Chris Stokes (1 Viewer)

With teams like Forest Green they weren't really much of a thread, Haynes could have helped us pile the pressure on.

Against somebody like Cambridge though where they are big, strong attackers I wouldn't risk it.

I've been saying for a few weeks once Haynes is back I would look to bring him in when we need to press teams who are sat back. I rate Stokes, but I still see traces that he isnt 100% back to his fitness. So yes, Haynes starts at home for me

It's mostly tactical again for me - think he's been asked to sit for most of the games because Jones has played on Grimmer's side and needs him going past him to take a man away. I thought he got forward more in the beginning against FGR when Jones started on his side. Much more interested in how Robins fixes CM and LM as I think it also affects Stokes game, particularly his passing. When he does get the ball, this is so often the situation he's faced with:

McDonalds next easy pass there is to Stokes but then what? Jones is not even in the shot and both CMs are level with him.
If he passes back across the back line, it slows the attack right down and Stokes involvement is either not noticed or he's seen unfairly as negative.
If he rolls the ball into his LM out of screenshot it's technically the wrong decision and will likely get cut out as the ball is travelling too far on the ground and through two banks of FGR players.
He goes long into Biamou who has 3 Coventry players to aim outnumbered by the remaining 5 defenders.

For a decent build up, we need one CM 15 yards higher on the big star, splitting the lines, and Jones on the smaller star. This shape is so limiting offensively that until Robins fixes the middle, I can't see the situation significantly improving against defensive teams. If you put Haynes into that back 4, he will naturally play higher than Stokes, McDonald and Willis will get pulled wider apart to cover and we'll either be vunerable to the long ball down the middle or Kelly& Doyle will be sucked even deeper.
So for me, Stokes is not playing at his best but there are higher priorities to be fixed.

Londonccfcfan said:

Dropped

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Or injured. Not even on the bench. Sort of points to a knock doesn't it.

Stokes clearly isn’t comfortable going forward. Can’t knock him defensively but get the feeling he’s playing in that position down to a lack of options for the manager and that might change once Haynes is match fit. Not sure if that would leave Stokes with a starting place or not should that happen.

Maybe he’s been carrying a knock and they’ve been waiting for Haynes to be fit to give him a break.

Otis said:

Or injured. Not even on the bench. Sort of points to a knock doesn't it.

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Not necessarily, no need to fill the bench with defenders when you'd rather have more attackers that can make a difference off the bench.

If Haynes was to get injured then McDonald could go left back or even Shipley.

Stokes has been poor this year and offered nothing going forwards. I expect Haynes to keep hold of the shirt for the foreseeable.

Otis said:

Or injured. Not even on the bench. Sort of points to a knock doesn't it.

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MR hinted he was "rested" as it wasn't quite right

No mention of an injury

Bang on budget.