Calista
Well-Known Member
Bit puzzled by the positions Shipley is asked to play in.
I seem to recall that in his first season or so he was mostly played as a left-sided midfielder, and often struggled. Then he got a few games in a central/holding role, seemed to relish it and IMO looked much better – just simple possession play and distribution. Yet we've rarely (if ever?) seen him in that position again, and it's nearly always AM, where he looks a bit lost to me and miles off the pace.
I know he played well at LWB recently, but to me he's more of a backup central holding midfielder who can at least shoot when the opportunity arises, which is more than you can say for most of them.
I seem to recall that in his first season or so he was mostly played as a left-sided midfielder, and often struggled. Then he got a few games in a central/holding role, seemed to relish it and IMO looked much better – just simple possession play and distribution. Yet we've rarely (if ever?) seen him in that position again, and it's nearly always AM, where he looks a bit lost to me and miles off the pace.
I know he played well at LWB recently, but to me he's more of a backup central holding midfielder who can at least shoot when the opportunity arises, which is more than you can say for most of them.