Midfield

[Copps is Magic]

Terrible all season. Lightweight, ghost-like - completely lacking a tackle, a good press, control on the ball, support for the frontman.

I refer you to exhibit 246, Crawley's goal last night and Close's 'na, f**k that' moment, completely pulling out of stoping their player getting the shot off.

[Sammy Chung was King]

Even though they would be behind fitness wise, a free transfer signing should be looked at. We need someone in there yesterday.

[Alan Southstand]

Non-existent?

[Filo]

We have fairy’s in midfield frightened of getting hurt, so pull out of every tackle, we have Molly who I’ve yet to see beat a man, gives the ball away 90% of the times that he has it, and Hurst looks like a boy in a mans game getting bullied every game

[WantleyDragon]

Close is a lightweight, he's a massive flop.
I expected good things from him, he's probably in the top 3 earners.
Get rid !

[ncRover]

You’d expect a centre midfielder of Close’s age and stature to have a good engine if he’s not big and physical, but he looks knackered all the time. I don’t get it.

Nowadays if you’re playing 2 in central midfield they need to be able to do the work of 3 players. But I know less than Schofield so whatever.

[selby]

   I have watched two young lads who will be out of contract at the end of this season who play on loan from good local clubs who are just as good a footballers as Close and blow him away for effort and fitness.  I would get them in in a heart beat in the closed season and risk the cheap option statements that will come from some of our supporters if signings don't cost money, there are some right gems out there.

[roversdude]

Can’t build a team around him, appreciate he’s got another year left but would be looking at offloading him. Not since the days of Curtis Main has anyone achieved this level of neshness

[normal rules]

   I have watched two young lads who will be out of contract at the end of this season who play on loan from good local clubs who are just as good a footballers as Close and blow him away for effort and fitness.  I would get them in in a heart beat in the closed season and risk the cheap option statements that will come from some of our supporters if signings don't cost money, there are some right gems out there.

I got hammered for suggesting fortune wests lad last season . He scores for fun , but apparently his level is way below that of lge 2 footy . But then again , so is the current squad imo. couple more at Thorne worthy of note . Morgan brown , shay evans-booth, josh gelder Callum nicell

[DearneValleyRover]

The midfield has been our biggest problem for the last 2 1/2 seasons, the defence and attack are poor but they’ve been made to look worse because of our non existent midfield

[Chris Black come back]

Our defence has stunk out both League One and League Two for the last free season. However you are right that our midfield is fast catching up on the outside rail. Terrible really.

[Mike_F]

In pre-season we had DeGruchy and the lad from Rosso Main (Bailey something) on trial. Of the two I thought DeGruchy maybe looked more skilful but very lightweight and nowhere near ready for league football whereas Bailey got stuck in and looked to take control of the middle of the park. Not saying he'd be the answer to all our woes but he would've been the better pick for me. Dunno if he's still available/been any good this season?

[Filo]

   I have watched two young lads who will be out of contract at the end of this season who play on loan from good local clubs who are just as good a footballers as Close and blow him away for effort and fitness.  I would get them in in a heart beat in the closed season and risk the cheap option statements that will come from some of our supporters if signings don't cost money, there are some right gems out there.

I got hammered for suggesting fortune wests lad last season . He scores for fun , but apparently his level is way below that of lge 2 footy . But then again , so is the current squad imo. couple more at Thorne worthy of note . Morgan brown , shay evans-booth, josh gelder Callum nicell

What happened to the lad from Dunscroft that played with Rosso, we had with the squad at one point before he got injured, I forget his name, but he was touted as a good prospect

[Mike_F]

That's the lad I mentioned above. Bailey summat.

[Filo]

That's the lad I mentioned above. Bailey summat.

Yes Bailey Conway

[Bessie Red]

   I have watched two young lads who will be out of contract at the end of this season who play on loan from good local clubs who are just as good a footballers as Close and blow him away for effort and fitness.  I would get them in in a heart beat in the closed season and risk the cheap option statements that will come from some of our supporters if signings don't cost money, there are some right gems out there.

I got hammered for suggesting fortune wests lad last season . He scores for fun , but apparently his level is way below that of lge 2 footy . But then again , so is the current squad imo. couple more at Thorne worthy of note . Morgan brown , shay evans-booth, josh gelder Callum nicell

Trust me Evan is not good enough for Conference North lge football let alone Lge 2 football. He played for Bessacarr FC Firsts, who my son plays for and he was too good for us, but any half decent non league defender would easily nullify him.

[firestarter]

Oh for a Gary Brabin right now

[normal rules]

   I have watched two young lads who will be out of contract at the end of this season who play on loan from good local clubs who are just as good a footballers as Close and blow him away for effort and fitness.  I would get them in in a heart beat in the closed season and risk the cheap option statements that will come from some of our supporters if signings don't cost money, there are some right gems out there.

I got hammered for suggesting fortune wests lad last season . He scores for fun , but apparently his level is way below that of lge 2 footy . But then again , so is the current squad imo. couple more at Thorne worthy of note . Morgan brown , shay evans-booth, josh gelder Callum nicell

Trust me Evan is not good enough for Conference North lge football let alone Lge 2 football. He played for Bessacarr FC Firsts, who my son plays for and he was too good for us, but any half decent non league defender would easily nullify him.

Some of the current first team aren’t good enough for National north currently

[Chris Black come back]

That's the lad I mentioned above. Bailey summat.

Yes Bailey Conway

Signed for Alfreton Town in National League North.

[ncRover]

Mohamad Sylla at Hartlepool currently expiring. Sounds like what we need in midfield. Near the top of the leagues stats for both tackles and interceptions. 6 foot 2.

[Mike_F]

That's the lad I mentioned above. Bailey summat.

Yes Bailey Conway

Signed for Alfreton Town in National League North.

Played one game for them, now at Gainsborough.

[Padge_DRFC]

The fact we are considering players from Thorne is a joke in itself and how far we have sunk.

[Reg of the Rovers]

Close is a lightweight, he's a massive flop.
I expected good things from him, he's probably in the top 3 earners.
Get rid !

Close and Taylor at top end of our earners and both complete dead wood, they need a trapdoor under them at the end of this season.

Mitchell, Olowu, Faulkner, Anderson, Maxwell, Hurst, Rowe, Miller, & Lavery all for me worth building a team around, with Seaman, Long, and Ravenhill to add to the mix. We aren't a bad team at the core, just set up all wrong, badly managed, and our 'big' players above are the worst flops.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Close is a decent player but he can't shoulder the weight of responsibility in midfield on his own. The engine room needs two or more players to be functioning as a unit but we've seen all too often Biggins and others go missing in action in those central positions.

When Lakin arrived there was a bit of hope he would provide that bit extra to support Close in either a two man or three man central midfield but it never materialised for any period of time before Lakin got injured.

In the right combination, we see the better side of Close, pushing, probing and creating. He's not an anchor man. 

Whilst central midfield is a big problem at the mo, ther other factor that strikes me as causing us to be like a punch bag, is sitting back on the ropes. The centre halves seem to drop too deep and this is when we get the separation in the lines with obvious consequences.

It's not a new phenomenon. Same used to happen when Paul Keegan used to drop virtually on to the toes of the retreating centre halves. Whiteman the same at times, instead of the centre halves pushing or the midfield pulling, we just sit in for far too long. It's understandable if we're protecting a lead in the latter stages of games to stop the opposition getting in behind but it's far too difficult and risky to do it for long periods.

As said the other day before the Crawley game, we can't punch our way out of a paper bag at the moment only hoping for some relief on the counter attack occasionally.

[drfchound]

The fact we are considering players from Thorne is a joke in itself and how far we have sunk.

If our demise continues as it is doing these type of players will become normal for us.

[curley]

Bailey Conway is at Gainsborough and looks to have a bright future.