The RB situation-Key and Galbraith

[magicdaps10]

Let's say it, Galbraith was outstanding in the DM role 2nd half yesterday and was like watching a Leon Britton back in the day.
Was also nice to see Key come on and play his part going forward. We looked so much better and balanced as a team with Key at RB. He was holding that RB position far better and we got in behind PNE defence when Key was there.

Galbraith is a superb footballer, far too cultured to be playing the majority of his time at RB and having a full back who can get past our winger in attacking positions clearly makes the team more balanced. The issue we have with Key which isn't ideal as he is primarily a Defender, he struggles defensively.

We are in a position where realistically we likely won't get the top 6 and won't get relegated. Do we now persist with Key at RB?
Do we push Galbraith back into MF where he was performing so well before his switch to RB?
The midfield is still a big question regards to who our best 3 are so this gives us time to assess and try a few variations in readiness for next season.

I just thought after last night it was clear the balance in the team with a RB who wasn't coming in field all the time was far better and a player in Galbraith who's understanding of the game was far more suited in Central Midfield.

Let's have a decent and genuine discussion on this, I think it's a relevant one and very clear after what we set out eyes on last night 2nd half.

 

[Cooperman]

Yes, we persevere with Key at RB until end of season. Galbraith goes back to midfield so that Matos can work out his optimum combo in the starting XI. The recruitment team will have their eyes all over RB options for the summer window.

 

[Pegojack]

I agree that the Key at RB and Galbraith in midfield combo should continue.
Who else to play in midfield is the problem, as we have an embarrassment of riches there. I'm tempted to say start with Stamenic in front of back four and Yalcoure going forward, but can you leave out Franco and Widell? What about Walta when he gets up to speed, or Cullen for his scoring ability? A tough problem for Vic.

 

[Cooperman]

I agree that the Key at RB and Galbraith in midfield combo should continue.
Who else to play in midfield is the problem, as we have an embarrassment of riches there. I'm tempted to say start with Stamenic in front of back four and Yalcoure going forward, but can you leave out Franco and Widell? What about Walta when he gets up to speed, or Cullen for his scoring ability? A tough problem for Vic.

I could leave Franco out.

 

[Copamundial]

Key came on for a side that was dominating attack and possession let’s not forget that, I think it’s a bit premature to believe he should be starting on the basis of last nights game.

 

[Cooperman]

I could leave Franco out.

Stamenic and Galbraith as the two holders and Widdel as the most advanced of the three.

We then have Fulton and Franco as able deputies for the holders and Walta as competition for the advanced role.

Yalcouyé won’t be around for much longer and I don’t see us making a similar loan next season, so take him out of the equation.

Cullen doesn’t need to be mentioned in the context of midfield discussion.

 

[Rhoshilljacks]

Tricky one in midfield, Stamenic is perfectly suited to the CDM role as is back next game. But yeah, Galbraith should be in midfield so he can influence the game, he is great at finding and making space. Maybe a starting trio of Stamenic, Galbraith and Franco with Yalcouye (who really deserves a start) Widell, Walta and Fulton to come on and keep the energy levels up.
Maybe Ward at RB, Key at RW and Nunes or Eom on the left. Ronald can take the rest of the season off to study what a footballer is actually supposed to do, I don’t want to round on him but he constantly fails at the basics of his job, ie crossing, staying onside and beating a man.

 

[Cooperman]

Key came on for a side that was dominating attack and possession let’s not forget that, I think it’s a bit premature to believe he should be starting on the basis of last nights game.

It’s ok for the remaining games in a season when we are neither going up or down. He will be second choice next season behind A.N. Other.

 

[3swan]

Galbraith at full back was needed at the time but only as an emergency fix.
His talents are wasted there and at times can be a liability especially when he wanders into midfield without the necessary cover.
As already posted its getting the right balance in midfield is the problem going forward.

 

[Ringwood]

Preston sat back second half mainly caused by Matos subs at half time. Key was given license to get forward and effectively play as a winger without being pressurised to defend.

I'm not a fan of Key at RB especially against teams which has pace and movement, however he offers far more than Ronald in an advanced position.

I think Galbraith struggles at RB with Ronald ahead of him and cuts in to find better options across the midfield.

We have missed Stemenic the last 2 games so good to have him back this weekend.

Hats of to Fulton, he got through 90 mins Saturday but struggled against Preston.

Matos saw what was unravelling first half against Preston and was brave and astute to make the correct subs at halftime.

 

[Cooperman]

The only conversation I will entertain re Key is whether he’s playing right back or right wing.

We are blessed with central midfield options and then place them next to Ronald on the team sheet. Thats a huge gulf in quality.

 

[Cooperman]

Preston sat back second half mainly caused by Matos subs at half time. Key was given license to get forward and effectively play as a winger without being pressurised to defend.

I'm not a fan of Key at RB especially against teams which has pace and movement, however he offers far more than Ronald in an advanced position.

I think Galbraith struggles at RB with Ronald ahead of him and cuts in to find better options across the midfield.

We have missed Stemenic the last 2 games so good to have him back this weekend.

Hats of to Fulton, he got through 90 mins Saturday but struggled against Preston.

Matos saw what was unravelling first half against Preston and was brave and astute to make the correct subs at halftime.

I don’t know if the subs were brave. I’d say that they were blindingly obvious.

 

[Ringwood]

I don’t know if the subs were brave. I’d say that they were blindingly obvious.

Previous managers would not have made that call. Thankfully Matos can see what the fans see and make the correct changes.

 

[Cooperman]

Previous managers would not have made that call. Thankfully Matos can see what the fans see and make the correct changes.

That first sentence is true. There would have been a textbook driven change on 60 mins under several previous managers.

 

[peter]

Let's say it, Galbraith was outstanding in the DM role 2nd half yesterday and was like watching a Leon Britton back in the day.
Was also nice to see Key come on and play his part going forward. We looked so much better and balanced as a team with Key at RB. He was holding that RB position far better and we got in behind PNE defence when Key was there.

Galbraith is a superb footballer, far too cultured to be playing the majority of his time at RB and having a full back who can get past our winger in attacking positions clearly makes the team more balanced. The issue we have with Key which isn't ideal as he is primarily a Defender, he struggles defensively.

We are in a position where realistically we likely won't get the top 6 and won't get relegated. Do we now persist with Key at RB?
Do we push Galbraith back into MF where he was performing so well before his switch to RB?
The midfield is still a big question regards to who our best 3 are so this gives us time to assess and try a few variations in readiness for next season.

I just thought after last night it was clear the balance in the team with a RB who wasn't coming in field all the time was far better and a player in Galbraith who's understanding of the game was far more suited in Central Midfield.

Let's have a decent and genuine discussion on this, I think it's a relevant one and very clear after what we set out eyes on last night 2nd half.

good morning all, another option could be to play ward there and use Key as an out and out attacker who should be able to use his defensive qualities to assist ward, only a thought but that would allow Galbraith to play in a position he is better at and could in an emrgancy revert back to the full back position and we would not be using a sub to re adjust again saying only a thought.
yesterdays game for me showed that this new manager is a major plus and has the lads all working together, this season , as others have said could have seen us higher and for me this is where we are at the moment a good midfield side and with a bit more quality brought in in the summer we may whilst it will be harder with the teams coming downfid ourselves in the mix next season
not an easy game on saturday but would take a point now