2025/26 Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

[ValBlue]

Thats fine, you're allowed an opinion. Dewsbury- Hall is a much better player than Alacraz in any position at the moment In my opinion.

Dewsbury Hall is a much better player when he plays as a number 8.

I’d honestly take Alcaraz in the number 10 position over any of our players because he’s by far the most aggressive attacking option we have through the middle. Sometimes you just need someone to barrel their way through and shoot. Not just us, but loads of teams are guilty of being a bit too cute in and around the box - having a guy that’ll just force something every now and again isn’t a bad thing occasionally, for every shot hit into row z, one will be on target. I keep thinking to the immediate impact he had in the 10 against Palace when we were so passive without him.

KDH in the 8 and Alcaraz at the 10 is the best combo for both players. It allows KDH to dictate the play from all over the pitch and lets Alcaraz take more risks further up the pitch to make things happen in transition.

KDH and Gueye feels like the best balanced midfield pairing we have imo (KDH is fast becoming a favourite of mine, he’s class)

 

[james2805]

Dewsbury Hall is a much better player when he plays as a number 8.

I’d honestly take Alcaraz in the number 10 position over any of our players because he’s by far the most aggressive attacking option we have through the middle. Sometimes you just need someone to barrel their way through and shoot. Not just us, but loads of teams are guilty of being a bit too cute in and around the box - having a guy that’ll just force something every now and again isn’t a bad thing occasionally, for every shot hit into row z, one will be on target. I keep thinking to the immediate impact he had in the 10 against Palace when we were so passive without him.

KDH in the 8 and Alcaraz at the 10 is the best combo for both players. It allows KDH to dictate the play from all over the pitch and lets Alcaraz take more risks further up the pitch to make things happen in transition.

KDH and Gueye feels like the best balanced midfield pairing we have imo (KDH is fast becoming a favourite of mine, he’s class)

KDH really has been a cracking signing so far

 

[windymiller]

@Zatara

What am I watching?!

 

[Osamabindiesel]

Thats fine, you're allowed an opinion. Dewsbury- Hall is a much better player than Alacraz in any position at the moment In my opinion.

Pidgeonholing a player into a position without the pieces around them to make them effective in said position doesn't win you games though. Alcaraz has played a big part in us winning two games because of his directness. We run into the Silva dilemma with KDH because he is not a primary creator and the play stops at the 18 with him. Pointless possession does not win you games.

 

[yakublue]

Pidgeonholing a player into a position without the pieces around them to make them effective in said position doesn't win you games though. Alcaraz has played a big part in us winning two games because of his directness. We run into the Silva dilemma with KDH because he is not a primary creator and the play stops at the 18 with him. Pointless possession does not win you games.

Do you really need him to be a "primary creator" if we have Ndiaye and Grealish on the flanks? I'd argue that KDH being able to move the ball quickly, retain possession and press is what we need from him. By contrast, Alcaraz's problem is that he gives the ball a way a lot and is probably better off as an impact substitute for that reason.

KDH has also got 3 goals and 2 assists this season so isn't exactly doing terribly from an attacking perspective.

 

[TheBigIguana]

Do you really need him to be a "primary creator" if we have Ndiaye and Grealish on the flanks? I'd argue that KDH being able to move the ball quickly, retain possession and press is what we need from him. By contrast, Alcaraz's problem is that he gives the ball a way a lot and is probably better off as an impact substitute for that reason.

KDH has also got 3 goals and 2 assists this season so isn't exactly doing terribly from an attacking perspective.

Yes, in this system that position must have an impact in the final third.

 

[yakublue]

Yes, in this system that position must have an impact in the final third.

Evidently he does have an impact in the final third

 

[Furey1878]

So you'd have him as a 10 where hes been ineffective stats wise compared to when Alcaraz has been used there...

...rather than an 8 where hes been motm or 2nd best on the pitch every game.

As you say, you're allowed an opinion.

In a game in which we might see a bit more of the ball, I'd play Alcaraz as a 10 with Dewsbury-Hall deeper. Alcaraz drives with the ball much better and gets us up the pitch.

In games in which we are playing better opposition and might need to pack it in more, I'd have Dewsbury-Hall as the 10 with Alcaraz on the bench. Dewsbury-Hall presses from the front very well and is better at looking after the ball when we have it.

 

[micknick]

So you'd have him as a 10 where hes been ineffective stats wise compared to when Alcaraz has been used there...

...rather than an 8 where hes been motm or 2nd best on the pitch every game.

As you say, you're allowed an opinion.

If it’s a question of KDH in the 10 or not playing I’d have him playing over Alcaraz yes

 

[Eggs]

Dewsbury Hall is a much better player when he plays as a number 8.

I’d honestly take Alcaraz in the number 10 position over any of our players because he’s by far the most aggressive attacking option we have through the middle. Sometimes you just need someone to barrel their way through and shoot. Not just us, but loads of teams are guilty of being a bit too cute in and around the box - having a guy that’ll just force something every now and again isn’t a bad thing occasionally, for every shot hit into row z, one will be on target. I keep thinking to the immediate impact he had in the 10 against Palace when we were so passive without him.

KDH in the 8 and Alcaraz at the 10 is the best combo for both players. It allows KDH to dictate the play from all over the pitch and lets Alcaraz take more risks further up the pitch to make things happen in transition.

KDH and Gueye feels like the best balanced midfield pairing we have imo (KDH is fast becoming a favourite of mine, he’s class)

….KDH has been terrific wherever he’s played. Indeed, his link with Grealish in top third is key to some of our better forward play.

 

[Groucho]

….KDH has been terrific wherever he’s played. Indeed, his link with Grealish in top third is key to some of our better forward play.

He’s been decent aye

 

[Swartzy]

Yes, in this system that position must have an impact in the final third.

A no8 is CM with all the strings to their bow. KDH has that. he can defend, he's composed, he can comfortably press forward with the ball, he see a pass, knows what's going on around before receiving the ball. Shoot and assist.

The lad has an all round game and thats what you look for in a no8

 

[TheBigIguana]

A no8 is CM with all the strings to their bow. KDH has that. he can defend, he's composed, he can comfortably press forward with the ball, he see a pass, knows what's going on around before receiving the ball. Shoot and assist.

The lad has an all round game and thats what you look for in a no8

Maybe I can’t read, I’m not going to check, but I was responding to that post like he was being talked about as a #10 again.

 

[Kevsleftpeg]

He can play as a 10 no matter what all the virgins say. He is a powerful runner with the ball from deep though on the break though which he can do more or if played deeper.

 

[Osamabindiesel]

Do you really need him to be a "primary creator" if we have Ndiaye and Grealish on the flanks? I'd argue that KDH being able to move the ball quickly, retain possession and press is what we need from him. By contrast, Alcaraz's problem is that he gives the ball a way a lot and is probably better off as an impact substitute for that reason.

KDH has also got 3 goals and 2 assists this season so isn't exactly doing terribly from an attacking perspective.

I would bet the house if we had shifted Garner to RB with Gana and KDH in the middle with a confident Charly that Moyes never dropped from the start, we would be higher up the table. When the play stops, Grealish and Ndiaye are much less effective. And imo Ndiaye is more of a goalscorer than a creator (though he seems to have worked on that part of his game). Get some fullbacks in then we can revisit this conversation. I would wager that would help things a lot for KDH. Our best shot is counter attacking atm.