Another James Mc…..

It’s hard to see McManaman and McClean playing in the same team. And we played at Barnsley without a winger.

A puzzling purchase, unless something more is planned.

Martinez played a back three last season, with Beausejour and Boyce as wing backs. Beausejour built up a good understanding on the left with Maloney. Their neat passing often put Beausejour through to the goal line inside the opposing full back.

I expect that we will revert to a more conventional back four this season under Coyle. Boyce may drop back to full back. Maloney is naturally an inside forward. He can support the centre forward or play in midfield. He can play on either the left or the right, but isn’t fond of playing on the wing.

Coyle is spoiled for choice – at the moment – in midfield. On Saturday he played Watson, McCarthy, McArthur and Beausejour. He could also bring in McManaman, Espinoza or McCann and now perhaps McClean too. McManaman can play on the left or right, while McClean appears to be solely left footed, and plays on the left.

I think we can afford to play a specialist winger in the Championship and I expect McManaman to challenge for a regular place this season. I can’t think that McClean has dropped down to the Championship to act as cover to McManaman. And I still can’t see them playing in the same team.

I am watching the situation with interest.

There’s a difference between playing a winger and playing somebody on the wing.

Maloney started on the right, but he isn’t a winger. Beausejour started on the left. He played last season as a wing back and I wouldn’t expect him to take his man on like a traditional winger.

McManaman, who does play like an old-fashioned winger, replaced Beausejour. He played on the right and Maloney switched to the left.

In the Championship, I’d like to see two forwards – Holt and Fortune, say – with Maloney behind them. Alternatively, we could have Holt and Maloney in the centre and McManaman on the wing.

With our squad, we could field any number of other formations too. But perhaps we’ll be more cautious on Sunday – any forecasts of how we will play?

You are p*ssing in the wind talking tactics on here Barnsley.

It took three years for most people to get to grips with the concept of a front three under our previous manager.

Let’s try to go a little further with tactics.

I don’t know what approach Coyle will take to the Community Shield. And it’s difficult to predict the Manchester United team. But Wigan are likely to come under considerable pressure, and I assume Coyle will want to avoid an embarrassingly heavy defeat.

Saturday’s team could be re-arranged to put a greater emphasis on defence;
Watson protecting a back four;
a midfield trio;
Maloney providing a link to centre forward Holt.

Carson
Boyce Perch Barnett Crainey
Watson
McArthur McCarthy Beausejour
Maloney
Holt

We have lost four of the eleven who started the Cup Fina, and the defence is still learning to play together. We can field a familiar midfield, and hold Gomez, McManaman, Espinoza and McCann in reserve. Maloney and Holt – with some support – can threaten Manchester United. I’m not going to forecast a win but, as in the Cup Final, I do expect a respectable performance.