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McCarthy: Dozzell Might Be Better in Midfield Three
Thursday, 28th Jul 2016 06:00

Blues boss Mick McCarthy believes 17-year-old Andre Dozzell might be more effective playing in a central midfield three during the season ahead.

England U17 international, who has been among those catching the eye in pre-season, usually operates in the centre of midfield but in the last few friendlies has played the right-sided role in which Teddy Bishop has also been utilised this summer.

“I’ve just been having a discussion about the lack of wingers,” McCarthy said. “Sometimes you have to put someone in a position to have a look. I thought he was excellent at Cambridge.

“[The Charlton game] was maybe a bit tougher for him. I have to say we didn’t really give him the ball enough.

“At times he could have had it and they didn’t give it to him. He’s a lad who will create things and he’ll be in the squad this year.

“Protecting him? He might be better in a three. And we’ll have to play three sometimes because we don’t want to get done in midfield.

“We’ve got some good quality there. James Blanchfield is coming on, Bish is, without a doubt, the star man when he comes on, the best player on the park, without a doubt.”


Photo: Action Images



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corfu72 added 06:49 - Jul 28
The midfield options are now looking a great deal better.All we need now is a quality winger who can put a good ball into the box.
6

Dissboyitfc added 06:55 - Jul 28
And when the season starts it will be Skuse and douglas in central midfield.
12

mickeyjb added 06:55 - Jul 28
What's that saying about Sherlock??

Am I the only one thinking that this and all the stuff about Stewart is because he has failed to get in a true winger. I believe if we do then I'm sure Stewart won't play another game and the bish and Dozzell will only be playing midfield. It's almost like he knows we want to see them playing, so to deflect any cr@p about the lack of any signings he shoves our two most promising players on the wing!

Play them in their best position or don't play them, give them a chance to show their ability, not demoralize them by shoehorning them in somewhere !
-1

Dolly2.0 added 07:40 - Jul 28
Yeah Mick's going to feck things up on purpose just to spite us. Get a grip.
3

DanLyles added 07:48 - Jul 28
Regardless of our opinions Mick is likely to start the season with Bart in goal and his favourite back four (Chambers, Smith, Berra, Knudsen) but what would everybody choose as their preferred midfield and attack with our current squad? I was thinking 4-2-3-1 with Bru and Hyam, then Bishop, Didz and Sears as the three, with Murphy up top. If we need to change it then maybe McGoldrick up front and Dozzell in behind or on the right (with Bishop in behind). I just hope we don't see Skuse and Douglas together without a natural passer in the engine room like Bishop and Bru.
5

iaintaylorx added 08:36 - Jul 28
Exciting youngsters is really getting to me.

Three signings will do for me. RB, Lamah and an ST.
1

iaintaylorx added 08:37 - Jul 28
^^ don't need a striker if he plays Searsy up top though!
1

Len_Brennan added 08:42 - Jul 28
@DanLyes: I don't necessarily agree with you formation, although I'd like to see it for the sheer attacking potential, but I do agree with your overall point.
Webster's fitness, or lack thereof, gives Mick the excuse to start the same back 4 as last season. I think Knudsen will be better this season & Kenlock is really good back up, but right back is still a big problem. We all know about Chambo's weaknesses, but I don't feel Emmanuel is as good an option as Kenlock is on the other side either.
The main question though, irrespective of if or how many wingers are brought in, is what system we should be playing in midfield & up front. This is a question that troubled me this time last season too, even when 4 wide players were added. We rejoiced at having 4 top Championship strikers, one who had hit 27 goals, in partnerships initially with McGoldrick & this then really impressively alongside Sears. Pitman's quality as a finisher has never been in doubt. But perhaps, much like Mick's dilemma with his 3 centre halves, this embarrassment of riches proved to be more of a problem for him & he had to crowbar someone in to a position which is not their best in order to get them on the field.
What was needed was a manager making decisions & leaving Chambers or Didz or Pitman or Smith or whoever on the bench as appropriate & playing someone else in their true position, letting those legendary man management skills deal with the fallout. For me Sears & Murphy (if both are fit) is our strongest front line & one which is guaranteed to cause problems for defences. Behind that, the choice of width or a narrow 3, with Skuse in a holding role are the questions Mick should be asking himself, and certainly the side should be well rehearsed in how to change into s 4-3-3 when chasing a game, when it would be acceptable to play Sears out wide in that potent front 3. Also, if we do get in decent wingers & play a traditional 4-4-2,, please god have one creative (Bishop, Dozzell or Bru at least) alongside the holding/defensive Skuse or Hyam.
4

MattinLondon added 08:53 - Jul 28
You play your best players in their best positions. If he plays three in the middle then it should be bishop, Bru and dozzell. You don't need donkeys like Skuse
1

MattinLondon added 08:53 - Jul 28
You play your best players in their best positions. If he plays three in the middle then it should be bishop, Bru and dozzell. You don't need donkeys like Skuse
1

cats_whiskers added 09:43 - Jul 28
Hmmm... Skuse is a Donkey??
We all know McCarthy is "Mule Headed"
and that his reported quotes make him a complete Ass
3

afcfee added 10:24 - Jul 28
Bartos
Chambers Smith Berra Knudsen
Bishop Skuse Dozzel
Stewart Mcgoldrick Sears
2

ip5w1ch added 13:07 - Jul 28
Bart
Emmanuel chambo Berra smith kenlock
Dozzell skuse bishop
Sears Murphy
0

chripswich added 15:05 - Jul 28
"Bish is, without a doubt, the star man when he comes on, the best player on the park, without a doubt.”

every rule of team management/culture broken with that statement...the mind boggles. Can you imagine Raneiri saying something like that??!

Only reason i can see for such a crass message is that Evans has told him to get him in the January shop window...(probably an overly cynical suggestion but nothing would surprise me these days with that pair)
2

Seasider added 17:12 - Jul 28
Seaside blues,what about Cameron Stewart on the wing(left).He put some good balls into the box,including two pinpoint crosses to our Captain against Charlton but the donkey couldn't score.

Mick even mentioned CS in a complementary way,but of course had to qualify it by saying needs to produce for 90 mins.He made a joke however about Chambers two glaring misses.

This is one of the traits that annoys me with McCarthy who defo still has his favourites;otherwise why not put Bart at No1 instead of Gerken.There are several others who are were constantly in the team last season however they played.

He is at present praising Bishop effusively,and it makes me wonder what some of the other players think;but he will certainly make a difference to our style if he stays fit!

From what I have seen and heard in pre season,MM is certainly talking a more positive game,and on the pitch there is much less hoofing.I hope he persists this year,as I recall last year we started much better football wise;but Mick changed it back after the 5-1 thrashing at Reading.
0

tractorkent added 19:52 - Jul 28
We need to play a 1.4.4.2 with a central midfield playmaker and a central midfield ball winner ,not two ball winners or two workers.
0

phillo added 20:06 - Jul 28
The phrase "no sh*t Sherlock" comes to mind !!!!!
0

TomJamesLW added 21:13 - Jul 28
Then play a midfield three! It's worked well in recent years.
Something like
Bishop Skuse Dozzell
Sears McG Murphy
0

Warkys_Tash added 23:10 - Jul 28
Don't waste Bishop by putting him out wide, McCarthy.

Bishop should be first name on the team sheet in centre mid & then fit the other players around him. Dozzell should be used carefully but also in his best position, a talent in the making for sure.

Douglas on the other hand would be nowhere near my first choice starting eleven.
0


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