I didn’t bother with a team prediction article for the last game because it seemed fairly obvious who would start against Middlesbrough. Against Swansea today there are a few more questions about who should play and Corberán will have to decide whether to persevere with senior players that are playing poorly or to experiment with youth against one of the league’s best teams.
Whatever the lineup, Town haven’t won in 2021 and Swansea haven’t lost, so it’s likely to be a tough afternoon for the Terriers.
Goalkeeper:Schofield
The young keeper looks increasingly nervous between the sticks and is getting erratic with his decision making. He was lucky that Middlesbrough’s free kick goal was chalked off for offside as otherwise his bizarre decision to come for a ball he could never realistically get would have brought a lot of criticism. I wouldn’t drop him yet though as he’s still doing more positive than negative for the team but I am a bit concerned that his lack of composure spreads out to the players around him.
Defence: Pipa, Keogh, Vallejo, Sarr, Rowe
I’d like to see us play with three at the back again today. We play more fluent football when we lineup 4-3-3 but also leave too many gaps at the back when we go forward. Playing 3-5-2 or whatever you want to call it means we can have an extra central defender in Vallejo who can step out into midfield when we’ve got the ball.
Pipa has looked a bit shaky defensively lately but the lack of competition for his spot means he’s likely to play regardless of form. Even a relatively poor Pipa performance is still better than Duhaney at his best so he’s likely to continue unless Carlos decides to rest players.
Keogh is doing exactly what we brought him in for, doing a steady but unspectacular job at the back during our defensive injury crisis. Sarr is still all or nothing, looking either amazing or embarrassing with no middle ground. Both central defenders will come under pressure for their places soon as Edmonds-Green and Stearman continue their recoveries. Until then we have to hope both can avoid silly mistakes and do enough to keep their places in the team.
I assumed Elphick wouldn’t return to playing football and his attempts at recovery from injury was so he could see out his contract from the treatment room but he might be another returning player soib. Whether he’ll be able to return at a level where he can help the team is debatable but he deserves credit for sticking at his rehabilitation and being close to match fitness.
Surely the experiment of playing O’Brien as a left back has now accumulated enough evidence to show it doesn’t work (despite making sense in theory). Toffolo serves the last match of his ban today too, so that leaves a decision between Jaden Brown and Aaron Rowe. Brown has had the misfortune of being understudy to a ridiculously healthy, consistent and usually well disciplined left back. Then when Toffolo picks up a suspension he can’t step in because he was concussed in a reserve game. He’s available again but Aaron Rowe did a decent job in this role in the second half against Middlesbrough so should get the nod in my eyes. I think it’s important to show that youth team players that come off the bench and do well can force themselves into the starting lineup.
Midfield: Hogg, O’Brien, Holmes
Our midfield has lacked presence in recent games and this issue has led to our opponents being able to have wave after wave of attacks. I think Bacuna’s tendency to go missing is partly to blame for this, so I’d drop him to the bench and have Holmes as the more creative player in the middle. I’ve not been hugely impressed by Holmes so far but his work rate has been OK and there are signs he’s got more to show as he gets more settled in.
Hogg can be deployed further forward if Vallejo is playing behind him, which again might help give us more presence in midfield and break up play in the centre of the pitch. I’ve seen some criticism of Hogg lately but he’s exactly the kind of player we need in a crisis like this. Too many players heads drop in tricky moments but Hogg can be relied on to keep going and work hard in the face of adversity, we need more characters like him in the team but fewer.
I really felt sorry for O’Brien when he gave away the penalty on Tuesday night as the closeup showed how disgusted he was with himself. He set a very high standard for himself last season but hasn’t been able to reach the same levels this time and he looks to be very frustrated with himself. He still gives the team a lot even when he’s making simple mistakes and missing tackles. Putting him back into his central midfield should help him feel more at home and gives him a chance to try and recapture some form.
Forwards: Campbell, Phillips
I was impressed with Phillips when he came off the bench in midweek so would reward him with a starting position alongside Campbell today. I don’t think his all-round game is developed enough to play as a lone striker, so I’d have Campbell dropping off, running the channels and getting on the ball as a supporting striker with Phillips staying as close to the goal as possible and looking to spinoff into space to gets shots off.
From what I can tell, Phillips is a goalscorer first and foremost, so we should play to his strengths and try to keep him playing in areas where he can hurt Swansea. Having him playing a half-winger, half-striker role takes him away from the action and leaves him getting possession in relatively harmless areas.
I worry a little about fans expectations for players like Phillips. If he was the finished article he would have been starring games months ago, he’s still developing and that means he’ll be inconsistent and make mistakes. He most likely needs a loan further down the leagues but our lack of striking options has meant he’s had to stay with us and settle for cameo appearances from the bench.
I don’t disagree with the formation.
Yes Rowe looked lively going forward versus Middlesbrough but there’s no way he’s a left back. That was in a second half where Town were already behind and essentially nothing to lose. I’d be staggered if he wasn’t targeted as a starting full back trying to keep a winger out for 90 minutes. That’s his first duty – to defend; and he’s not a defender. For that matter, Middlesbrough made it needlessly difficult for themselves by allowing him to cut inside too often on his favoured right foot. Just show Rowe the outside and he offers very little on the left flank. If Rowe starts, and he might, then what unfolds after that I fear I’m going to be saying “I told you so.”
So it’s Jaden Brown at left back for me.
I’ve said before but I repeat – Schofield & Bacuna won’t ever be in my starting XI again. Provided there are fit replacements which this season is a big proviso. Do you’ve got it right with Bacuna but wrong with Schofield.
Otherwise we are in agreement.
Morning Simon. You might have a point about Rowe as a left back. Though having three at the back provides a bit of cover for the defensive side of things. A lot will depend on how Brown has recovered from the bump on the head. Safety protocols have come on a long way since Jon Thorrington was allowed back on the pitch after after having the ball blasted in his face then he staggered around like the village drunk.
I can see why you’ve got concerns about Schofield but I’d be surprised if any of the alternatives available have his ability to pull off remarkable saves and his weaknesses are all areas that should naturally improve with age and experience.
Schofield needs time to develop like any young man learning his trade, he’s an instinctive goalie and I think he’ll be a big asset. I liked Rowe going forward against Boro and he seems to have something about him and Phillips just needs that first goal to set him on his way.
You’ve almost got it right and glad to see Phillips starting, 10 games late in my opinion, Brown at left-back if fit and Rowe replacing Holmes. Keogh’s pace and ability on the ball is a big problem he just doesn’t cut it so Stearman a slightly better option again if fit.
Brown at the back for me. Rowe is too lightweight and gets dispossessed too easily for a fullback. Impact sub only for me at the moment. Clearly Campbell needs help upfront so Phillips needs to step up and put himself about more. Not expecting a miracle though as our defense is very nervous.
That’s my team exactly terrier first time this season haha, I get the Rowe/Brown argument & whoever CC goes for I think will be in for a tough afternoon, the 3 central defenders is a must it should help Sarr & Keogh too with a bit of cover for when that mistake comes along, couldn’t agree more about bacuna we only seem to get a good 30mins out of him, start with Holmes then get bacuna on second half, with a three it allows you to play the extra forward so Phillips has to start, give him a go please, it’s a tough ask as Swansea are a good side but let’s have a go for 90mins not the usual 45 a point would be fantastic come on Town
I agree that Schofield appears to be the only viable alternative in goal – not great is it?. Agree five at the back, but would have Brown there – he is a defender that has the ability to go forward whereas Rowe only has the ability to go forward. The only other change is to replace Bacuna with Holmes – an erratic Bacuna offers some good through balls and a willingness to shoot (I accept that sometimes that is not the best option but if you dont shoot you will NEVER score. Bacuna also has a physical presence whereas Holmes only offers some good through balls but has zero physical presence.
Tricky one. Choosing between capable players with a tendency to go missing and less capable ones who need to.
Central defence looks shaky. Steerman and Elphics return likely to compound the problem rather than solve it. Sarr under no pressure from the elderly gents whatsoever.
Lots of good points made by all for me certainly brown at left back we are going to have defend well to a side that’s got excellent wing men Holmes for Bacuna with Bacuna maybe coming on later to make hopefully make a impact I think we all agree Philips should start
“You only sing when you’re winning”. Well, Terrier, do you only write when we’re losing? I’m sure your followers have been frantic to know ‘who will get the MotM award from Terrier?’ (In my book there are 3 strong claims.)
Why the silence? I’m sure it’s a stunned silence. We’re all pinching ourselves to reassure ourselves that we’re not going to wake up to another report of “Schofield gives away another soft equaliser and Swansea run rampant in the second half as Town concede 4 goals.” Make no mistake, after the individual, who vaguely masquerades as a goalkeeper, sprawled on the ground in the 45th minute, that’s what I thought we’d have been reading.
Instead, the sun is shining in Suffolk, spring is in the air, and Town scored 4 goals. So all is well with the world.
I love the Terrier Spirit posts so I am as disappointed as you that we haven’t see the player ratings from the game. I did consider posting here after the game but there were so many talking points I didn’t know where to start!!!!!
Thanks Ian and Simon. I’ve not had time to do much of a write up but should have the player rating up later tonight.
We’ll look forward to reading your prognosis!
There are a few questions in my mind which you might address:-
1. Who was your stand-out player? Holmes? Rowe? Vallejo? Or maybe you have someone else in mind?
2. I like this 3 at the back using Vallejo as the 3rd – do you?
3. Where does Rowe fit in with Toffolo back tomorrow? Tough to drop him after his last 2 performances.
4. Town might have won 4-1 but we still have a terrible goalkeeper, don’t we? I’m scratching my brain to remember a keeper in my 57yrs of watching Town in whom I have so little confidence. I take it as read that my goalkeeper can stop shots (although even that is thrown into doubt with Schofield) but the other bits that are critical are things like knowing when to leave your line (Schofield is clueless), command of the 6yd box (Schofield has none) and what I think makes him look particularly bad is the ‘new way’ of distributing from the back where Schofield is a nightmare, like passing to a marked man on the edge of the area. We were very fortunate on Saturday that Town had put the match beyond Swansea after 10 minutes of the second half; but for that, I think there would have been shots & crosses raining in on Schofield from almost anywhere and we’d have doubtless been talking about a different outcome.
But that’s a Yorkshireman for you – win 4-1 and still talk about the negatives!
Hi Simon, the player ratings article is up now. I think it’ll answer most of your questions but I’ll answer them here too.
1. O’Brien was my pick, but Holmes, Rowe and Vallejo could easily have taken it too.
2. I like the back three. Playing without wingers and one striker could be a bit dull but enough players got forward to make sure Campbell wasn’t isolated. Vallejo helps with the playing out from the back even if we rode our lucky with some of our passing among the defence in the first half.
3. I was puzzling the same conundrum about Rowe and Toffolo but sadly today’s press conference made it moot as Toffolo has a back injury that will keep him out for a few weeks.
4. I mention my concerns about Schofield in my post but I don’t think I’m as worried about him as you are. The decision to get rid of Hamer was made because Schofield is, for now at least, the chosen one and will be given this season to prove himself unless his performances drop off a cliff. While he does look a bit dodgy, he’s only made one errors that’s actually cost us a goal (Watford away). Admittedly, the penalty against Middlesbrough and the free kick against Swansea were both savable. Passing to marked men seems to be how we play now, what used to be classed as hospital passes are now standard practice.