joey_big_nose

Honestly think the 352 is such a good system for him. Hes at his best covering ground and it suits him. I expect him to have a good full season in this setup.

Not convinced by Kargbo but I think a quick forward in his style could work in this 352 up front. As you see with Ohashi alot of the forward play is about running the channels and combining with the wide players.

So whats the deal with Pratt? If he could come in and do a great job in a highly competitive first team derby are there others? I couldn't really see why he would struggle at this level. Powerful, decent on the ball, not quick but okay pace wise. PNE are a big strong direct team and he was really comfortable. How come he wasn't on the bench before? Just strikes me as really strange you can go from Chorley to that in a few weeks. Beginners luck maybe?

I will, just first impressions!

Hes one of our top 5 reliable players. Moving him on is like moving on Hyam. Gets a lot of shit, but when hes gone suddenly seems not such a great idea. He was brilliant today. Totally dependable in shoring up the left side and driving the ball up the pitch.

Phenomenal win and we looked really good value for it. Well done everyone!

Baradji looks a unit but seems to have gone to the Tavares school of lazy possession...

Hedges gets so much shit but every time he gets the ball he makes 20 yards, has beaten his man more than Alebiouso (also good today), and his recovery pace has shored up the defence.

Its so strange Pratt cant get a game for a professional team on loan but looks absolutely fine at this level. Whats going on there?

Personally think this isnt right. Defence has been pretty good for me the goal excepting.

This referee is obviously a fan of 1970s football... Mental.

Yeah, if he had a bit of physicality i think he would be useful. Mori should give Dolan a call and get his gym routine.

Ohashi is really competitive. Hes got nothing to work with though. Were very reliant on him, Tronstad, Hedges and Alebiouso carrying everyone else. Dont think Gudjonsen, Mori, Montgomery have been able to do anything really. They just get closed down and then fall over/pass backwards.

Well Tronstad has been fantastic but the other two really struggled.

We work so hard for a goal then give it away for nothing...

Hes a good technical player if you dont get tight to him and let him combine with others. But he is one of the weakest one on one players ive seen. Needs to get down the gym. TBH Gudjonsen has a similar problem. Cant get any change out a duel in the air or on the ground.

Tronstad is playing so well, but getting so little from Montgomery and Mori. Definitely want to see what Baradji offers.

Seems we have the good version of Pears. Great save. Looking at the pattern of the game its very even in the middle of the park, but PNE have much more promising chances.

Montgomery is struggling I think. Ive liked him as a sub but hes getting bullied here. Missing TGHs travis like vibe.

Fair play Pratt seems to be doing okay. Decent in the air, played some decent balls, hasn't been rattled by the press.

Sorry I realise @KentExilewas posting previous page. Do you or anyone else have a view on Pratts quality? I dont think hes got anywhere near the first team before so this seems a real stretch?

I think Ismaels view is you need more height than Pickeing and Riberio which is sort of defensible. No idea how good Pratt is. Where is @KentExile?? But thay we have as many left backs as centre backs (4 of each) is absolutely hilarious/depressing.

Um, I do frequently!

I think one thing that can be said is Wharton and Anderson have the benefit of the game in England evolving in a way that suits their style. Scholes never really got to play as a deep playmaker until late in his career. Earlier he was played more as a number ten or (ludicrously, particularly for England) on the left which didn't make the most of his talents. His team mate Carrick also suffered from the national team not really understanding the importance of that role. He just wasn't picked at all when in reality his skillset was what was missing the most from the England team at that time. Tuchel gets it, and he is prioritising playing a natural deep playmaker over more experienced and lauded names, as he knows you need someone who can control a game in the middle of the park.

Fair point