Are they too similar to play in the same starting line up? They seem to get in each other's way. Replace one with the other off the bench maybe the best option. Don Cowie to sit it out as well. Mason, Bellers, Kimbo, Velikonja - take your pick. Malky's starting 11s so far have hung Helguson out to dry - he needs at least two of these.
Agreed on support for HH Sparkey. I think Mason would provide more flexibility being able to drop back to help midfield whereas Veronica is more an out and out striker playing on the shoulder of the last defender and needing quick balls past the defence and into channels - not a strength of ours so far this season. Could go 4 4 2 but if we had Bellers and Kimbo out wide who would our 2 in the middle be? Perm 2 from Whitts, Gunnar, Cowie, Mutch and even McPhail with Ralls waiting in the wings. Not sure about Gunnar and Mutch doing the same job as Gunnar is more physical and gets his foot in whereas Mutch seems to drift around the pitch more and play forward of the rest of midfield. I can see where they would get in each other's way but not necessarily for the same reason. To go 4 4 2 then Mutch could be a casualty (or a luxury depending on how you look at it). The bottom line is we don't know what will be our strongest line up, I hope Malky does!!!
Sorting the preferred formation out and then getting the players to play to that formation is key. Not sure you can play a 4 in the middle with Whitts as we always seem to get over run. 4141 or 4411 may be the way forward to give that midfield cover but also to get support to HH. Etien or Mason playing in the 1 just off HH but dropping off when we don't have the ball or as the player who pushes on from a midfield 4. Whitts is becoming an enigma. Obviously the most creative midfielder over the past few seasons, but how to get the best out of him. I agree with others that he seems to be one of 3 centre halves at times. Understand the theory behind the role, but it needs to happen 10 -15 yards further forward. As for Mutch and Gunnar, I think they could both do the same role in the same team once they work out that when 1 goes the other stays. Easier said than done but will become easier over time. Mutch, Gunner, Kiss and Ralls are quite similar, Gunner and Kiss the more abrasive and Ralls and Mutch more the players but we should be able to perm any 2 from 4 with Whitts or McPail if playing 5 across the middle. It's all about reading each others runs and doing the opposite of the one that goes. I like the look of Mutch, he looks a big lad and good in the air. I said elsewhere, I think he's got goals in him as well. I'm all for demanding flexibility from players, but they need to know their job in different scenarios and to be able to execute what is asked of them. When people get tired they revert to type and do what comes naturally rather than what they've been asked to do. I'd prefer MM to start with a more rigid formation for a few games and introduce the interchanging of positions and other complexities once the squad has settled down.
-------------------Marsh------------------- Nugget-------------------------------Taylor ----------Hudson--------Turner------------- Kimbo-------------Gunner-------------Bellers ---------Mason--------------Whitts--------- --------------------HH--------------------- Reasons Whits is far more potent up the pitch can score and supply plus when bellers breaks he is comfortable sitting out wide and protecting. Mason can drop in also if Kimbo goes on one but the opposite to whit is the player who will get in to support HH make the runs for whits passes along with Kimbo and Bellers. Also for a change an option for Nugget to have out wide with him helping attack the right hand side for a change. Defensively a strong back 4 with gunner protecting but also more important players to hold up and close down from the top.
I like it. .....................(but will Malky?) With a selection from Mutch, Ralls, Cowie, Kiss and McPhail available off the bench, we've got the midfield players to bring on to close it down.
Imagine the way we could change a game too then with options on the bench like conway, Val, Smith, mutch, cowie even earnie for the big man little man combo (anyone recall the thorne earnie days) It could still work in fits and starts i am sure if needed.
