Torquay United Fans Forum

I would of liked to see Spear on the bench. He looked very good in pre season and I'm sure if Ling gave him a go in a league game he wouldn't disappoint!

I said on the matchday thread, but the comment won't be discussed there, so i thought i'd bring it up here.

I was a bit disappointed not to see a youth striker on the bench in the shape of Yeoman or Spear. I was quite impressed in pre-season when dinger said he was happy to turn to youth ahead of the loan market in an injury crisis, but seemingly he will have to be completely forced into turning to youth. One fit confirmed striker and he won't even put a youth striker on the bench, perhaps that says something about the current quality of these youth strikers. It would appear that Yeoman's career has faltered somewhat with him making his debut 2 years ago but has failed to play since. However, he scored more than a goal a game at Bideford (maybe?) and surely the match-day experience, even if Ling didn't want to bring him on, would benefit him and maybe encourage him to push on.

We obviously looked light of forwards against Macc, naming two defenders and a keeper hardly leaves you much room to have an attacking force on the bench.

Just my musings from looking at the teamsheet...

ferrarilover wrote:
That attitude will get you absolutely nowhere in football, sonny!

Sincerely,

Mr P Buckle, Bristol.

P.S Try playing O'Kane at right-back. He could do a job, much like the 20 other non-right backs to fill the role.

Richinns wrote:
I agree - play either McPhee or O'Kane off the front man - it is their more natural positions so more likely to get a result by playing players where they play best.

That attitude will get you absolutely nowhere in football, sonny!

Sincerely,

Mr P Buckle, Bristol.

Gulliball wrote: That's rubbish.

An attacking 4-5-1 is better than a defensive 4-4-2. The numbers on paper mean nothing - it's what happens on the pitch that matters.

If Macklin and Morris beat their full backs and we have O'Kane floating in front of their defence then we'll win. If we play well - we can win, if we don't - we won't. 4-5-1 at home isn't unacceptable at all if Mansell and Lathrope dominate the midfield and Atieno scores.

I agree - play either McPhee or O'Kane off the front man - it is their more natural positions so more likely to get a result by playing players where they play best.

Well that's a defensive issue. 4-5-1 is more defensive on paper than 4-4-2, but it depends on the personal.

Rafa Benitez (lost a bit of reputation in modern times), brought on Didi Hamann at half time, which made it more defensive on paper, but allowed the other midfielders (notably Gerrard) to attack more, and they came back from 3-0 to 3-3.

4-5-1 doesn't have to be defensive if we control the ball and use the wide players (plus O'Kane in the hole) to attack them.

I'd much rather we gave O'Kane more freedom than played McPhee or Macklin up front just to maintain a 4-4-2.

Or Saah has another mare and we score twice but concede 3?

austrianandygull wrote:McPhee up top with Atieno for me. Not playing two up top in a home game is unacceptable, even if your replacement striker is sh*t.

That's rubbish.

An attacking 4-5-1 is better than a defensive 4-4-2. The numbers on paper mean nothing - it's what happens on the pitch that matters.

If Macklin and Morris beat their full backs and we have O'Kane floating in front of their defence then we'll win. If we play well - we can win, if we don't - we won't. 4-5-1 at home isn't unacceptable at all if Mansell and Lathrope dominate the midfield and Atieno scores.

McPhee up top with Atieno for me. Not playing two up top in a home game is unacceptable, even if your replacement striker is shit.

forevertufc wrote:See dinger is talking about three opitions including playing Macklin as a striker, any thoughts on that ?

Macklin had a little blast up front away at Cheltenham last season. Admittedly he was pretty sh*t, but then again last season he was pretty sh*t whatever position he played in.

Fair play to him, he seems to have upped his game over the summer and is finally realising some of the potential that had Chelsea sniffing around him a few years back.

Playing him upfront wouldnt be the worst call in the world, however he is by definition a winger so he should be given a run out in the league there first otherwise he's on a hiding to nothing unless he wins the match single-handedly. For me, it has to be McPhee up front otherwise I fear we'd upset the applecart too much.

Yeah, I'd be happy with this. He is a bit like a less hopeless Carayol. All speed but not vast amounts of end product. His crossing is a bit hit and miss. I love the idea of Macklers up top. If there is one thing in ANY division of ANY league in the world, it's pace. Macklin is frighteningly fast, like, seriously quick and we're told that, at full chat, Tai is even faster. That combo ought to terrorise a mediocre (unless they are vastly improved over last year) back line from Macclesfield.

Matt.

See dinger is talking about three opitions including playing Macklin as a striker, any thoughts on that ?

I agree with Gulli, O'Kane just behind Atieno, with the runs which Tai makes and Eunan playing those Championship quality balls through the defence would be magic.

Matt.

Atieno

O'Kane

Morris - Mansell - Lathrope - Macklin

Macklin gets a game on the right, Lathrope to help us move it about in the middle, and Eunan in a free role to float about and do the damage to them. Atieno on his own to chase everything.

wow. Take some pills for that headache =D