Why is there an A Team and B Team Midfield

[5tannington Blade]

This strange 3 man inter-changeable midfield of:

Berge/Fleck or Norwood/Hourihane and N'Diaye or MGW

How long will Heck persist with it? You could argue it is working thus far but it seems strange we seem to be playing the stronger pairing in the easier fixtures? MGW is excluded so far as he's only just come back from injury.

Do you think Heckingbottom is trying to keep everyone happy, keep everyone fit or genuinely believe those players are more suited to the opponent?

I personally think we need to play Norwood, Hourihane, MGW and N'Diaye (and lose 1 striker) every game now until any of them pipe up and say they physically aren't fit enough to play. I can't really remember ever seeing a successful team of ours do well by constantly changing middle of the park.

Thoughts ?

 

[Sithblade]

This strange 3 man inter-changeable midfield of:

Berge/Fleck or Norwood/Hourihane and N'Diaye or MGW

How long will Heck persist with it? You could argue it is working thus far but it seems strange we seem to be playing the stronger pairing in the easier fixtures? MGW is excluded so far as he's only just come back from injury.

Do you think Heckingbottom is trying to keep everyone happy, keep everyone fit or genuinely believe those players are more suited to the opponent?

I personally think we need to play Norwood, Hourihane, MGW and N'Diaye (and lose 1 striker) every game now until any of them pipe up and say they physically aren't fit enough to play. I can't really remember ever seeing a successful team of ours do well by constantly changing middle of the park.

Thoughts ?

Needs to keep the midfield from been overworked and avoid injuries with all these games close together, Hecky loves it when a plan comes together.

 

[Cheesebored]

I personally think we need to play Norwood, Hourihane, MGW and N'Diaye (and lose 1 striker).

Norwood's a must as any sane supporter would know. I understand the need for rotation when players are looking jaded but for me the changes at Huddersfield were unnecessary. Hourihane's won me over and he's currently in front of Fleck at the moment. The other spots a dilemma. MGW and Ndiaye are similar players as in their ability to find space, turn quickly and get at defenders. A bigger problem for me is up top. Sharp's running on empty, Mcburnie, nuff said and Jebbison clearly not seen as ready yet. It's this area that will probably be our downfall if we fail to make the play offs

 

[Bladesman]

This strange 3 man inter-changeable midfield of:

Berge/Fleck or Norwood/Hourihane and N'Diaye or MGW

How long will Heck persist with it? You could argue it is working thus far but it seems strange we seem to be playing the stronger pairing in the easier fixtures? MGW is excluded so far as he's only just come back from injury.

Do you think Heckingbottom is trying to keep everyone happy, keep everyone fit or genuinely believe those players are more suited to the opponent?

I personally think we need to play Norwood, Hourihane, MGW and N'Diaye (and lose 1 striker) every game now until any of them pipe up and say they physically aren't fit enough to play. I can't really remember ever seeing a successful team of ours do well by constantly changing middle of the park.

Thoughts ?

7 matches I believe this month. You can see why Hecky is trying to keep things fresh especially with players out injured and some coming back from injury.

 

[Bucksblade]

For me when Berge plays the midfield is working at half speed, slow build up, square or back passing and
frustrating to watch. Huddersfield ran rings around midfield and the poor quality of first touches
by Berge and Fleck is plain to see. I dont think Fleck is up to speed and Berge doesnt suit the faster
front foot tactics.

Nobody bought into him at January window and he deserves a chance but its not a good watch for me.
Fleck i am afraid to say isnt the player he was 3 years ago either and currently in my view the team needs
further strengthening with flair, able to beat a man, nimble type players and replace the
one pace oil tanker in summer.

 

[blades14]

For me when Berge plays the midfield is working at half speed, slow build up, square or back passing and
frustrating to watch. Huddersfield ran rings around midfield and the poor quality of first touches
by Berge and Fleck is plain to see. I dont think Fleck is up to speed and Berge doesnt suit the faster
front foot tactics.

Nobody bought into him at January window and he deserves a chance but its not a good watch for me.
Fleck i am afraid to say isnt the player he was 3 years ago either and currently in my view the team needs
further strengthening with flair, able to beat a man, nimble type players and replace the
one pace oil tanker in summer.

I fully agree i just cant understand what game the other fans were watching when it came to berge and fleck.

 

[mattbianco1]

This strange 3 man inter-changeable midfield of:

Berge/Fleck or Norwood/Hourihane and N'Diaye or MGW

How long will Heck persist with it? You could argue it is working thus far but it seems strange we seem to be playing the stronger pairing in the easier fixtures? MGW is excluded so far as he's only just come back from injury.

Do you think Heckingbottom is trying to keep everyone happy, keep everyone fit or genuinely believe those players are more suited to the opponent?

I personally think we need to play Norwood, Hourihane, MGW and N'Diaye (and lose 1 striker) every game now until any of them pipe up and say they physically aren't fit enough to play. I can't really remember ever seeing a successful team of ours do well by constantly changing middle of the park.

Thoughts ?

Cool kids call it "squad rotation"

 

[Wards]

It's really not difficult to work out why he's doing it. Asking Norwood and Hourihane (both over 30) to play every minute of these games would be suicide.

 

[billyblademan]

Yep, and I imagine we may even start to rotate the A and B team midfields as well in coming games. Maybe even Norwood/Hourihane on Tuesday, then Hourihane/Berge on Saturday, and Norwood/Fleck against Blackburn following midweek?

At the minute (and indeed for the next 2 months) I'm not sure we have a full week off between games. It's one thing playing 3 games in a week when you then have a full 7 days to recover afterwards, but when thats followed by another 3 games the week after it becomes a very heavy workload. Hopefully we don't have any further postponements for whatever reason, otherwise we'll be running close to Rotherham levels of catch up from last season. Praise be for Desso!

 

[5tannington Blade]

It's really not difficult to work out why he's doing it. Asking Norwood and Hourihane (both over 30) to play every minute of these games would be suicide.

But asking 36 year old Sharp to do it is fine?

 

[Gyp the blade]

IMO forget keeping everyone happy never change a winning team

 

[Houston_Blade]

It's really not difficult to work out why he's doing it. Asking Norwood and Hourihane (both over 30) to play every minute of these games would be suicide.

The problem is it’s another case where the over 30’s look fitter and more mobile than their younger alternatives!

 

[Wards]

But asking 36 year old Sharp to do it is fine?

He's looked tired at times too, sadly there arent a raft of good alternatives that we have available like we do in midfield. Sooner or later Sharp will need a rest at some point, probably when the other forwards are up to speed.

 

[WORKSOPBLADE]

He's looked tired at times too, sadly there arent a raft of good alternatives that we have available like we do in midfield. Sooner or later Sharp will need a rest at some point, probably when the other forwards are up to speed.

True and midfielders have more work over the 90.