Mason-Clark Appreciation Thread (7 Viewers)

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Got to disagree, Sakamoto is the only winger that hugs the touch line, there's lots of examples of EMC coming very narrow I got the CF position when we agreed building down the left.

In terms of BTA he's scored 5 and has 3 assists playing from wide (with licence to rotate an come inside) this season, and 4 goals from the number 10.

Rudoni did indeed get a few assists from crossing from the left hand side last season, but that was floating out wide form the 10 position creating overloads or exploiting space left by EMC when he goes inside.

We will need that extra man in midfield as we go into the run of games against the stronger teams.

It's a moot point anyway, as Lampard makes the decisions not us. Just like when you wanted Sakamoto benched and wright on the right, but Lampard kept picking Sakamoto.

EMC and Sakamoto positionally are similar, they both start wide and cut in to their stronger foot. See Sakamoto's assist yesterday, and for his goal was in a central position. Heat maps of both players confirms this (season):

https://www.sofascore.com/football/player/ephron-mason-clark/861315#tab:season

Tatsuhiro Sakamoto stats and ratings | Sofascore

Tatsuhiro Sakamoto profile player page. Goals, matches, stats, player ratings and more.

www.sofascore.com

On BTA, it is important to note the following:
- BTA has played less games in a 2 man strike force (3 games) versus 7 games at RW/LW
- BTA has 1 goal from LW (v Blues)
- From the wing, only 2 goals from open play (QPR + Portsmouth), the other 3 all from set-pieces (2 open play goals at ST as well)

With that in mind, you have 2 credible choices if we're maximising players performances:
1. 4-4-2, Sakamoto & Rudoni (or vice versa)
2. 4-2-3-1 and BTA on a wing, based on numbers - it'd have to be RW

4-4-2 is a formation Viveash reckoned would be a possible 'next evolution' for the squad and its easy to see why. The squad we have is flexible and can impact the game in multiple areas. If Rudoni did play on a wing, he'd almost definitely be switching with players. Interesting conundrum.

Lampard so far has favoured BTA and EMC when we do play with wingers. My suspicion is that he'd continue with that, Sakamoto is in better form than EMC right now, but EMC is generally more threatening.

 

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[COVKIDSNEVERQUIT]

From memory Rudoni did used to play off the left with us in the earlier days


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That was under Mark Robin's , we now have Frank Lampard to thank, re playing Rudoni in the right position.

 

[SBAndy]

EMC and Sakamoto positionally are similar, they both start wide and cut in to their stronger foot. See Sakamoto's assist yesterday, and for his goal was in a central position.

Mad how a winger who apparently hugs the touchline ended up in a central position to score.

FWIW I do take the point that in build up they do indeed start wide, but once we’re in the final third there is far more focus (specifically when it’s EMC/BTA out wide) to be far more direct, getting into the box rather than what I’d call ‘traditional’ crossing positions. You also gloss over the fact that I’ve said I feel EMC isn’t fully fit at the moment hence why I would play BTA from the left if we had sufficient options elsewhere, but if we had a fully fit squad I’d probably favour BTA to Sakamoto at present.

Worth also noting that whilst BTA has got goals from the 10 we’ve not really looked as controlled with only 2 centre mids; that has to factor into decision making.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Mad how a winger who apparently hugs the touchline ended up in a central position to score.

FWIW I do take the point that in build up they do indeed start wide, but once we’re in the final third there is far more focus (specifically when it’s EMC/BTA out wide) to be far more direct, getting into the box rather than what I’d call ‘traditional’ crossing positions. You also gloss over the fact that I’ve said I feel EMC isn’t fully fit at the moment hence why I would play BTA from the left if we had sufficient options elsewhere, but if we had a fully fit squad I’d probably favour BTA to Sakamoto at present.

Worth also noting that whilst BTA has got goals from the 10 we’ve not really looked as controlled with only 2 centre mids; that has to factor into decision making.

You don't need to take my word for it when there's detailed analytic tools that gives you heat maps of the players positions. For example, Rudoni literally only ever in a central position in the box, otherwise he's on either wing (more right than left) creating overloads and that's why most of this assists last season were crosses.

I agree that we've not looked that controlled playing 4-4-2 but it's not necessarily been having 2 CMs because we controlled the Portsmouth game well despite playing 3-4-3. Perhaps that's a tactical consideration for Lampard because with Rudoni back, perhaps you play 5-3-2, particularly v the likes of Ipswich and Southampton away in December.

 

[SBAndy]

You don't need to take my word for it when there's detailed analytic tools that gives you heat maps of the players positions. For example, Rudoni literally only ever in a central position in the box, otherwise he's on either wing (more right than left) creating overloads and that's why most of this assists last season were crosses.

I agree that we've not looked that controlled playing 4-4-2 but it's not necessarily been having 2 CMs because we controlled the Portsmouth game well despite playing 3-4-3. Perhaps that's a tactical consideration for Lampard because with Rudoni back, perhaps you play 5-3-2, particularly v the likes of Ipswich and Southampton away in December.

Amazing how people see things differently - I didn’t think we looked to have particular control vs Portsmouth. They picked up pretty much every second ball in the centre, particularly in the first half. Crucially, I don’t think the lack of control meant we played badly, but we could have taken the sting out of the game more comfortably if we were on the ball a bit more.

I cycle back to the point, though, that a lot of shape/personnel decisions in recent weeks have been dictated by fitness. Clearly the 4231 is the preferred shape, and I think this gets the best out of most of our influential players. I wouldn’t be re-shaping the team for BTA when I think he can be more than serviceable out wide whilst allowing Grimes, Torp and Rudoni particularly to flourish.