AFCB are not scoring nearly enough goals to win games. There is always a fear that having Jermain Defoe on the team sheet is imperative to get the opposition worried, but if he is not finding ample opportunities to score there is a valid reason for Eddie to try something else. The problem is I'm not sure if Eddie really believes he can put anyone else up front who has anything like Defoe's pedigree.
Putting Defoe on the bench may seem a drastic step, but it would add another player in my mind who is actively getting involved in the game for more minutes than the time that Jermain is having on the ball. It's not that I don't rate Defoe as a quality finisher. It just isn't happening for him at the moment and perhaps he would be even more effective as a second half sub when the opposition is tiring.
Faced with a choice of putting on Benik Afobe or Lys Mousset for Defoe, doesn't seem to offer enough impact. but if Wilson is anything like the striker we hope he still is then we could find that Eddie has to make a call sooner rather than later on whether he should keep starting our England international up font.
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| Defoe and King have scored half of AFCB's league goals this season. |
Yet, last season AFCB did very well with Josh King playing in the number nine role with either Ryan Fraser or Junior Stanislas playing just in behind in the number 10 role. Fraser was impressive when running at defenders through the middle as he can go on either side. Josh is also best when leading the line, as he gets to the ball first and creates opportunities easier for himself and others when he has time to take on the last man, even if he is forced wide.
Putting Defoe on the bench may seem a drastic step, but it would add another player in my mind who is actively getting involved in the game for more minutes than the time that Jermain is having on the ball. It's not that I don't rate Defoe as a quality finisher. It just isn't happening for him at the moment and perhaps he would be even more effective as a second half sub when the opposition is tiring.
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Stanislas is back now and has had a few games to get up to speed, so he should be fit enough to do more running in behind King. It also allows Ibe to play on the wing instead of Stanislas, and if we see both Callum Wilson and Defoe among the subs to come on in a second half it will be a much more impressive bench. I'm sure Defoe would soon be keen to fight his way back into the team, but in some ways I have to wonder if allowances are being made for what Defoe has done in the past, and if Howe is just waiting to see what Wilson has left in his locker.
Faced with a choice of putting on Benik Afobe or Lys Mousset for Defoe, doesn't seem to offer enough impact. but if Wilson is anything like the striker we hope he still is then we could find that Eddie has to make a call sooner rather than later on whether he should keep starting our England international up font.
Totally agree, something I have been calling for since the first two matches, King or Defoe as a lone striker with Frazer / Stanislas in the support role. Now Wilson should be included -but where? On the wing? Maybe Frazer deployed as a wing back instead of the ineffective A Smith? 5 man midfield with Lewis Cook and Ake in the centre as pivitol role. Hyndman - lets try him against Spurs too! Radical, but this is a game where a new approach is needed, after all in the last 2 away games against Spurs we have performed miserably with fear!
ReplyDeleteThe analysis is spot on and as Defoe doesn't play 90 which minutes he gets should be better served against tired legs
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