While the majority of comments from Pompey fans seem to indicate that Barton is more comfortable operating in midfield, I do wonder if it's now time to remove Devine from the firing line. Lindsay's return to form has merely increased the focus on him. I wouldn't mind if Barton was deployed at the back for a few games. Having said that, I do see the merit in Dave's suggestion that Archie persevere and hope that the partnership begins to form. I'm just concerned at the lack of progress thus far. As Armand 2 notes, the positioning of both Devine and Lindsay for the Brophy goal was particularly worrying.
Totally agree with Armand 2's comments about the importance of Dumbuya to our shape in possession and general pattern of play. Ziggy's a far more defensively-minded full-back. It doesn't seem like we've come to terms with the lack of a SOD/Dumbuya figure providing width, overlapping runs and who stretches play, something that has no doubt been exacerbated by Booth's lack of fitness and form.
Despite the gloom of the above though, I remain relatively calm. Although the defence is all over the place at the moment, and every game looks like it'll end 3-3, we're still only 3 points off 6th place. So Archie has a bit of time to sort the defence, assuming he can do so given the current personnel at his disposal. That's the crucial question, ultimately.
While the majority of comments from Pompey fans seem to indicate that Barton is more comfortable operating in midfield, I do wonder if it's now time to remove Devine from the firing line. Lindsay's return to form has merely increased the focus on him. I wouldn't mind if Barton was deployed at the back for a few games. Having said that, I do see the merit in Dave's suggestion that Archie persevere and hope that the partnership begins to form. I'm just concerned at the lack of progress thus far. As Armand 2 notes, the positioning of both Devine and Lindsay for the Brophy goal was particularly worrying. Totally agree with Armand 2's comments about the importance of Dumbuya to our shape in possession and general pattern of play. Ziggy's a far more defensively-minded full-back. It doesn't seem like we've come to terms with the lack of a SOD/Dumbuya figure providing width, overlapping runs and who stretches play, something that has no doubt been exacerbated by Booth's lack of fitness and form. Despite the gloom of the above though, I remain relatively calm. Although the defence is all over the place at the moment, and every game looks like it'll end 3-3, we're still only 3 points off 6th place. So Archie has a bit of time to sort the defence, assuming he can do so given the current personnel at his disposal. That's the crucial question, ultimately.