Central Midfield

[Zatara]

I was thinking about the reference to "hunting in packs" or in other words "working as a pair to close opposition players with the ball down"...

Then pass the ball out wide....granted Steven/Sheedy were also different to Limpar/Kanchelskis but the plan was similar.

I'm not so sure about that top post there. Although Joe Parkinson was a good player, shame he had knees made from spit and blu-tak.

And please don't do the swearing folks.

 

[Groucho]

I was thinking about the reference to "hunting in packs" or in other words "working as a pair to close opposition players with the ball down"...

Then pass the ball out wide....granted Steven/Sheedy were also different to Limpar/Kanchelskis but the plan was similar.

Kanchelskis is one of the few players that would've walked into the '85 side.

 

[Zatara]

For me, the last 4 games have shown we need a new centre midfielder.

Although Barry is having a good season and his "underrated" contribution is now being noted, for me he doesnt bring enough to the team compared to say McCarthy.

I think Barkley HAS to be attacking midfield (unless Martinez is playing him deeper to improve his defensive game in a similar way to what he did with lukaku last season???

McCarthy can play box to box but his greatest asset is the defensive side to his game so i would have him in Defensive midfield.

The remaining central midfield position goes to either Barry / Cleverley. Whilst both are good players, they arent of the same level (in my opinion) as Barkley or McCarthy...neither are Osman or Gibson.

I think this needs to be addressed. We need a leader there...

 

[Stephenlloyd]

For me, the last 4 games have shown we need a new centre midfielder.

Although Barry is having a good season and his "underrated" contribution is now being noted, for me he doesnt bring enough to the team compared to say McCarthy.

I think Barkley HAS to be attacking midfield (unless Martinez is playing him deeper to improve his defensive game in a similar way to what he did with lukaku last season???

McCarthy can play box to box but his greatest asset is the defensive side to his game so i would have him in Defensive midfield.

The remaining central midfield position goes to either Barry / Cleverley. Whilst both are good players, they arent of the same level (in my opinion) as Barkley or McCarthy...neither are Osman or Gibson.

I think this needs to be addressed. We need a leader there...

I think your over rating McCarthy
Offers nothing going forward
Been a reg in the prem for 5/6 yrs
And gets 1 to 2 goals a season and not many assists
He should play siting infront of the back four or he shouldn't be in the team
When there was rumours in the summer about Spurs I would have sold him in a heartbeat for 25mil

 

[blue61]

For me, the last 4 games have shown we need a new centre midfielder.

Although Barry is having a good season and his "underrated" contribution is now being noted, for me he doesnt bring enough to the team compared to say McCarthy.

I think Barkley HAS to be attacking midfield (unless Martinez is playing him deeper to improve his defensive game in a similar way to what he did with lukaku last season???

McCarthy can play box to box but his greatest asset is the defensive side to his game so i would have him in Defensive midfield.

The remaining central midfield position goes to either Barry / Cleverley. Whilst both are good players, they arent of the same level (in my opinion) as Barkley or McCarthy...neither are Osman or Gibson.

I think this needs to be addressed. We need a leader there...

It's not necessarily just in midfield we need a leader, we lack one generally. We have several players who lead by example such as Baines, Barry and Jags. What we don't have is a leader who knits it all together by urging his team mates on, picking them up when they need it, being the focal point of our drive. Not many teams have such a player which is why many of the 'top' teams currently have a weak underbelly. If only we could find an experienced winner with a passion for the club to help this side become a team. Answers on a postcard.

 

[jazzy]

Kanchelskis is one of the few players that would've walked into the '85 side.

Completely disagree and was having this discussion with my mate at the ground.

Trevor Steven gave us so much balance , particularly as we played 2 centre forwards.

Kanch was magnificent but essentially an attacker who played on the right.

In recent times the only players who could improve the 85 team are Stones and Baines.

Lukaku would make the bench

 

[Groucho]

Completely disagree and was having this discussion with my mate at the ground.

Trevor Steven gave us so much balance , particularly as we played 2 centre forwards.

Kanch was magnificent but essentially an attacker who played on the right.

In recent times the only players who could improve the 85 team are Stones and Baines.

Lukaku would make the bench

Ok but surely he'd have been in the squad at least.

 

[Zatara]

For me, an on form McCarthy in Defensive midfield is up there amongst the best in the league. No need for him to create or score goals...just sit in front of the defence.

I think alot of people are (rightly) praising Barrys performances this season but i think if McCarthy was in his position and a new midfielder was brought in we would look far better.

I think McCarthy would come into his own.

I think your over rating McCarthy
Offers nothing going forward
Been a reg in the prem for 5/6 yrs
And gets 1 to 2 goals a season and not many assists
He should play siting infront of the back four or he shouldn't be in the team
When there was rumours in the summer about Spurs I would have sold him in a heartbeat for 25mil

 

[Zatara]

I think we need one in centre midfield, for me we really lack a leader in there and a top player as well to add to McCarthy and Barkley.

A playmaker would do this for us as players would respect his ability....at the same time a box to box player with immense drive would also do this for us.

I think depending on how Martinez sees the team going forward he needs to find one...

Im not keen on an older head being in there either, someone whose seen and done it all may not have the same drive to win as someone given the opportunity to step up a level and dominate.

I keep harping on about Carvalho and Silva being two such players BUT i am sure that there are plenty more out there...look at Neves now in Portugal as team captain and still a kid...we need to find a Roy Keane from a lower division or a Vieira from a foreign sides B team or even go for someone at big money who wants to make a name for themselves.

It's not necessarily just in midfield we need a leader, we lack one generally. We have several players who lead by example such as Baines, Barry and Jags. What we don't have is a leader who knits it all together by urging his team mates on, picking them up when they need it, being the focal point of our drive. Not many teams have such a player which is why many of the 'top' teams currently have a weak underbelly. If only we could find an experienced winner with a passion for the club to help this side become a team. Answers on a postcard.

 

[blue61]

I think we need one in centre midfield, for me we really lack a leader in there and a top player as well to add to McCarthy and Barkley.

A playmaker would do this for us as players would respect his ability....at the same time a box to box player with immense drive would also do this for us.

I think depending on how Martinez sees the team going forward he needs to find one...

Im not keen on an older head being in there either, someone whose seen and done it all may not have the same drive to win as someone given the opportunity to step up a level and dominate.

I keep harping on about Carvalho and Silva being two such players BUT i am sure that there are plenty more out there...look at Neves now in Portugal as team captain and still a kid...we need to find a Roy Keane from a lower division or a Vieira from a foreign sides B team or even go for someone at big money who wants to make a name for themselves.

Don't disagree about the Roy Keane bit, unfortunately players like him don't grow on trees. Here's hoping.

 

[Stephenlloyd]

I think we need one in centre midfield, for me we really lack a leader in there and a top player as well to add to McCarthy and Barkley.

A playmaker would do this for us as players would respect his ability....at the same time a box to box player with immense drive would also do this for us.

I think depending on how Martinez sees the team going forward he needs to find one...

Im not keen on an older head being in there either, someone whose seen and done it all may not have the same drive to win as someone given the opportunity to step up a level and dominate.

I keep harping on about Carvalho and Silva being two such players BUT i am sure that there are plenty more out there...look at Neves now in Portugal as team captain and still a kid...we need to find a Roy Keane from a lower division or a Vieira from a foreign sides B team or even go for someone at big money who wants to make a name for themselves.

We have some great young midfielders coming through
I know they are 17/18 so still a couple of years off
But I can't see Martinez spending big in midfield at the moment
Maybe a no 10
And push Ross back next season

 

[Zatara]

I dont think theres any in England at the moment that stand out...

Also, @Stephenlloyd it could be that Barkley is being shifted back to add to his development in a similar way to Lukaku last season.

In that case to copy Liverpool a bit, Martinez may see Barkley as our Gerrard, McCarthy as our Mascherano and may sign an Alonso type to knit it all together....

Don't disagree about the Roy Keane bit, unfortunately players like him don't grow on trees. Here's hoping.

 

[andrex1965]

Youri Tielemans (from Anderlecht, former club of Lukaku and Kompany) is a very good number 8. Young, a lot of potential. Expensive (around 20/25M£...) PSG, ManU, City, Dortmund, Atletico, etc, follow him. If Barkley leaves, a good choice.

Leander Dedoncker will be nice too. Defensive midfield or central defense. Affordable.

 

[Stephenlloyd]

I dont think theres any in England at the moment that stand out...

Also, @Stephenlloyd it could be that Barkley is being shifted back to add to his development in a similar way to Lukaku last season.

In that case to copy Liverpool a bit, Martinez may see Barkley as our Gerrard, McCarthy as our Mascherano and may sign an Alonso type to knit it all together....

I think he's a no 8 long term it's just finding the right partner and ballance

 

[Zatara]

Tielemans wouldnt replace Barkley.

If anything, he would compliment Barkley from the deep lying playmaker position.

Youri Tielemans (from Anderlecht, former club of Lukaku and Kompany) is a very good number 8. Young, a lot of potential. Expensive (around 20/25M£...) PSG, ManU, City, Dortmund, Atletico, etc, follow him. If Barkley leaves, a good choice.

Leander Dedoncker will be nice too. Defensive midfield or central defense. Affordable.