2025/26 Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

[pfim]

Yes he is a number 8. This season I still think he has been one of our better players. The number 10 spot is made easier when you have players ahead of you that can make runs and space. Statues are not condusive for a number 10

If those guys are statues, it shouldn’t be difficult getting closer to them.

He isn’t a 10, I don’t think he’s good enough to supplant Garner or Gana, certainly not in this formation

 

[johnjoeefc]

I think it just goes to show doesnt it. In the premier league you need more than just technique (albeit ive not seen to much of that from him so far). But someone like Doucoure offers just as much to the team (if not more) just by having all the right physical attributes and very limited technical ability.

 

[DualityNSNO]

He's not a 10 and to keep playing him there is mad.

Starts there next game too anyway.

 

[brettangellnightporter]

Who is giving us our money back in Jan?

Need to quickly move him (and others) on and invest in quality.

Eat yourself

 

[the golden visionary]

I thought he started well but when the game changed and gana an garner dropped back he became very isolated

 

[roy vernon]

He'll never be a number 10 while he's got a hole in his backside

 

[SJB]

He'll never be a number 10 while he's got a hole in his backside

Are you suggesting it should be sewn up?

 

[Axlswhk]

th

He's one of our main problems at the moment, but not because he's not good

He's just not a 10, and that's what he's being forced to play

Ideally he's in a midfield two. But who do you drop? Garner has been very good this season in my opinion. Gana, while not as great as last year, is still doing what he does. The problem could be solved by playing Jack or Ndiaye through the middle with Dibling on the right (if he was ready). That would be our ideal formation given the current crop of players we have. I'd bring Alcaraz on as a sub anywhere in the front 4 to just wreck shop up there, he's a total wildcard in the best possible way off the bench

This is the best option. Grealish must move to the middle if we need to find balance. Plenty of benefits.

 

[Eggs]

He's not a 10 and to keep playing him there is mad.

Starts there next game too anyway.

….i don’t really get this because from what I see he’s not playing as a conventional no10 or 2nd striker. Similar to Doucoure, he’s getting behind the ball when the opposition has possession. He’s clearly a better footballer than Doucoure, Moyes has said he wanted better quality in top third.

I’ve never been a fan of KDH, you will see in the transfer thread that I wasn’t keen on acquiring him but I understand why he starts. Problem is, we had no measure of control in midfield after 30mins last night, so it’s not particularly working.

 

[DualityNSNO]

….i don’t really get this because from what I see he’s not playing as a conventional no10 or 2nd striker. Similar to Doucoure, he’s getting behind the ball when the opposition has possession. He’s clearly a better footballer than Doucoure, Moyes has said he wanted better quality in top third.

I’ve never been a fan of KDH, you will see in the transfer thread that I wasn’t keen on acquiring him but I understand why he starts. Problem is, we had no measure of control in midfield after 30mins last night, so it’s not particularly working.

I don't get putting him in that limited Doucoure "shadow chasing" role either - the only times he's looked okay lately is when he drops a bit deeper for a few minutes and can play with the ball, otherwise he's useless.

I'm not his biggest fan either but even in the friendlies, as soon as he came in, you could tell he wants the ball at his feet, to connect/pass during moves. We've completely removed that because reasons and now he's stuck hidden away, and he's very obviously not that type of player.

 

[Eggs]

I don't get putting him in that limited Doucoure "shadow chasing" role either - the only times he's looked okay lately is when he drops a bit deeper for a few minutes and can play with the ball, otherwise he's useless.

I'm not his biggest fan either but even in the friendlies, as soon as he came in, you could tell he wants the ball at his feet, to connect/pass during moves. We've completely removed that because reasons and now he's stuck hidden away, and he's very obviously not that type of player.

….and I suppose the question is, who can do that job better than KDH?

You’d certainly not think Alcaraz can given his shortcomings out of possession. A more dynamic CM pairing might allow Alcaraz a bit of freedom to given a free hand but I don’t see that in the squad at the moment (unless Harrison could make a big difference).

The unknown quantity is Rohl but he was left on the bench last night, Moyes thinking Alcaraz and Iroegbunam were better options for him.

I did think we did ok to a point against Spurs but we were very poor in that 2nd half last night (with and without the substitutions). Big test at the weekend, clearly a winnable game but I’ve seen Fulham a few times this season and they’ve been better than their results show. Playing at our place, I always think we suit their system.

 

[Axlswhk]

….and I suppose the question is, who can do that job better than KDH?

You’d certainly not think Alcaraz can given his shortcomings out of possession. A more dynamic CM pairing might allow Alcaraz a bit of freedom to given a free hand but I don’t see that in the squad at the moment (unless Harrison could make a big difference).

The unknown quantity is Rohl but he was left on the bench last night, Moyes thinking Alcaraz and Iroegbunam were better options for him.

I did think we did ok to a point against Spurs but we were very poor in that 2nd half last night (with and without the substitutions). Big test at the weekend, clearly a winnable game but I’ve seen Fulham a few times this season and they’ve been better than their results show. Playing at our place, I always think we suit their system.

Grealish.

 

[Eggs]

Grealish.

….not sure about taking him from a position he’s clearly smart in and about him effectively working behind the ball. I think we’re potent in wide positions, not sure we should jeopardise that strength.

 

[pfim]

….i don’t really get this because from what I see he’s not playing as a conventional no10 or 2nd striker. Similar to Doucoure, he’s getting behind the ball when the opposition has possession. He’s clearly a better footballer than Doucoure, Moyes has said he wanted better quality in top third.

I’ve never been a fan of KDH, you will see in the transfer thread that I wasn’t keen on acquiring him but I understand why he starts. Problem is, we had no measure of control in midfield after 30mins last night, so it’s not particularly working.

Doucoure got in the opponents box to finish plays, at least on occasion. That's one thing we're lacking from that position, Ndiaye has come in from the right to finish a few plays but that's a big ask.

I'd put Ndiaye in that role, honestly. I get what you're saying about the defensive shape, but at some point we need to attack. I keep saying this, but we had one goal ATTEMPT between the 28th minute and Mykolenko's shot in the 80+. One attempt, not one shot on goal, just one attempt to shoot. We need someone closer to the strikers (as they're not changing in the next two months, at least) and someone to arrive in the box to finish plays.

 

[Eggs]

Doucoure got in the opponents box to finish plays, at least on occasion. That's one thing we're lacking from that position, Ndiaye has come in from the right to finish a few plays but that's a big ask.

I'd put Ndiaye in that role, honestly. I get what you're saying about the defensive shape, but at some point we need to attack. I keep saying this, but we had one goal ATTEMPT between the 28th minute and Mykolenko's shot in the 80+. One attempt, not one shot on goal, just one attempt to shoot. We need someone closer to the strikers (as they're not changing in the next two months, at least) and someone to arrive in the box to finish plays.

….didn’t Ndiaye start at no10 against Palace (not sure)? I think when he’s been tried there he’s nowhere near as effective. Personally, I’m reluctant to move a player at the top of his game in a position where he excels (for club and country) and scores goals.

Good point about Doucoure getting in goalscoring positions. Not seeing that with KDH, but he’s definitely got more quality on the ball and does get behind the opposition (one terrific cross from the bye-line last night when Ndiaye fell on his backside and still headed the ball).