| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… 08:28 - Jan 26 with 1560 views | tractorboy1978 |
And yes we do need one. But a central midfielder is looking a more pressing need to me. I think we need to come to the conclusion now that Cajuste isn’t going to be match fit for 90 minutes this season and is going to miss games completely. Phillips seems equally unreliable. Morsy has adjusted fairly well but cannot be our main cog at this level. |  | | |  |
| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… on 08:40 - Jan 26 with 1512 views | ringwoodblue |
Why not use Taylor more? He has done well when he’s come on as a sub.
I don’t know why we are loaning players that we have to manage their minutes due to some ongoing injury issue. We need fit players who can play 90+ minutes and can’t keep relying on Morsy |  |
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| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… on 08:54 - Jan 26 with 1414 views | Blue_Heath |
| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… on 08:40 - Jan 26 by ringwoodblue |
Why not use Taylor more? He has done well when he’s come on as a sub.
I don’t know why we are loaning players that we have to manage their minutes due to some ongoing injury issue. We need fit players who can play 90+ minutes and can’t keep relying on Morsy |
The same Taylor who barely started a match in the Championship? | | | |
| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… on 08:55 - Jan 26 with 1411 views | fallyblue |
The reason our midfield is struggling is we only have two against most teams three | | | |
| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… on 09:06 - Jan 26 with 1363 views | algy |
| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… on 08:54 - Jan 26 by Blue_Heath |
The same Taylor who barely started a match in the Championship? |
That's because he doesn't pick the team, like most who hold the position of Manager, McK has his favourites. | |
| I was there when McKenna's ITFC won in the Premier League at Home. Our only home win in a year. |
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| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… on 09:33 - Jan 26 with 1279 views | southnorfolkblue |
| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… on 08:55 - Jan 26 by fallyblue |
The reason our midfield is struggling is we only have two against most teams three |
That's exactly the issue. | |
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| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… on 09:39 - Jan 26 with 1236 views | ITFCBlues |
| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… on 09:06 - Jan 26 by algy |
That's because he doesn't pick the team, like most who hold the position of Manager, McK has his favourites. |
And that's served us fairly well, I think you'd agree?
When Taylor has come on this season, it's been in a more advanced role. I don't think we've seen any evidence in his time here that he's capable of taking the ball from CBs, turning and getting us playing forward and it's fairly obvious KM also doesn't rate him in that role. |  |
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| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… on 09:42 - Jan 26 with 1195 views | algy |
| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… on 09:39 - Jan 26 by ITFCBlues |
And that's served us fairly well, I think you'd agree?
When Taylor has come on this season, it's been in a more advanced role. I don't think we've seen any evidence in his time here that he's capable of taking the ball from CBs, turning and getting us playing forward and it's fairly obvious KM also doesn't rate him in that role. |
Sometimes, but no manager is always right. | |
| I was there when McKenna's ITFC won in the Premier League at Home. Our only home win in a year. |
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| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… on 09:47 - Jan 26 with 1175 views | Dubtractor |
| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… on 09:39 - Jan 26 by ITFCBlues |
And that's served us fairly well, I think you'd agree?
When Taylor has come on this season, it's been in a more advanced role. I don't think we've seen any evidence in his time here that he's capable of taking the ball from CBs, turning and getting us playing forward and it's fairly obvious KM also doesn't rate him in that role. |
Well quite.
Taylor isn't a premier league level starter - not even close. He's a lovely passer of the ball, one of the best here, but he always takes 2 or 3 touches to get himself set, and that's the difference at this level. That slight delay means any opening is gone, and the opposition defence is set.
It's a similar problem that Morsy has, albeit he has other qualities that have carried him through, for now at least.
You see how teams as this level manage to sometimes pick a pass even when the ball is in an awkward position, and realise the level we need to get to. If we want to get through the first press AND then threaten the defence, then everything has to be one and two touch football, or about dribbling and committing players to create space. |  |
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| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… on 09:52 - Jan 26 with 1144 views | GlasgowBlue |
In what way is Phillips unreliable? He’s pretty much all over the place, threading passes through, making tackles on the edge of both boxes, whilst playing alongside a partner who lacks the required pace when up against elite Premier League teams.
Morsy adjusted well in the first few games of the season but has slowly deteriorated as the season has progressed. |  |
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| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… on 09:57 - Jan 26 with 1115 views | ITFCBlues |
| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… on 09:52 - Jan 26 by GlasgowBlue |
In what way is Phillips unreliable? He’s pretty much all over the place, threading passes through, making tackles on the edge of both boxes, whilst playing alongside a partner who lacks the required pace when up against elite Premier League teams.
Morsy adjusted well in the first few games of the season but has slowly deteriorated as the season has progressed. |
Pretty much sums it up well. Phillips has been fine, he just needs a capable partner to play alongside of him.
As much as I live Morsy, it's clear we need better in that area. Another player with legs who's comfortable on the ball. I'd be shocked if KM doesn't also agree, but it's about if we have enough funds to be able to do much further business. | |
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| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… on 10:06 - Jan 26 with 1079 views | Herbivore |
Think it's fair to say our summer midfield signings haven't fully worked out as we hoped. Both Cajuste and Phillips have shown quality at times, more consistently in Cajuste's case, imo, neither have really been able to show their best consistently over a run of games. Phillips has had injury issues and every time he's looked like he might start to get going, it just doesn't happen. Cajuste is clearly not fully fit and hasn't been for much of the season.
Morsy has been fantastic for us and he still plays an important role but his lack of pace and him not being able to move the ball as quickly as needed at times are both issues for us. Realistically, he's not quite up to the Prem but we've needed him to be because nobody else has stepped up.
I'd not be against bringing in another CM to give us a bit more in that area of the pitch, it's one where we're lacking. Right side isn't looking ideal now either with Burns and Ogbene unlikely to feature again this season, we're lacking the direct, pacy winger or wing back that we like to have on that side. I also worry that we've already made a lot of signings and bringing in too many more will leave us very disjointed at a time when we really need to be hitting our stride. Feels like a season where not a lot is going our way at the moment. |  |
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| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… on 10:21 - Jan 26 with 1014 views | NthQldITFC |
| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… on 08:55 - Jan 26 by fallyblue |
The reason our midfield is struggling is we only have two against most teams three |
In some games, yes, not all, but I agree that we need a format with three midfielders in for probably a third of the games we play. Would free up Davis a little too, so we wouldn't need to be a conventional Christmas tree. |  |
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| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… on 11:17 - Jan 26 with 939 views | Pinewoodblue |
| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… on 09:52 - Jan 26 by GlasgowBlue |
In what way is Phillips unreliable? He’s pretty much all over the place, threading passes through, making tackles on the edge of both boxes, whilst playing alongside a partner who lacks the required pace when up against elite Premier League teams.
Morsy adjusted well in the first few games of the season but has slowly deteriorated as the season has progressed. |
Only a small thing but what impressed me yesterday about Philips was him letting Enciso take that corner that lead to the goal.
He was clearly going to take it but stood aside for his team mate, putting the team first. |  |
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| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… on 12:10 - Jan 26 with 878 views | tractorboy1978 |
| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… on 09:52 - Jan 26 by GlasgowBlue |
In what way is Phillips unreliable? He’s pretty much all over the place, threading passes through, making tackles on the edge of both boxes, whilst playing alongside a partner who lacks the required pace when up against elite Premier League teams.
Morsy adjusted well in the first few games of the season but has slowly deteriorated as the season has progressed. |
Unreliable in the sense we still seem to be managing his game time. Hopefully we are over the hump with him now and he’s in a place where he can play every game for 90 minutes, because that is where he needs to be at. | | | |
| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… on 12:15 - Jan 26 with 860 views | victorysquad |
100% agree, we somehow need to plug a Baleba out the air, but we need to do something, our midfield is not strong enough and Philips is not cutting it. | |
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| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… on 12:21 - Jan 26 with 828 views | MK1 |
| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… on 09:33 - Jan 26 by southnorfolkblue |
That's exactly the issue. |
Been saying it since game one. 4-3-3 is my formation of choice. |  |
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| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… on 12:24 - Jan 26 with 799 views | victorysquad |
| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… on 12:10 - Jan 26 by tractorboy1978 |
Unreliable in the sense we still seem to be managing his game time. Hopefully we are over the hump with him now and he’s in a place where he can play every game for 90 minutes, because that is where he needs to be at. |
I don’t see what you are seeing. I think he lost his man for the 1st goal yesterday and
He seems slow and lethargic to me | |
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| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… on 12:27 - Jan 26 with 774 views | MK1 |
| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… on 12:24 - Jan 26 by victorysquad |
I don’t see what you are seeing. I think he lost his man for the 1st goal yesterday and
He seems slow and lethargic to me |
We were playing one of the best teams in Europe at this present time. Harsh to judge any of our players over the last 2 games. | |
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| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… on 12:28 - Jan 26 with 764 views | pointofblue |
| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… on 12:21 - Jan 26 by MK1 |
Been saying it since game one. 4-3-3 is my formation of choice. |
Enciso can apparently play on the left wing, so it's possible. The question is who would we play as the third midfielder. If we add Phillips - assuming Cajuste will return next week - who will connect the front to the back? If we add Taylor, will we still be too open?
Muric
Tuanzebe - O'Shea - Greaves - Davis
Cajuste - Morsy - Taylor
Philogene - Delap - Enciso
For Southampton I guess. For teams higher up the table go with Phillips. Would be very unfortunate for Broadhead, though. | |
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| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… on 12:28 - Jan 26 with 764 views | FromReuserWithLove |
| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… on 09:33 - Jan 26 by southnorfolkblue |
That's exactly the issue. |
............................Muric
Axel...........O'Shea......Jimmy........Leif
.........................Morsy
............ Phillips..........Cajuste
....Enciso...............................Jaden
.......................Delapo
Would this feel more secure? Not gonna happen of-course but could help tighten things up and leave Morsy to collect from keeper/defence and play short. |  | | |
| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… on 12:34 - Jan 26 with 750 views | MK1 |
| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… on 12:28 - Jan 26 by pointofblue |
Enciso can apparently play on the left wing, so it's possible. The question is who would we play as the third midfielder. If we add Phillips - assuming Cajuste will return next week - who will connect the front to the back? If we add Taylor, will we still be too open?
Muric
Tuanzebe - O'Shea - Greaves - Davis
Cajuste - Morsy - Taylor
Philogene - Delap - Enciso
For Southampton I guess. For teams higher up the table go with Phillips. Would be very unfortunate for Broadhead, though. |
I would play Cajuste just in front of Morsy and Phillips and Enciso just in front of him. more of a 4-2-1-1-2 when we have the ball. This would link the defence to midfield and midfield to attack. Enciso with more of a free role when we have the ball. I think he looked quality when he came on and he could really make us tick. | |
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| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… on 12:43 - Jan 26 with 736 views | NthQldITFC |
| A lot of focus on the need for a number 9… on 12:21 - Jan 26 by MK1 |
Been saying it since game one. 4-3-3 is my formation of choice. |
Yes, a deep 4-3-3 / 4-5-1 for some games ought to be a string we have for our bow. | |
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