2025/26 Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

[formerly manx toffee]

Glad to see we’ve hit the Bernard stage of he’s not good but the other good players are only good because of him.

Combine that with the he’s out of position stage and it seems headed only one way.

That’s not what I said though is it. He is good at what he is being asked to do

 

[TheBigIguana]

That’s not what I said though is it. He is good at what he is being asked to do

Oh so you think Moyes is asking him to not impact the final third?

 

[Zatara]

KDH is a good player and does warrant a starting 11 spot, as overall he offers good balance. But he does go missing. First game of the season at Leeds and today was very much of the same. Just couldn’t get on the ball/into the game. Alcaraz is a much more dynamic player but takes lots of risks (something Moyes doesn’t like). That’s why KDH will always get the nod from Moyes. He’s the safe bet.

I too agree though that Alcaraz needs to play the 10 but not at the expense of KDH starting. Can KDH cover the ground and make the challenges Gana does? I just don’t know. BTW Gana for me is so unpredictable. Sometimes he’s unplayable were as others he’s a headless chicken.

It’s a tough decision to make for Moyes. On today’s performance though KDH was very poor.

The key for me with KDH is whether his value his increased based on his performances for us.

If we sold him in January for example I dont think we'd get our money back.

I’d like to see a midfield three. Garner sitting with KDH the left hand 8 and Alcaraz the right hand 8. Rohl could come in for any of those positions.

Moyes has played the same formation for the last 20 years though since we came fourth playing 4141 so I doubt he’s going to move away from it. It’s 4231 every game.

I'd do this.

 

[Axlswhk]

A 433 seems to suit all of our central midfielders and would also suit Alcaraz (who has played there before for Southanpton).

Its borderline stupidity by Moyes to keep using KDH as a 10 now.



Thats a fair comment. Although i'm not seeing much value in his direct off the ball contributions either unless its his 'positioning' to cut off passing lanes...

...which is necessary but can be taught and coached into others.

On the face of it, is that what he was signed for?



Not as a 10 imo. Theres no on the ball effectiveness aside from playing 'pass the ball to Grealish and receive it back' which slows the game down...

...thats the opposite of what we should be doing.



Why do you think Rohl would make a good 10? I have no thoughts on this either way...i just see Alcaraz as a 10 rather than KDH.

Has Rohl done well as a 10 in the past?



I think Iroegbunam is the Gana-lite bench player to come on when we need to tighten things up.

Gana out and KDH in would make us more attacking and would mean Garner would have to focus on more defensive work - but he is that player.

I think its worth a try BUT i'd say a 433 with a new DM (or Garner) with 2 CMs (KDH + Rohl/Alcaraz) would be worth a try over this current mess.



100% disagree with this.

I think KDH at 10 weakens the side compared with Alcaraz, who at 10 gives the team a threat and provides better service for Beto.

If we restarted this season with Alcaraz at 10 I think we'd see a few goals/assists next to Alcaraz (and/or more for other players) - certainly more than KDH's 1 goal and 1 assist in the league.

1 goal and 1 assist for a 10 at this point of the season is poor.

Gana Garner is a solid partnership that should not be disrupted. A direct swap with Alcarez must be done without disrupting the balance of the squad.

 

[Zatara]

Gana Garner is a solid partnership that should not be disrupted. A direct swap with Alcarez must be done without disrupting the balance of the squad.

Moyes wont drop KDH after spending £28mil on him and playing him no matter what.

 

[Axlswhk]

Moyes wont drop KDH after spending £28mil on him and playing him no matter what.

Neither will he drop Gana or Garner. We’ll be stuck with KDH for a long time. I stand by what I said yesterday, keep playing him and we’ll end up mid table at best.

 

[Zatara]

So now KDH has said his best position is as an 8.

I'm shocked

 

[Nymzee]

So now KDH has said his best position is as an 8.

I'm shocked

He said this in his interview when we signed him.

 

[Miked1e]

Surely we didn't expect him to be put in the no. 10 position right?

Not sure why people are saying he hasn't been very good. Certainly one of our better signings and a decent upgrade on what we already have.

Drop him deeper with Gana and put Garner at RB.

Alcaraz no.10.

 

[Pabbers]

Not a 10, plays too far away from striker.

 

[Curtis]

I like KDH but he does seem to slow down play as a number 10 , I think he should be playing further back as he's better suited as a box to box MF

 

[Neiler]

Think hes another player who we have to be careful on making a concrete judgement on, we are transitioning as a midfield and as a team from a Doucoure - work man like physical monster at hybrid 10 - who would flood the midfield and forward line averagely, to a play making creative 8 and half/10 in KDH.

It completely changes the dynamic of the midfield and team (particularly defensively and shape) and needs patience in adjustment to be coherent, it will take a while, he clearly has talent and can impact.

Its what we all wanted.

 

[Bedfordblue]

Surely we didn't expect him to be put in the no. 10 position right?

Not sure why people are saying he hasn't been very good. Certainly one of our better signings and a decent upgrade on what we already have.

Drop him deeper with Gana and put Garner at RB.

Alcaraz no.10.

 

[TheBigIguana]

His best position might be deeper playing Legia Warsaw or Servette but in the Premier League he is not suited for it. Which is really the entire problem with the signing and player right from the start. He got his Chelsea move playing as an attacker in a lower league and made himself useful playing deeper in the Conference neither of which make him a useful player for a Premier League club trying to play him in a sensible role in the Premier League.

 

[Bebeto]

His best position might be deeper playing Legia Warsaw or Servette but in the Premier League he is not suited for it. Which is really the entire problem with the signing and player right from the start. He got his Chelsea move playing as an attacker in a lower league and made himself useful playing deeper in the Conference neither of which make him a useful player for a Premier League club trying to play him in a sensible role in the Premier League.

This...not sure he has the physicality to play anywhere else than at 10...he is one of those that is good enough, but not really excelling in any position...for where we are, it is not a bad signing. But if he is still starting games for us next season, it would mean that we will still be at best a middle of the table team.