by Snowflake Royal »
10 Nov 2019 14:01
NewCorkSeth 2 world wars, 1 world cup NewCorkSeth I get it but if you read my original comment I say "not much choice" and "only viable". Sure , he could have changed formation and started players like Barrett, Olise, Loader and McIntyre but that was always unlikely.
If Joao and Boye were fit for selection the entire time and ye had kept with a settled XI then i think it would have been a fair comment. As it stands hes chosen the obvious team selection (barring Baldock who kept his place based on form)
He could of course have fielded any number of teams.
The fact that we’re even having this discussion is actually testament to Bowen’s ability. After only 3 games in charge he has done what those before him failed to do in months and give us a team that speaks for itself, that even fans like us can look at and say “Well that is an obvious choice.” Only obvious because he has made it so.
But, with the exception of the starting strikers, this has been the case all season once we settled on the 3-5-2. Bowen hasn't had to make any big calls up front. Well, other than bringing Baldock back in. Which has worked out great.
My point is he would have been nuts to pick any other player over the following: Rafael, Yiadom, Miazga, Morisson, Swift and Ejaria. Add into that, that Puscas and Moore were hard to drop and that's 8 of the starting 11 almost guarenteed. 2 of the others are the positions hes not been consistent with (for good reason).
Bowen has done really well so far. Great unity in the team as well as much improved performances and attitude. But the starting team has been mostly obvious for months now.
Bowen has had to choose between
- Moore and Blackett or McIntyre. Not least because of Moore's recent injury, but also his poor form under Gomes
- Obita, Blackett and Richards, that's a lot of competition with all playing well
- Pele and Rinomhota
- whether we can cope with both Ejaria and Swift in the same midfield, could easily have steadied the ship by playing Rino and Pele
- whether to change shape to accommodate McCleary and Barrett or Meite, who have all performed fairly well when called on.
- Meite, Puscas and Baldock are there for two positions and Meite has done well when given a chance.
There is nothing that isn't viable about those changes over Bowen's 4 games. Possibly not optimal for sure, not always possible either, but he's hardly had no tough choices to make.
He's picked a system that wasn't working and made it work. He's picked players who weren't 0erforming consistently and got them doing so, he's returned players who'd been left out in the cold, and he's not started players who have put in perfectly good performances.
The fact that in doing so he's achieved what other managers haven't is testament to the excellent choices and work he's done, saying the team picks itself and he had no viable alternatives seriously undermines the excellent work he's done so far.
He's a baldy legend.
Last edited by
Snowflake Royal on 10 Nov 2019 14:01, edited 1 time in total.