Interesting opinion. As a Boro fan the first half against Lincoln felt like every match at the end of last season. Let’s face it, Lankshear saved us - and against Wrexham. I’m waiting for a full squad to choose from then let’s see how ‘Hellball’ will work this season with all the new players and picking his first choice team.
Great article. I think the intelligence and centrality plus passing vision is why Ayling has been preferred so many times at centre back - though he highlights the trade offs you get as what you gain in creative in possession play you lose in defensive solidity.
I do think a lot of the signings have been about trying to balance different needs ie creativity versus physical strength and endurance. Maybe we've seen an over correction in some areas?
Hellberg has stated that they're after a midfielder so it'll be interesting to see who they bring in.
Big fan of your work and i absolutely love Hellberg. My counter to your analysis would probably be this.
I think Kyle Joseph is a physical replication of Conways energy. Boro often failed to change games after the 55 min mark as Conway tired. I don’t expect to see them play together much, they will swap in and out and both cover Lankshear when games are safe.
Arfsten looks like he will fill the gaps that Matt Targett didn’t last year. I think they want both full backs to get forward, at the same time!! Which will make them vulnerable to the transition, which is where I see Phillips will be valuable. Your point on Phillips passing is pretty valid, but he’s effectively replacing Fry who always took too long on the ball and played a slow accurate pass to the back foot too often last season, losing the attacking momentum that boro seemingly need. As long as Phillips doesn’t need to take four touches before recycling possession he’s a significant upgrade on fry. As for the keeper, he’s better than Brynn.
Interesting opinion. As a Boro fan the first half against Lincoln felt like every match at the end of last season. Let’s face it, Lankshear saved us - and against Wrexham. I’m waiting for a full squad to choose from then let’s see how ‘Hellball’ will work this season with all the new players and picking his first choice team.
Great article. I think the intelligence and centrality plus passing vision is why Ayling has been preferred so many times at centre back - though he highlights the trade offs you get as what you gain in creative in possession play you lose in defensive solidity.
I do think a lot of the signings have been about trying to balance different needs ie creativity versus physical strength and endurance. Maybe we've seen an over correction in some areas?
Hellberg has stated that they're after a midfielder so it'll be interesting to see who they bring in.
Big fan of your work and i absolutely love Hellberg. My counter to your analysis would probably be this.
I think Kyle Joseph is a physical replication of Conways energy. Boro often failed to change games after the 55 min mark as Conway tired. I don’t expect to see them play together much, they will swap in and out and both cover Lankshear when games are safe.
Arfsten looks like he will fill the gaps that Matt Targett didn’t last year. I think they want both full backs to get forward, at the same time!! Which will make them vulnerable to the transition, which is where I see Phillips will be valuable. Your point on Phillips passing is pretty valid, but he’s effectively replacing Fry who always took too long on the ball and played a slow accurate pass to the back foot too often last season, losing the attacking momentum that boro seemingly need. As long as Phillips doesn’t need to take four touches before recycling possession he’s a significant upgrade on fry. As for the keeper, he’s better than Brynn.