Going Forward (Next Season)

Midfield:
Midfield is a bit of a mess at the moment, with a number of players on loan (who becomes a permanent signing?), a couple of bad injuries, a couple of players who don’t really suit playing in a formation with wingbacks, a young inexperienced player, so I think if the decision is made to play 3/5 at the back as the teams main formation, then the midfield has to be modified to reflect this.
There is quite a bit of flexibility within the basic 3-5-2, which allows you to play a variety of midfielders.
You’re basic / traditional midfield 3 consists of
Box- Box Defensive Mid Playmaker
Something along those lines.

When Carroll was fit and playing it was a slight variation on this

Ball (def mid) Carroll (playmaker)
Chair (attacking mid centre)
Which lines up as a 3-4-1-2 br]The squad has now added Fields and Johansen into the midfield. So yesterday against Blackburn it was
Ball(def mid). Johansen (central mid)
Chair (attacking mid)
I’ve put Johansen as “central mid” because he doesn’t seem to be an outright playmaker like Carroll or an outright defensive midfielder like Ball, but it shows the flexibility within the midfield of the system. Against some teams you could put in Carroll, perhaps where you expect more space and time on the ball and want to play a more possession based game. And other times where it’s going to be more of a battle, less possession, the ball getting moved forward a lot quicker you could play Johansen ( or Fields or Amos when fit ?)
Now looking at the midfielders in the squad, it’s hard to know how the 1st choice midfield will look, because we don’t know who is going to still be here next season.
But I do think the midfield needs some readjusting regardless.
Ball - I’d keep as a squad player, but I’d be looking at someone else a 1st choice def mid. And I’d be looking for a right-footer or someone 2 footed, most of the central midfielders in the squad are left-footed
Chair - Just signed a long term deal, 1st choice attacking mid centre
Willock - competing with Chair, could also play alongside if / when going to a 3-4-2-1
Carroll, I’d try to sign and play him in games where it’s not going to be a purely physical battle
Fields ? no appearances yet, but has a good pedigree and is young, so can’t really say much.
Johansen, would keep if possible, competing with Carroll for the slot alongside the defensive midfielder, and used in more physical games like yesterday’s match against Blackburn.
Bettache, looks like he’s struggle physically in the middle of the park, I’d be looking at turning him into an attacking midfield centre, I would be looking at loaning him out possibly to get more game time.
Thomas, again, not seen much of him, an attacking midfield centre, would keep him as competition / cover for Chair and Willock
Amos, out the whole season injured, would compete with Johansen when fit
Adomah - doesn’t really fit well within the system, he’s 33 years old, so I’d let him go at the end of the season.

Indeed and I believe there’s room in the squad for both of them if it’s possible to keep them. Although where does this leave Fields and Amos who are both left-sided midfielders?

Before Amos' injury Ball wasn't a regular starter. Carroll was eventually recruited to fill the void left by Amos, even though Amos is more of a box-to-box MF. Field we don't know much about yet but I'd say he's more competition for Johansen than for Ball. We'll have to see where Amos is with his rehab and if he'll be ready for the start of next season. Where we are definitely weak is def mid.

Is it me, or is john eustace becoming more prominent in decision making.
Watching the game yesterday, when the camera panned to the dugout a few times, John is seen pointing out instructions to warburton then he himself starts shouting at the players on the pitch.

I would not be suprised at all if it turns out that we changed to 352 on the recommendation of eustace.

Christ,can we see this season out first. Then have a clearer eye on next.

I’m giving this little summary because ithe squad is being taken in certain direction, following a certain trajectory you can’t just completely change it overnight. If the management are going to pursue playing 3/5/2 or a variation as the main formation of the squad they’ve got to go down that route for a couple of seasons to get the full benefits from it.

Anyway is there something else you’d rather chat about, would you prefer to discuss yesterday’s rugby match?

Hmmm not sure about that. He's 23 now, has been at the club for 7 years and has already had three different loan spells at various clubs. Sooner or later you have to make a decision on such players. He's also under contract for the next three years.

Did you watch the other game in the Six Nations?

Out

Niko on loan (last loan spell, if Wallace accepts a 1 year deal and a new 1st choice left wing back is found)
Bettache on loan
Kelman on loan
Adomah
Sort out who stays and who goes between Carroll, Johansen and Fields, depending on the situation with Amos

Agree in the main Wests.

We need a LWB, DM, No10 and a striker. That's where the squad is thinnest.

Last couple of seasons the club has become over reliant on the loan market presumably due to financial restrictions. But if possible we need to start turning some of these loans into perms otherwise they just return to their clubs and we continue treading water each season.

What we need is ffp to fuck off and end.

Light years ahead of Ball and Cameron rather. IMO. Carroll is a very different type of player and offers another option. That debate's been done to death though so wouldn't want to drag the thread off topic.

Says who?

Conjecture or fact?