TheHomunculusLives

I do think that if we can make the system work, a 3 - 5 -2 formation with Bielik as part of the three with Jags and Davies, a hard working, quick passing, energetic midfield of Bird, Thompson and Knight, Byrne and Buchanan as wing backs and Lawrence playing off Plange, might be a good starting XV.

The whole current situation with Sibley is frustrating, because in the youth set up and when he first broke through to the first team in late 2019/20, he looked like the most exciting homegrown player we'd had for several years. But for whatever reason or reasons, he has never built on that highly promising start, and has offered relatively little when given opportunities this season.

I'd still have him in my match day squad, but he's done nothing to justify being a starting player or one of the 'go to' impact subs in quite a long time now.

I really hope he fulfils his potential at Derby as he's a local lad with obvious talent. But things haven't been happening for him for a while and with other, even younger players like Thompson, Ebosele and Plange stepping up and doing well, I do wonder what future Sibley has here.

Colin KR, Ebosele and Morrison have all made vital contributions coming off the bench in recent games. Each brings something different at a crucial stage in matches when they're won and lost, whether it be Colin KR's presence and goal scoring, Ebosele's pace and drive, or Morrison's guile and ball retention.

The question is, should some or all of these three be starting? Lawrence blows hot and cold, Knight and Jozwiak are hard workers but don't seem to offer much in the way of attacking threat right now.

Tackles like Cashin's can break legs or even end careers. I'm all for commitment and toughness, but bad tackles shouldn't be celebrated.

It seems the conveyor belt of Academy talent into the first team is continuing to be productive - partly due to our current circumstances I know, but I'd be interested in others' thoughts on whether some of the latest graduates have what it takes to establish themselves at Championship level (assuming we either stay up or return quickly).

We know now that Bird, Knight and Buchanan are established Championship standard players, perhaps with the potential to go further. 

Do guys like Ebosele, Dylan Williams, Thompson, Plange and Cashin have the same potential, based on what you've seen of them so far?

Stretton looks the part at under-23 level but has generally looked out of his depth when promoted to the first team. I think that probably why he's been stepped down again. I agree he might benefit playing in a pair up front with an experienced striker like CKR, but not convinced at this stage Stretton is going to make the grade at Derby.

I think Morrison is clearly an above average Championship midfielder who warrants a place in our best XI. And I think he could be more effective with a) Bielik behind him and b) a decent striker ahead of him who he could make the runs needed for that killer pass.

However, what he isn't - based on what I've seen - is some kind of wasted genius with the ability to win a game at this level through a touch of individual brilliance. 

The Ebosele - Byrne decision is a tough one. It's a shame we don't have two options of that quality up front for example.

For me, Ebosele has to be in the side if he's fit, because he's the only player we have with genuine pace and dynamism. We have plenty of players who are neat, tidy and clever in possession, but few genuine athletes.

I also wonder when Rooney will consider dropping either Ravel or Lawrence, neither of whom are delivering at the level their ability (and reputations) suggest they should.

There is a deeply rooted problem across English football that it is somehow seen as acceptable to say and do certain things that wouldn't be remotely acceptable in other setting, because they're seen as part of the football fan experience. It's not just offensive chanting at matches, it's also large groups of men singing, chanting, shouting abuse and behaving in an intimidating way on trains and in town centres across the country every Saturday. 

It's not just "lads having a laugh at the football" - it's poor behaviour and its doesn't affect other sports in the same way.

Sorry to be blunt, but from what I've seen I don't think Stretton is good enough at this stage. Granted, it's a pretty tough gig right now with the lack of service our strikers get, but even so, I don't see any tools in his armoury that will frighten Championship defences.

8 minutes ago, angieram said:

I think Ebosele is a wing back primarily, gives him chance to shine both defensively and in breakaway attacks. Unfortunately we don't play with a back three.

My second choice would be as a full back. I actually think he has the potential to be a much better full back than Byrne as he has a great tackle and doesn't get caught out of position as often as Byrne.

I don't think he's a winger but can understand why he's being used that way as an impact sub as he has pace to burn against tired defences.

Would I start him? Probably soon.

I agree - I think Ebosele has the natural gifts to be a very good modern wing back/full back and has a higher ceiling than Byrne or indeed Bogle who broke through at a similar age. Establishing himself ahead of Byrne will be difficult as Byrne is undoubtedly one of our better players right now, but he looks a real prospect to me.

7 minutes ago, Ravabeerbelly said:

Ahead of Kornell but not yet ahead of Byrne 

Should only be used as a FB in current system 

Is Kornell a decent prospect? I haven't seen enough of him to judge. We do seem to be producing a lot of promising young full-backs from the Academy with Dylan Williams also starting to emerge.

He's still very raw, but in the few games he played at the start of the season, I felt Ebosele offered us something no-one else in the team currently has: the ability to beat a man through sheer pace.

Should he be in the starting XI when fit, or is he more of a bench option? And is he a full-back/wing back, or a player to be used further forward?

West Brom are a good bet to win the Championship this year. They're a lot better than us.

I see this going one of two ways: if we react positively to the poor Birmingham performance, maybe a narrow (1-0 or 2-1) loss.

However, if we get off to a bad start, making silly defensive mistakes, then I fear 4 or 5 nil could follow.

Thanks for all the replies to my thread, I enjoyed reading them.

I think the comments are fair - for a free transfer on a wage of 4.5K a week, he's an excellent signing, and we could easily be paying significant sums in transfer fees and wages for a player who is no better.

Perhaps I was expecting too much, but based on his reputation, I was expecting a player who would show signs of natural ability that really stood out at Championship level: someone who clearly would be in a top half Premiership side were it not for their well documented personal issues in recent years. Currently, I don't think I'm seeing that potential, but I there's still plenty of time for me to be proved wrong.

2 minutes ago, IslandExile said:

Glad of this thread - "king is naked" and all that.

Clearly he's one of the best - if not the best - at the club at receiving the ball in tight places and retaining it.

But where I'm really disappointed is his decision making in the final third.

Similar to Lawrence, he will shoot when laying off a pass would be a better option. However, his shooting is nowhere near as good as Lawrence's.

The game against Forest showed us glimpses of what would be possible with an interchanging, fast moving, slick passing forward quartet of Jozwiak, Sibley, Lawrence and Morrison. But that's only going to work if the decision making is good and the passing sharp.

I keep wondering if Louie Watson would be better in the front four for that reason. And drop Morrison back alongside Bird/Shinnie/Knight in the defensive two CDMs.

From what I've seen, Louie Watson is as good as a passer of the ball as anyone at the club. Unfortunately he seems far too lightweight for Championship level football.

1 minute ago, Rammy03 said:

I'm not sure what you were expecting. There's a reason why he never became the player he supposedly could have been. If he was that good, he wouldn't be playing for us obviously. I'm not saying he can't be a good player for us, but it's unlikely he will ever be a world beater.

I was expecting a player with a level of ability that stood out at Championship level. What I'm seeing - the debut goal apart - is a neat and tidy average Championship midfielder, nothing more. And we saw signs of temperament issues in the Birmingham game.

If you are looking at value for money (i.e. a free transfer) and a decent if not outstanding contribution, Shinnie has been a good signing.

Am I the only fan who thinks that other than the debut goal v Salford, Morrison has actually been pretty underwhelming so far.

I understand he's probably still gaining match sharpness and he doesn't have great players around him, and I'd still pick him in our best team at the moment. But I'm seeing little evidence of this much heralded elite talent that means he could have been a world beater.

To be honest we now have adequate depth in most positions, other than an out and out goalscorer (Stretton clearly isn't at the level required at this stage) and a centre half with pace. Central midfield in particular will actually be very competitive once Bielik and Knight are fit.