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In the middle of the park! We are very, very ordinary.Nowhere near good enough!
We don’t play a system that lends its self to making midfielders look good. We just don’t set out to play through the midfield. It’s either around it or over it.
Quote from: GazLaz on January 04, 2025, 10:15:32 pmWe don’t play a system that lends its self to making midfielders look good. We just don’t set out to play through the midfield. It’s either around it or over it. Weird, isn't it? When the key turning point last season was having a deep lying midfielder who occupied that hole and took the ball from the defence on the half turn to spark attacks.
Calmed down a bit after Saturday’s very disappointing display and I think we’re stuck with what we have. I don’t think GM can see it, or doesn’t want to see it. Which is somewhat strange when you think he got it spot on last season, from January onwards. Yes, we need to do something about both Gibson and Molyneux, as neither are as good as what we had at the end of last season. But, if we’re going to play out from the back then someone needs to take it on from the cb’s, or fb’s. If both wingers are blocked off the ball ends up going backwards!Taylor-Richards was brilliant at turning and putting on the after burners and, within a flash, we were in the opposition’s 18yard area! That’s what’s missing. We havn’t got that entity, but get it and things will start to change.
Quote from: Alan Southstand on January 06, 2025, 01:49:19 pmCalmed down a bit after Saturday’s very disappointing display and I think we’re stuck with what we have. I don’t think GM can see it, or doesn’t want to see it. Which is somewhat strange when you think he got it spot on last season, from January onwards. Yes, we need to do something about both Gibson and Molyneux, as neither are as good as what we had at the end of last season. But, if we’re going to play out from the back then someone needs to take it on from the cb’s, or fb’s. If both wingers are blocked off the ball ends up going backwards!Taylor-Richards was brilliant at turning and putting on the after burners and, within a flash, we were in the opposition’s 18yard area! That’s what’s missing. We havn’t got that entity, but get it and things will start to change.Controversial but I reckon Jo Oluwu could do that role.
But the last two games we’ve played the same system as last season, but whereas craig always wanted the ball Kelly doesn’t do that,Westbrooke and close would, we need to get one of them in the team
Another thing I've seen missing recently is the centre backs carrying the ball forward. It's really effective breaking forward and sometimes easier than passing to the midfield who find it difficult to play on the half turn and so play it back or sideways the way they are facing.
Broadbent is playing on borrowed time as far as I’m concerned.‘Playing around or beyond’ the midfield is a ‘luxury’ accommodated because you have a strong core of a midfield which you can ‘afford to bypass’ wide or long in the knowledge that they’re there to push up or drop back as a unit.Bailey apart (& he’s been having a tough time of it in recent games ‘plugging the gaps’ & attempting to be ‘all things to all men’) we don’t have the quality of midfield players in this group to afford the forward players that ‘comfort’ to take up positions high up the pitch knowing that if they lose the ball they have a midfield ‘group’ capable of winning the ball back & recycling it quickly.That’s why I feel it imperative we sign that ‘Whiteman-esque" player to afford us those options.
Quote from: Usher wide. on January 04, 2025, 10:59:20 pmBroadbent is playing on borrowed time as far as I’m concerned.‘Playing around or beyond’ the midfield is a ‘luxury’ accommodated because you have a strong core of a midfield which you can ‘afford to bypass’ wide or long in the knowledge that they’re there to push up or drop back as a unit.Bailey apart (& he’s been having a tough time of it in recent games ‘plugging the gaps’ & attempting to be ‘all things to all men’) we don’t have the quality of midfield players in this group to afford the forward players that ‘comfort’ to take up positions high up the pitch knowing that if they lose the ball they have a midfield ‘group’ capable of winning the ball back & recycling it quickly.That’s why I feel it imperative we sign that ‘Whiteman-esque" player to afford us those options.But realistic? Such players never flood the market and the very few that might be available are wanted by practically every team in every league. We might be lucky and get Craig who did not seem to be in the sort of form at Barnsley as we saw when he was here, but opting for League 1 seems more likely. And this illustrates what we are up against. The Street type -i.e., someone who can provide our team with a different dimension - similar to what Adelukan offered, is a better bet. The distinction is that the midfield "Generals" can do more or less the same job in any team. (Even then not always - anyone remember Keith Kettlewell?)
Assuming we do get Craig, who do we play in the Biggins role? Think Clifton would suit that role more than anybody!
Quote from: ForsolongaRover on January 06, 2025, 06:05:50 pmQuote from: Usher wide. on January 04, 2025, 10:59:20 pmBroadbent is playing on borrowed time as far as I’m concerned.‘Playing around or beyond’ the midfield is a ‘luxury’ accommodated because you have a strong core of a midfield which you can ‘afford to bypass’ wide or long in the knowledge that they’re there to push up or drop back as a unit.Bailey apart (& he’s been having a tough time of it in recent games ‘plugging the gaps’ & attempting to be ‘all things to all men’) we don’t have the quality of midfield players in this group to afford the forward players that ‘comfort’ to take up positions high up the pitch knowing that if they lose the ball they have a midfield ‘group’ capable of winning the ball back & recycling it quickly.That’s why I feel it imperative we sign that ‘Whiteman-esque" player to afford us those options.But realistic? Such players never flood the market and the very few that might be available are wanted by practically every team in every league. We might be lucky and get Craig who did not seem to be in the sort of form at Barnsley as we saw when he was here, but opting for League 1 seems more likely. And this illustrates what we are up against. The Street type -i.e., someone who can provide our team with a different dimension - similar to what Adelukan offered, is a better bet. The distinction is that the midfield "Generals" can do more or less the same job in any team. (Even then not always - anyone remember Keith Kettlewell?)I think you mean Kettleborough, FR. Kettlewell would be a better COACH than a player. LOL.