Armitage and Steven

[DWOODROW]

At the start of the year Armo was playing in the middle winning clearances, getting contested possessions, and all round playing better footy than he has in the past getting his highest possessions in games and the like. Steven was suspended and still working his way back into the team

Armitage was moved to the forward flank and Steven was given the opportunity to move into the middle with great results as he has been winning clearances, contested possessions and getting his highest possessions since joining the seniour team.

I have two Questions.

1. Why are these two not complimenting each other in the middle together as young midfielders and saints fans seeing the future midfielders

2. Both have been getting goals lately which is something St kilda need to say the least but why if they are not used in the middle together, are they not changed in the middle when one is stuffed and needs a break from the forward flank.

The role I think David is playing is to create pressure in the forward 50 to try and creat goals with his tackling. Steven is a very decent tackler as well and can do the same.

I am not a coach nor want to be but these changes seem common sense to me and was wandering if it could happen or if it will happen.

Opinions??

[Moods]

DWOODROW - I agree. Armo should be played a lot more in the midfield. I don't see him as a natural fwd, and whilst he has a happy knack of kicking the odd goal, I just don't reckon he's clever enough/skillful enough to play there for the length of time Ross has him there. Armo is a clearance specialist, and he needs to in at the centre bounces I reckon.

I'm not sure whether it's a fitness issue or what the reason is, but playing him on a flank is not helping him at all. Whilst a great tackler, he doesn't have the speed to create that pressure that Ross is looking for. Jack's been a revelation in the midfield, but to my mind wasn't that effective up fwd either, even though he could kick the odd goal as well. At the very least I'd like to see Armo and Jack both in at the most important stoppages of the game - the centre clearances.

[plugger66]

DWOODROW - I agree. Armo should be played a lot more in the midfield. I don't see him as a natural fwd, and whilst he has a happy knack of kicking the odd goal, I just don't reckon he's clever enough/skillful enough to play there for the length of time Ross has him there. Armo is a clearance specialist, and he needs to in at the centre bounces I reckon.

I'm not sure whether it's a fitness issue or what the reason is, but playing him on a flank is not helping him at all. Whilst a great tackler, he doesn't have the speed to create that pressure that Ross is looking for. Jack's been a revelation in the midfield, but to my mind wasn't that effective up fwd either, even though he could kick the odd goal as well. At the very least I'd like to see Armo and Jack both in at the most important stoppages of the game - the centre clearances.

I am unsure if you could have them both in together to often. Armo is very slow in defending and Jack is similar. They both tackle well but Armo and to a lesser extent are runn forward type players. Defending isnt natural for either. Also Armo may get clearances but they arent as clean as Jacks due to his lack of pace. They couldnt interchange forward a bit more though but I think RL likes Jacks clean clearances compared to Armos that just seem to result in another bounce.

[Moods]

DWOODROW - I agree. Armo should be played a lot more in the midfield. I don't see him as a natural fwd, and whilst he has a happy knack of kicking the odd goal, I just don't reckon he's clever enough/skillful enough to play there for the length of time Ross has him there. Armo is a clearance specialist, and he needs to in at the centre bounces I reckon.

I'm not sure whether it's a fitness issue or what the reason is, but playing him on a flank is not helping him at all. Whilst a great tackler, he doesn't have the speed to create that pressure that Ross is looking for. Jack's been a revelation in the midfield, but to my mind wasn't that effective up fwd either, even though he could kick the odd goal as well. At the very least I'd like to see Armo and Jack both in at the most important stoppages of the game - the centre clearances.

I am unsure if you could have them both in together to often. Armo is very slow in defending and Jack is similar. They both tackle well but Armo and to a lesser extent are runn forward type players. Defending isnt natural for either. Also Armo may get clearances but they arent as clean as Jacks due to his lack of pace. They couldnt interchange forward a bit more though but I think RL likes Jacks clean clearances compared to Armos that just seem to result in another bounce.

You may be right Plugger. But if what you are saying is correct, then Armo's days are numbered in playing snr footy for the saints if that's the case. If he's not considered a 1st string mid starting in the centre square, then I can't see a position for him in the team long term. He will be edged out similar to Luke Ball was I reckon. Fwd isn't his go. Eventually a Heyne or a Lynch type of player will come through the ranks and take that HFF type role.

[SainterK]

What is wrong with how he is playing his role at the moment though?

In the last 3 weeks our small forwards return

Armo 5
Milne 2
Schneider 0

[saintsRrising]

The form of both have improved since they swapped roles = win win


Both players have also played less than 50 games and so this will also be part of their development and improvement.

[bigcarl]

What is wrong with how he is playing his role at the moment though?

In the last 3 weeks our small forwards return

Armo 5
Milne 2
Schneider 0

Yep. He's kicking goals at a club that doesn't kick enough. Keep him there.

[lefty]

Good question!

I have no idea why Armo hasn't been playing in the midfield the last few weeks. He was the only one winning the contested ball.

I just assumed he was sore or carry some sort of injury, so Steven went into the midfield.

I wouldn't mind seeing both in the center clearance as both do very well, or at least alternating!

I do however still feel that Armo is a natural midfielder, not a forward and needs more time in the midfield.

If the ball was constantly deep in the forward line, Armos pressure would work perfect, its just the ball barely gets down there long enough, and our forwards are always outnumbered.

[Old Mate]

Only thing I can say is that when Armo was in the middle we couldn't buy a win. With Steven there and Armo not we have been competitive for the last 5 or so weeks. I think Armo is a bit overrated by a lot of Saints fans.

[Moods]

Only thing I can say is that when Armo was in the middle we couldn't buy a win. With Steven there and Armo not we have been competitive for the last 5 or so weeks. I think Armo is a bit overrated by a lot of Saints fans.

Yep

[stinger]

At the start of the year Armo was playing in the middle winning clearances, getting contested possessions, and all round playing better footy than he has in the past getting his highest possessions in games and the like. Steven was suspended and still working his way back into the team

Armitage was moved to the forward flank and Steven was given the opportunity to move into the middle with great results as he has been winning clearances, contested possessions and getting his highest possessions since joining the seniour team.

I have two Questions.

1. Why are these two not complimenting each other in the middle together as young midfielders and saints fans seeing the future midfielders

2. Both have been getting goals lately which is something St kilda need to say the least but why if they are not used in the middle together, are they not changed in the middle when one is stuffed and needs a break from the forward flank.

The role I think David is playing is to create pressure in the forward 50 to try and creat goals with his tackling. Steven is a very decent tackler as well and can do the same.

I am not a coach nor want to be but these changes seem common sense to me and was wandering if it could happen or if it will happen.

Opinions??

i fully agree with you....

[Con Gorozidis]

At the start of the year Armo was playing in the middle winning clearances, getting contested possessions, and all round playing better footy than he has in the past getting his highest possessions in games and the like. Steven was suspended and still working his way back into the team

Armitage was moved to the forward flank and Steven was given the opportunity to move into the middle with great results as he has been winning clearances, contested possessions and getting his highest possessions since joining the seniour team.

I have two Questions.

1. Why are these two not complimenting each other in the middle together as young midfielders and saints fans seeing the future midfielders

2. Both have been getting goals lately which is something St kilda need to say the least but why if they are not used in the middle together, are they not changed in the middle when one is stuffed and needs a break from the forward flank.

The role I think David is playing is to create pressure in the forward 50 to try and creat goals with his tackling. Steven is a very decent tackler as well and can do the same.

I am not a coach nor want to be but these changes seem common sense to me and was wandering if it could happen or if it will happen.

Opinions??

I agree. the coach seems to "freak out" having too much change or too many youngsters in the one area. He has persisted with BJ in clearances which has been a waste of time. The bloke hardly ever wins one and spends most of time being "3rd man up" in the ruck which is a complete waste of time and just removes himself from the contest and the chance of getting a clearance.

Fact is for the first 6 weeks - Armo was leading clearance getter.
For the next 6 weeks - Steven was.

So to me that says they are both good at clearances so should both be played in clearances. But thats a bit too logical I guess and common sense like I guess.

[Teflon]

DWOODROW - I agree. Armo should be played a lot more in the midfield. I don't see him as a natural fwd, and whilst he has a happy knack of kicking the odd goal, I just don't reckon he's clever enough/skillful enough to play there for the length of time Ross has him there. Armo is a clearance specialist, and he needs to in at the centre bounces I reckon.

I'm not sure whether it's a fitness issue or what the reason is, but playing him on a flank is not helping him at all. Whilst a great tackler, he doesn't have the speed to create that pressure that Ross is looking for. Jack's been a revelation in the midfield, but to my mind wasn't that effective up fwd either, even though he could kick the odd goal as well. At the very least I'd like to see Armo and Jack both in at the most important stoppages of the game - the centre clearances.

I am unsure if you could have them both in together to often. Armo is very slow in defending and Jack is similar. They both tackle well but Armo and to a lesser extent are runn forward type players. Defending isnt natural for either. Also Armo may get clearances but they arent as clean as Jacks due to his lack of pace. They couldnt interchange forward a bit more though but I think RL likes Jacks clean clearances compared to Armos that just seem to result in another bounce.

some truth here.

Armo absolutely puts his head over the ball - problem is its often at the bottom of the pack WITHOUT that dash to actually take the ball from congestion and his handballs aint Harvey-esque just yet so its not like clearance-wise hes releasing outside runners.

Steven hits the ball at speed and often clears the opposition tacklers/congestion.

I dont thinks this means death knell for Armo at all - different players but IF we could get him to spread a tad more I reckon hed take his game to another level again.