Lots of debate during the course of this season regarding Taylor and Ladapo and their respective merits. Some arguing for Taylor's inclusion, many outraged at the thought of dropping our top goalscorer.
To be clear, I recognise Ladapo's contribution in front of goal - he's a front to goal player and a goalscorer first and foremost. I also recognise that Taylor isn't likely to get more than 10 a season. And please don't throw back that Taylor hasn't scored in 30 odd games this season when most have been desperate cameo appearances and just 3 starts.
Until we became so dependent on a single goalscorer this season (plus Lameiras's purple patch), Taylor had been the fulcrum of the side. Last season's evidence suggests we were much better with him in the team (missing at the front end and final weeks of the season). His all round contributions are on a different level to Ladapo - bringing others in to game with a back to goal style. The wider impact was players like Carey and Sarcevic would benefit as they moved off the ball, always confident that it would reach them next.
This season we have been much more direct up front. Carey and Lameiras tend to run more with the ball rather than look for a return. Ladapo is undoubtedly excellent when he has turned to face the defender - scarily good actually - but in all round play you really need more from a lone centre-forward. And for those that argue he is only feeding off scraps, well that's actually the point - posession is crucial in the way we play.
So despite the goals from Ladapo, I remain convinced that Taylor should be starting. If you do, I think you get the best from Carey. I'd go with Taylor as lone striker with an attacking support line of Lameiras, Carey (central) and Ladapo. In the few times the latter has played there I saw signs he could be very effective - after all it does mean he would see a lot more of the ball in front of him which is his strength. Not only could he terrorise full-backs with his pace, but also pin them back defensively.
It's perhaps a bit radical to move your top goalscorer's position and some will be outraged I'm sure. But the reality is we have score just 6 goals (+ an OG) in the last 9 games. in these last few games we have to find a way of making our talisman (Carey) more effective, and in general get more goals from otehr areas.
To be clear, I recognise Ladapo's contribution in front of goal - he's a front to goal player and a goalscorer first and foremost. I also recognise that Taylor isn't likely to get more than 10 a season. And please don't throw back that Taylor hasn't scored in 30 odd games this season when most have been desperate cameo appearances and just 3 starts.
Until we became so dependent on a single goalscorer this season (plus Lameiras's purple patch), Taylor had been the fulcrum of the side. Last season's evidence suggests we were much better with him in the team (missing at the front end and final weeks of the season). His all round contributions are on a different level to Ladapo - bringing others in to game with a back to goal style. The wider impact was players like Carey and Sarcevic would benefit as they moved off the ball, always confident that it would reach them next.
This season we have been much more direct up front. Carey and Lameiras tend to run more with the ball rather than look for a return. Ladapo is undoubtedly excellent when he has turned to face the defender - scarily good actually - but in all round play you really need more from a lone centre-forward. And for those that argue he is only feeding off scraps, well that's actually the point - posession is crucial in the way we play.
So despite the goals from Ladapo, I remain convinced that Taylor should be starting. If you do, I think you get the best from Carey. I'd go with Taylor as lone striker with an attacking support line of Lameiras, Carey (central) and Ladapo. In the few times the latter has played there I saw signs he could be very effective - after all it does mean he would see a lot more of the ball in front of him which is his strength. Not only could he terrorise full-backs with his pace, but also pin them back defensively.
It's perhaps a bit radical to move your top goalscorer's position and some will be outraged I'm sure. But the reality is we have score just 6 goals (+ an OG) in the last 9 games. in these last few games we have to find a way of making our talisman (Carey) more effective, and in general get more goals from otehr areas.