What a dilemma

[Chris B]

Ryan Jarvis has not got near to scoring in either of his two starts, and has tired markedly around the hour mark in both. He just looks woefully short on confidence and sharpness... we can't afford to carry passengers.

I disagree entirely with this.

Whilst I wasn't at yesterday's game, I was at York and Jarvis looked really assured, holding the ball up well and never conceding possession. He also played a big role in our opening goal, winning the ball back before the play was switched to Nicholson and Stevens. As for getting close to a goal, it sounded like he missed a sitter yesterday minutes before D&R equalised. At York, he threw himself head-first at a ball Howe fizzed across. He also played a massive role in Stevens' goal yesterday, putting pressure on the keeper as the ball looped. Ling highlighted Jarvis' presence up front occupying the CBs allowed Rene a bit of space to flourish. Reports, and the MOTM thread, suggest Jarvus was far from a passenger…

Craig should tuck in behind Howe (in a role that got the best out of EO-K) allowing Bodin and Stevens to continue their increased influence on the wings and allowing Easton and Mansell to boss things in a less crowded centre midfield.

I also disagree with this! For me, you can compare O'Kane and Craig in terms of potential and quality, but Eunan has a slipperiness to his movement that makes him suitable for little jinking runs centrally in the final third. Craig, for me, doesn't have that mobility. He is also much better suited facing the play, controlling possession, sweeping the ball left and right, or putting in one of his outstanding crosses. Push him too far forward and I think we'll be compromising his greatest strengths.

As for Manse, I commented on the Southend thread as soon as he was sent off that it may be a blessing in disguise. I stick by this due to his struggle for form this season, but I expect him to be selected for Northampton. If we do stick with a winning team for that one, I'll be delighted and very surprised about what I think is an incredibly difficult match at Bradford. We don't have a great record against Phil Parkinson’s sides…

[bengull]

I am not for one minute disputing Jarvis' work-rate, far from it. In my analysis of the York match I did mention his presence in the team occupying a centre-back being crucial to our good play. However, if you going to tweak your formation to incorporate Jarvis then you should expect a return in goals. Neither Howe or Jarvis have scored since the tweak and whilst that isn't a problem whilst we are finding goals from elsewhere, you really need your forwards to put the ball in the back of the net if the only chance of the game falls to him; I just don't trust Jarvis to do that.

One instance from yesterday's match sticks in my mind, at about the hour mark. Jarvis is released over the halfway line by a perfectly weighted through-ball thus creating a 2 on 2 situation with Rene Howe in support. Jarvis got slower and slower until there were 6 men behind the ball before pretty much running out of ideas, falling over and winning a softish free-kick. That is a situation that you have to make better use of. I am not against Ryan Jarvis at all, I want him to succeed, and if his inclusion in the team brings about a 8 match winning run then i will be delighted, but he has to show a lot more goal-threat that his pedigree suggested before I see him as an automatic pick and a better choice than other options in the squad.

As for Nathan Craig, we simply do not know how effective he will be in that position before we try it. He has a magical left foot and if the chance arises for him to ping a shot from distance I would like to see him take it. I absolutely take your point about his ability to spread the play with a flick of his boot but we are not asking him to lead the line in this role, often last season Eunan would drop deep to collect the ball and I really think trusting Craig as the lead play-maker would bring out the best in him. Whilst I think he is making a more than commendable contribution as a ball-winning central midfielder I really feel we can utilise his creativity that tiny bit more by giving him the freedom of the pitch to exert his fantastic vision and pinpoint accuracy.

In my mind Mansell is not going to spend the rest of the season on the bench, he may find himself there for Northampton but rest assured he will be back for the derbies. We can argue whether or not he should be brought back, but we all know he will. We look a much better team with Nathan Craig in it, (if just for his setpieces alone) and sticking him out wide would completely nullify his threat so in my mind Jarvis is the one to miss out.

[AustrianAndyGull]

Jarvis basher!!

[AustrianAndyGull]

To be honest Ben, if the only chance of the game fell to any of our players other than Rene then i wouldn't trust them to put it away!!

[gurneygibbs23]

Keep the same team, its winning!

Mansell is not effecting games and Jarvis is a great foil for Rene.
If Mansell was getting in the box and getting goals then yes change it back but lets not drop Jarvis as he's helping us get back to being an attacking force.
Maybe Mansell can challenge Easton/Lathrope for defensive mid position, but Easton did a great job yesterday, the polar opposite of his performance against Southend.. which was awful 3/10 would of been generous,
but credit to him yesterday, excellent at breaking up Dagenham attacks and kept passing simple, don't remember him giving the ball away and involved for winning goal

[Chris B]

Just to answer a few points, Ben:

I'm not sure Howe's lack of goals can be attributed to the change in formation – he didn't score in the five games before Jarvis lined up alongside him.

The point about Craig not 'leading the line' is pivotal when deciding on formation changes. We've won 2/2 with 442. To what extent has having a genuine 2nd striker helped Rene? I've heard comments that he was near-enough unplayable yesterday. Is that because of his own quality or thanks in part to Jarvis occupying the D&R defence? One thing we agree on is Nathan would play deeper (possibly isolating Howe again?).

Craig didn't look entirely comfortable with his defensive duties at York - they often carved through the middle in the 1st half. Again, could he and the team grow into a 2-man central midfield system after having 3 in there for so long, or should we try him in the top of the triangle as you suggest? Another point where we agree, though, is that it would be ideal if Craig can play that slightly more advanced play-maker role, with two of Mansell/Lathrope/Easton in the more defensive positions.

[Kernowgull]

Off topic slightly, but kind of in line with the putting the ball in the net conversation. Mansell said yesterday that Yeoman is the best finisher at the club. Obviously we have seen zero evidence of this in the first team. How did he get on when he came on yesterday?

[ferrarilover]

It's tough to draw meaningful conclusions from such a short appearance, but he didn't do anything wrong.

Matt.

[stevegull]

Off topic slightly, but kind of in line with the putting the ball in the net conversation. Mansell said yesterday that Yeoman is the best finisher at the club. Obviously we have seen zero evidence of this in the first team. How did he get on when he came on yesterday?

Ling said something similar after he netted against Aldershot, I believe it was somthing along the lines of, "we always know when you give Yeoman a chance; he'll take it."

I wasn't at the game yesterday but when I've seen him before he has been used out wide (probably because 4-3-3 doesn't suit him as a lead striker). I see him in the Benyon mould in terms of player. I think he would poach in the box and pick up loose balls and slam them in. Other than that, I'm not sure you'd say he is particularly good at anything. He's not blessed with electric pace and isn't very tall or strong.

If we keep playing 4-4-2 then I think Yeoman will get more bench chances to play up top and if he gets a couple of goals then I'm sure he could help benefit our team in the long run. It's really last chance saloon for him and I was surprised he was given a deal for this season. He needs to show Ling that he can be a credible squad member and can contribute on the pitch. He needs to do it soon as well, or Ling will put more effort into developing different youngsters at the club.

[Kernowgull]

My thoughts too Steve, Im surprised he's still there, which is also why I was surprised Mansell aaid what he did. Be great if he developed into an impact goal-scoring sub, not sure I see it happening but definitely need someone who can come off the bench if Jarvis is starting, nows his chance while we have no budget!

[stevegull]

My thoughts too Steve, Im surprised he's still there, which is also why I was surprised Mansell aaid what he did. Be great if he developed into an impact goal-scoring sub, not sure I see it happening but definitely need someone who can come off the bench if Jarvis is starting, nows his chance while we have no budget!

Yep. If we keep playing with two up top then this time between now and the loan window really is a crucial one for Yeoman to stake his claim. If he can nab a few goals off the bench then Ling won't be compelled to enter the loan market for reinforcements. If he just aimlessly passes the ball backwards a few times (as he has done on a few occassions) then Ling will enter the market for a more potent goal threat.

I hope he can take his chance. Although I have my own personal doubts. He needs to be more ambitious with his decision making - and even his positioning. By this I mean he needs to put himself in the positions to score goals rather than playing it safe deeper on the pitch and just knocking a 5 yard ball to a full-back.

[bengull]

I agree that Yeoman is a viable option and should be given more time on the pitch. I would like to have seen him given a good half an hour yesterday to show what he can do, he would likely be more effective if we were in desperate need of a goal (A'la Aldershot) instead of protecting the lead like he was used for yesterday. No doubt he was sent on to tussle, win the ball and keep possession, he didn't do a bad job of that at all, but from the little cameos littering the last couple of seasons I like to think he has more to offer than that, and if Lee Mansell thinks so too it's a bit baffling why he isn't trusted with more pitch-time.

[AustrianAndyGull]

I agree also that Yeoman should be given more game time too. Who else do we have? I have said before that he has been with the club since he was a chromosome so if he's not getting the opportunities now then what's the point in keeping him? I,ve not seen him play as many times as you guys but he looks like he's worth more minutes on the pitch.

[Dave]

I think the difference with Manse missing is that we are forced to be more forward thinking. Manse plus Lathrope or Easton or both is far too defensively minded. With Manse missing, we play NC where he is most effective in the middle and we get forward more and get to take advantage of our extra man up front.

Matt The n00b.

Called it spot on there Matt, I dont think Easton and Lathrope can play in the same team together it has to be one or the other, and an open message to Mr Martin Ling if you ever find yourself considering playing Lathrope-Mansell-Easton as a midfield three again...stop watch back the Southend match dvd, and if that doesn't convince you of what a bad idea that would be..ring your doctor urgently he will be able to refer you to a mental health professional.

[Dave]

MidDevon makes a good point, don't think there is any selection dilemma until after the Bradford game,a win at Bradford will give Lingy a real nightmare, he will want to restore his captain to the starting line up as would any manager.

A draw or defeat at Bradford would make bringing Manse back in easier to justify, the only way I can see Mansell coming back into the team is if Jarvis makes way and Nathan Craig is pushed forward, or Manse comes in for Nathan Craig and is pushed forward.

A lot has been made of us playing 4-4-2 in the last two games I ma not entirely sure we have been, I think Jarvis has been playing in a forward role in behind Howe and getting up in support.