McNair - Rav - Clarke

Angelofayresome said:
Not sure of Clarke like those pirouettes he does on his left peg are disastrous. Still a clean sheet look a lot more composed with Paddy Rav and Seny in there.
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I thought Clarke was commanding. We are now beginning to see the player that was such a fans favourite at WBA. So strong in the air but now really starting to motor across the deck. It was a bad injury and a big operation he had, nerve damage must take a lot of recovery time.
Looking a totally different player.
 
I'm loving Ayling's shythousery - it's one of those where you hate to play against but all for it when hes in your ranks.
 
We have to play 3 centre backs when the FB/WB's are Ayling/Engel and the Centre Mids are a 36 year old Howson and Lewis O'Brien who chases the ball like a 7 year old in the playground.

IF, and its a big IF, we can recruit a younger, more mobile RB and a central midfielder to partner HH that can pass AND protect the defence I think we will go back to Carrick's 4231. That being said, I'd like to see a 3 of Paddy, Rav and Clarke long term as it does seem very balanced given the skill set of the 3
 
Agree these 3 have done well
Not 100 per cent convinced over Clarke, but happy for him to stay in at the moment as he's doing ok
Will need Lenihan available if McNair leaves in the summer though
 
TeessideCleveland said:
Agree these 3 have done well
Not 100 per cent convinced over Clarke, but happy for him to stay in at the moment as he's doing ok
Will need Lenihan available if McNair leaves in the summer though
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If Lenihan gets back to his best I think him and Rav will be a great partnership assuming we go back to a back 4 next season at the latest.
 
Paddy being comfortable bringing the ball out at times from a three seems to help make the system work. It provides security for the two midfielders, leaves the fullbacks less exposed and we get two forwards on the pitch and a creative player in between the lines.

I like it at the moment 👍
 
Scrug said:
Utterly solid. That’s our best back line that.

All utterly immense tonight 👊
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It is but at cost to attacking flow to the side.

To be honest in that formation our best XI is probably

Dieng
McNair rav clarke
Jones Howson Hackney bangura
Forss lath McGree
 
BoroMart said:
It is but at cost to attacking flow to the side.

To be honest in that formation our best XI is probably

Dieng
McNair rav clarke
Jones Howson Hackney bangura
Forss lath McGree
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You would find a lot of fans arguing with you if you dropped Ayling.
 
fmttmadmin said:
You would find a lot of fans arguing with you if you dropped Ayling.
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I'm sure they would and I get that, it's a tougher call than I expected. My rationale is that if we had that strong defence, and our best midfield we can afford to be more expansive, and Jones has that killer pace. I think Jones might be the most natural attacking wingback in the championship. That doesn't take away from Aylings recent performances mind.
 
Scrug said:
Utterly solid. That’s our best back line that.

All utterly immense tonight 👊
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Keep that back 5 on a regular basis and things improve, the keeper also becomes much more assured and confident when he knows the players game well. I said a few games ago, the worst thing you can do keep changing the line up. We have had a lot of injuries and the same players seem to pick up knocks. Mr Clarke isn't brilliant, but he will have the benefit of game time that improves him and us.

I'm not getting carried away, I'm just glad that we have stayed up, after the start we had I feared the worst.
Played some great football at times this season, but injuries have made us so inconsistent.
I'm just hoping, the club and the buying dept have earmarked replacements for Crooks and Rodgers with as good or better.

Its good to be back going to games, the one game of highlights I must have watched 40 times as I couldn't be there, was Sunderland game.
UTB
 
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fmttmadmin said:
I thought Clarke was commanding. We are now beginning to see the player that was such a fans favourite at WBA. So strong in the air but now really starting to motor across the deck. It was a bad injury and a big operation he had, nerve damage must take a lot of recovery time.
Looking a totally different player.
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hes hardly motoring hes so incredibly slow. He also dwelled on the ball and turned into danger on serveral occasions . Great in the air but ponderous on the ball not convinced at all by him.
 
Glover_elbow said:
hes hardly motoring hes so incredibly slow. He also dwelled on the ball and turned into danger on serveral occasions . Great in the air but ponderous on the ball not convinced at all by him.
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Statistically a long way ahead of VDB last night.
 
fmttmadmin said:
You would find a lot of fans arguing with you if you dropped Ayling.
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If its between Ayling and Jones (and it isn't necessarily of course) I think most fans pick Jones.

In that formation I agree with Mart that what he listed is probably our best team and it doesn't include Ayling (as harsh as that might be on him) .

Who would you leave out for Ayling in that formation?
 
Big_Nothing said:
Paddy being comfortable bringing the ball out at times from a three seems to help make the system work. It provides security for the two midfielders, leaves the fullbacks less exposed and we get two forwards on the pitch and a creative player in between the lines.

I like it at the moment 👍
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Paddy and Clarke are both better in a 3, both happy stepping out and both better with the protection in behind them of a third defender.

Clarke was signed to play in a 3 and you can see why, he looks much better there.

Same for Ayling, he looks a far better player as a wing-back, as does Engel.
 
I think Jones would work well Infront of Ayling and be able to offer cover for Aylings lack of pace now Aylings leadership and experience would probably help Jones as well. Although that would mean dropping forss or changing formation again. When they are all match fit it will be a nice problem to have for Carrick and gives other options, ways to play and also the ability to change games with the subs.
 
Druss_The_Legend said:
I think Jones would work well Infront of Ayling and be able to offer cover for Aylings lack of pace now Aylings leadership and experience would probably help Jones as well. Although that would mean dropping forss or changing formation again. When they are all match fit it will be a nice problem to have for Carrick and gives other options, ways to play and also the ability to change games with the subs.
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Initially I would expect for Jones to be used as a sub for Forss for a couple of games. It will give Carrick a chance to look at Ayling and Jones as a pair on the right. See if it works.

Of course, I coud be completely wrong and Hackney may be back shortly and change the overall dynamic. Who knows.
 
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