New Centre Mids

[toffeeben15]

What McCarthy needs to do next season is to become a deep lying playmaker that can dictate a game. Bit like xabi alonso . Barkley then can drop deeper and we should invest in someone who can find a pass in the no10 role

 

[Walken]

Barry may be getting on a bit now bit he's been top 4 quality until he began to tire the last couple of games. McCarthy himself is going to be a superstar in another season.

I'd say everyone agrees regards Barry, but we do need more options/cover, if Gibson can come back it would lessen the burden to do so, but I doubt anyone is optimistic on his fitness

 

[sageyefc]

What McCarthy needs to do next season is to become a deep lying playmaker that can dictate a game. Bit like xabi alonso . Barkley then can drop deeper and we should invest in someone who can find a pass in the no10 role

Macca will never be a deep lying playmaker, he hasnt got the range of passing, he deffo needs to add a little bit of forward drive to his game though, gibbo will be the one to play the quarterback role when hes fit

 

[bluemangroup]

Macca will never be a deep lying playmaker, he hasnt got the range of passing, he deffo needs to add a little bit of forward drive to his game though, gibbo will be the one to play the quarterback role when hes fit

He's essentially a white, British Ramires type player. Maybe get better at reading the game and pick off attacks singlehandedly. He's still very useful but need surrounding with more creative options.

 

[Zatara]

Barry I would guess has 2 seasons with us and this fits in nicely with our youth coming through.

Regarding McCarthy I think he should be the link between defence and midfield--working with our coaches and Barry himself to be the anchor/lynchpin there. Not only does he have the skillset to engage during both attack and defence but he also has the physical attributes and huge energy levels to perform the role excellently.

I think in summer we will learn more on how Martinez wants us setup in future.

 

[Zatara]

[ote="bluemangroup, post: 2543123, member: 17135"]He's essentially a white, British Ramires type player. Maybe get better at reading the game and pick off attacks singlehandedly. He's still very useful but need surrounding with more creative options.[/quote]

Dont know much about ramirez, can you expand on this?

 

[Fat Larry]

[ote="bluemangroup, post: 2543123, member: 17135"]He's essentially a white, British Ramires type player. Maybe get better at reading the game and pick off attacks singlehandedly. He's still very useful but need surrounding with more creative options.

Dont know much about ramirez, can you expand on this?[/quote]

Just watch McCarthy on Saturday, they're like two peas in a pod.

 

[hullefc]

Martinez has said that we should be aiming to bring 2 young players through every 2 years. Martinez doesn't seem to bother about age, he gave McCarthy his debut at 19 and McManaman at 20, at Wigan. I think we need 5 players for the central mid role. Barry, McCarthy, Gibson, maybe Lundstrum and buy or loan another.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

If it is 1 per year, then we have quite a few options it would seem. Browning seems very highly thought of in defence, so it seems probable that he'll come through. Will Duffy make it? Garbutt at left back? Lundstrum? Kennedy? Not sure Hope or the lad we sent to MK Dons will make it, but time will tell.

 

[Zatara]

If were talking about 2 young players coming through each season then so far we are seeing Stones and Barkley. I think another will emerge before the season ends. Would be nice to see Garbutt get some game time if we were coasting.

Next season could well be Lundstram (due to his age) and just going off comments either Browning or Green?

Off topic but Alex Song seems to be being offered around by Barca and its not the first time-- could he slot in with Barry and McCarthy to compete with those 2 for the central midfield positions?

 

[chicoazul]

Unfortunately very few of the young lids will make it. They may be ace at that level but the step up is huge.

So we can't really count on them, its sound that Martinez is sending them out on loan though, gives them a fighting chance to see how they handle full competitive football.

 

[OneTrueLegend]

I think that if we are going to persist with two holding midfielders, then we need to keep Barry in the summer and get another player in. So we have 4 players who can play in this position (McCarthy, Barry, Gibson and A N other). I would prefer a permanent signing, but if we can get someone good on loan, then I would go with that. We have been linked with James McCartney from Wigan and Jack Rodwell, who can both play in those positions.

Think we could do with another Attacking Midfielder as cover for Ross Barkley, although with Pienaar getting older, potentially he could move more centrally and we could get another wide man in. We have been linked with Rafael Alcantara on loan from Barcelona next year and he is an attacking midfielder, so that could be a goer.

 

[MartSlinger]

Just go and get Lallana Bill and Roberto. Thanks.

 

[Christiffa25]

Just go and get Lallana Bill and Roberto. Thanks.

Would love this to happen!!

Doesn't he support us too?

 

[Whitty]

Will Hughes would be great and would mean the centre of our midfield would be set for years.

Barry, Gibson, McCarthy, Hughes and Barkley (Osman further back up) for a couple of seasons with hopefully Ledson, Lundstram and Green coming through.