Why did something so effective that gave us 3 great months (along with Lids' best period) get axed from our style of play? This is why Davies has his detractors. Yes, he shouldn't be going out there. Lids or Taylor should already be there and if not, their overlapping FB. The 35 yard ball we're getting is one only the likes of Beckham can produce, not Lids or Eards. It will be interesting to see at the start of the season but if Lids is on the team sheet next Sat, I'll be a bit disappointed. I'll just be expecting the same imbalance as last season and the ball to the striker on the wing in the position HE should be in!
I just don't think Shez sees the importance in teams that overlap. I think he feels that the ball should get into a crossing position as early as poss and then the ball should go in the box but sadly its usually Davies crossing it in for himself (which is where this try Davies on the RW rubbish comes from) It upsets me when I then see someone like Lids just stop the play and pass back to midfield etc. and that we then just stick it in from the halfway line or near there. We've a great squad but we must get them playing the right way. Sadly getting the right 22 players (which i feel we may have) won't get us promotion alone!
My prediction is, unless Shez works out why we've failed over recent years, and he can change the personelle all he likes, but the same failings will happen. We could have the best squad in this league but without the right players playing and the right style, then it will fail. And that means fast wings over-lapping one another, meaning strikers stay in their positions upfront and the midfield can get forward and support. For 18 months, we've not had this and Shez hasn't gone about solving this. Getting Demar Phillips in will help and benching a certain player on the right side will too!
A line up of the following will do well...
GK - Crossley/Fleming
RB - Eardley/Lomax
CB - Hazell
CB - Gregan/Stam - This will be decided on form. Poor pre-season from Greegan but he's ahead unless he falters when the real stuff begins
LB - Lomax
RW - Taylor/Smalley
CM - Maher/Stephens/Lee/Whittaker - Playmaker/Engine
CM - Allott/JPK - Brick wall
LW - Phillips if we get him - Short for cover
CF - O'Grady/Davies - Either or with these two...both have a poor first touch and are similar types, so I wouldn't play both together
CF - Hughes/Alessandra/Smalley - 1 of these 3 will compliment well with O'Grady or Davies
At present, early doors, from what I've seen pre-season and from how Shez is talking, I don't expect to see Taylor at RW (but Lids) and I also think he'll make the mistake of playing O'Grady and Davies together. I think all this talk from Shez about starting quickly this time around could all be blown away again by bad early season decisions. Like happened last year with KK coming in on the eve of the season and basically ripping up the pre-season. Or the year before where we ripped up pre-season by playing a midfield diamond, something we'd not practiced once that pre-season.
People say give it time and I'm all for it. But Shez has stated this time around that we MUST hit the ground running. That includes Shez too with his decisions or else playing catch up will leave us fighting for the playoffs. At present, if Shez gets the early season wrong (in line-ups and style) then we'll finish 8th-10th. But if Shez proves he's learned and gets it right, straight from the off, I think we've the squad to get promoted or at minimum, the playoffs. Early season will be the key!