With recent incomings at Barnsley FC, we debate who may be starting on the left and right of midfield for the Reds against Fulham on the 3rd of August.
Last evening the Reds completed the signing of Mallik Wilks from bitter Yorkshire rivals Leeds United, and it's fair to say that the Red Army were particularly overwhelmed and elated with the arrival of the winger who bagged seventeen and assisted a further ten for Doncaster Rovers last term. Yet it got me wondering about the future, and more in focus who may be starting on the left and right of midfield for the Reds against Fulham on the 3rd of August.
Mallik Wilks
The new man. It truly is an understatement when I say the signing of him was a huge coup, so fair dues to Paul Conway for financially pulling it off, and Daniel Stendel for no doubt impressing Wilks with the style of play he wants his Barnsley team to pull off. But more tactically, how will he fit in with Barnsley's midfield four?
Wilks, from what I gather, is quite the flair player much like a young Adam Hammill in that sense, whilst also having the pace and power of a much more experienced pro. When you put all these factors together it is most likely that Mallik would line up on the left, where he will have free reign to go on the outside of players on his favoured left foot. However, due to his versatility we could very much so still see him line up on the left. Lastly, if the Reds were to opt for a plan B (4-3-3) he is very much so capable of playing as an inside forward, a role which he played regularly for Leeds in his younger days in their youth set-up.
Browny - the Reds' 'Starman on the Right'
2018/19 really was the breakthrough year for Jacob Brown, despite in the first half of the season him really taking up the role of an impact sub, with his route in to the team blocked by Brad Potts on the right and Kieffer Moore and Cauley Woodrow up top he still amassed outstanding numbers for his first full year in the EFL. He scored eight goals and got six assists, with a goal on average every 258 minutes. Numbers not to be sniffed at. Let's talk about Browny's role tactically now. I expect him to resume his role on the right in 2019/20, however it is not a certainty as it may well be that he goes back to his role of 'Trequarista' this season due to the Reds' new found depth on the wings.
Either way I think Browny will continue to thrive this season, whatever role Herr Stendel decides to operate him in. Big things ahead.
Magic Mamadou
Whatever you think about Mama Thiam's 2017/18, his 18/19 certainly won over the large majority of Reds fans, and secured his status as a somewhat cult hero at Oakwell. Goals against Fleetwood, Charlton and Luton just to name a few where absolutely sensational, and in the case of his goals against the Addicks and Hatters secured vital points in our race for promotion.
Personally, I believe that despite the wingers we have at the club, the aforementioned duo of Jacob Brown and Mallik Wilks, and the yet to be mentioned double act of Jordan Green and Luke Thomas, Mamadou is the most technically gifted winger at the club, and thus if he adds more stamina and tactical awareness to his game could become an incredible player.
If he is given the nod on August the 3rd he would resume the role of the left winger who at times becomes an inside forward, very similar to the role that Mallik Wilks would likely take on for the Reds, and with him very capable of pulling something out of nothing, you need them type of players in the Championship so I wouldn't be surprised if he does start against Fulham.
The second wide arrival of the summer, Luke Thomas.
Arriving from Derby County who have recently had a name change after the departure of Frank Lampard, RIP 'Frank Lampard's Derby County' 2018-2019. Drafted in after a very good season with Coventry City, many Cov fans believe his numbers didn't fairly represent his performances last term, so despite his mere four goals and five assists, he actually had quite an impressive season. Blessed with bags of natural pace, Thomas is exactly the remedy that the Reds have been crying out for with many on the Oakwell terraces believing that we have looked pretty devoid of pace ever since the departure of Harvey Barnes almost eighteen months ago, and Thomas has bags of it, ready to burn. In my opinion, Luke will be used as a right-winger if selected against Fulham and really could expose Joe Bryan who will be low on confidence after a poor year in England's top tier.
Lastly, Jordan Green.
We haven't seen much of 'Greeny' since his arrival from Yeovil in January, but i for one think he could be a real asset for the Reds. Barring an impeccable pre-season which to be fair started pretty well against Stalybridge Celtic on Wednesday, he will most likely be on the bench against the Cottagers on August the 3rd. However were he to come off the bench he has lots of pace which in the latter stages of games can come in clutch, I for one will be keeping a looming eye on his progress throughout the summer.
To conclude, having weighed up all the possible options that Daniel Stendel could go with against Fulham on the opening day, I would go with Wilks on the left and Brown on the right, but it is only the 6th of July and 4/5ths of pre-season still remain and my opinion could be very much so swayed depending on how a player may do in our next four fixtures.
What do you think? All feedback is appreciated, if you want to feed something back to me or merely want a chat about BFC you can find me on twitter, my handle is @TomOTPE.
Mallik Wilks
The new man. It truly is an understatement when I say the signing of him was a huge coup, so fair dues to Paul Conway for financially pulling it off, and Daniel Stendel for no doubt impressing Wilks with the style of play he wants his Barnsley team to pull off. But more tactically, how will he fit in with Barnsley's midfield four?
Wilks, from what I gather, is quite the flair player much like a young Adam Hammill in that sense, whilst also having the pace and power of a much more experienced pro. When you put all these factors together it is most likely that Mallik would line up on the left, where he will have free reign to go on the outside of players on his favoured left foot. However, due to his versatility we could very much so still see him line up on the left. Lastly, if the Reds were to opt for a plan B (4-3-3) he is very much so capable of playing as an inside forward, a role which he played regularly for Leeds in his younger days in their youth set-up.
Browny - the Reds' 'Starman on the Right'
2018/19 really was the breakthrough year for Jacob Brown, despite in the first half of the season him really taking up the role of an impact sub, with his route in to the team blocked by Brad Potts on the right and Kieffer Moore and Cauley Woodrow up top he still amassed outstanding numbers for his first full year in the EFL. He scored eight goals and got six assists, with a goal on average every 258 minutes. Numbers not to be sniffed at. Let's talk about Browny's role tactically now. I expect him to resume his role on the right in 2019/20, however it is not a certainty as it may well be that he goes back to his role of 'Trequarista' this season due to the Reds' new found depth on the wings.
Either way I think Browny will continue to thrive this season, whatever role Herr Stendel decides to operate him in. Big things ahead.
Magic Mamadou
Whatever you think about Mama Thiam's 2017/18, his 18/19 certainly won over the large majority of Reds fans, and secured his status as a somewhat cult hero at Oakwell. Goals against Fleetwood, Charlton and Luton just to name a few where absolutely sensational, and in the case of his goals against the Addicks and Hatters secured vital points in our race for promotion.
Personally, I believe that despite the wingers we have at the club, the aforementioned duo of Jacob Brown and Mallik Wilks, and the yet to be mentioned double act of Jordan Green and Luke Thomas, Mamadou is the most technically gifted winger at the club, and thus if he adds more stamina and tactical awareness to his game could become an incredible player.
If he is given the nod on August the 3rd he would resume the role of the left winger who at times becomes an inside forward, very similar to the role that Mallik Wilks would likely take on for the Reds, and with him very capable of pulling something out of nothing, you need them type of players in the Championship so I wouldn't be surprised if he does start against Fulham.
The second wide arrival of the summer, Luke Thomas.
Arriving from Derby County who have recently had a name change after the departure of Frank Lampard, RIP 'Frank Lampard's Derby County' 2018-2019. Drafted in after a very good season with Coventry City, many Cov fans believe his numbers didn't fairly represent his performances last term, so despite his mere four goals and five assists, he actually had quite an impressive season. Blessed with bags of natural pace, Thomas is exactly the remedy that the Reds have been crying out for with many on the Oakwell terraces believing that we have looked pretty devoid of pace ever since the departure of Harvey Barnes almost eighteen months ago, and Thomas has bags of it, ready to burn. In my opinion, Luke will be used as a right-winger if selected against Fulham and really could expose Joe Bryan who will be low on confidence after a poor year in England's top tier.
Lastly, Jordan Green.
We haven't seen much of 'Greeny' since his arrival from Yeovil in January, but i for one think he could be a real asset for the Reds. Barring an impeccable pre-season which to be fair started pretty well against Stalybridge Celtic on Wednesday, he will most likely be on the bench against the Cottagers on August the 3rd. However were he to come off the bench he has lots of pace which in the latter stages of games can come in clutch, I for one will be keeping a looming eye on his progress throughout the summer.
To conclude, having weighed up all the possible options that Daniel Stendel could go with against Fulham on the opening day, I would go with Wilks on the left and Brown on the right, but it is only the 6th of July and 4/5ths of pre-season still remain and my opinion could be very much so swayed depending on how a player may do in our next four fixtures.
What do you think? All feedback is appreciated, if you want to feed something back to me or merely want a chat about BFC you can find me on twitter, my handle is @TomOTPE.
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