Re: the midfield logjam - I think some of the problem is with Roly and WeeMac both trying to play the same creative role behind the forward line, drifting laterally across the field and trying to find pockets of space. If they're both there then they basically get in each others way.
I said earlier in the year that I'd like to see Roly play deeper and I stand by it - if he's further back on the pitch he gets more time on the ball and more opportunity to play the killer ball as a result. He's always double marked further forward, so if he dropped back it would also create more space outside the opposition area for WeeMac and our forwards to exploit too. Seeing as we lack natural width, we can't use the breadth of the pitch to pull defences out of shape. What we can do though is use the depth of the pitch instead - try and use the space further back in the pith to stretch the opposition's defence out of shape instead.
Make other teams midfielders choose between pushing up on Roly and leaving space between the lines, or not focusing on him as much to preserve their shape but allowing him space and time on the ball to dictate play.
Like it. Though the natural lack of width seems to be better with Gulley and Danaskos - Danaskos in particular spent a lot of time as the most advanced player, out on the left wing.
Agreed.
I am pleased with have gone with Danaskos lately ahead of Doyle, he seems to be less wayward. Also, Gulley is a different player to Fenton. Maybe not as fast (not a real overlapping fullback) but less tentative about getting into a tackle.