Who would you have on the left hand side of attacking midfield?

[Darkhorse]

To me, its probably the only position on the park that hasn't been totally cemented, and one that can still be manipulated. So who would you pick if you were at the helm: the potent Kone? the hearty Naismith? the smarts of Cleverly? the fluid mirralles? the pacey Lennon? or the out of left field (no pun intended) suggestion of playing Baines there?

*Given Barry/McCarthy are both starting in central midfield

 

[Hangleton]

its nice to have so many options there.
Even if none of them are perfect (as Pienaar).

 

[LostLegend]

Pistone

 

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

Bryan Oviedo

Not even taking the pish either

 

[USABlue]

with baines back I'd put cleverly. I know people want out and out wingers but I don't think that meshes well with baines quick 1-2 passing game and baines coming so far forward. I think Baines and Cleverly could link up well on the left. Kone would be my next pick

 

[hullefc]

Cleverley as I think he and Baines will make a great partnership down the left.

 

[OneTrueLegend]

I would play Mirallas or Lennon there as they are wide players, even if they would rather be on the right and cannot cross from the left, they can always cut inside and provide an attacking threat, I think Naismith and Kone can play there, but they tuck in too much and leave the LB exposed on the break. Cleverly was doing OK there before he was injured, so he may get a chance again

 

[Khalekan]

Kone.

His presence gives Rom more room to play in.

 

[Dymak]

It's a position that needs strengthening with a new player.

 

[Nymzee]

Kone. Don't care if Mirallas is better when Rom is scoring the goals and ol' Trevor MacDonald is his best mate.

 

[toffeeblue9]

I don't think any of the players we have are ideal for that role

We miss Pienaar - given that Baines is back now, his delivery and intelligence on the left need someone in front of him to play off. Pienaar always provided that and that's a big part of the reason that we've seen the likes of Naismith, Osman, Barkley, etc played there at times IMO

Cleverley might end up doing that role, but I see him as more of a long-term replacement for Osman really.

I also don't see Yarmolenko as that player, so it's the one position at the club that still needs to be addressed for me. Kone has done well (mostly at home) in an unusual floating position from the left, but for me we now need to set up to enable us to get the best out of Baines on the left - our left side has been, from an attacking POV, very weak this season and we've been fortunate that our right hand side has been devastating enough to take the pressure off.

Truthfully, I don't know who the answer is, but I think that left-sided role is what Roberto had in mind when he talked about that mythical "number 10" in the summer. I think we still need that one player.

 

[SpurtingLesbian]

it all depends on Baines.
If Baines can handle a little less defensive cover then Kone would be good and he makes Rom happen, if not then Cleverley who'll give a lot more cover. If Gerry is having an off day on the other wing then I'd consider putting Kev on to liven things up

 

[SPOTTER]

I don't think any of the players we have are ideal for that role

We miss Pienaar - given that Baines is back now, his delivery and intelligence on the left need someone in front of him to play off. Pienaar always provided that and that's a big part of the reason that we've seen the likes of Naismith, Osman, Barkley, etc played there at times IMO

Cleverley might end up doing that role, but I see him as more of a long-term replacement for Osman really.

I also don't see Yarmolenko as that player, so it's the one position at the club that still needs to be addressed for me. Kone has done well (mostly at home) in an unusual floating position from the left, but for me we now need to set up to enable us to get the best out of Baines on the left - our left side has been, from an attacking POV, very weak this season and we've been fortunate that our right hand side has been devastating enough to take the pressure off.

Truthfully, I don't know who the answer is, but I think that left-sided role is what Roberto had in mind when he talked about that mythical "number 10" in the summer. I think we still need that one player.

I do see Yarm as the answer here.i know he more often plays on the right but he is plenty good enough to play on the left imo.anyone who wouldn't want Yarm playing anywhere in an attacking position for us is just nuts.wont happen though.

 

[Pabbers]

A Baines & Clev left side seems a good balance to me.

 

[toffeeblue9]

I do see Yarm as the answer here.i know he more often plays on the right but he is plenty good enough to play on the left imo.anyone who wouldn't want Yarm playing anywhere in an attacking position for us is just nuts.wont happen though.

I've never seen him play anywhere other than the right

Not sure spending 20 odd million and asking him to play in an unnatural position is a great idea

I mean, I'd rather have him than not have him but for the role we need to fill I think there may be players out there better suited to it