Pugh

[Space Indaver]

I was in the town end for the Cov match so most of what I saw from Pugh at left back in the second half was a fair distance away, but was he as awesome as he looked?

From what I could see he put in a good number of Sedgwick-on-a-good-day-esque sliding tackles and stopped a lot of build-up. To the point where I'm pretty sure Cov were told to attack down their left in the second half. Obviously the goal developed from Coventry's right but other than that Danny looked pretty solid.

Miller looked like a central-mid who was playing out left. To be expected.

Assuming we rotate Sedge, Kenna, Jarrett and Miller (if and when we buy him) in the middle, and leave Whales out right - is Lewis Neal good enough to start every game at left wing? Because personally I think Pugh was a lot more successful at left-back than he has been at left wing. It also gives him room to work that left-foot magic before the opposition can close him down (see: cross for Nugent's goal).

If Lewis isn't our man, should we look for a left winger come January? I mean we're already (hopefully) looking for a centre/right-back, since clearly Kelvin isn't ready mentally for Championship football (see: rabbit in headlights), could we afford to maybe get a pacy left-winger? This would make both of our wings deadly and draw out defences for the centre-mids to move in.

Phew.

Thoughts?

 

[pobeda]

Re: Pugh

Well, the way Pugh let Adebola get inside the area and score didn`t impress me at all.

 

[sliper]

Re: Pugh

I was in the town end for the Cov match so most of what I saw from Pugh at left back in the second half was a fair distance away, but was he as awesome as he looked??

Thought Pugh did a sound job at left back.. and his cross for the goal was a peach ! But he definately was done by Adebola for their goal. So that put a bit of dampener on what would have been an impressive performance

Lewis Neal good enough to start every game at left wing? ?

He looks pretty lively when he comes on.. and has an eye for goal. But I feel we need a player who can come inside and support McKenna and Sedgewick (Miller) when the going gets tough.. and that player for me would be Callum Davidson, if he ever gets fit. I'd say Lewis Neal looks like being a bit part player. I'm not sure we can afford to have two out and out wide men.

I mean we're already (hopefully) looking for a centre/right-back, since clearly Kelvin isn't ready mentally for Championship football (see: rabbit in headlights)

I thought Wilson had a good game against Coventry and did every thing you could expect. I seem to remember Claude heading a few balls into the air. It wasn't his fault that the attacks kept coming at our defence in waves, I think that was down to the midfielders. I thought Wilson looked quite comfortable for a player who has only had the occassional start this season. He certainly wasn't at fault for our goal. I think Wilson is a class act.

 

[dannypne7]

Re: Pugh

Pugh's attacking qualities are curtailed at left-back - okay, he put the ball in for Nugent's goal, but playing in midfield he is a goal threat, which we need when McKenna and Sedgwick, frankly, are not.

We can't play Lewis Neal from the start, because he isn't good enough, he looked really slow on Tuesday night and very rarely put in a quality ball. I pray that either Callum Davidson or Matty Hill makes a miraculous return on Saturday, because I think our midfield needs to be:

(L-R)

Pugh Miller McKenna Whaley

 

[billymac]

Re: Pugh

Pugh let Adebola move inside onto his favoured left foot, and he scored, so where do you get the Pugh was awesome bit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wilson, like a rabbit caught in headlights!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! were you at the game.

 

[BertNash]

Re: Pugh

As mentioned, Pugh is a lot better going forward than Hill and can distribute a pass a lot better, and as seen for the goal, he can cross. On the other-hand his defensive skills don't appear to bad but question marks to be raised about the goal on Tuesday (same can be said for Hill against Wolves though).

 

[Jay]

Re: Pugh

Well, the way Pugh let Adebola get inside the area and score didn`t impress me at all.

I wasn't impressed with Nugent or Whaley arguing with each other when they gave the ball away on our right wing, rather than chasing back & trying to get the ball back. This is what REALLY led to their goal & both Whaley & Nugent knew it. They both stood their motionless when Cov scored, probably wishing that the ground would open up & swallow them.
Pugh did a job as an emergency left back and shouldn't be blamed for the equaliser. But he should only be used as a left back in emergencies.

 

[funkymunky05]

Re: Pugh

like sliper mentioned, wilson had a good game considering he hasn't played for a couple of months. coped with adebola and mckenzie well.

danny pugh deffo needs to be on the left of midfield but i'm afraid danny that he'll prob be playing left back on sat.

therefore, our midfield, for me needs to be

whaley miller mckenna sedge

or

neal miller mckenna whaley

 

[nobleroman]

Re: Pugh

Pugh's attacking qualities are curtailed at left-back - okay, he put the ball in for Nugent's goal, but playing in midfield he is a goal threat, which we need when McKenna and Sedgwick, frankly, are not.

We can't play Lewis Neal from the start, because he isn't good enough, he looked really slow on Tuesday night and very rarely put in a quality ball. I pray that either Callum Davidson or Matty Hill makes a miraculous return on Saturday, because I think our midfield needs to be:

(L-R)

Pugh Miller McKenna Whaley

We could try that midfield - with Alexander switched to left back and Wilson in at right back?

😎

 

[Mylo]

Re: Pugh

Dont just look at pugh for letting adebola score in tues. He was playing well and was as strong as an ox. In my opinion someone nedded to take a booking for the team and let adebola know that they were there if you see what i mean.

 

[ernest]

Re: Pugh

The problem with playing Pugh wide on the left is that he lacks the focussed aggression needed to get past a fullback, though he has a good left foot. I think he makes a better leftback than Hill - he is not obviously inferior in defensive qualities but can support the attack much more effectively. But he needs a bit of time and space and that can only be provided by a left-sided midfielder who drifts inside and drags the opposion rightback with him. The best player for achieving that is Whaley,who I think has always looked more dangerous when he has been swapped over to the left than when he has tried to be a conventional right winger precisely because the fact he is right-footed makes him cut in and run at the goal.

 

[noelpne]

Re: Pugh

Agreed. And if it wasn't for the tiff between Nuge & Whalley it wouldn't have even gone that far.....

Danny well-good.
Come back Matty all is forgiven.

 

[Jay]

Re: Pugh

The best player for achieving that is Whaley,who I think has always looked more dangerous when he has been swapped over to the left than when he has tried to be a conventional right winger precisely because the fact he is right-footed makes him cut in and run at the goal.

True, he does look dangerous on the left! Remember the scorching goal he scored at Ipswich for starters.....What a great run it was, he ran from inside our own half of the pitch, controlling the ball closely at speed, then cutting in slightly & 30 yards out unleashing an absolute thunder bolt of a shot that screamed past the Ipswich keeper before he knew what day it was!
One of the best goals of the season for me, if not THE best. Lets have another one tomorrow Simon!!

 

[PNEinPendle]

Re: Pugh

Adebola did go past Danny easily, but that can happen to any defender on a single occasion, and on this one he had been left pretty much exposed. Also Lewis Neal can't be considered as giving the same defensive cover to the left back as Danny himself does when playing on the left side of midfield

 

[White in Exile]

Re: Pugh

The problem with playing Pugh wide on the left is that he lacks the focussed aggression needed to get past a fullback, .

He hasn't been playing wide left - as Simpson has said several times he is asked to play a tucked in midfield role not wide left

 

[Staffordwhite]

Re: Pugh

Sedgwick-on-a-good-day

Sorry mate. You've lost me there . . . 😕



😀

 

[donkeykong]

Re: Pugh

Thing with Pugh is he is a good finisher - might not be very adventurous or pacy but he will end up with 8/9 goals if he plays every game at left-mid.

Callum Davidson is the guy we need at left back, the sooner he is fit again the better.

 

[ernest]

Re: Pugh

He hasn't been playing wide left - as Simpson has said several times he is asked to play a tucked in midfield role not wide left

Fair point though even in that position he is still going to find himself going out wide to get possession and then facing the fullback much like a conventional wide left player several times in a match. But when he is tucked in then Hill's weaknesses as an attacking fullback become crucial. Either way we find ourselves without real penetration down the left flank. As such a really good attacking leftback is something we could do with. Davidson, if fit, could play that role to an extent but the problem is that his lack of pace means that he could easily find himself stranded upfield. On balance then I still think Pugh would be the best bet, unless we enter the transfer market.