Most liked posts in thread: Central midfield

No, Bowyer will cost himself his job if he continues to pick those two in the current set up.

 

Doyle is highly regarded by oldham fans as a fox in the box type. Not saying he is the messiah but we dont seem to be playing him in that way? And its not his fault someone decided to pay him too much money.

Presumably he Knows how to finish in the 6 yard area, playing as he did that first game unlikely to get anywhere near or playing up front on his own(thankless task unless you are built for it).

Why play him as a support or lone striker - when its not in his game.

 

That's good. No shouting about if we have any cash available, no rumours. I would rather we just signed a couple of players out of the blue, loan players from a big club maybe, no rumours mill just do it GB.
We can chat about it afterwards.

 

With the players we've got at the moment I'd play Danny Devine in that holding role. He rarely gives the ball away and is quite disciplined in sticking to what he is asked to do.

 

Doyle doesn't have the strength of character needed to knock on the Managers door and insist on playing in his favoured position (whatever that is).

He's been here long enough now and I don't think I've seen him throw a strop, shout or kick a water bottle when he's been subbed. It's like he's just happy to come off. I hope he goes this window and we've somebody else lined up. Then again, would we really miss him if we didn't?

 

Have a look at the Sky video clip I've posted, in today's game without O'Donnell being on tip top form it could have been 6 no problem.
https://bantamtalk.com/index.php?threads/away-vs-oldham-feb-1st.3560/page-23#post-315269

 

I didnt' relise just how bad it was until I saw that video clip, they should all (maybe not O'Donnell) hang their heads in shame that includes the manager and coach.

 

Now that Stuart has been returned as manager, he’ll need to quickly see we have no bite in the middle of the park. Are there any free agents that can do a job and if not, is it right that the loan window is open this week (until Friday)?

We desperately need some strength and fight in that area of the pitch. If not, McCall still won’t get much change from our midfield and we’ll still have the same problems

 

Someone mentioned Carl McHugh on another thread.

 

McHugh would be a great shout and add to the Irish contingency in the squad, still only 26 years old

I believe Joe Ledley is still unattached. I think he has been training at Newport

 

But has been playing as a defensive central midfielder for several seasons.

 

That comfort blanket only comes when they were good

 

McHugh is no Josh Cullen though. Josh is a top top player. I always though McHugh was in the mould of Luke O’Brien, ie overrated by a lot of our fans. Would be a massive gamble to sign McHugh and stick him in central midfield, ie pointless.

 

Why? That's where he's been playing for most of the time since he left us, including in the Scottish PL, which is higher standard than where we currently are. Not a massive gamble at all.

 

It was me that mentioned McHugh. Purely because we need a defensive midfielder and there are few on the free agent market. I was never his biggest fan but we're hardly spoiled for choice.

 

Great points Dodge - the Liverpool 'wing backs' have sound defensive awareness, crossing ability to match the best of wingers as well as being supreme athletes. They also have the defensive guidance of VVD who exudes confidence both vocally and by his own performance - try then assessing all these attributes into our own players in this position and you can see where the immediate problems lie.
I expect more energy from all the players under Stuart but I think a basic defenders who can defend and wingers who can provide crosses and opportunities will be one of initial core messages SMc and Black will try to install

 

One of the best aspects of Liverpool’s play is what they do when they lose the ball they work so hard to win it back they are probably the best at it of any team I have seen

 

A midfield 2 in a 4-4-2 of who? It would be car crash