DaveO wrote:
I think that is correct. The trouble is I think every coach in SL also knows it and doesn't expect it to change much. In particular the role of the 9 seems set in stone at times and there is a lack of variance. This only seems to change when we go behind and are playing catch up. Makes me wonder if the players decide to ditch the rigid game plan then.
It might restrict his freedom but given he's better at the job than Powell it becomes a debate about do you want him at 7 because he's a better half back or not? I think a lot would say Sam at 7 and Esacre at 1 is better than Powell at 7 and Sam at 1. As to Lockers being massive I agree and this just heightens concern over his inevitable retirement and his fairly regular absences from the team now. We don't really have an equivalent replacement who can link the play as he does but continue to try and play as if we have when he is not on the pitch.
Moving Sam from 1 would be the biggest error for me. He's a natural footballer, he knows when to link in the line, when to throw the cut out pass and when to engage the edge defenders. He's not got the pace to open up gaps like he once had, but he's light years ahead of Escare in this regard. Plus, he's better at organising the D with communication to the line. You lose this when moving him into the halves, not to factor in how many more tackles he'll have to get through, teams would target him in the line to tire him, hurt him etc.
Sam Powell is a great defensive 7. With Powell you don't have to protect him and move him out wide, he has experience of defending closer to the action without issue, this is underrated. However for me a 7 has to threaten the line, they need pace to go through the gap, and have great passing ability, Powell doesn't question the line, he doesn't put fear into the opposition with ball in hand.
Bateman v Leeds was impressive. can handle a range of positions including a ball playing lose. I was impressed with his lateral movement linking the halves, he can do it, he even, dare I say it, reminded me of Andy Faz with is movement, he's more than just a cart horse as a 13.