| Midfield conundrum 09:16 - Jan 20 with 1769 views | hype313 |
Not really taking much from yesterday as most teams would struggle against that.
However, we have had 1 goal from Morsy, Phillips and Cajuste combined, thinking back to our previous stint, we had that perfect blend/balance of Magic and Holland, where we had the dynamism of Matt and the creativity and bite from Magic.
Our current lot, whilst generally been solid, we just don't have that dynamism in the middle of the park, obviously we were hoping Phillips would answer that question, but he hasn't really hit the heights that we were all hoping he would, we really need goals from as many facets of the team as we possibly can.
Morsy and Cajuste are industrious and give there all, but I can't help thinking we could do with some real bite and magic, our build up play can be so lethargic and risk averse, I do wonder if we should try to address that. |  |
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| Midfield conundrum on 09:17 - Jan 20 with 1746 views | Kieran_Knows |
I think if we stay up, we will see 2 big signings in CM for next season. Morsy and Cajuste will stay, Phillips will go back to City, Luongo will be released and then I can see Taylor going as well. |  |
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| Midfield conundrum on 09:33 - Jan 20 with 1625 views | BseaBlue |
I think the biggest issue is that when we revert to the back 5/4 hybrid, we don't have a natural 10, like Chappers last season, as another ball receiver in the middle of the park. This puts more emphasis on the midfield to get involved and drive us on. As you say though, we just do not have the energy or dynamics to do so with the existing personnel. I thought it was going to be Cajuste but he just doesn't look as though he can get himself up to the fitness levels required at the moment.
With the players we have signed and Axel being back, I do wonder whether we may revert to the front three with Omari coming into the ten position. |  | | |
| Midfield conundrum on 09:40 - Jan 20 with 1584 views | davblue |
| Midfield conundrum on 09:17 - Jan 20 by Kieran_Knows |
I think if we stay up, we will see 2 big signings in CM for next season. Morsy and Cajuste will stay, Phillips will go back to City, Luongo will be released and then I can see Taylor going as well. |
whatever league we are in we will need 2-3 midfielders imo. |  | | |
| Midfield conundrum on 09:41 - Jan 20 with 1581 views | _clive_baker_ |
The central midfield succession plan is quite a big one really, but I guess hard to do much about until we know what division we'll be in next season.
Morsy's been great for us but I think he's hit a ceiling. What's got us here won't get us there and all that. Plus he's 33, we really need to be looking at life beyond Morsy if we stay up, and perhaps 1 more season from him if we're relegated. Phillips will go back regardless, Taylor is a player I like but he's never been able to establish himself here so I think his days might be numbered. Relegation might offer a reprieve. Luongo is finished regardless of what happens, I wouldn't be surprised if he's played his last game in a Town shirt yesterday. Cajuste presumably stays if we stay up, goes back if we don't.
I think Premier League 25/26: Cajuste, Morsy (won't play) + 2 or 3 in.
Championship 25/26: Morsy, Taylor, + 2 in. Maybe Humphreys to come back in.
As for the rest of this season I would be tempted to just go with Cajuste & Phillips now and hope they can find a little something between them. I've been a huge Morsy fan but the speed of thought and execution just isn't there at this level IMO. Everything's a little ponderous and predictable and I think if Phillips & Cajuste can find some form its a partnership with a higher ceiling over the next 16 games or whatever it is. |  | | |
| Midfield conundrum on 09:48 - Jan 20 with 1516 views | tractorboy1978 |
| Midfield conundrum on 09:41 - Jan 20 by _clive_baker_ |
The central midfield succession plan is quite a big one really, but I guess hard to do much about until we know what division we'll be in next season.
Morsy's been great for us but I think he's hit a ceiling. What's got us here won't get us there and all that. Plus he's 33, we really need to be looking at life beyond Morsy if we stay up, and perhaps 1 more season from him if we're relegated. Phillips will go back regardless, Taylor is a player I like but he's never been able to establish himself here so I think his days might be numbered. Relegation might offer a reprieve. Luongo is finished regardless of what happens, I wouldn't be surprised if he's played his last game in a Town shirt yesterday. Cajuste presumably stays if we stay up, goes back if we don't.
I think Premier League 25/26: Cajuste, Morsy (won't play) + 2 or 3 in.
Championship 25/26: Morsy, Taylor, + 2 in. Maybe Humphreys to come back in.
As for the rest of this season I would be tempted to just go with Cajuste & Phillips now and hope they can find a little something between them. I've been a huge Morsy fan but the speed of thought and execution just isn't there at this level IMO. Everything's a little ponderous and predictable and I think if Phillips & Cajuste can find some form its a partnership with a higher ceiling over the next 16 games or whatever it is. |
Presumably Phillips was signed to be our absolute nailed on starter that was going to provide PL experience/dynamism and be 7/10 every week. It just hasn't happened and IMO has left us in a little bit of a hole. It's also not helpful that over half way through the season we seem to still be needing to manage Cajuste's fitness and he can't last much more than 70 minutes. I think we all love Morsy but it's not ideal he's still our most reliable, robust central midfield option. |  | | |
| Midfield conundrum on 09:54 - Jan 20 with 1476 views | homer_123 |
| Midfield conundrum on 09:48 - Jan 20 by tractorboy1978 |
Presumably Phillips was signed to be our absolute nailed on starter that was going to provide PL experience/dynamism and be 7/10 every week. It just hasn't happened and IMO has left us in a little bit of a hole. It's also not helpful that over half way through the season we seem to still be needing to manage Cajuste's fitness and he can't last much more than 70 minutes. I think we all love Morsy but it's not ideal he's still our most reliable, robust central midfield option. |
I'd be inclined to deploy KP on a much more regular basis and rotate Morsy and Cajuste around him. |  |
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| Midfield conundrum on 09:56 - Jan 20 with 1460 views | hype313 |
| Midfield conundrum on 09:41 - Jan 20 by _clive_baker_ |
The central midfield succession plan is quite a big one really, but I guess hard to do much about until we know what division we'll be in next season.
Morsy's been great for us but I think he's hit a ceiling. What's got us here won't get us there and all that. Plus he's 33, we really need to be looking at life beyond Morsy if we stay up, and perhaps 1 more season from him if we're relegated. Phillips will go back regardless, Taylor is a player I like but he's never been able to establish himself here so I think his days might be numbered. Relegation might offer a reprieve. Luongo is finished regardless of what happens, I wouldn't be surprised if he's played his last game in a Town shirt yesterday. Cajuste presumably stays if we stay up, goes back if we don't.
I think Premier League 25/26: Cajuste, Morsy (won't play) + 2 or 3 in.
Championship 25/26: Morsy, Taylor, + 2 in. Maybe Humphreys to come back in.
As for the rest of this season I would be tempted to just go with Cajuste & Phillips now and hope they can find a little something between them. I've been a huge Morsy fan but the speed of thought and execution just isn't there at this level IMO. Everything's a little ponderous and predictable and I think if Phillips & Cajuste can find some form its a partnership with a higher ceiling over the next 16 games or whatever it is. |
Agreed, not sure we can do to much this month, especially as it's one area that will need the biggest surgery in the summer.
I like pockets of what I've seen from Cajuste, but the last two games highlight why we need some athletism in that area, I'm not sure even if we stay up £12m on him would be money well spent, given he has similar issues with his knee to what Ledley King had, and it's only going to get worse if it is something that can't be solved by surgery.
Taylor is industrious and has a good engine, but this division demands so much more than that, the physicality has really opened my eyes up on how demanding that role is.
Morsy has been outstanding for us, just wish he was 26/27 not 33 going on 34. | |
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| Midfield conundrum on 10:21 - Jan 20 with 1355 views | Churchman |
| Midfield conundrum on 09:56 - Jan 20 by hype313 |
Agreed, not sure we can do to much this month, especially as it's one area that will need the biggest surgery in the summer.
I like pockets of what I've seen from Cajuste, but the last two games highlight why we need some athletism in that area, I'm not sure even if we stay up £12m on him would be money well spent, given he has similar issues with his knee to what Ledley King had, and it's only going to get worse if it is something that can't be solved by surgery.
Taylor is industrious and has a good engine, but this division demands so much more than that, the physicality has really opened my eyes up on how demanding that role is.
Morsy has been outstanding for us, just wish he was 26/27 not 33 going on 34. |
Agree. Cajuste does good things in games and running with the ball can look unplayable, but if his fitness has to be managed, then he’s not the long term answer. I wouldn’t sign him.
Phillips. Smashing footballer who I hoped would run the midfield. But for various reasons he hasn’t and given we are nearing the end of January I’m not convinced he’s going to. I’m usually wrong so hopefully he will be able to week in week out start playing to a level closer to his capabilities.
Sam? Fantastic player for us. Club legend. Done better at this level than I thought he would too. As a midfield terrier/water carrier fine, but he’s got nobody next to him now Luongo isn’t playing. His powers seem to be waning too, though against that lot yesterday it’s wrong to compare.
Taylor. I like him, but week in week out in the PL? No, can’t see it. Given where we are likely to be next season, like Sam I’d retain him. On that basis, now Bloomfield has moved on I’d bring Humphreys back for the rest of the season and play him. The midfield needs ‘legs’ and energy. What’s to lose?
Would I bring anyone in? No, not this window. Let the players we have play - unless there’s a young tyro out there that nobody’s spotted!
Just thoughts. [Post edited 20 Jan 10:22]
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| Midfield conundrum on 10:30 - Jan 20 with 1290 views | Trequartista |
I agree its turning out to be our weakest link. The attacking midfielders are starved of service.
I think Morsy started the season well but has declined, Cajuste is clearly premier league class but as of yet hasn't imposed himself on a game for long enough periods, and I don't think Phillips is any better than neat and tidy. Taylor is not suited to the pivot role and Luongo is only good enough to see games out with 15 mins left.
If we have one more player to come in, that's where we need to strengthen. No point spending all the money on Philogene if we can't get the ball to him. |  |
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| Midfield conundrum on 11:27 - Jan 20 with 1163 views | southnorfolkblue |
| Midfield conundrum on 10:21 - Jan 20 by Churchman |
Agree. Cajuste does good things in games and running with the ball can look unplayable, but if his fitness has to be managed, then he’s not the long term answer. I wouldn’t sign him.
Phillips. Smashing footballer who I hoped would run the midfield. But for various reasons he hasn’t and given we are nearing the end of January I’m not convinced he’s going to. I’m usually wrong so hopefully he will be able to week in week out start playing to a level closer to his capabilities.
Sam? Fantastic player for us. Club legend. Done better at this level than I thought he would too. As a midfield terrier/water carrier fine, but he’s got nobody next to him now Luongo isn’t playing. His powers seem to be waning too, though against that lot yesterday it’s wrong to compare.
Taylor. I like him, but week in week out in the PL? No, can’t see it. Given where we are likely to be next season, like Sam I’d retain him. On that basis, now Bloomfield has moved on I’d bring Humphreys back for the rest of the season and play him. The midfield needs ‘legs’ and energy. What’s to lose?
Would I bring anyone in? No, not this window. Let the players we have play - unless there’s a young tyro out there that nobody’s spotted!
Just thoughts. [Post edited 20 Jan 10:22]
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| Midfield conundrum on 11:39 - Jan 20 with 1090 views | Exiled2Surrey |
injured I think?
BTW, I thought Luongo did really nicely yesterday - admittedly it was when the heat had come out of the game, but I thought he really got stuck in - was quite nostalgic | | | |
| Midfield conundrum on 12:25 - Jan 20 with 1002 views | CBMTOBWMMBG |
| Midfield conundrum on 10:30 - Jan 20 by Trequartista |
I agree its turning out to be our weakest link. The attacking midfielders are starved of service.
I think Morsy started the season well but has declined, Cajuste is clearly premier league class but as of yet hasn't imposed himself on a game for long enough periods, and I don't think Phillips is any better than neat and tidy. Taylor is not suited to the pivot role and Luongo is only good enough to see games out with 15 mins left.
If we have one more player to come in, that's where we need to strengthen. No point spending all the money on Philogene if we can't get the ball to him. |
Morsy suddenly looks a little slow. He could be exhausted.
Phillips is my hope: if he is not properly fit again then he and Cajuste feels the likely pair, unless we buy.
But it is just a hope, as Phillips has not shown it yet. | | | |
| Midfield conundrum on 12:37 - Jan 20 with 931 views | ipswichtillidie |
| Midfield conundrum on 09:17 - Jan 20 by Kieran_Knows |
I think if we stay up, we will see 2 big signings in CM for next season. Morsy and Cajuste will stay, Phillips will go back to City, Luongo will be released and then I can see Taylor going as well. |
Would say this is about right tbh. Will be a key area in the summer if we avoid the drop. We have strengthened in every area already to just compete. If we stay up the next stage of building will commence. |  |
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| Midfield conundrum on 12:40 - Jan 20 with 909 views | Kieran_Knows |
| Midfield conundrum on 09:54 - Jan 20 by homer_123 |
I'd be inclined to deploy KP on a much more regular basis and rotate Morsy and Cajuste around him. |
On what basis though? I can only really remember the Leicester game (up until his sending off) where I thought he has really stood out.
He's of course had a couple of injuries & a suspension, but clearly not showing enough during the week for McKenna to drop a 33 year old instead of him.
It's a great shame, as I really thought he could've made the difference for us there in midfield this season ... here's hoping he has a good end to the season though, as we really do need him to step up now. | |
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| Midfield conundrum on 12:41 - Jan 20 with 902 views | Kieran_Knows |
| Midfield conundrum on 09:40 - Jan 20 by davblue |
whatever league we are in we will need 2-3 midfielders imo. |
You're right, we'll sign 2-3 regardless. My point was more if we was to stay up, I can see us spending a considerable amount of money to improve that area of the pitch. | |
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| Midfield conundrum on 12:46 - Jan 20 with 862 views | ipswichtillidie |
| Midfield conundrum on 12:40 - Jan 20 by Kieran_Knows |
On what basis though? I can only really remember the Leicester game (up until his sending off) where I thought he has really stood out.
He's of course had a couple of injuries & a suspension, but clearly not showing enough during the week for McKenna to drop a 33 year old instead of him.
It's a great shame, as I really thought he could've made the difference for us there in midfield this season ... here's hoping he has a good end to the season though, as we really do need him to step up now. |
Agree.. he hasn’t really done it has he. Morsy aside from yesterday has looked a better player imo. Morsy has the ability to step between the lines and progress us. KP simply as yet hasn’t looked like a top top player. | |
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