Promotion odds

[Rockford's Love Child]

Hogan has played right back but he is not a natural right back that's why we need to sign a specialist right back

Not if Hogan is perfectly capable of playing that position.

With all the positive events at the club recently, it is amazing that people can get so obsessed about the right back position.....

 

[Boz]

I'd initially thought Sutton was signed as right-back, but he's been deployed and looked good in central defence. However, I'd argue full-back is a specialist position. There are 2 specialist left-backs in Hill and Ridehalgh. When Brabin let our only specialist right-back go, he should have replaced him. Instead Sutton, Riley, Hogan, Ihiekwe and Holness when fit are all central defenders. There has been too much of a square peg/round hole approach to team selection in the recent past and it would be a truly positive event to see that end.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

We will see how it develops. While we are one of the wealthier clubs in the Conference, we still have a very small squad this season by our historic standards. That inevitably means some players will have to cover more than one position, and certain players are perfectly capable of adapting to different roles in this way.

Personally, I think the signing of Margetts will prove far more significant in our promotion campaign than who does or does not play right back.

 

[bigmart]

We will see how it develops. While we are one of the wealthier clubs in the Conference, we still have a very small squad this season by our historic standards. That inevitably means some players will have to cover more than one position, and certain players are perfectly capable of adapting to different roles in this way.

Personally, I think the signing of Margetts will prove far more significant in our promotion campaign than who does or does not play right back.

square pegs in round holes

 

[bring back the cowshed!]

I'm not too concerned about the right-back issue. If he doesn't know already, then by the time the season starts Gary will know who he can play there. If he sees there's a problem, it should be relatively easy to sign one, possibly on loan. I haven't been to any of the games, but it seems like Gary favours 4-4-2, which requires full-backs to be more defensive and relies on wingers or wide midfielders to feed the front men. So I don't think we need a pacey, attacking full-back, which are a little harder to find.

Certainly, we have found in recent years that it's more difficult to find decent strikers than defenders. Even in the past five years we've had quite a few good defenders, but only Ryan Lowe and Jake Cassidy (in his first two short spells) have impressed up front. I'm hopeful that the four we now have (including Cole Stockton) will deliver the goals this season.

 

[Gray]

There has been too much of a square peg/round hole approach to team selection in the recent past and it would be a truly positive event to see that end.

I'd rather play established squad players out of position than take the Adams approach of bringing in a different player on loan every week to fill a gap. A level of flexibility has to be expected at this level. Heck, even PL players have to play out of position occasionally, Phil Jones at United?

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

I'm not too concerned about the right-back issue. If he doesn't know already, then by the time the season starts Gary will know who he can play there. If he sees there's a problem, it should be relatively easy to sign one, possibly on loan. I haven't been to any of the games, but it seems like Gary favours 4-4-2, which requires full-backs to be more defensive and relies on wingers or wide midfielders to feed the front men. So I don't think we need a pacey, attacking full-back, which are a little harder to find.

Certainly, we have found in recent years that it's more difficult to find decent strikers than defenders. Even in the past five years we've had quite a few good defenders, but only Ryan Lowe and Jake Cassidy (in his first two short spells) have impressed up front. I'm hopeful that the four we now have (including Cole Stockton) will deliver the goals this season.

Yes, I agree completely.

 

[Boz]

I'd rather play established squad players out of position than take the Adams approach of bringing in a different player on loan every week to fill a gap. A level of flexibility has to be expected at this level. Heck, even PL players have to play out of position occasionally, Phil Jones at United?

I don't disagree that some flexibility is required. However, still puzzled that Brabin has brought in 3 players who are primarily central defenders, when, counting Gumbs, there were already 3 on the books, while not recruiting a right-back or retaining the existing one. I can't believe there are no unattached right-backs out there, capable of doing a good job at this level. Although 2 of the 3 central defenders brought in look decent [Riley injured for most of pre-season so hard to comment] the squad still feels slightly unbalanced.

On formations, GB has said on the o/s that there will be flexibility. Think we started 433 v Everton.

It looks like Ben Jago is going out on loan to Hyde. We're not playing in a reserve league this season, opting for friendlies instead, so expect to see a few others follow this path.

 

[Sparky]

The right back issue is something to think about but as others have said, I'd like to think if Hogan can do a half decent job it won't be too problematic. As long as Ihikwe doesnt play there !! I suspect GB is looking at wide men to complete the squad and then see how the season progresses. Right backs will be ten to a penny if we need one on loan.

To quote the gaffer - "When it's right to do so, we'll sign players. I've never been one to dive into a decision and I think that's a good thing. If I don't feel opportunities are right, I won't act on them.
"I don't want to swarm the squad with players just for numbers sake, I want players to come in who are going to make a difference"

Maybe he could have taught Micky Adams a thing or two !

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

still puzzled that Brabin has brought in 3 players who are primarily central defenders, when, counting Gumbs, there were already 3 on the books

Of the three you mention, Gumbs is not ready for the first team and Holness is injured and is not very good. Ihiekwe has potential but is still inexperienced. As a result, it was not surprising Brabin thought a complete overhaul of the central defence was required to cope with the demands of the National League.

 

[Ian]

I do agree that defence is of less importance than attack. He's brought in some good forward players capable of scoring goals. The defence will be fine although I'd have liked Holmes in that right back role.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

Just a random statistic to whet our appetites for the new season. Borehamwood, who we play in a couple of weeks, had an average home gate of 312 last season. Surely the smallest club we have faced in a league match for a century.

It is a strange and mysterious world we are entering.........

 

[bring back the cowshed!]

Just a random statistic to whet our appetites for the new season. Borehamwood, who we play in a couple of weeks, had an average home gate of 312 last season. Surely the smallest club we have faced in a league match for a century.

It is a strange and mysterious world we are entering.........

Yes, even if their fan base goes up a bit in their new league, it's quite possible that the SWA could outnumber the home support, which would be incredible for a match 200 miles from PP. I'm planning to be there and I too expect it to be rather surreal - a bit like a pre-season friendly at Lairds.

 

[Ian]

Just a random statistic to whet our appetites for the new season. Borehamwood, who we play in a couple of weeks, had an average home gate of 312 last season. Surely the smallest club we have faced in a league match for a century.

It is a strange and mysterious world we are entering.........

Crazy days.. Still not quite sunk in yet.