Barry/McCarthy

[Deco]

Does the Barry and McCarthy centre mid partnership work?

In Bobby's first season it seemed to work perfectly, but so far this season and the whole of last season I've thought that we seem to lack any real control of games despite having two supposedly top defensive midfielders on the pitch at once.

Personally, if we aren't going to look solid defensively we may as well not have them both on the pitch at once.

 

[toffeejack]

not anymore. we concede way too many goals considering we have two centre mids who barely venture into the oppos half. i think maybe mccarthy needs a rest as he hasn't been great. barkley is much better form deep so a 4-3-3 is probably the best formation we can play atm anyway.

 

[AaronTheBlue]

sometimes, yes.

But barry gets destroyed by any midfielders who move fast / pass the ball fast.

 

[Foot Long Hot Dog]

I'd much prefer us to play with 1 holding player with 2 ahead of him.

 

[LocalNative]

It works defensively. But it offers nothing going forward or creatively.

 

[ilikecheese]

Depends on the game.

The worry for me at this point of the season is Barry's been better than McCarthy so far. Wondering where that V12 motor went.

 

[SpurtingLesbian]

It works defensively. But it offers nothing going forward or creatively.

?? how the hell can you say it offers nothing going forward or creatively? It allows our LB and RB to be attacking options. Somebody has to cover their positions when they bomb forward or else there'd be acres of space and we'd be undone every time by a long simple hoof up the pitch.

 

[quasi modo]

Defensively no, we still leak goals considering we have two midfielders who don't go past the half way line, which then means they don't create anything as well.

 

[FTY]

Did.

Doesn't.

Besic in.

 

[LocalNative]

?? how the hell can you say it offers nothing going forward or creatively? It allows our LB and RB to be attacking options. Somebody has to cover their positions when they bomb forward or else there'd be acres of space and we'd be undone every time by a long simple hoof up the pitch.

We shouldn't be relying on our full backs for creativity, mate.

 

[Dario Terracotta]

I think McCarthy has run himself into the ground trying to in some way make up for Barry's loss of form/slowing down the last twelve months which in itself is now showing in McCarthys own lack of form IMHO.

 

[EddyKent]

No. McCarthy is boss. Barry runs like he has rocks in his boots. Oh yeah, he's utter garbage.

 

[Dithering Dougie]

It's the best combination we've got in the middle. The problem has been at one time or another either players form has suffered over the last 12 months and the other has been taking up the slack.

Besic's lack of progression last season didn't help as neither player had any competition for their place. Hopefully this year with the arrival of Cleverley plus with 12 months of development and maturing under Besic belt this should help focus their minds.

 

[SpurtingLesbian]

We shouldn't be relying on our full backs for creativity, mate.

yes, but we do, we've got arguably the best LB/RBs in the league and that how we set out to play. We overload their full backs and feed the ball in from there.
IF we didn't have them bombing on, played everything through the middle, or even played wingers out wide for width then you'd have a point. But we don't.

 

[LocalNative]

yes, but we do, we've got arguably the best LB/RBs in the league and that how we set out to play. We overload their full backs and feed the ball in from there.
IF we didn't have them bombing on, played everything through the middle, or even played wingers out wide for width then you'd have a point. But we don't.

I disagree.