You can't have greater praise for players like Simon Francis who have fought hard in the most difficult or circumstances all season for AFCB. He has not only had to lead the team with Tommy Elphick being out for a third of the season, but he has also had to chance his position to move from the right wing to centre half. It has been great to see him adapt and to channel all his effort in playing in his new role, but with Tommy Elphick resuming training he may be best moved back to right back.
I say that not simply because Simon had a poor game against Stoke City but as the balance of the team is better with him paying at right back. He naturally drifts towards the right wing during games and he has a tendency to drift out of position when playing at centre half. While he has been unfortunate at times in being booked for some of his challenges where he has clipped the ball, he is playing against some of the best forwards in the world and he has been found out at times, not only for his positional play but also his clearances and passing along the back line.
We have seen that Matt Ritchie had also lost his place in the starting 11 against Stoke City and if he could play again with Francis behind him at right back the right side would be stronger. The confidence in the side has been questioned and it may be prudent for Eddie Howe to go back to what he knows works well during the run-in. Tommy Elphick will be desperate to lead the side again and Francis will be more assured at right back and go back to making those excellent runs on the outside of Ritchie, allowing Matt the freedom to move inside and strike at goal.
The experiment was helpful when Elphick was injured, but with an FA Cup game against Everton next on the schedule it would be a good time to resume normal service at the back with the Cherries needing to find a way to get back to more clean sheets.
PremierTalk: Arsenal favourites to win title?
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| Francis may benefit the team more at right back in the run-in. |
We have seen that Matt Ritchie had also lost his place in the starting 11 against Stoke City and if he could play again with Francis behind him at right back the right side would be stronger. The confidence in the side has been questioned and it may be prudent for Eddie Howe to go back to what he knows works well during the run-in. Tommy Elphick will be desperate to lead the side again and Francis will be more assured at right back and go back to making those excellent runs on the outside of Ritchie, allowing Matt the freedom to move inside and strike at goal.
The experiment was helpful when Elphick was injured, but with an FA Cup game against Everton next on the schedule it would be a good time to resume normal service at the back with the Cherries needing to find a way to get back to more clean sheets.
PremierTalk: Arsenal favourites to win title?
I agree 100%. Smith and Stanislas did not click at all saturday. Back to basics and what we know works i feel. What Francis, smith and stanislas were doing in the first half was confusing. We will have better days, cmon you reds!
ReplyDeletePartly agree, however Francis was very poor at right back at the start of the season defending and was constantly being caught out of position, looking a real weak link. Not sure if our current central defensive frailties are related to Francis or Cook?
ReplyDeleteI don't understand why we take a player like iturbe and don't play him. ..we sign attacker after attacker who don't play ...but no defensive back up...if Francis needs replacing not with smith what does it say....
ReplyDeleteNo midfielders no defenders...maybe no premiership
I don't understand why we take a player like iturbe and don't play him. ..we sign attacker after attacker who don't play ...but no defensive back up...if Francis needs replacing not with smith what does it say....
ReplyDeleteNo midfielders no defenders...maybe no premiership