Firstly, we miss Mark Davies a lot. He is the only player with a bit of composure on the ball to dictate the pace of the game in our favour. He wants the ball, whereas Spearing and Andeews don't.

I think a 451 is the way to go, still. However, I think I'd play Petrov and Chungy. Both offer a natural width, whereas Eagles wants to cut inside, especially if he is playing on the left.

I'd also like to see N'Gog up top more often. His movement would give our wingers and midfielders another option rather than a predictable ball to KD's head.

I know we can't rely on this forever, but Holden coming back would immediately be in the first team, for me. My fully fit midfield would be.

Chungy
Mavies
Holden
Andreas
Petrov

Now Andrews is our 'weak link' in that team, but he is still better than most Championship midfielders. I don't think anyone in the league can boast a midfield as strong as that.

It's our defence that's the problem.

I am kinda with you TRR, as CYL and Petrov are the best wingers we have, so they absolutely have to start. Petrov also plays well with Alonso due to Alonso's pace to cover back.

I would actually purchase Spearing in this transfer window, drop Andrews and the 3 in rotation would be Holden, Mavies and Eagles.

"Alonso's pace to cover back."

Are you talking about Marcos Alonso?

Yes White Bic - he's one of the quickest defenders we have

He definitely isn't JAH he is slow.

I don't really see the problem with Alonso. Yeah he isn't that quick, but he has played well when he has started. I don't think he has for a fair crack at a run of games either.

Like I said, defence is the issue. I think we need a full back and a centre half anyway.

Back to the original OP. I would stick with wingers, but work on composure on the ball. Pratley, Spearing and Andrews are definitely not composed on the ball and that makes retaining possession near impossible.

I don't have a problem with him he is just slow and gets best often by pacing wongers

Wongers

I wouldn't say Alonso is the quickest of defenders (pace wise) but nor is he the slowest. He's quicker than Robbo used to be for instance but not as quick as Bibi was in the same position.

Anyway, the OP. The problem as TRR has said is composure on the ball. Of the midfielders we have available I would say Andrews is the most composed, but he is no Holden or Mark Davies. That said not as bad as sometimes made out to be. Spearing I'm not too fussed, so long as he sits in front of the defence, tackles anything that moves and then keeps his passing game simple (which largely he has done) I'll be happy. As for Pratley, well it'll take him going on a real run of good performances for me to change my opinion of him, he's not up to much in my opinion. Pay me what he gets and get me as fit and I could run around for 90 minutes having just as much impact on the game.

But with a lack of funds we have to go with what we have got. Which means I have to say the 451 suggested by TRR is what I'd be looking at. For now I'd have Eagles in the middle in place of Holden with Spearing and Andrews sitting back. Once Stu is back playing get him in there either in place of Eagles or alongside him in place of Andrews or Spearing.

I know Eagles normally gets used out wide but he can play centrally and he would at least give us someone confident enough on the ball to run at people, rather than Andrews or Spearing who whilst happy having the ball are best utilised linking play from deeper positions, playing simple passing games and keeping us ticking over possession wise.

Also, what the heck is a wonger!

the guys on towerfm were saying andrews is being used wrong.he is not a holding midfielder but an attacking midfielder! i would thus deploy the 4-2-2-1-1 formation.holden and spearing in front of a back 4 if we can find one!andrews and mavies attacking,davies up top with eagles playing off him.

Sounds great that, Benny. But 2 of the 4 players you mention are injured!

Andrews is an all action midfielder. Lots of energy, good at getting in the box and so a holding position is wrong for him, I agree. Problem we have at the moment is that Andrews and Pratley are exactly the same type of player.

Who is Andreas and why does he never play when I watch BWFC?

I think Andrews in his time at Bolton looks immobile. That's been half his problem he looks more over weight and knackered than the guy who bossed games for Ipswich last season. If you listen to commentary he rarely touches the ball.

I think Andrews in his time at Bolton looks immobile. That's been half his problem he looks more over weight and knackered than the guy who bossed games for Ipswich last season. If you listen to commentary he rarely touches the ball.
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He touches it a lot with his hand when he's taking all those quick free kicks he's so fond of.