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Cunningham vs Earl

Cunningham vs Earl

kbd_pne said:
Why change a formation that’s been working very well just to try and accommodate certain players.

Stick to what we’re doing now and let them battle it out for the LB spot, send O’Connor out on loan for experience in the New Year.
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Because we have to have flexibility to change formation when it isn't working so well. Maybe teams can find us out or its best to match up their formation. You do need to have the flexibility & options up your sleeve. Personally, I'd feel very assured with both Earl & Cunningham manning the left
 
Pot said:
I've only seen the highlights but i think Josh could have done better for all three goals. Could have put a better challenge at the start of the move that led to the first goal and appeared out of position for the second and the third. A doubt Cunningham would have made those mistakes so when fit he should be our left back in my opinion.
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Disagree, personally I think the first 2 goals were down to Harrop, he didn't track their right winger for the first, if he had, the initial cross wouldn't have come in in the first place, and he wouldn't have been free to score at the back post even if he had got a cross in. Second goal he got caught trying to bring the ball down rather than clear it so defence the weren't expecting us to lose the ball in that position. Harrop will learn from these mistakes, and I believe he has the potential to become the best of a very good crop of young players we currently have.
 
Town_ender said:
Disagree, personally I think the first 2 goals were down to Harrop, he didn't track their right winger for the first, if he had, the initial cross wouldn't have come in in the first place, and he wouldn't have been free to score at the back post even if he had got a cross in. Second goal he got caught trying to bring the ball down rather than clear it so defence the weren't expecting us to lose the ball in that position. Harrop will learn from these mistakes, and I believe he has the potential to become the best of a very good crop of young players we currently have.
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Totally agree with you Town_ender, Earl was left exposed dealing 2 on 1 for the attack leading to the first goal and despite disagreeing with the penalty decision, it only came about from a poor attempt to control rather than clear by Harrop.
 
cunningham is captain and leader, he plays no matter what, earl plays also, neil will figure it out. all good problems to have.
 
California_PNE said:
cunningham is captain and leader, he plays no matter what, earl plays also, neil will figure it out. all good problems to have.
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Well he doesn't though does he? Once Cunningham is 100% fit I expect him to come back in and Earl will spend some time out of the side. That's nothing against the lad who has been exceptional, but I just can't see a change in formation (permanently) or Earl playing anywhere else, be it CB (instead of who exactly?) or in midfield.

It will be really tough for Earl to play consistently well in his first season at 18, now 19.
 
cunningham is captain and leader, he plays no matter what, earl plays also, neil will figure it out. all good problems to have.
 
Greg comes back in, Earl waits for his chance again. If Cunningham drops in form, or AN fancies giving him a rest here and there, Earl can step back in with everyone knowing he's up to the job.
 
CMYW said:
Totally agree with you Town_ender, Earl was left exposed dealing 2 on 1 for the attack leading to the first goal and despite disagreeing with the penalty decision, it only came about from a poor attempt to control rather than clear by Harrop.
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Totally agree too 2 or 3 times before the goal the RWB got forward and Harrop left him ( Earl was marking their 7).... On the 1st goal Harrop tried to push up onto the centre half when he had been 'told' to cover the RWB.
Earl 'tried' to make a slide tackle when he should have stood off, but he was once more left 1 v 2 due to Harrop.

2nd goal Harrop was clearly 'doing as he was told' but got it all wrong....

The 3rd nobody was 'in place' as it came from a foul on Maxi and a quick counter.

But yes Greg comes back when fit - if only for his attacking threats being far better than Josh's
 
If Greg returns from injury before Clarke, I'd like to see Cunningham tried out as a centre-half until Clarke returns, gives us more options IMO.
 
I was under the impression Earl could play in most positions?

I remember reading an interview stating he would prefer to play in midfield than defence. Should Cunningham come back, he could still be on the field.
 
triggywiggy said:
I was under the impression Earl could play in most positions?

I remember reading an interview stating he would prefer to play in midfield than defence. Should Cunningham come back, he could still be on the field.
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At 6' 4" or whatever I think Earl is wasted at full back.

I think he would make a great CB, or even better still he could become the new Gregan in a central defensive midfield position.
 
I agree euro I would be amazed if the club aren't looking at a move to CB in the medium/long term. Brian O'neil actually spoke about this on the latest podcast saying he would make a very good left sided centre back and he coached him for a year at U16.
 
europne said:
At 6' 4" or whatever I think Earl is wasted at full back.

I think he would make a great CB, or even better still he could become the new Gregan in a central defensive midfield position.
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have to agree, he looks every each a centre half capable of playing it out from the back...not a full back in my opinion
 
europne said:
At 6' 4" or whatever I think Earl is wasted at full back.

I think he would make a great CB, or even better still he could become the new Gregan in a central defensive midfield position.
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Bristol White said:
I agree euro I would be amazed if the club aren't looking at a move to CB in the medium/long term. Brian O'neil actually spoke about this on the latest podcast saying he would make a very good left sided centre back and he coached him for a year at U16.
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flipper said:
have to agree, he looks every each a centre half capable of playing it out from the back...not a full back in my opinion
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CB is the position that probably requires the most maturity and experience to play effectively. Earl is wise beyond his years but I think for the time being he's better out wide, where he has more room for mistakes that he'll learn from. In a few years he'll move into the centre of defence in my opinion, but for the time being why move a very effective left back out of position?
 
Mancunian White said:
CB is the position that probably requires the most maturity and experience to play effectively. Earl is wise beyond his years but I think for the time being he's better out wide, where he has more room for mistakes that he'll learn from. In a few years he'll move into the centre of defence in my opinion, but for the time being why move a very effective left back out of position?
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Exactly, if you look at modern day centre halves a lot have played a majority of their early first team football at full back. I can think of Calum Chambers, Phil Jones at United, Chris Smalling, Eric Dier, Jan Vertonghen, etc etc and even our own Ben Davies. They need to learn how to defend from every position before becoming a first team CB.
 
I think Cunningham should come back in with earl as back up. The lad is young I don't think it would do him any harm to drop back out. He has a really bright future and if his personality is the same as the way he plays he has the character to take it and carry on developing.
 
Yes davies started out at left back for us if i remember correctly. Had a poor game today, but to be expected at some point. Dont feel like he gets as much protection from left midfield as fisher does on opposite side.
 
Mancunian White said:
CB is the position that probably requires the most maturity and experience to play effectively. Earl is wise beyond his years but I think for the time being he's better out wide, where he has more room for mistakes that he'll learn from. In a few years he'll move into the centre of defence in my opinion, but for the time being why move a very effective left back out of position?
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after todaty piss poor showing I`ve changed my mind...earl hasny got a defensive bone in his body, between him and woods is a toss for worse defensive performance Ive seen in a long while
 
flipper said:
after todaty piss poor showing I`ve changed my mind...earl hasny got a defensive bone in his body, between him and woods is a toss for worse defensive performance Ive seen in a long while
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Got to agree 100% about Earl looked totally lost today and on many occasions looked devoid of any ideas what to do with the ball and simply ended up giving a few suicide passes to other colleagues in order to just get rid. Up against a speedy winger he was found wanting too especially as his bulk and size makes it difficult for him to turn quickly. As others have said it may be that his long term future is in central defense somewhere.

As for Woods getting man of the match ?? Ben Pearson never stopped running and without his efforts we might well have been beaten by a few more goals..easily the best PNE player on the pitch today.
 
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