Midfield

[SwissBlade]

There's still a place for Doyle, we'll need his dogged performances between now and the end of the season, however, the midfield which ended the game last night was excellent.

We all know that Baxters game isn't about high tempo and high energy ( I presume some comedians on here will exploit that statement ), so sitting him deep last night was perfect for him and the team. His range of passing is probably the best we've had for years. You can tell he's not in top form, but his ability to keep the ball, pick a pass and open up sides with his passing is still fantastic.

The central midfield worked well towards the end last night as Scoogs and Reed were unplayable, their energy and aggression put Spurs under pressure and when the ball dropped, it found its way to Baxter or the wings.

Getting the central midfield working like that and with a central striker causing problems it allows the wingers more space. If we can get that sort of energy and tempo in league games, starting Saturday, we'll give teams so many problems and there will be goals...

 

[bladesman3]

There's still a place for Doyle, we'll need his dogged performances between now and the end of the season, however, the midfield which ended the game last night was excellent.

We all know that Baxters game isn't about high tempo and high energy ( I presume some comedians on here will exploit that statement ), so sitting him deep last night was perfect for him and the team. His range of passing is probably the best we've had for years. You can tell he's not in top form, but his ability to keep the ball, pick a pass and open up sides with his passing is still fantastic.

The central midfield worked well towards the end last night as Scoogs and Reed were unplayable, their energy and aggression put Spurs under pressure and when the ball dropped, it found its way to Baxter or the wings.

Getting the central midfield working like that and with a central striker causing problems it allows the wingers more space. If we can get that sort of energy and tempo in league games, starting Saturday, we'll give teams so many problems and there will be goals...

Goals? Who is going to score them? It's a big weakness today...

 

[Esablade]

..he was certainly a lot better when he dropped back...

 

[SwissBlade]

Goals? Who is going to score them? It's a big weakness today...

It is, but we had some good movement last night and created chances - reed, scoogs, murphy, Baxter and basham all had good chances to work the keep at the very least. Admittedly we need to be more clinical

 

[OllyBlade]

Dembélé showed that we still struggle against teams with a dominant physical midfielder and who can also play (although usually a winning combination!). Looking back, not surprising to me how we gained a lot more control after he went off. First half we lost every 50-50 it seemed. I think going forward we will need a more physical presence in there.

 

[Pittsburg Blade]

Talking of Baxter....his last-ditch, goal-saving tackle last night was one of the best I have ever seen....maybe even the best as he somehow won a goal kick as well.

 

[Groucho Blade]

Talking of Baxter....his last-ditch, goal-saving tackle last night was one of the best I have ever seen....maybe even the best as he somehow won a goal kick as well.

That was absolutely amazing! A fantastic piece of work. I thought he'd played it on to the Spurs player and out for a goal kick until I saw the replay on TV this morning.

 

[FTPE]

There's still a place for Doyle, we'll need his dogged performances between now and the end of the season, however, the midfield which ended the game last night was excellent.

We all know that Baxters game isn't about high tempo and high energy ( I presume some comedians on here will exploit that statement ), so sitting him deep last night was perfect for him and the team. His range of passing is probably the best we've had for years. You can tell he's not in top form, but his ability to keep the ball, pick a pass and open up sides with his passing is still fantastic.

The central midfield worked well towards the end last night as Scoogs and Reed were unplayable, their energy and aggression put Spurs under pressure and when the ball dropped, it found its way to Baxter or the wings.

Getting the central midfield working like that and with a central striker causing problems it allows the wingers more space. If we can get that sort of energy and tempo in league games, starting Saturday, we'll give teams so many problems and there will be goals...

You know my views on Doyle,
I hold him responsible that we only play with one upfront, now I hold him responsible for Reed not starting too.
We need His type the higher we go, but right now at this level I'd opt for quality and let Baxter, wallace, scoogs and reed battle it out.
I thought basham might have been doyles replacement, he's our lower league jags now though. Ok in midfielder, great at the back.
In fact I thought all the back four played well last night, really proud of bob at left back too and I've been his biggest critic.
Anyway, I think he'll slowly lose his place now and in the summer I'd be very surprised if we kept him. I'm sure his contract is up

 

[Bladesman]

Although the way we setup towards the end of the game last night was great. We just don't get that kind of freedom in midfield in this division and that is the problem.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Although the way we setup towards the end of the game last night was great. We just don't get that kind of freedom in midfield in this division and that is the problem.

We will with the Beard as we will be much stronger on the right wing and teams will have to double bank on their left side.

That will take some of the bullying off the midfield two, and whilst they have their minds and system set up to stop our right hand side Murphy will take them apart down the left.