Sammy Clingan needs a change of role
ANDY THORN HAS MADE no secret of the fact that the success of his preferred diamond formation depends greatly on Sammy Clingan.
But I don't think he's being played in his best position.
Clingan operates at the base of the diamond. It's a role often referred to as the 'holding role', or sometimes more specifically, the 'Makalele' (after Claude, who played there for Chelsea, amongst others).
This position carries two main responsibilities: to break up the opposition's play, and to be the initial composer of his own team's passing sequences.
The second of these roles Clingan does very well. He has the best touch and control of all the City players, affording him more time to pick out passes.
However, where Clingan falls down (sometimes literally) is on the more physical side of the game. Although not a bad tackler, he is all-too-frequently hustled off the ball by opposition players.
You could put this down a lack of support from his teammates, or the three-man press that a lot of teams impose on him, knowing that he is our focal point. But nevertheless, his losing possession in key areas has cost us goals this season.
The team needs more of a physical presence in that holding role; someone who can impose themselves on the opposition as Carlton Palmer (no relation) used to do for us in the brief time he was at the club.
Palmer was a nasty, annoying player, from the opposition's point-of-view. He would chop and hack and harry and make life incredibly difficult for teams trying to keep possession in our half.
Some people make the mistake of thinking that this role requires an extensive passing range, but that's not true. He simply needs to break up play and move the ball on.
If Clingan were to play in a slightly advanced role, he'd be able to take the ball from the holding midfielder and conduct our attacks from a less perilous position closer to the half way line.
This would allow him greater freedom without the pressure of knowing there are only the centre-backs behind him, and would utilise his excellent passing range in a position where he is more likely to hurt the opposition.
The question remains, however, who could play the all-important 'Makalele' role? There is no one at the club who would seem like an immediate fit.
But I think that Cyrus Christie might be our best option in that position. Christie, although naturally a centre-half, has been outstanding at right-back this season. His strength and bravery, coupled with a cool head, makes him a strong contender.
Experience is a key attribute to have in this position, as it requires good reading of play and anticipation. Christie may not have that experience yet, but playing him in this role might bring out the best in City's captain.
Older/Newer
« Latest Coventry City news from the Coventry Telegraph | Latest Coventry City news from the Coventry Telegraph »
2 Comments
Leave a comment
Latest Football League video
Deegan?
Deegan is an interesting shout, but I don't think he's right for the role.
He's too dynamic to just sit in that position. He's more of a box-to-box midfielder, and I'm not sure he has the discipline to just sit in front of the back four.