A Holding Midfielder


There's no need to be putting him in CM. It would be a huge mistake.
Agree with that,he hasn't got the discipline or the ability to play there (and the 4 previous managers we had knew that and put him in defence where he has got the ability). The only one who can play in the current set up is Dan Neil, but that will detract from his offensive game, but that is a price that might have to be paid unless they get somebody else in IMO.
 
said the other day that once michut came on we transitioned play much quicker...a more traditional DM crab just slows things down and allows the opposition to re-group

Our game now is pace on the counter, a few passes and we're well up the field. It'll take players like Michut and Neil to be able to start those moves off or thread a pass to a player making a run foward.

What was it a few year back?....."WE NEED SOMEOME IN CM WITH THE KEYS". now some are wanting to give those keys back!
Agree with that,he hasn't got the discipline or the ability to play there (and the 4 previous managers we had knew that and put him in defence where he has got the ability). The only one who can play in the current set up is Dan Neil, but that will detract from his offensive game, but that is a price that might have to be paid unless they get somebody else in IMO.

It'll make Neil a more well rounded player, which you need to be these days to be considered for a top team. It's bollocks to pigion hole players and it's backwards thinking in all honesty, just ask Pep.
 
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It’s a tough call really. Michut hasn’t got the physicality either imo.

Yeah I agree, I do like the look of Michut and he'd be ahead of Ba for me currently because of how well he keeps the ball but I'd be looking at trying to get 60+ minutes of Neil and Ekwah together on Saturday if possible to see how they go. Might be too early though.

As good as Amad is I do worry him playing centrally may cause us some issues that don't happen as often when Pritchard is there. Offers a lot more going forward though of course.
 
one of the guys at my work commented that they thought Michut was very combative and put himself about way more than his size would suggest. he was really impressed with Michut and Dan Neil. He couldn't believe how good and how young so many of our players are. The thing with young players is that their learning curve can be really steep simply because they go from having played once or twice to having played 20+ times very quickly. A player who has played 150 games playing 20 more doesn't really change much in terms of experience, but, for a kid, it's a huge amount of added experience. Like Amad and Dan Neil and others, I reckon given half a season, there'll be no questions over Michut.
I hope you're might mate. I'm just going off what I've seen so far. Let's not forget, the Boro midfield at the weekend was hardly a physical one either. I'm sure that side of his game will come, but at the moment I wouldn't put him in there as the enforcer type like Evans was.
Yeah I agree, I do like the look of Michut and he'd be ahead of Ba for me currently because of how well he keeps the ball but I'd be looking at trying to get 60+ minutes of Neil and Ekwah together on Saturday if possible to see how they go. Might be too early though.

As good as Amad is I do worry him playing centrally may cause us some issues that don't happen as often when Pritchard is there. Offers a lot more going forward though of course.
Ba shows all the signs when he comes on but yeah, it's something we're going to have to just try and see what works best. Ekwah may be the answer, but only time will tell. If we do get another midfielder in, we've got a lot of competition in that area.
 
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If dan neil were to get injured or suspended we really would be struggling in CM. Definitely think we need cover after losing evans and matete out on loan
 
Just listening to Mowbray there it sounds like an experienced DCM is now a priority. He’s said Ekwah is not a replacement in terms of style and doesn’t have the experience we need.

Not sure who I’d go for, but I’m relieved to hear the club are on it and not just thinking the bairns can do it all.
 
Did he hell disappear what game yo been watching it’s euros and won’t find a player with better potential for that price
Well sharp find out,said it a million times on here ,the only way he will be staying here is if the frenchies re negotiate the deal.As it stands at the end of season we have to give them 5 mil or send him back.Now if they say we can have him for a further loan period before deciding whether to cough up or not thats fine.
 
Our game now is pace on the counter, a few passes and we're well up the field. It'll take players like Michut and Neil to be able to start those moves off or thread a pass to a player making a run foward.

What was it a few year back?....."WE NEED SOMEOME IN CM WITH THE KEYS". now some are wanting to give those keys back!


It'll make Neil a more well rounded player, which you need to be these days to be considered for a top team. It's bollocks to pigion hole players and it's backwards thinking in all honesty, just ask Pep.

I agree with what you say BUT you need different options within the side. We haven’t just lost a player in Evans that plays a certain way, we’ve lost experience in the middle of the park and our leader. We may never see him again in a red & white shirt with him being out of contract in the summer.

A few years ago we did need a player with the keys as you put it but at this moment now we need that Jan Kirchoff kind of midfielder and one who can give the side the experience thats now been lost with Evans
 
I agree with what you say BUT you need different options within the side. We haven’t just lost a player in Evans that plays a certain way, we’ve lost experience in the middle of the park and our leader. We may never see him again in a red & white shirt with him being out of contract in the summer.

A few years ago we did need a player with the keys as you put it but at this moment now we need that Jan Kirchoff kind of midfielder and one who can give the side the experience thats now been lost with Evans
Well said spot on .
 
Played well for 15 min then disappeared ,we wont be spending 5 mil
I agree with what you say BUT you need different options within the side. We haven’t just lost a player in Evans that plays a certain way, we’ve lost experience in the middle of the park and our leader. We may never see him again in a red & white shirt with him being out of contract in the summer.

A few years ago we did need a player with the keys as you put it but at this moment now we need that Jan Kirchoff kind of midfielder and one who can give the side the experience thats now been lost with Evans

We can't just keep on going out and getting players just in case. Evans has missed a number of games recently and we've done well. This new lad from West Ham doesn't have the experience, but that doesn't mean he can't play a role in the first team...that's what he's left West Ham for!

Evans being out for the season has obviously shook us, but we've no idea if it's actually weakened us that much, if at all. Alese was getting flack the first time he played and since then, he's been superb, who's to say this lad can't be decent in CM? Neil, has adapted really well to the Evans role and there's a number of options taht can be played next to him now.

If we go out and get an experienced baller in the middle of the park, then I'd say that the search for 2 strikers coming in will probably get cut to one.
 

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