| Do we need to sign 2 new starting midfielders? 08:20 - Jul 20 with 5929 views | Len_Brennan |
Morsy & Luongo have been excellent for us; as individual players consistently putting in strong performances, but especially as a partnership that have complimented each other perfectly.
However, do I dare raise the elephant in the room?
Morsy is 32 & Luongo almost the same, and neither of them have played at Premier League level in their long careers as yet. In fact, despite their excellent form for us, both dropped down to League 1 level at the age of 29 by agreed transfer, as opposed to relegation.
Upon signing them, both were seen as capable Championship level players, but were not even touted as being top end Championship midfielders by that time.
Both played well overall last season, and Morsy once again was a beast for us; but even for him, are we sure that even he can be good enough to compete week in/week out over a Premier League season, against some of the best midfielders in the world, especially if we are sticking with playing a 2 man midfield? The Egyptian national coaches have not thought to include him in international squads for quite some time.
Much of Morsy's game for us has been about coming deep, taking possession from the keeper or centre half - being that assured outlet - and then dropping the shoulder to feint going one way, before losing his man & taking the ball in midfield & us into attack. Will he be able to continually do that against top class opposition? He got caught, or almost got caught on the edge of our box a few times last season - the goal at Hull, where Seri (a Premier level player in his time) picked his pocket, stands in out particular.
Coming up against the quality of midfielders the Premier League has to offer, may require us to switch to a 3 man option in a lot of the games anyway, but we will certainly need to, at the very least, add 1 younger, tough tackling, quality defensive midfielder, with an engine to get up & down for the full 90+ minutes, and I would argue that we probably need 2.
There, I've said the unsayable, but for legitimate discussion purposes.
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| Do we need to sign 2 new starting midfielders? on 12:14 - Jul 21 with 836 views | ITFCson |
I think the elephant is in your room only. If Morsy plays less than 30 games next season I’ll be surprised. | | | |
| Do we need to sign 2 new starting midfielders? on 12:54 - Jul 21 with 760 views | Len_Brennan |
| Do we need to sign 2 new starting midfielders? on 12:14 - Jul 21 by ITFCson |
I think the elephant is in your room only. If Morsy plays less than 30 games next season I’ll be surprised. |
What have I said that you think is wrong?
At the very least, I have pointed out that we are likely to play with 3 in midfield for a number of Premier League games, so even with 2 new quality midfielders added, I am expecting Samy to start most games. | | | |
| Do we need to sign 2 new starting midfielders? on 18:54 - Jul 21 with 627 views | WeWereZombies |
What's the feeling on Pierre-Emile Højbjerg ? Let Marseilles sign him, wrong profile ? There is plenty of Premier League experience and at 28 he just about gets into the McKenna profile on age. |  |
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| Do we need to sign 2 new starting midfielders? on 19:14 - Jul 21 with 602 views | ITFCson |
| Do we need to sign 2 new starting midfielders? on 12:54 - Jul 21 by Len_Brennan |
What have I said that you think is wrong?
At the very least, I have pointed out that we are likely to play with 3 in midfield for a number of Premier League games, so even with 2 new quality midfielders added, I am expecting Samy to start most games. |
Apologies - I interpreted your comment as suggesting Morsy may not be up to it as you alluding to his age and lack of prem experience.
I’m in agreement we need 2 quality CM signings before the season starts. I’d be surprised if we haven’t signed at least one within the next week. It’s an important position and KM will want to integrate a new CM asap. | | | |
| Do we need to sign 2 new starting midfielders? on 23:53 - Jul 21 with 503 views | rickw |
| Do we need to sign 2 new starting midfielders? on 18:54 - Jul 21 by WeWereZombies |
What's the feeling on Pierre-Emile Højbjerg ? Let Marseilles sign him, wrong profile ? There is plenty of Premier League experience and at 28 he just about gets into the McKenna profile on age. |
He's a good player and would fit our system, but I think we're only trying to sign players on the way up in their careers, we would be a step down for him and I'm sure he'll be on very high wages too |  |
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| Do we need to sign 2 new starting midfielders? on 08:45 - Jul 22 with 405 views | _clive_baker_ |
| Do we need to sign 2 new starting midfielders? on 18:54 - Jul 21 by WeWereZombies |
What's the feeling on Pierre-Emile Højbjerg ? Let Marseilles sign him, wrong profile ? There is plenty of Premier League experience and at 28 he just about gets into the McKenna profile on age. |
I think he's one of the most underrated players in the premier league. Absolutely superb player, was for Southampton and has been for Spurs whenever I've seen him. I'm surprised they don't want to keep him tbh but seems like he's on his way out. He won't be joining us of course, but he's certainly an excellent player.
We clearly need to strengthen in the middle and we will do. It won't be news to McKenna and Ashton and the reported pursuit of Downes points to that being a priority. Will be interesting to see who comes in, but as a minimum I would expect a partner for Morsy which would then leave Luongo and Taylor on the bench. |  | | |
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