The title of my post tonight could relate to either of it's subjects, Johnnie Jackson or Phil Parkinson. As my original inspiration was Johnnie I shall start with him.
Before I start I feel I should point out that I believe Johnnie Jackson has done an admirable job at left back for us this season. However, this has never been his favoured position. He is naturally a creative midfielder but because of our shortage of left-sided defenders he has been fit in to our glaring hole at left back.
No doubt the thought behind this tactic was originally that Kelly Youga would come back and fill this position allowing Jackson to be deployed in a position he is far more comfortable with. But since Kelly is now out for the rest of the season our only senior player with experience of playing at left back, barring Chris Solly who is injured as well and far more comfortable on the right, is Jackson. This leaves our management team trying to hide their blushes regarding their decision not to re-sign Grant Basey. I always felt he would be better suited to playing in the centre of defence but he clearly had some talent when it came to playing on the left-hand side of our defence. Right now that talent could have been so useful.
This brings me to my next "fish out of water". Phil Parkinson is now presented with what I feel is a golden opportunity, and he has not been presented with many of them, although I feel this is more of his own making than the fault of the club. Every cloud has a silver lining, and Kyel Reid's injury is a very dark cloud. However, we now have a month to try different tactics.
Kyel has been the biggest threat for us in terms of setting up goals but his injury leaves us dangerously short of wingers. Now is the time to move Johnnie Jackson forward to left midfield. He has moved there once before this season and it resulted in a goal, unfortunately we couldn't hold on to the lead he gave us but he showed how dangerous he could be in a more advanced role.
Now is the time for a brave manager to stand tall and make the big decision. Move Johnnie forward, let him show everyone what he can do. Matt Fry could fill in at left back, although I would prefer we bring in a more natural left-back on loan (is Gary Borrowdale available again?). Even when Kyel returns we could incorporate Jackson into midefield, anyone who has been present at our games this season can see our central midfield is lacking something and Johnnie could move into this role. I will prbably be lambasted for suggesting it, but a return to 4-5-1 could be the best move for us once Kyel Reid returns. A team of:
----Elliot---
Francis--Dailly--Fortune--Fry/LB
Wagstaff/Martin--Martin/Racon--Semedo/McCormack--Jackson--Reid
---Benson--
Would be a tough prospect for any team in this league. Martin could push forward, and if we needed to revert to 4-4-2 a midfielder could come off and Anyinsah could come on to add some pace up front. Do I think Parkinson will make the brave decision? No definitely not, but I will wait until Friday to write a preview of our game against Carlisle, afterall, a lot can change in a week.
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