Howson - Right Back

[festa5]

The way the squad is looking at the minute, I would be inclined to play Howson behind O'Brien and Hackney in a DLP/anchor role he probably doesn't have the legs he had but can read the game well which would take some pressure off the defence. It would then allow the wingback to go forward more and overlap the 2 'wingers' who can cut inside and create or score. The formation would be slightly adjusted but the actual way of playing and football philosophy would stay pretty much the same. That's just my humble opinion.

This would be my preference at the minute, just to steady the ship a bit without really sacrificing too much going forwards.

O'Brien would be wasted in a holding role IMO. Hackney obviously better with the ball than without. Both probably look after it better than Morgan so there wouldn't be as much turnover of possession, which would allow us to control the game a bit better and get more of a foothold if under pressure.

Play them both box to box, you'll still have numbers in attack but we'll be a bit harder to play through and Howson's reading of the game will protect the back line on breakaways better.

I think at his age he's still fantastic if the play is in front him, but his ability to recover position isn't what it was.

 

[alvez_49]

Playing Howson who isn't a playmaker and isn't mobile to defend as a defensive deep lying playmaker.

Class.

 

[Druss_The_Legend]

Playing Howson who isn't a playmaker and isn't mobile to defend as a defensive deep lying playmaker.

Class.

Playing Akpom A striker with A 1 in 4 scoring record and A roughly 1 in 10 assist record as a number 10.

Class .

Sometimes when things are not going well then solutions need to be found, it might not work, but until new approaches are given a chance you just don't know.
Howson might not be as mobile as he was but with less amount of ground to cover he would be able to cope better when needed, he might not be a playmaker but sitting behind the more mobile midfielders his job would be to clean up and and distribute the ball to the more attacking players.

 

[GibbosEmpire]

I don't think Howson has the legs for right back

 

[alvez_49]

Playing Akpom A striker with A 1 in 4 scoring record and A roughly 1 in 10 assist record as a number 10.

Class .

Sometimes when things are not going well then solutions need to be found, it might not work, but until new approaches are given a chance you just don't know.
Howson might not be as mobile as he was but with less amount of ground to cover he would be able to cope better when needed, he might not be a playmaker but sitting behind the more mobile midfielders his job would be to clean up and and distribute the ball to the more attacking players.

Comparing Howson to a one in a ten thousand event.

Class

 

[Andy_W]

Yea fully agree smith was excellent at one point, everyone was raving about him.

I don't know what it was but his performances just fell off a cliff more so than anyones i thought.

Added to that - the absolutely idiotic red card the other week. He can be a red/yellow waiting to happen.

It wasn't everyone raving about him.

I thought about half thought he did well, without standing out and the other half like me just thought he filled a hole.

He's not particularly quick, not great on the ball, doesn't cross particularly well and isn't great higher up the pitch, so I'm not actually sure what there is to rave about. He was fairly solid though, and I don't recall too many mistakes, but that should just be par.

He wouldn't look out of place in a side expecting to finish lower half of the champo, and wouldn't stand out for that type of side either.

He's ok, as a backup, but we have to be aiming higher than Smith.

I don't think McNair is the answer now either, I think his best days are done, but at least he's got a good delivery and is alright in the air, but his mishaps counter this.

I would probably go with Dijksteele if fit, but even then we need something better, as he's inconsistent.