“Six or seven of our starters are nowhere near match fit” reflected Posh manager Darren Ferguson after securing a 2-1 win over Wycombe on Saturday. It was another damming indictment of how the Chairboys failed to overcome yet another opponent as they recorded their fifth defeat for the season. And that’s already half the amount of defeats accumulated for the whole of last season. Saturday’s performance was far too passive. We lacked intensity and returned to the theme’s of recent weeks where everyone questioned what was the intent of the gameplan? To say the season has become a disaster might be a bit premature but Wycombe fans are showing their discontent to the current form.
It got me thinking however that whilst Mike Dodds continues to work for a winning formula, a lot of the confusion lies in midfield. I was excited with the summer additions, which on paper looked like they could all contribute through their different attributes. But having watched them all become accustomed to there new surroundings at Adams Park, we appear to be missing an edge that made us formidable last season. No matter what the formation or combination used, we have really struggled to get the balance right. Since the beginning of the season we have had 11 players rotated into different interpreted midfield formations or roles. Contrast this with Table topping Cardiff City who have maintained a core of 7 regulars and you start scratching at the potential issue.
Our new ‘philosophy’ has become the key trending topic for our woes. Whilst aesthetically we appear to be driving a brand of football that looks attractive, the frustration has been with the lack of substance on a regular basis. And this is statistically backed up as we have seen fewer assists and “Key Passes” which are attributed as the attacking measures. The lack of goal contribution is also directly felt as only Jamie Mullins and James Tilley have goals to their names in the league campaign. By this same time frame last season, we had eight goals across five players. The trusted xG stat that Mike Dodds has quoted in previous post match interviews has also steadily declined vs last season by 22%(in most recent games). But it’s not just offensively where we have struggled. Defensively has also been noted as being less effective vs last season. We have higher turnovers, higher percentage of loss balls under pressure whilst passing under pressure has worsened across certain games. Sounds familiar? And whilst the style of football could be described as being more methodical in possession, Accuracy of passing has actually dropped 2% vs last season.
This then brings me back to the midfield personnel. With Josh Scowen being the most notable absence from last season, we have clearly lacked steel in the middle. Not only this but his tenacious chasing has been an evident miss. So when the club brought in the likes of Caolan Boyd-Munce as the seemingly gap filler, I was excited to watch him unfold. But he appears to be unfancied and more often has come off the bench. Luke Leahy has otherwise been deployed as the trusted general and has started in all of our league games so far. Statistically he is one of Wycombe’s most influential players as he’s had a strong impact on the midfield metrics. But Luke has become a marmite figure with the fan base as he battles for consistency alongside the rest of the team. Ewen Henderson came in with a high pedigree having made his transfer from Belgium. And the signs so far suggest that he can come good as he provides some thoughtful deep lying creative moves. But in a similar scenario to Boyd-Munce, finds himself coming off the bench more often than not.
We then move onto Magnus Westergaard, who has had some suggestive performances that prove he could push on this season. But he too has also been inconsistent, as he’s been deployed in differing roles which either don’t harness his ability or means he’s playing an unfamiliar role. And then we find ourselves with Jamie Mullins and George Abbott. Clearly two young talented prospects with very similar profiles. They both can play a multitude of positions across the midfield but will make mistakes as they try to get to grips with the demands of League One football. They have both shown glimpses of incredible transitional and technical ability but more often than not, come undone by mistakes that highlight that they have yet to develop that required nous to control moments of indecision.
Even writing this has made me realise the massive confusion we have that stems stronger than purely a footballing philosophy. It highlights the lack of a decisive identity from the midfield. And this is apparent when we have watched this unfold this season. So what is the answer? Fundamentally we need to simplify the designated roles of the squad but in particular the midfield. Successful midfields have always been a structured blend that consists of balance. But ultimate to its core principle, it should be one that offers the bridge between defensive and attacking attributes without being too heavily leaned to either principle. A nod towards simplicity is what we need now. If we can master this, we can refine the desirables in the longer term. Beyond the tactical demands, Dodds needs to concentrate on developing a partnership that he trusts. The persistent changing of the midfield cannot continue. It’s more than likely to have stifled the understanding between players. Sure injuries and suspensions will play a part. But when all is fit and ready, what is that pairing that Dodds can trust on weekly regardless of the opposition? For what it’s worth, I’d love him to focus on a three in the middle that offer that dynamic which includes Boyd-Munce, Henderson and Westergaard. In pre-season against Cheltenham Town, this trio enabled the team to transition from defensive situations to attacking moments in seconds. This is what a midfield should look like. Everyone will have a different view but whatever the solution, Mike Dodds needs to tackle the midfield as his number one priority. Otherwise this will continue to be our ongoing conundrum.
