Reading Between The Lines

Following on from the last post I wanted to take a little look at the squad and early tactical signs from the new gaffer.

Despite my assertion the squad is a good one, there are of course gaps and weak spots in there that I’m sure the new manager will be keen to address. He has already added two in Randell Williams and the return of Andy Rinomhota that both seem very shrewd pickups. Richardson highlighted the importance of the next few transfer windows when appointed which could be standard manager speak but with Couhig also highlighting Richardson’s squad building as key perhaps it points to some behind the scene convos that have been had. What is done with the current crop of loanees in January for example will be interesting with Jacob, O’Mahony and to a lesser extent Burns all finding themselves unfancied and out of the team.

We are just a single league game into Richardson’s spell in charge so too early for in depth analysis or conclusions but…

Richardson has kept with the, on paper, 4231 shape that Hunt also used. Leam himself said in his early interviews that he is a 4231 man, with the occasional switch to back 3. What he has done is lean further into the asymmetry that Hunt also dabbled with. One FB holds, switching between a wide CB in a back 3 and traditional FB in build up while the winger ahead of them holds their width. On the other side, the FB bombs on providing all the width with their winger tucking in central to act as a 2nd CAM. Out of possession it forms up more like a 442 with the CAM and ST pressing as a pair.

So again, refinement rather than reinvention because there are elements of this Hunt dabbled with also. In some of Ritchie’s last few appearances for Hunt he would often tuck in with Abrefa or Ahmed giving the width down the right. Maybe this is harsh but perhaps it exemplifies the difference between Hunt and Richardson that the latter is approaching this idea with more conviction. Abrefa has been very aggressive in his position as has Lane drifting central, no half measures.

So who are likely to be the winners & losers?

Dorsett is an obvious candidate, a hybrid LB/LCB role could work very nicely for him. At his best he is an aggressive defender who has good recovery speed, good height for set pieces and his distribution has come a long way to now have some bright moments. He does need his weaknesses covering though and despite his game attitude he doesn’t impact in the final 3rd and bombing for overlaps does mean he gets caught out defensively. So a role where he can focus on his defensive work and distribute out from deep is a win.

Randell Williams seems an ideal candidate for the ‘width’ winger role. He has experience playing WB roles so his used to playing a role where he has to supply the width and threat down a whole flank. Putting him down his strong foot left side with the pace to stretch defences should hopefully lead to a good supply line for the other attackers. While Dan K has had lots of bright (almost) moments I wouldn’t be that surprised to see Williams force his way into a first choice spot.

This one might end up a bit of a stretch but could this setup finally be the way we see Ben Elliott shine alongside Kamari Doyle. Our two most talented and creative attacking midfielders have been competing for minutes all season. Of late Doyle won out as the first choice CAM in Hunts 4231 even before Elliott picked up a knock. Now with this asymmetrical shape could we have a way to play both without disrupting the settled Savage/Wing double pivot (Rino may have something to say there anyway). It gets both players into areas they thrive while maintaining width on both sides. I have been a little disappointed with Doyle of late, maybe just high expectations, and actually don’t know how suited he is to the role of chief creator. He’s super talented and when he carries the ball so hard to stop but I also think he is possibly better suited to being able to crash the box, pick up interesting positions or run in behind with another intricate passer trying to find him. With Elliott out for an undetermined amount of time we may have to wait to see and if the team is playing well maybe longer still.

With no game due to the international break, Richardson has had more time to bed in his ideas and build relationships since a good start vs Stevenage. We’ll see if he can deliver sparkle on the pitch to match the fireworks off it this weekend.