Central midfield

Must be the worst central midfield options we have had for decades.

We have no ball winners, no creativity whatsoever

We currently have a couple of shirkers, and maybe a couple who can pass sideways, not always finding a team mate. Weve got one who has been injured for 20 months


I think Palmer will be fine, providing we bring in a couple of quality options to help him, not holding my breath though.

Unless Bowyer is allowed the funds to do something about it in the next 3 weeks, mid table is the best we can hope for.

It will be so frustrating if we dont bring anyone decent in, after the captures of Paudie, Donaldson and Vaughan offered us so much hope a couple of months ago

 

I think it was @JimmyBantam who was asking if our midfield was really that bad for league 2 .

You now have your answer.

 

For me only O Donnell and Scannell from last season should have been kept. The rest have too much failure baggage from last season with them to be considered by supporters as players we can rely on and get behind this season.
The opening few games aren't a disaster but as the majority of the players have a less than successful history as a BCAFC its like reopening a wound

 

Most of last seasons players are under contract.

Bowyer didn't have a choice for the most part.

 

Not sure if you went last night but wood offers nothing going forward at all. As soon as it’s into his feet he just attempts to cross is. Doesn’t track back very well either. He’s a left back at best. I think he will be released once his contract comes up.

 

I think he's got 2 years left. Unfortunately, we've got a number of poor players on long term contracts.

Hopefully, we can get Akpan, Doyle & O'Donnell to move on in January, as they will only have 6 months left and we obviously won't be renewing.

That could free up 8-10k a week in wages.

 

Seriously our midfield is a complete joke. Anderson and Akpan incredibly poor. Devine young but imo lightweight. Palmer maybe has something but playing him to deep. Crying out for a couple of forward running quick lads. Prem loans maybe ?

 

What game was our manager watching.



“When they came on, Omari Patrick and Luca Colville showed a threat - going forward - for us, which has given me something to think about.”

 

Ffs.

Please no?

 

To be fair Patrick did but only because everyone else was so bad and the game was won for Preston at 0-4.

 

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).

 

Patrick was our best player did more in 20 minutes than the rest did all night that’s how bad it’s got

 

I imagined a team this season, modelled on how Bowyer set Blackpool up, of big athletic lads like Omari who could actually play a little. How wrong was i.

 

Is Ismail a left winger? Or can he play there comfortably? Just seems weird how we have signed none at all

 

Something like players with more pace??? Something which he promised to address but hasn't??

 

Yes we clearly have too many players on ludicrous wages that we have no hope of shifting.

Unlike Josh Wright, these lot don't even have the self respect to piss off, take a pay cut, and get on with their careers.

I worry for lads like Doyle, who was so roundly mocked against Preston that you could hear the sarcastic hurrays on the radio when he won a header. He and lads like AOC and Akpan could become targets for abuse if they continue to embarrass our club week in, week out.