True enough but it was interesting to hear Matt Jay say that the back four's good work meant that Matt and others didn't have to keep running back to cover.He's done well yes, as have the makeshift back four, but it has to be said that i don't believe they've been really properly tested to any great lengths defensively by our last 4 opponents. Crawley only for about a 10 minute period after Parkes got sent off. Hartridge does look very promising though and seems comfortable on the ball and his distribution is frequently good.
I think many of us assumed that because he started off as a left back playing at the left of a back 3 would suit Alex. However, like Pierce he does seem more comfortable in a pair.Plsys much better in a 4
Maybe if you play in a back three there can be confusion about whose responsibility it is to deal with a certain situation - too many cooks spoil the broth. For example if the opponent or ball is moving in a line somewhere between centre back and left-side centre, back, which one goes for the ball? I think it really needs very good communication.I think many of us assumed that because he started off as a left back playing at the left of a back 3 would suit Alex. However, like Pierce he does seem more comfortable in a pair.
Agree re Hartridge but think Adam Stansfield was already a fully formed footballer before pairing up with Basham.Is it any coincidence that Hartridge's dramatic improvement in form and consistency has coincided with him playing alongside McArdle? Might he be learning more from him (for some reason) than he did from Sweeney and Parkes? It's a bit reminiscent of Steve Basham's nurturing of Adam Stansfield in the immediate aftermath of Mackie's departure down the A38
I'm sure right about this. I said it earlier in the season: both Parkes & Sweeney are not that vocal. Whereas, McCardle is constantly talking to Hartridge, which surely helps his positioning & decision making.Is it any coincidence that Hartridge's dramatic improvement in form and consistency has coincided with him playing alongside McArdle? Might he be learning more from him (for some reason) than he did from Sweeney and Parkes? It's a bit reminiscent of Steve Basham's nurturing of Adam Stansfield in the immediate aftermath of Mackie's departure down the A38