City v Northampton Sept 7th

I'd have palmer over akpan any day. You only need to look at the defensive duel stats from saturday to see how useless akpan is in that role.

 

I don't look at stats but Palmer has done nothing so far, very ineffective and he's not a defensive midfielder.

 

Yes, most. and I still think OD is shit.

 

He's not a DM and neither is akpan. However he's got through more defensive work than probably any other midfielder and it's not his game. Not sure how you can call palmer ineffective and then say you would rather play akpan in his place.

 

If you didn't watch the game on Tuesday then you won't have seen the threat he could possess down the middle. Has strength, direct with an eye for goal, exactly what we need. Would be wasted out wide imo

 

Either that or you're too stubborn to give a bloke playing well some credit.

 

Purely on the games I've seen Palmer play - he's done nothing.

 

Nail on the head there. While other options might not be perfectly suited to the DM role, surely Akpans recent performances have made those options worth trying at least? Yes it may not work, but it’s not like Akpans the rock in midfield is it?

 

Akpan isn't the problem.

 

that's not it. he's just not very good.

 

Stubborn.

 

I am not!

 

This is particularly insightful. Bang on.

 

This is particularly insightful. Bang on.

 

Just to add to Trevor’s point, the full backs will tuck in when the team is defending and go out wide when attacking. It’s too simplistic to speak of simple systems and in any case they all get forgotten when you’re chasing the game with ten mins to go.

 

for him to be effective we need to get him on the ball. unfortunately so far it's been AOC or Richards-Everton going long to the front two, completely by-passing midfield. i expect the same on saturday.

 

Just to add to Trevor’s point, the full backs will tuck in when the team is defending and go out wide when attacking. It’s too simplistic to speak of simple systems and in any case they all get forgotten when you’re chasing the game with ten mins to go.

 

And certainly not the solution either

 

O'Donnell
Mellor O'Connor BRE Wood
Pritchard Palmer Devine Connolly
Vaughan Donaldson

NO Akpan. NO 4-3-3. Please Gary....