Most liked posts in thread: Central midfield

By this stage Preston had given up trying, to be fair Patrick did more with the run and set up than Doyle had done the entire match. Sums us up though that Colville couldn't even hit the target.

 

I really cant tell what any of the midfielders roles have been so far. Palmer and Devine when playing barely leave the centre circle, and given they have finished our first 2 games this season they really leave gaps in the middle when pressing forward. Anderson seems to be drifting wider and isn't getting stuck in too much, and isn't getting that far forward either, and just seems to play it to a full back every time.

Loanee depending on the player could be more expensive than a L1/2 midfielder who's not getting the game time promises he wants. Just need to read the twitters of P'boro & Accrington owners as well as some manager interviews so far this window to know the premier league are charging way too much for youth loans this season which has put a lot of clubs off. Posh owner mentioned putting a loan boycott forward to the EFL unless they can address loan agreements with the PL it's that bad this season. Loan fees, wages & playing time demands for a 18/19YO who might be a gamble if they can offer anything new could turn out to be way more expensive than say offering Anthony Grant a deal for 12 month. (No saying i want Grant, just using a known available player where you know what you'll get on the pitch as an example).

 

He has no attributes to play either the lone striker or the number 10 role, i wish someone would tell our manager. There again he isn't the only one in this team whose salary doesn't match his input in games.

 

Why is he allowed to not even nearly win aerial balls against a 5'11 defender again?

Is it that inch height disadvantage, or the fact we have to accept that Doyle would sooner jump out of the way than actually challenge for a ball either on the turf or in the air?

It's not acceptable to just say "Doyle doesn't really want to challenge and therefore isn't physical enough to win a lofted ball" and excuse it. He's a professional athlete. Challenge, and win. Nobody cares if he's supposedly good at toe-poking a football past a goalkeeper from two yards out - great, I'm sure he'll be there to do that when the time comes, but meanwhile, how about making sure he beats players like Tom Clarke?

 

He was laughable RT. I've said it before but I remember the shooting drills pre game and I kid you not it was the worst example of finishing I've seen anywhere, could go down the park and see kids finish better. It got to a point where I would feel sorry for him when everybody else was knocking them in and the nearest he would get was the NW corner stand.

 

Agree need both, however: I think a creative one who could chip in with a few goals, would be my priority, if we could only afford one

 

Sorry but it was embarrassing

 

That it may have been but its understandable. He's what, three months older than Vaughan and actually taller. Vaughan isnt really a target man but look at how he's attacked that role and fought for everything. complete chalk and cheese and thats why Doyle gets pelters.

 

But are we even in the market for someone? Not a dickie bird of a rumour out there...
(and before someone says it's because we've just had a windfall and don't want the agents to up their prices.....we haven't been told if there's any money available in the first place!).

 

So there is no reason to play him at all then.

CD. and JV are both better than him, and playing him in an alternative role is a waste of time.

Sorted.

Drop him Gary.

 

It's looking like I do and sadly I don't think I like the answer!

 

I'm not sure if you went yesterday Jon, but Taylor was horrific. There was one moment where he took a corner and passed it straight to the first man and they countered on us. Absolutely comical.

 

Taylor is one of the worst players weve had in years. Hes never been a centre midfielder so god knows why Bowyer persists in playing him there.
I dont rate Akpan but I'd be starting him alongside Cooke. Reeves needs battlers alongside him to be effective, we dont have any so hes useless.

 

Oh yes. That team performance at home to Villa was superb. We outplayed them.
Love to see Carlo back.

 

It's the new fad these days - 'protect the defence'. We need a new cliche every couple of years! Total football has been missing for a few now....

 

Didn't we have AOC in the defensive midfield role at one point. We could do that and get the flair players alongside him?