| Midfield Dilemma 09:52 - Jan 17 with 1361 views | BseaBlue |
I've seen a few people say that we need a central midfield player this window which I've kind of brushed off because of the options we have, but it does seem to be coming apparent that our midfield is hit and miss.
Without Morsy in there yesterday, there was no one demanding the ball from the back line which meant we had to revert to going long. I don't think either Phillips or Cajuste imposed themselves on the game at all.
Also, when we are playing with the 5 into a 4 hybrid, it feels as though one of the midfielders needs to get forward and support but that doesn't seem to be happening either. I appreciate a striker still has to be the main priority for the remainder of the window but another midfield option certainly won't do any harm. |  | | |  |
| Midfield Dilemma on 10:00 - Jan 17 with 1304 views | southnorfolkblue |
For me, along with our failure to get another striker, it was the most glaring omission of our summer window.
Most of our recruitment has been with a long term view ie young players with the scope to improve and probably sold on at a profit in the future. Players that improve the depth of our squad long term whatever division we’re in.
In central midfield we have recruited 2 loanees, neither of whom will be here if we go down. So if the worst happens we go back to the Championship with Morsy and Luongo, 2 years older than the last time we played in that division.
By all accounts we tried to sign Downes on a permanent deal. When that failed, we should have looked for an alternative imho |  |
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| Midfield Dilemma on 10:04 - Jan 17 with 1265 views | BseaBlue |
| Midfield Dilemma on 10:00 - Jan 17 by southnorfolkblue |
For me, along with our failure to get another striker, it was the most glaring omission of our summer window.
Most of our recruitment has been with a long term view ie young players with the scope to improve and probably sold on at a profit in the future. Players that improve the depth of our squad long term whatever division we’re in.
In central midfield we have recruited 2 loanees, neither of whom will be here if we go down. So if the worst happens we go back to the Championship with Morsy and Luongo, 2 years older than the last time we played in that division.
By all accounts we tried to sign Downes on a permanent deal. When that failed, we should have looked for an alternative imho |
Yes, in one way or another, there will have to be a serious revamp in the summer. Morsy has been excellent this season but he can't keep having to carry us all the time and as you point out, we need to have an eye on the future.
Cajuste shows flashes of brilliance but doesn't look anywhere near fit enough and I think if we are all honest, Phillips hasn't reached the levels of the player he once was. I wouldn't mind seeing Taylor have more of a chance but the fact that he doesn't ever really start says that we don't think he is good enough. | | | |
| Midfield Dilemma on 11:02 - Jan 17 with 1086 views | kpblues |
I have said for ages we need an attacking midfield player.
A Son , De Bruyne, Declan Rice type player.
That way we could spread the danger to the opposition. | |
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| Midfield Dilemma on 11:12 - Jan 17 with 1057 views | BloomBlue |
Personally I don't think its the personal, more the fact we play with two in midfield whereas most of the other teams go with 3 and they overrun us.
Is time to go to a 4-4-2?
Not sure, but going with 3 CH's definitely improved the defensive side of our game but that has resulted in central midfield being overrun and we're having to revert to long balls. |  | | |
| Midfield Dilemma on 12:35 - Jan 17 with 926 views | kizaitfc |
| Midfield Dilemma on 11:12 - Jan 17 by BloomBlue |
Personally I don't think its the personal, more the fact we play with two in midfield whereas most of the other teams go with 3 and they overrun us.
Is time to go to a 4-4-2?
Not sure, but going with 3 CH's definitely improved the defensive side of our game but that has resulted in central midfield being overrun and we're having to revert to long balls. |
That is where a defender needs to step in when going forwards, but to do that you need to have CM wanting the ball, so the defender can pop it into their feet and then collect the return pass.
Wolfenden is normally very good at this, but he seems to be playing the central defensive position which seems odd to me.
Brighton smothered our midfield much like they did in the away fixture, not sure we need to change the system just yet as it worked pretty well against Chelsea and Fulham | |
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| Midfield Dilemma on 12:38 - Jan 17 with 902 views | usm |
| Midfield Dilemma on 11:02 - Jan 17 by kpblues |
I have said for ages we need an attacking midfield player.
A Son , De Bruyne, Declan Rice type player.
That way we could spread the danger to the opposition. |
Yep, we need a Declan Rice type player.
Now, where did I put that £120M? |  |
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| Midfield Dilemma on 12:45 - Jan 17 with 862 views | TractorJack |
| Midfield Dilemma on 11:02 - Jan 17 by kpblues |
I have said for ages we need an attacking midfield player.
A Son , De Bruyne, Declan Rice type player.
That way we could spread the danger to the opposition. |
I love that you've named 3 completely different types of player. |  | | |
| Midfield Dilemma on 12:53 - Jan 17 with 821 views | JammyDodgerrr |
Don't think the issue was Morsy wasn't there, the issue was the remit is no longer to play that pass. We've been kicking long more intentionally since Walton came in. If we wanted to make that pass they would be showing for it. |  |
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| Midfield Dilemma on 12:59 - Jan 17 with 781 views | LankHenners |
Not sure it was so much not wanting the ball, more we just couldn't get through Brighton's press, plus Walton doesn't have the ability to clip the ball into midfield or out wide like Muric can.
Think the midfield's fine as it is to be honest. If we could get a proper experienced head in there (Matic) and say goodbye to Luongo then I think we should take it but I just don't think there's a lot we can do in one winter window to make up for the gap in overall quality between us and established Premier League teams.
If we stay up then I reckon we'll see quite a bit of work done to that area over the summer mind you. |  |
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| Midfield Dilemma on 13:29 - Jan 17 with 716 views | LeightonBuzzardBlue |
I suspect that the plan is for Godfrey, who can play in the centre of midfield, to play as a RB/right sided CB that can progress into midfield to join Morsy and Cajuste (or whoever plays). This will in turn give us more bodies in the centre of the park that will then help us progress the ball on the floor rather than looking long.
Think of how Arsenal play with Timber / Lewis-Skelly or City with Gvardiol |  | | |
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