Heroes and Villans: Aston Villa (H, Lge Cup 2) Tue 23 Aug @7.45pm

[Worthy4England]

I suspect Sadlier will start one of the next two games. I hope it's Plymouth at No.10 rather than Crewe at RWB.

To do the "we have a squad and they're all equal" narrative vs "this is my first XI" and do it successfully, you need a squad that's actually close in capability. I'm not as convinced as Evatt, that we have thar.

In respect of Sadlier, I think we've seen on here a good few places he "could play." I've not been particularly disappointed when he has played. But. I don't know where he should play...

My view on Sadlier is he’s Kevin Nolan. Not in the exact way but in that he will play somewhere behind a striker and bag you goals. There will be other players who look better overall in that position but not get anywhere near as many goals.

Such players seem overlooked in modern football but if Sads was played most matches I bet he’d be in double figures for goals. Could be difference between a few league places that. But it’s about fitting him in and I’m not sure he’s the Evatt way.

Yeah, what he doesn't seem to me, is a WB...

[BWFC_Insane]

I suspect Sadlier will start one of the next two games. I hope it's Plymouth at No.10 rather than Crewe at RWB.

To do the "we have a squad and they're all equal" narrative vs "this is my first XI" and do it successfully, you need a squad that's actually close in capability. I'm not as convinced as Evatt, that we have thar.

In respect of Sadlier, I think we've seen on here a good few places he "could play." I've not been particularly disappointed when he has played. But. I don't know where he should play...

My view on Sadlier is he’s Kevin Nolan. Not in the exact way but in that he will play somewhere behind a striker and bag you goals. There will be other players who look better overall in that position but not get anywhere near as many goals.

Such players seem overlooked in modern football but if Sads was played most matches I bet he’d be in double figures for goals. Could be difference between a few league places that. But it’s about fitting him in and I’m not sure he’s the Evatt way.

Yeah, what he doesn't seem to me, is a WB...

Never in a million years. Neither is Iredale really. We could do with specialists in those positions and LWB for me needs looking at.

[nicholaldo]

On the face of it, Sadlier seems a strange signing. He arrived citing a dissatisfaction over a lack of playing opportunities and a frustration at being asked to play at wing-back at his previous club.

But his signing came after our change in formation (and corresponding change in fortunes) and with Evatt seemingly so unwilling or unable to play him in his most natural positions, I can't help wondering what conversations had taken place prior to him coming here.

[Worthy4England]

On the face of it, Sadlier seems a strange signing. He arrived citing a dissatisfaction over a lack of playing opportunities and a frustration at being asked to play at wing-back at his previous club.

But his signing came after our change in formation (and corresponding change in fortunes) and with Evatt seemingly so unwilling or unable to play him in his most natural positions, I can't help wondering what conversations had taken place prior to him coming here.

Pretty much where I'm at Nicholaldo

[officer_dibble]

We could always try 4 at the back again, even a mid game switch

[truewhite15]

Didn't Sadlier also comment on the type of wing-back play? Wing-backs in the Rotherham system being quite defensive, as opposed to our more marauding tactics? I was always under the impression that Sadlier was more of a winger than anything, so that type of attacking impetus might suit him even if he is still technically playing the same position he hated at the Millers...

[Worthy4England]

Didn't Sadlier also comment on the type of wing-back play? Wing-backs in the Rotherham system being quite defensive, as opposed to our more marauding tactics? I was always under the impression that Sadlier was more of a winger than anything, so that type of attacking impetus might suit him even if he is still technically playing the same position he hated at the Millers...

Reasonable TW...And I think he did comment as you suggest, which sorta doesn't matter when he's sat ensuring no splinters stick up At the minute he's getting "moments" in an alleged "rotation system" - no one seems like replacing Bradley any time soon (or until he's shagged) and Iredale seems to be rotating with John...So where's Sads playing?

[Harry Genshaw]

I'm surprised at Insane's assertion that Iredale isnt really a wingback. I've been really impressed with him so far.

[truewhite15]

Didn't Sadlier also comment on the type of wing-back play? Wing-backs in the Rotherham system being quite defensive, as opposed to our more marauding tactics? I was always under the impression that Sadlier was more of a winger than anything, so that type of attacking impetus might suit him even if he is still technically playing the same position he hated at the Millers...

Reasonable TW...And I think he did comment as you suggest, which sorta doesn't matter when he's sat ensuring no splinters stick up At the minute he's getting "moments" in an alleged "rotation system" - no one seems like replacing Bradley any time soon (or until he's shagged) and Iredale seems to be rotating with John...So where's Sads playing?

Fair question. I suppose the difficulty is that we're not really playing with a 10 right now. It's a 6 and two 8s. And if we're saying that wing-back isn't Sadlier's preferred position, then right in the heart of midfield certainly isnt. That's also where we happen to be strongest in terms of personnel - Morley, Dempsey, Lee, the returning Sheehan and Thomason all capable of playing there.

Bradley's form at RWB is keeping Sadlier out of the side. That's nothing to complain about for BWFC in general; Sadlier is, unfortunately, just going to have to bide his time for now. Especially as we have square-peg-in-square-hole John and in-form Iredale competing for the opposite wing-back slot.

[Harry Genshaw]

^ this 6, 8 and 10 chat is a bit confusing for me. 6 & 8 - central midfielders? No6 more holding and no8 more box to box? I assumed no10 was someone playing just off the front man (in the hole in my day) Didn't Dapo & Kachunga interchange in this position on Tuesday night?

Apologies if I've got that arse about face but simply - I'd like to see Sadlier given a chance in the position Kachunga played in.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Harry - yes, 6 is the Campo, 8 the Nolan. You get “free 8s” when you have a 6 sitting. If you play two 8s and a 10 then your 8s need to be more box to box.

Until it’s proven otherwise I still think Sadlier’s best position is coming off the left of a 4231, which is part of the reason I think he was signed to cover/replace Dapo. Remember we were after him last summer. We changed system in mid-late January once Fossey proved much better attacking than defending. I don’t think Sadlier had arrived yet so clearly Evatt thinks he can fit the system and indeed he said recently Sadlier can play at 9 (which surprised me slightly but we are unlikely to see him there anyway), 10 or wing/wingback, and that’s a useful person to have. I also share BWFCi’s views that there’s goals in him, more than many of our options.

I’ve posted at least twice Sadlier’s insistence that playing WB here is very different to at Rotherham, so that doesn’t worry me. What does worry me more is that he’s only getting scraps - barring the Salford start he has been brought on after 81, 79, 90, 78 and 82 minutes, which - when asking a sub to change the game - ranges from the implausible to the insulting.

[BWFC_Insane]

I'm surprised at Insane's assertion that Iredale isnt really a wingback. I've been really impressed with him so far.

I think he looks a good player. And absolutely seems willing. But a wingback needs to be an outlet constantly in my view. Not just a solid option but someone who gets you out who offers you that out ball. Bradley offers this. Fossey offered it. John to some extent offers it but too often turns round for me.

But Iredale is a decent full back. He’s an option at LWB. But I don’t think he’s a natural there and I don’t see him running many full backs or opposing wing backs ragged.

It’s noticeable how much of our play goes down the right and that’s because we can give Bradley the ball and he makes things happen. We need that on the left for me otherwise we become a bit one dimensional. Best will in the world I don’t see Iredale offering that in some games he’s absolutely the right option but for example a home game against a ‘low block’ I think we need to stretch teams down both sides more consistently.

[Harry Genshaw]

^^ Cheers DSB. Agreed that lack of starts and game time will, I'm sure, start to irritate Sadlier if it's not already.

^ Fair enough Insane. I wonder if wing back still being a relatively new-ish position, whether coaching hasn't fully caught up yet? Seems we always talk about full backs and wingers being converted into wing backs, rather than it being a natural position for youngsters coming through.

[BWFC_Insane]

^^ Cheers DSB. Agreed that lack of starts and game time will, I'm sure, start to irritate Sadlier if it's not already.

^ Fair enough Insane. I wonder if wing back still being a relatively new-ish position, whether coaching hasn't fully caught up yet? Seems we always talk about full backs and wingers being converted into wing backs, rather than it being a natural position for youngsters coming through.

Some of it will be a learning process for sure. I just don’t think his natural game is bombing down the line with the ball.

[Mar]

I think regarding Sadlier, if he is playing RWB then it may just be to open up the left side as the attacking outlet. Lets not forget that we're a bit one-sided if we're playing to Bradley's strengths. Might just be a case of in order to get at their RB, we benefit from solidity that Sadlier provides.

I'm under the impression he should be getting more game time. Haven't seen him be out matched while playing for us and has seemed a decent goal threat so doesn't seem unreasonable that he'd get more game time.

Would be nice to see Bradley rested at times. We played Fossey loads last season and he seemed to tail off somewhat, perhaps as a result of being found out and countered or as a result of fatigue. Either way it'd make the opposition question our approach a bit more.

[Bruce Rioja]

I see that Villa drew Man U away. I know it doesn't exactly follow that we would've also, but how good would that have been for us on every front?!

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Didn't Sadlier also comment on the type of wing-back play? Wing-backs in the Rotherham system being quite defensive, as opposed to our more marauding tactics? I was always under the impression that Sadlier was more of a winger than anything, so that type of attacking impetus might suit him even if he is still technically playing the same position he hated at the Millers...

Reasonable TW...And I think he did comment as you suggest, which sorta doesn't matter when he's sat ensuring no splinters stick up At the minute he's getting "moments" in an alleged "rotation system" - no one seems like replacing Bradley any time soon (or until he's shagged) and Iredale seems to be rotating with John...So where's Sads playing?

Fair question. I suppose the difficulty is that we're not really playing with a 10 right now. It's a 6 and two 8s. And if we're saying that wing-back isn't Sadlier's preferred position, then right in the heart of midfield certainly isnt. That's also where we happen to be strongest in terms of personnel - Morley, Dempsey, Lee, the returning Sheehan and Thomason all capable of playing there.

Bradley's form at RWB is keeping Sadlier out of the side. That's nothing to complain about for BWFC in general; Sadlier is, unfortunately, just going to have to bide his time for now. Especially as we have square-peg-in-square-hole John and in-form Iredale competing for the opposite wing-back slot.

Asked about Sads, Evatt says he can’t easily play RWB in the tougher games, then admits he hasn’t had a fair crack further forward.

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/2 ... iers-role/

[Worthy4England]

That's a bit damning with faint praise...

[truewhite15]

Bump.

Apropos of nowt much, I still think it's worth noting that Douglas Luiz pulled off his corner kick party trick again tonight vs Premier League toppers Arsenal.

Doesn't let Dixon off the hook for his other cock-ups, but clearly bigger and better can be and have been caught out by that particular set piece...