Joe Ralls

To me this lad is:-

A- Runner with the ball
B -Passer
C- Tackler

No he can do all those things pretty well. He is not a Jordon Mutch runner, but he is far better at the other two attributes, yesterday he was so deep it was concerning.
If we take the ability to run into space and make him a pocket passer then there is a gentleman in the squad far better than that then him.
If we want him to be a defensive midfielder then there is also another gentleman in the squad better than him at that role.

Slade is obsessed with player everyone out of position.

Worse game this season for Joe and i am a fan

To me this lad is:-

A- Runner with the ball
B -Passer
C- Tackler

No he can do all those things pretty well. He is not a Jordon Mutch runner, but he is far better at the other two attributes, yesterday he was so deep it was concerning.
If we take the ability to run into space and make him a pocket passer then there is a gentleman in the squad far better than that then him.
If we want him to be a defensive midfielder then there is also another gentleman in the squad better than him at that role.

Slade is obsessed with player everyone out of position.

Worse game this season for Joe and i am a fan

I think Joe would benefit from having Whitts behind him and Gunnar and let him and Gunnar go box to box with Whitts covering.

------Whitts-------
Gunnar------Ralls

Without the ball they have the energy to quickly get back into a 3 and by same token with the ball they can get up in support of the forwards.

If he was fit enough Digi could also do this but he's another one who doesn't have the ability to last more than 60 minutes before he's shagged.

To me this lad is:-

A- Runner with the ball
B -Passer
C- Tackler

No he can do all those things pretty well. He is not a Jordon Mutch runner, but he is far better at the other two attributes, yesterday he was so deep it was concerning.
If we take the ability to run into space and make him a pocket passer then there is a gentleman in the squad far better than that then him.
If we want him to be a defensive midfielder then there is also another gentleman in the squad better than him at that role.

Slade is obsessed with player everyone out of position.

Worse game this season for Joe and i am a fan

In the first half yesterday, he completely dictated the tempo of our play. It was far quicker and sharper than at
any time this season. Hence, we created more chances to score in the first half than most of the dire games I have witnessed this season.

He also played two balls with his left foot, that were absolutely sublime. The first to Pilkington for the second goal and one down the left flank that released Watt behind the defence prior to Jones' disallowed goal. If your " superstar" Whitingham had played their two identical passes you would have been eulogising about the accuracy and vision.

Second half he was swamped by the change in formation at the heart of Carvalho's tactical switch. Lopez dropped deeper between the two centre backs and started to dictate their attacking plays. The two fullbacks pushed forward and pressed our two wide midfield palyers further and further back. This allowed their three msot creative players, Bannen, Wallace and Foresteri to have freedom in the midfield. In fiarness to them, they palyed with flair, guile and great. Movement making life difficult formRalls and Gunnar.

It was Slades failure to respond to this tactic rather than any inadequacy in the paly of young Ralls. Whittingham would have been even more over run due to his lack of pace, physical strength and mental fortitude to tackle with conviction.

Perhaps my point was lost. Joe dropping so deep nullifys all his good attributes. No point playing him as a 31 year who's legs have gone. Joe has all the skills and athleticism to get 10 goals a season, so has Gunnar let them get into the box. This was about the system not the player.