Re: Marc Leonard

Waggeh

One mistake I think Davies might have made is by dropping players who are performing well, as soon as someone he perceives to be better has become available.

Leonard, May, TGH and Ben Davies can all consider themselves to have been unlucky to be taken out of the starting line up when they were.

Mind you, I hadn't considered this before Saturday. Football is really easy with hindsight init.

I agree completely. It's tough, I think most of us have said Paik/Iwata are our best 2 midfielders but Leonard needs more gametime. May I think has been really unlucky, and I'd be starting him up top tomorrow. TGH absolutely deserves to get in over Laird at the moment for me. Laird can come on and use his pace more effectively later in games when defences are tired.

Ben Davies is the really tricky one. I do think we looked more solid with him in the team, I think he's quicker than Klarer and Bielik and put in some great last minute challenges too that might've prevented a goal or two against Shrewsbury. But who do you drop? Klarer is our best centre back, and Bielik is captain.

I think whilst we're down a couple wingers (Hansson & Wright) I'd consider playing 3 at the back. We end up going into that shape in possession anyway, and it would be great to allow Laird(TGH)/Cochrane truly off their leashes and they'd provide width while still having cover back. Then you could play Paik & Iwata midfield, Davies gets into the team, and you have Willumsson and Stansfield playing more narrow off of May.

Not saying he should definitely do this - but I think this shape is more natural when we're missing Hansson & Wright. Only Keshi and Harris miss out then, and you have players in their more natural positions playing.

That being said it would be defending in a very different shape and if they haven't trained it, it might cause more issues than it solves. There's a reason I'm not a football manager.