Centre-midfield - we need to take the brakes off

[Joey66]

We struggle v teams who put ten men behind the ball - we need a midfielder with a slide rule pass RB may develop into one, but at the moment we just scraped it yesterday

 

[Pabbers]

I sort of agree with this. But I think centre back is key to doing this. We need a natural footballing and pacey partnership at the back, then maybe we play around with the dmc/cm positions.

 

[KevMirallas]

Agree that Barkley's role long term will be deeper. His strength is driving runs, not intricate playmaking. I'd like to see that move made sooner rather than later, provided he's up to the task and that we can pick up an advanced midfield of real quality in the summer.

In regards to our counter attacks, our reliance on the full backs means the wingers tend to put their foot on it and wait for the overlap nine times out of ten. That's why I liked Deulofeu's game yesterday, even though most of his moves didn't come off. At least he looked to attack, and attack quickly.

 

[davek]

We could do worse than Ben Arfa (entering last year of his contract at Newcastle and Pardew wants rid, apparently), or Michu to take up Barkley's spot allowing him to drop back.

 

[Furey1878]

Barkley alongside McCarthy.

Buy a new attacking mid in summer.

Sorted.

 

[toffeejack]

totally agree @davek.

basically we need a mccarthy who can score and assist - costs a lot of money like. but i've said for some time, in games like yeterday, is barry really needed? mccarthy alongside barkley with then a more advanced attacking midfielder would be perfect for a team who parks the bus like that.

obviously couldn't do it yesterday because of barkley's form, but i would hope that this is the vision.

 

[steken1]

Throw Gibson into the mix and we've got a very good three to mix it up.

 

[ijjysmith]

totally agree @davek.

basically we need a mccarthy who can score and assist - costs a lot of money like. but i've said for some time, in games like yeterday, is barry really needed? mccarthy alongside barkley with then a more advanced attacking midfielder would be perfect for a team who parks the bus like that.

obviously couldn't do it yesterday because of barkley's form, but i would hope that this is the vision.

McCarthy really has never scored that many mate.

7 in 120 games for Wigan.

 

[toffeejack]

We could do worse than Ben Arfa (entering last year of his contract at Newcastle and Pardew wants rid, apparently), or Michu to take up Barkley's spot allowing him to drop back.

ben arfa on cheap would be a good signing i believe. has a lot of baggage and is inconsistent, but it's all to do with a bigger squad. when he's good he's really really good and starting material for us. when he's bad, we'll have other options.

 

[bicycleheader]

Howard
Colemole Jagielka Distin Baines
McGeady McCarthy 08'Arteta Pienaar
Mirallas
Lukaku​

Boss against bus parking teams.

No way Id have Kev over an inform Ross.

But Arteta 08 would make a huge difference in this team.

 

[toffeejack]

McCarthy really has never scored that many mate.

7 in 120 games for Wigan.

i know, hence why i said we need a player with his energy and agility who can score and assist.

 

[ijjysmith]

i know, hence why i said we need a player with his energy and agility who can score and assist.

Of course I misread your post!
Standard.

 

[billycopper]

I know we haven't got two traditional sitting players in Barry and McCarthy, but neither of them are exactly box-to-box. Given that Roberto is never going to go with a dual strikeforce dont we need to have a different balance in CM now? Look at others and you see much more adventure: Ramirez/Lampard; Toure/Fernandinho; Arteta/Ramsey; Sandro/Dembele.

We tend to wait for total dominance in the opposition half and the right moment to make the final pass. I like that we do that, but we need another string to our bow, and being able to move into another shape and rhythm for a spell or two in the game, inviting teams on a little more and getting one of our CMs carrying the ball from deep, has to be something we look at. Obviously Barkley is the way forward on that score. We need to prioritise a replacement for him in that more advanced role in the summer. He's wasted there for my money. I dont think we can continue to progress next season with this CM pairing, tbh. We dont get enough options from there. Harsh I know given that that combo have been so reliable for us.

Yesterday Arsenal had Wilshere and Arteta, whilst Chelsea had Matic and Ramires. I don't especially disagree with you but I think that McCarthy is developing as an offensive player and we've seen occasions where he has bombed forward and joined in with the attack. Maybe if he had a greater affect on our forward play more it would become more noticeable?

I guess one of the reasons that Martinez sticks with it is because Barry doesn't have the legs to do the defensive role my himself and McCarthy doesn't have the experience. With Coleman and Baines getting forward so much we do need the cover. Gerrard did protect the RS' back four by himself away at Southampton yesterday but at least one of their fullbacks (Flanagan) doesn't really venture forward.

I think that if there was more end product with either Barkley or Osman our central midfield pairing wouldn't be an issue. Maybe, as Barkley matures, he could play alongside Barry, so that Mirallas could come inside and McGeady could play from the right?

 

[davek]

Yesterday Arsenal had Wilshere and Arteta, whilst Chelsea had Matic and Ramires. I don't especially disagree with you but I think that McCarthy is developing as an offensive player and we've seen occasions where he has bombed forward and joined in with the attack. Maybe if he had a greater affect on our forward play more it would become more noticeable?

I guess one of the reasons that Martinez sticks with it is because Barry doesn't have the legs to do the defensive role my himself and McCarthy doesn't have the experience. With Coleman and Baines getting forward so much we do need the cover. Gerrard did protect the RS' back four by himself away at Southampton yesterday but at least one of their fullbacks (Flanagan) doesn't really venture forward.

I think that if there was more end product with either Barkley or Osman our central midfield pairing wouldn't be an issue. Maybe, as Barkley matures, he could play alongside Barry, so that Mirallas could come inside and McGeady could play from the right?

I think they can both do as good as any other holding midfield player in the league. What you're arguing for in wanting the pair of them in there is a belt and braces approach.

Sometimes you just have to accept that though you might not be as solid in the middle, you are likely to be more of a potent unit going forward if one is more of an accomplished ball carrying/distributing type.

McCarthy: I dont see a player who can drive to the edge of the box consistently and I dont see a player who can finish from there either. He's a traditional holding midfielder - going to be one of the best if he's tasked with that.

 

[DualityNSNO]

I think they can both do as good as any other holding midfield player in the league. What you're arguing for in wanting the pair of them in there is a belt and braces approach.

Sometimes you just have to accept that though you might not be as solid in the middle, you are likely to be more of a potent unit going forward if one is more of an accomplished ball carrying/distributing type.

McCarthy: I dont see a player who can drive to the edge of the box consistently and I dont see a player who can finish from there either. He's a traditional holding midfielder - going to be one of the best if he's tasked with that.

Agreed there, and he is tasked pretty much with that right now, with the exception of moving a bit further up occasionally.