Central Midfield

[Carlito]

There weren't many gettable players that I thought Everton missed out on in the summer, but Seri was one of them. He looks an excellent footballer (lovely assist for Schurrle's goal last week, in addition to his Goal of the Month strike), and I still can't believe that he ended up at Fulham.

Moyes undid a lot of his own good work by hitting the panic button and packing the middle of the park with defenders when things got tough, and we've continued in much the same vein ever since, with Martinez, Koeman and Allardyce all preferring a safety first double-crab pairing. It looks solid on paper, but in reality it just heaps more pressure on what is effectively a back-six struggling to bypass the opposition press.

Until the club starts holding players to higher technical standards, and stops tolerating middle of the road cloggers in key areas of the pitch, we'll continue to watch them labour against anyone who denies space in behind for Walcott and Richarlison to run into. I'm hoping that Bernard will be the player to finally replace Pienaar in the final third - ideally at the expense of Sigurdsson - but even if that turns out to be the case, there will still be limits on what can be achieved for as long as Schneiderlin and Gana remain first choice.

I think Pereira at Man United could be one to keep an eye on. He looks very tidy, and is far too young for Mourinho's liking.

 

[Tree13]

Every so often I re-watch the old footage of Manny Fernandes during his brief stint with us. We need a midfielder like that: someone who can do a bit of everything.

We haven't had a properly good box to box midfielder since Fellaini left. Barry was a very good DM but lacked pace and couldn't beat a man; Schneiderlin should have been the guy but clearly has zero interest in playing; Gana shows signs every so often but is never going to get you 8 goals a season.

I had an old version of Championship Manager were I had a starting midfield pair of Owen Hargreaves and Manny Fernandes... won bloody everything.

 

[Brisan123]

I'm lucky; I've seen Alan Ball, Colin Harvey, Howad Kendall, Peter Reid and Paul Bracewell.

Over the years we've been crying our for a player like Bernard. I just hope he can deliver. Ideal for games in which we have control of the ball like yesterday.

Hopefull it’s Bernard as a 10 Gomes as a deep lying ball carrying midfielder and Gana / Schnederlin as a 6
A good defensive midfielder like Fernandinho or to a lesser extent Dier allows the other 2 midfielders to do their jobs
City and to a lesser event have the right balance and that’s what we need to find
We need to find a proper No6 to allow Bernard (no10) and Gomes to do their jobs properly
Schnederlin has been tasked with this job so far but I’m not sure he’s up to it

 

[Brisan123]

You play a system around the players you have.

Exactly
Imagine playing 3 at the back with Holgate Keane and Jagelkia
If you haven’t got the players to fit your system you find a system to fit your players
Hopefull when all the new signings are up to speed and fitness we will be able to play Silva’s preferred 4/3/3

 

[Barnfred 55]

Hopefull it’s Bernard as a 10 Gomes as a deep lying ball carrying midfielder and Gana / Schnederlin as a 6
A good defensive midfielder like Fernandinho or to a lesser extent Dier allows the other 2 midfielders to do their jobs
City and to a lesser event have the right balance and that’s what we need to find
We need to find a proper No6 to allow Bernard (no10) and Gomes to do their jobs properly
Schnederlin has been tasked with this job so far but I’m not sure he’s up to it

Probably put that post re Bernard in the wrong thread as he isn't a CM as such. More a number 10/forward wide player.

 

[Azza]

Morgan Schneiderlin...


One of the worst midfielders we've ever had surely... Yet he starts every time he's available.

Even after he got himself sent off against Lyon.



Mind boggling.

 

[Brisan123]

Probably put that post re Bernard in the wrong thread as he isn't a CM as such. More a number 10/forward wide player.

I always thought a No 10 played in CM
Ie in the centre between the defence and the CF

 

[Nymzee]

I always thought a No 10 played in CM
Ie in the centre between the defence and the CF

That's an 8

GK - Defence - 6 - 8 - 10 - Strikers

 

[Barnfred 55]

I always thought a No 10 played in CM
Ie in the centre between the defence and the CF

A number 10 traditionally would play in the hole behind the forward in an old fashioned 442.The CMs in that line up would be the two in the middle of the 4. In the modern 4231, the middle of the 3 could be deemed the number 10. Again, the CMs would be the 2 playing behind. In a 433 there isn't really a true no 10 as if there was it would actually be a 4231, although one, or even two of the CMs may play a bit further forward than the others. Then there's the diamond system which is a different take on a 442, but with the number 10 playing behind 2 strikers rather than 1.

Sorry that came across a bit Mike Bassettlol

 

[LEONARD]

Yaya Toure is finished.

And yet, he would probably be more effective, and look like grabbing a goal, than any of our current midfielders.

 

[4737carlin]

Morgan Schneiderlin...

One of the worst midfielders we've ever had surely... Yet he starts every time he's available.

Even after he got himself sent off against Lyon.

Mind boggling.

TBF i think he has been much better this season

 

[terryefc]

Yaya Toure is finished.

And yet, he would probably be more effective, and look like grabbing a goal, than any of our current midfielders.

A monster in his day and could still patrol the centre circle. As said though I'd try for Ramsey. Wish we had got Dembele from Spuds.

 

[messymascot]

Schneiderlin and Davies just doesn't work for some reason. Gueye seems to be able to play alongside either. Gomes and Gueye would be my preferred partnership with McCarthy as back up. Obviously non of the 3 are available at the moment so we are struggling a little.

 

[Zatara]

If were talking about all 3 central midfielders then i think things will become clearer just before the Jan window...

We'll see which of Lookman, Sigurdsson and Bernard is favoured in the 10 position.

At 8 it will be between Schneiderlin, Gomes, Davies and Sigurdssson (if he drops back to accommodate another player at 10).

6 will be interesting to see if Baningime gets game time rotating with Gana.


I wouldnt be surprised to see a mass exodus of players next summer in these 3 positions with a major focus on strengthening.

Based on the incomings last window its quite exciting.

 

[Albro]

If were talking about all 3 central midfielders then i think things will become clearer just before the Jan window...

We'll see which of Lookman, Sigurdsson and Bernard is favoured in the 10 position.

At 8 it will be between Schneiderlin, Gomes, Davies and Sigurdssson (if he drops back to accommodate another player at 10).

6 will be interesting to see if Baningime gets game time rotating with Gana.


I wouldnt be surprised to see a mass exodus of players next summer in these 3 positions with a major focus on strengthening.

Based on the incomings last window its quite exciting.

Schneiderlin at 8 is a disaster. And dislodging Sigurdsson from 10 is not possible if your replacements are Bernard and Lookman, its just wishful thinking.

Like others have said on other threads, I'm amazed we didn't try to sign Maddison. That would have been real/actual competition for Sigurdsson.

I love the fella but the 45m we spent on him, was always going to see us get shafted one way or another. He was never worth it.

Either way the major issue is the no.8 role. Neither Gana or Schneiderlin are good enough / a fit to play in that role. It just doesn't work, it will never work. I see the attraction of Andre Gomes, but I'm not convinced.