No6

[GazLaz]

Who will be the man to fill the no6/ deepest lying midfielder role going forward?

Broadbent has had the first opportunity in there but hasn’t shown enough in a very important position. He hasn’t impacted the game with the ball enough.

Will Kelly be the one who grows into the role long term? Possibly. He will miss games on international duty at times and it’s not easy for a 19yo on his first loan to be consistent throughout the season in that position.

Close? He has the passing ability but is he good enough off the ball in that position? Will he play enough games?

Bailey?? He’s been great in more of a no8 role. His engine is great and he’s developing into a threat arriving into the box. I wouldn’t want to drop him deeper.

Westbrook? Great on the ball but is he better suited to having a bit more freedom?

Clifton? Looked assured so far but is his energy more suited to pressing higher up the field? Is he a good enough passer to make the game tick in the deeper position?

Solve this conundrum and we will have a great season.

[Chris Black come back]

Feels like Grant wants Broadbent to be the solution but not clear he can do this consistently.

[5minstogo]

I think Broadbent will probably be a 6 or 7/10 each week in that role and it's just place to lose after pre season but I do like the look of Kelly there. For me it's only between those two.

[DearneValleyRover]

Broadbent was poor at Newport but you could level that at quite a few. I think Kelly will get the nod tomorrow

[pib]

I didn't think Broadbent was bad in either game. Things got worse after he was subbed at Newport.

Whether a partnership of him and Bailey is the answer though, big question marks. I'd be surprised if Kelly didn't come in soon.

[Plumbster]

Agree with the OP, even in the first two games our passing wasn’t great and we were picking up wins more through individual brilliance and good pressing rather than dominating team play. I don’t think poor old Joe has had any decent service yet.  I would give Broadbent a few more starts, with Kelly replacing later in games, and see if either grows into the role.

[Chris Black come back]

Kelly missing a few games in September.

[Alan Southstand]

The lad (Kelly) has hardly had any game time and now he’s going to be missing for 3 games.

I’m not at all convinced by Broadbent, even though GM sees something in him, and there simply is no one else in our squad suited to the role. Clifton could perhaps be trained into it, but has he got the discipline to ‘sit’? He seems more of a box to box type to me, but he does, at least, like a tackle, which neither Close or Westbrook do!

[Drover]

I didn't think Broadbent was bad in either game. Things got worse after he was subbed at Newport.

Whether a partnership of him and Bailey is the answer though, big question marks. I'd be surprised if Kelly didn't come in soon.

Agree,I said at the time,I thought it was a mistake to take Broadbent off for Sbarra,not because he was playing great,but tactically wise,it meant Newport who was already putting some pressure on our deep midfield area then got even more control and space to attack us due to Sbarra being more attacking minded,I think when Newport equalised early in second half,Grant wasnt going to settle for a draw and brought Sbarra on hoping to get back in front quickly with more attacking play/possession.

[ForsolongaRover]

Kelly missing a few games in September.

Is this international call ups? Might TSL be involved too? If so, does 2 absent allow postponement? The opposition might also have grounds for postponement.

[donnyguy]

Yes under 21’s. They play on Sept 6th 10th and 19th

[DonnyBazR0ver]

It's a good question.

Toi early to say for me. I wasn't convinced about Broadbent last season and couldn't really see why McCann was bigging him up however, it was a bold move to move him into this position but by enlarge, he's adapted to it better than I expected. He's not the finished article by any means but his passing and positioning have been decent. Yes, for that position, his pass completion rate needs to be the best in the team as this is generally the role that gets us going. .He doesn't need to play glory balls but quick accurate passing linking up play. With this role though, as the deepest midfield player, if balls get turned over, it's often exposed with our other midfielders further up the pitch. This is why the midfield still needs to be connected as a unit but in the last couple of games we've seen Bailey and Clifton too far in advance at times, making runs, perhaps over keen to get into attacking areas.

Craig was exceptionally good at being aware and anticipating danger before he even received the ball, plus he was strong in shielding it by standing strong  and still making the right pass 9/10. For me, Broadbent is at 8/10 and still learning so, I don't think we should give up on him yet.

Not seen enough of Kelly, but he looks good with a change of pace that might better suit in front of the anchor but he may be able to adapt, so if he could, that would be a real bonus.

Clifton. Same as Kelky as not seen enough. He seems to have been given a freer role and seems keen to get into attacking areas, as with Bailey. They may need to tone it down a bit and be a bit more selective with their runs.

Close has played the role before, although it's not his best position either, and I think he got a bad rap, when he too at times get caught outnumbered. His range of probing passing and movement is also better suited further up.

For the reasons above, I'd like to keep faith with Broadbent a little while longer.

[ncRover]

Kelly missing a few games in September.

Is this international call ups? Might TSL be involved too? If so, does 2 absent allow postponement? The opposition might also have grounds for postponement.

Looks like TSL didn’t make the most recent England u20 squad

[steve@dcfd]

Kelly for me and he should start tomorrow he will miss two league games the EFl trophy game will have Broadbent and Close as been pencilled in for that game also Westbrooke. When Kelly is not here for the two league games Bailey plays deeper and bring Broadbent Close or Westbrooke as his partner.

[Silkscarf]

When I was a lad playing in the school team the number 6 was left half, 5 centre half (me usually), 4 right half. This was the classic WM formation.

This was the mid70s! I watched Beckenbauer wearing 5 and couldn’t reconcile the two. Schools football (maybe the FA in general) was still stuck in the 50s. We even had brown leather balls that got heavier when wet and we put dubbin on our boots.

Kids today…etc.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

When I was a lad playing in the school team the number 6 was left half, 5 centre half (me usually), 4 right half. This was the classic WM formation.

This was the mid70s! I watched Beckenbauer wearing 5 and couldn’t reconcile the two. Schools football (maybe the FA in general) was still stuck in the 50s. We even had brown leather balls that got heavier when wet and we put dubbin on our boots.

Kids today…etc.

That's interesting. As times moved on 5 & 6 became the centre half with 4 & 8 as central midfield, 7 & 11 wingers then 9 & 10 as forwards.

[graingrover]

Silksczer  ..and I wore 10 ..inside left .

[GazLaz]

When I was a lad playing in the school team the number 6 was left half, 5 centre half (me usually), 4 right half. This was the classic WM formation.

This was the mid70s! I watched Beckenbauer wearing 5 and couldn’t reconcile the two. Schools football (maybe the FA in general) was still stuck in the 50s. We even had brown leather balls that got heavier when wet and we put dubbin on our boots.

Kids today…etc.

That's interesting. As times moved on 5 & 6 became the centre half with 4 & 8 as central midfield, 7 & 11 wingers then 9 & 10 as forwards.

Think 6 and 8 numbering in the midfield came from Europe.

I always wanted to wear 6 at centre half.

[Alan Southstand]

I think more about when we haven’t got the ball than when we have it. That’s when the questions get asked! Broadbent, at the moment, is far too passive and doesn’t worry anybody. He needs to start growing a pair of aggressive whatsits and start making life difficult for the opposition. Case in point - the Accrington goal.

[GazLaz]

I think more about when we haven’t got the ball than when we have it. That’s when the questions get asked! Broadbent, at the moment, is far too passive and doesn’t worry anybody. He needs to start growing a pair of aggressive whatsits and start making life difficult for the opposition. Case in point - the Accrington goal.

We are going to have lots of possession this season so what that man can do on the ball is pretty important although I agree that they have to be switched on defensively.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

I think more about when we haven’t got the ball than when we have it. That’s when the questions get asked! Broadbent, at the moment, is far too passive and doesn’t worry anybody. He needs to start growing a pair of aggressive whatsits and start making life difficult for the opposition. Case in point - the Accrington goal.

Sorry Alan, that's very harsh to single out Broadbent for that goal. We were knocked off stride with a deflected pass which fell to their player. Broadbent then had to try and get goalside, but grant you he got turned, but other than taking him out on the edge of the area, the odds were against him.  The main error was Sterry falling asleep at the far post.

You could level the same at Bailey and one or two others not getting blocks in or being tougher in the tackle for goals one and two at Newport.

Yes, defensive responsibilities are important but that role is more about what he does with the ball is crucial to the way we want to play.

Time will tell if he's up to it, week in, week out.

[Pancho Regan]

I think Kelly stamped his name on this role today

[Nudga]

I thought Kelly was excellent yesterday. Looks to have a bit of Steven Gerrard about him.

[Alan Southstand]

DBR:

Sorry Alan, that's very harsh to single out Broadbent for that goal.

It highlighted the point I was making about Broadbent being ‘passive’ and yes, Sterry should have done better, but imo, Broadbent should and could have made it much harder for the guy who eventually played in the cross that did the damage. Small thing that he has to work on, again imo, if he wants the role full time. However, after Kelly gets up to full 90 minutes of fitness, it’s going to be exceedingly difficult to shift him out the 11.

[Rovers91]

Kelly is a different level to Broadbent.

[Lesonthewest]

Kelly is a different level to Broadbent.

I also think Kelly will be better than Craig.

[Plumbster]

I was disappointed with Kelly today, poor first touch, lost the ball too much and as a team we were no better than when Broadbent was there.  Craig also started slowly of course so it doesn’t mean he won’t come good.

[sedwardsdrfc]

Kelly clearly has a lot of ability and did pick up the 2nd balls well sometimes however he was a bit loose a few times when in the middle of our half when they pressed us.

Sure with a bit more experience he’ll get better there but you can’t be losing the ball in those areas as a number 6. No matter how good you are in other moments those possession losses will lead to goals.

This will probably be a terrible take in a few months but we’ve a packed midfield and I’m not sure he’s better all round than our own players. So why not give Broadbent a better run at it or play Westbrooke. We stand to gain more from developing them than Kelly.

Feels like we are happy to have a loanee learn and make mistakes in the process but won’t do that with players we own.

[ravenrover]

For me particularly 2nd half he was trying a bit too much fancy stuff when Fleming was overlapping which left the defence exposed for the breakaway. The little passvround the corner or trying to beat obe extra man and losing it.
He's young he'll learn McCann will make certain of that

[DonnyBazR0ver]

I thought Kelly did very well. Held his discipline in that role with the added bonus of him being able to turn and create lots of space. For me, it's not really this position where we have some issues to resolve, it's in front of that. Quite clear there's some refining to do with players being on the same wavelength with their positioning and runs. Things broke down when we made a simple pass look difficult when the timing wasn't quite right or delivery not quite accurate enough. Not always the fault of the man in possession.

Yes, Morecambe were sitting deep, we had Kelly, Anderson and Olowu often carrying the ball deep into their territory but picking the right pass into congested areas wasn't always easy. I think Anderson got some unfair criticism for trying to play positive passes. Had he, stopped and gone sideways, he would have got booed. Olowu tried a couple of over the top passes which were overhit when there were no obvious passes on.

Our shape at times was a little strange with Bailey either dropping really deep, or pushing up on the front line. Something they've probably worked on in training but the reasons weren't that obvious. I expected diagonal long balls for Bailey to be the extra man but the passes never came.

Once Ironside came on I thought we went too long and the gap between front and back got bigger with the back line not pushing out quick enough. I just wish we'd play more on the deck passes to Ironside then get runners beyond him.

These are all things that will get better as this group improve their understanding and gell for longer periods.