Midfield

You might call it 4-3-3, it’s more of a 4-2-3-1, but in times of need you have to adapt and I think it is time to go with the double fours, Bridcutt and Edun together. I thought Tayo Edun looked good in the midfield role when Bridcutt went off, so I’d play them side by side, giving Edun a bit more license to create and play, with Bridcutt protecting the back four. When we’re under pressure, there would be two banks of two through the centre, meaning Bridcutt can chase a runner, drop into centre half and still we have the out ball in Tayo. If we’re attacking, Tayo could fluidly shift up alongside McGrandles to give us a natural 4-3-3, but in times of pressure, he will play very much as a ‘CDM’.

Sunderland played 4-4-2 against Accrington, with Winchester and Power in the midfield role, but they also like 4-2-3-1, so we’d be going like for like. If there is a weak spot for the Black Cats, it is the centre of midfield, Carl Winchester was with Forest Green earlier in the season and is functional but not spectacular, whilst Power hasn’t really achieved what I thought he could. If we can get our foot on the ball in those areas, we might be able to bring our flair players into the game.

I’d play McGrandles forward, in the eight role but with a license to stray a little further forward to help Morton if he needs to. Essentially, he would be a lone attacking midfielder, but if we did attack with speed on the counter, we don’t need the numbers up there. Besides, McGrandles has been our top performer in recent weeks, he can get into the box and score, he can create and I personally think if we were attacking, he’d be great on the edge of the box waiting for half a chance.

Attack

There isn’t a lot of choice here really, with no Hopper and no Anderson, only Archibald, Scully and Howarth are likely to upset the norm. I can’t see those players starting, it’s going to be Rogers, Johnson and Morton in the middle. Two weeks ago, this was seen as a vibrant and exciting forward line, but after 180 minutes of rather upsetting football, some might question the selection. However, I think there is joy to be had this weekend if we can ensure we’re tight at the back.

I’m not a huge fan of McLaughlin, their right back, and I think we can isolate him with rogers pace. On the other side, loanee Jake Vokins is playing in the absence of others, and again there is joy to be had there for Johnson is he is on form. Sunderland have a few injuries which means Luke O’Nien is at centre half with Dion Sanderson. The latter has been in great form, but the former is not a natural defender. I like O’Nien, as a character and a player, but he is out of position and maybe intelligent running from Morton can create a half chance. I haven’t seen Morton with a decent chance in a game or two now, but he is a finisher and I suspect we could see him on the scoresheet.

There is an alternative to this which is a little more ‘out there’ as you’ll see on the last page.

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