 players must always have one eye on their defensive responsibilities, and in order to let one of those midfield players express himself further forward, one of them must be biased toward the defensive side of the job.

In 4-4-2, there is much more freedom for the 2 central midfield players to get involved in the constructive side of the game, because there is usually as least 1 additional defender than is needed to provide cover, but in 3-4-3, that support comes from a deeper midfield player. If Styles plays in central midfield, either he must play slightly deeper, or Mowatt must do so. I understand your frustration, but it really is the system that is the core of your frustration, and not Palmer/Halme.

 

It must be breakfast time. I read that as "Parma Ham".

 

We really do need something extra in midfield. I'd certainly try Styles in there.

 

Alternatively we could drop Palmer and the two wingbacks deeper into the defensive line, and push Mowatt up into the forward line, and play a 6-0-4 formation. We bypass midfield anyway most of the time.

 

Lol, I've just had to censor my reply to that or I'll get pelters.

 

I'm wondering if the season is catching up with Styles a bit? Putting him on midfield might not equate to better performances from him.

 

Also true Helen but an on form Styles would certainly be my choice next to Mowatt the rest of the season. How much longer is Kane out?

 

Any news on Kane?

 

I’m not sure Ismael sees Styles as a central midfielder. He moved in there a couple of times when Mowatt went off earlier in the season, but didn’t play there when Mowatt was out and I can’t remember him moving inside at all since Christmas.

The fact that Halme was seen as the better option yesterday speaks volumes.

 

Should be close to a return i hear.

 

I think so. He seems to get badly caught out giving possession away in dangerous area at least once a game now. Think you notice also going forward teams are happy to leave space on the left hand side when he’s attacking as he’s quite reluctant to go down to the bye line to cross with him being right footed. Works well when he gets to come inside but that’s usually the area of the pitch that’s most packed out so difficult to create much.