People are already calling for Kent to return ...
As it stands, we don`t need another winger/AM trying his luck with a varying degree of success against a tight and packed defense. It`s not like Kent was banging them in like CR7 or the like. Its not his job either.
I see people drumming on about modern football et al, de facto, a 4-3-3 robs us of one striker and one winger against tight defenses. But, but the fullbacks are attacking too?!?!?! So what, in a 4-4-2 the fullbacks attack too, effectively giving us somewhere between 4 and 6 attcking players, with 2 CHs covering (as they do now, one DM clearing up the midfield and one MF being creative.
Turn it as you will, our current setup is not up to the game as it is played in Scotland. We have one main striker who has to do it on his own against 2 or 3 CHs, who now goes deep or drags defenders to the wings ... only to leave an empty space behind that is not well covered by the MFs (simply because we play 2 DMs who are not really willing to attack and/or shoot). Aribo`s position is an enigma to me this season, as he pops up here and there and you have to hope that Hagi and him come up with something ... only to see them try the double- or triple-one-two in that super-tight area in and around the box. And rest assured, with Kent it is the very same. How often have we put balls into the area this season with hardly anyone from us covering the spaces or running into attacking areas (like Arfield did when he came on, as it is his game)?
We are probably top of the charts in possession, not least around the half-way-line, with Kamara and Co. spraying passes and we hope for a killer pass from one of our centre-halfs, mind you.
Thing is, we don`t change the way we play in any sort of way, no matter the opposition, no matter how we toil, how matter the glaring problems we have. As long as we win, somehow, all is fine. But essentially, we walk a thin line every game and only our super-tight defence last season kept us from more bother. The most disappointing thing is, that it is not exactly rocket science to see the problem.
If we need a solid defence, yet still have enough attacking power, play e.g. 3-5-2.
Balogun - Goldson - Bassey
Lundstram
Wright - Arfield - Hagi - Kent
Morelos - Roofe
We have 2 CHs and one DM playing cover these days anyway, so if the opportunity arrises, either Balogun or Bassey can move forward with the other two or Lundstram (Kamara, Jack, doesn`t matter) can cover. Arfield the combatitive MF he tackles back but also runs into attacking spaces vacated by others, Wright, Hagi and Kent rpovide amo for the two strikers, who`s main job is the pester the defenders all game long.
But fullbaaaaaaacks. We can more often than not spare the fullback role, as Tav and Barisic are up the park. But if I want wingers, I play wingers (who can easily track back too, if need be ... modern game and all). And Kent and Wright/Bacuna/Patterson will sure, over a time, get into the same stats as Tav or Barisic.