The Gorrin defensive midfield role is absolutely crucial to the way we play. Partly because you need someone to disrupt the opposition midfield, and partly because you need someone to drop in when our CBs are upfield. Which, the way Dickie plays, isn't just corners and set pieces - he's bringing the ball forward all the time.
Put Brannagan in that role, and I think you're stifling our best, most creative player - who's also a potential goal threat (at least he was pre-injury).
In Gorrin's absence, I think it has to be Thorne, if he's match fit, or Mousinho playing there.
Meaning I would be going with (pending the 'mystery injury'):
Eastwood
Long Dickie Moore Ruffels
Thorne/Mousinho
Henry Brannagan
Sykes Taylor Browne
Subs: Stevens, Thorne/Mousinho, Holland, Forde, Hanson, Mackie, Agyei
Or Forde, or Holland, or ThorneOr Eastwood?
If Eastwood is injured again, then goodbye promotion for certain.
And Taylor scoring.The good thing about Marcus Browne is at this level he can play five positions well - centre midfield, AMC, right/left wing, striker. That gives great flexibility in a squad which is a bit stretched by injures, suspensions and sales - if he can stay fit not only do we have a player who is usually a step above League One, we have someone who can slot in all over the pitch. I’d just as happily see him in central midfield next game:
Eastwood
Long Dickie Moore Ruffels
Brannigan
Sykes Browne
Agyei Taylor Holland
Or up front:
Eastwood
Long Dickie Moore Ruffels
Thorne
Brannigan Sykes
Agyei Browne Holland
As I would on the wing.
I think the two most vital players to keep fit for the rest of the season are Browne and Brannigan. Get both of those in the team and playing close to their best, and we will be a handful for most teams at this level.
If Eastwood is injured we have real problems.If Eastwood is injured again, then goodbye promotion for certain.
For me the best central striker performance this season was Browne against Blackpool.And Taylor scoring.
Agree that Browne if fit can win us a lot of points.
If Eastwood is injured we have real problems.
He didnt seem to be in any problems Saturday ( but in reality hardly touched the ball)
Disagree. Stevens could step up, and Eastwood hasn’t exactly been on top form recently.
Whack any from Goodrham, Fabio , Lofthouse LCP, on the bench.. what’s the worst that could happen..
The good thing about Marcus Browne is at this level he can play five positions well - centre midfield, AMC, right/left wing, striker. That gives great flexibility in a squad which is a bit stretched by injures, suspensions and sales - if he can stay fit not only do we have a player who is usually a step above League One, we have someone who can slot in all over the pitch. I’d just as happily see him in central midfield next game:
Eastwood
Long Dickie Moore Ruffels
Brannigan
Sykes Browne
Agyei Taylor Holland
Or up front:
Eastwood
Long Dickie Moore Ruffels
Thorne
Brannigan Sykes
Agyei Browne Holland
As I would on the wing.
I think the two most vital players to keep fit for the rest of the season are Browne and Brannigan. Get both of those in the team and playing close to their best, and we will be a handful for most teams at this level.
You’re the bloke who doesn’t rate the young players. Are you Wilder in disguise?Simply no where near first division standard, as was showed by the pre-season friendlies. Hopefully one day they may well be ready to make the step up to division 1 football.