Midfield Tonight

[SW12 UTB]

In my opinion it was the midfield to blame for tonight's loss, the first two goals were scored by their centre mid who wasn't tracked by either basham or baxter, third goal possibly should have been closed down but the defence was left exposed. Not only were they poor in helping the defence, there was absolutely no movement from any of them especially in the first half leaving sharp and sammon isolated, and giving the full backs no option but to pass it backwards (and in mcceverlys case get booed for it.). I didn't go Saturday so cant really comment on the goals, but that midfield looks like it needs sorting far more urgently on that display than the defence- who up until Saturday bar Gillingham were looking fairly solid.

 

[Roygbiv]

The issue with the midfield is that we have no genuine defensive midfielder and no genuine attacking midfielder. You could describe Basham as a box to box midfielder but he doesn't score and doesn't sit. Baxter sits but can't defend. It's like Brown and McCall if Brown didn't score and McCall was a bit slower

 

[Ricky]

What midfield?

 

[Bergen Blade]

Basham's been very restricted this season, so I'd describe him as a ball winner, rather than a box to box man. The partnership with Baxter is more like Monty and McCall, which we played quite often in 03/04.

 

[Worksop II]

[QUOTE="Bergen Blade, post: 832137, member: 2231"which we played quite often in 03/04.[/QUOTE]

Think we missed the Playoffs that year ......

 

[Dec]

Basham's been very restricted this season, so I'd describe him as a ball winner, rather than a box to box man. The partnership with Baxter is more like Monty and McCall, which we played quite often in 03/04.

Basham was awful 1st half, didn't get anywhere near close enough to the person on the ball.

I'd actually love you to do one of your analyses on what the fuck Basham was doing for their 1st goal (I think it was that one). For someone apparently playing the role of "ball winner", it was unjustifiable.

He's not been anywhere near as effective as he was last season. Unfortunately though, whilst Wallace is out, there's nobody to challenge him for that position.

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

Basham's nowt like good enough in a midfield two - his terror of having the ball at his feet is there for all to see & he's prevented from making those dynamic runs that were such a feature of his when he had the freedom to break from midfield last season.

And Baxter, for all his willingness to receive the ball & his admirable tendency to try to get stuck in these days, is similarly exposed in a two-man midfield. He's a (very decent) luxury player, but in a two his limitations are painfully highlighted.

Colchester basically took the piss in the middle of the park.

 

[Blade82]

What midfield?

Exactly. My 6yr old summed it up tonight when after about 50 mins he asked if Jose Baxter was playing tonight

 

[Kenilworth]

Basham's been very restricted this season, so I'd describe him as a ball winner, rather than a box to box man. The partnership with Baxter is more like Monty and McCall, which we played quite often in 03/04.

Is it fuck?
It's a tepid imitation as I f Baxter was in the Monty role and Basham was the McCall role.
Neither of them offer anything
If Basham has a place in this team it's at centre back or no where. He is not a midfielder with any heart, athticism or effect.
He loses the ball just as often as he wins it back.
It's truly piss poor

 

[s10blade]

Roygbiv summed it up perfectly. Our midfielders don't score or defend.

As shit as we all know our defence is - don't kid yourselves that bringing Burn or anyone else in will make it better. You could have the best defence in the league on paper but if you get no protection from strikers holding it up and midfielders helping defend and taking the ball out and creating then the defence will be put under too much pressure.

If any other club owner is lacking mental capacity and wants to take any player off our hands, let them do it, we wouldn't miss a single one of them. It has really hit home tonight how average we are. 3 defeats half way through September. The danger we face is Adkins walking if he's not getting the financial backing of the board. I'm personally bored of Phipps on Twitter. The novelty has worn off. Let's see how serious this club is about promotion because my belief is other than Adkins and his team, the board and players don't give a toss. We are a pay cheque to them, nothing more.

 

[Roygbiv]

Roygbiv summed it up perfectly. Our midfielders don't score or defend.

As shit as we all know our defence is - don't kid yourselves that bringing Burn or anyone else in will make it better. You could have the best defence in the league on paper but if you get no protection from strikers holding it up and midfielders helping defend and taking the ball out and creating then the defence will be put under too much pressure.

If any other club owner is lacking mental capacity and wants to take any player off our hands, let them do it, we wouldn't miss a single one of them. It has really hit home tonight how average we are. 3 defeats half way through September. The danger we face is Adkins walking if he's not getting the financial backing of the board. I'm personally bored of Phipps on Twitter. The novelty has worn off. Let's see how serious this club is about promotion because my belief is other than Adkins and his team, the board and players don't give a toss. We are a pay cheque to them, nothing more.

I sadly agree with every word of that. 75% of the players need moving on but understandably nobody will take them. I was going to say that at least there are a lot of contracts up next season but then players like Howard, McEveley and, dare I say, Diego were out of contract this season and somebody (God knows who) gave them extensions.

One of the major problems this club has had for years, maybe since Derek Dooley passed away, is that there is nobody at board level with any idea about football. McCabe thinks he does and is probably arrogant enough to believe the past 7 years or so have all been down to bad luck but the board of directors are the one constant in all of our failure.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

The issue with the midfield is that we have no genuine defensive midfielder and no genuine attacking midfielder. You could describe Basham as a box to box midfielder but he doesn't score and doesn't sit. Baxter sits but can't defend. It's like Brown and McCall if Brown didn't score and McCall was a bit slower

Sadly, Bashams new role does not suit him.
My thoughts on Baxter are too bad to mention - but again not suited.

Both players are just not busy enough for this division - we continually see what is needed by teams that come to BDTBL and dominate our bit of grass.

UTB

 

[LoughboroBlade]

The partnership with Baxter is more like Monty and McCall, which we played quite often in 03/04.

Ah, memories – with McCall being the goal-threat of the two...

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

The issue with the midfield is that we have no genuine defensive midfielder and no genuine attacking midfielder. You could describe Basham as a box to box midfielder but he doesn't score and doesn't sit. Baxter sits but can't defend. It's like Brown and McCall if Brown didn't score and McCall was a bit slower

Roy please don't mention Brownie and Macca in the same breath as those two lightweights. Did we have a midfield in the first half.

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

I sadly agree with every word of that. 75% of the players need moving on but understandably nobody will take them. I was going to say that at least there are a lot of contracts up next season but then players like Howard, McEveley and, dare I say, Diego were out of contract this season and somebody (God knows who) gave them extensions.

One of the major problems this club has had for years, maybe since Derek Dooley passed away, is that there is nobody at board level with any idea about football. McCabe thinks he does and is probably arrogant enough to believe the past 7 years or so have all been down to bad luck but the board of directors are the one constant in all of our failure.

The board pushed the boat out with Billy and thought that was it job done. Then bring in Sammon on a wing and a prayer that he might form a decent partnership with Billy, whilst players like Clarke, the lad Sordell etc were bypassed and allowed to sign for bigger clubs. Bristol City showed how to do it and, although it may ultimately fail, Bury by their pre season recruitment are also giving it a go. The amount of players that it has been rumoured were/are about to join the Blades would be enough to field half a dozen teams, none of them ever seem to arrive. Two weeks since the loan window opened.........

 

[Bugboyblade]

Baxter was a talented youngster but hasn't progressed enough. Needs to get busier and work harder. Basham for me isn't a midfielder loses ball too much.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

In Adkins's post-match interview I thought I heard the following:

"Jose's come back in...I thought it was the right move before the game...I'll reflect on that..."

It was subtle, but felt like he regretted bringing him back in based on how this evening turned out: http://bbc.in/1OuaMs1

 

[green blade]

Baxter is a shambles of a player. He seems to believe the mis guided hype that he is quality. He is a fraud. Lacks simple football skills. Can't tackle , can't run, can't see his opponent walking past him. I have been to 90% of our games over the last few years and this guy drives me nuts. I can cope with a poor game here and there but the last time Baxter had a decent half even was Doncaster away last year. Slows down play , takes forever to make a pass and is just a passenger. Plenty of others get pelters but this guy seems untouchable. I like Adkins but when a player lets you down like Baxter did again at Fulham and walks straight back into the side tonight it sends a poor message. We were crying out for energy that Reed or Scougall would have brought to the mix. Get rid now please.

 

[Revolution]

Basham's been very restricted this season, so I'd describe him as a ball winner, rather than a box to box man. The partnership with Baxter is more like Monty and McCall, which we played quite often in 03/04.

After we sold and didn't replace Brown. We dropped out of the promotion race and out of the playoffs as a result. Same as we will this year.

 

[sitwell]

Baxter is a shambles of a player. He seems to believe the mis guided hype that he is quality. He is a fraud. Lacks simple football skills. Can't tackle , can't run, can't see his opponent walking past him. I have been to 90% of our games over the last few years and this guy drives me nuts. I can cope with a poor game here and there but the last time Baxter had a decent half even was Doncaster away last year. Slows down play , takes forever to make a pass and is just a passenger. Plenty of others get pelters but this guy seems untouchable. I like Adkins but when a player lets you down like Baxter did again at Fulham and walks straight back into the side tonight it sends a poor message. We were crying out for energy that Reed or Scougall would have brought to the mix. Get rid now please.

I think you copied and pasted that from one of the 46 post match posts Ive made in the last year. The guy is just taking the piss out of us.

 

[Independent]

Basham and Reed, 90 mins v Swindon clean sheet, 60 mins v Bury clean sheet.
Basham and Wallace last 30 mins v Bury 3 goals conceded and Basham and Baxter 90 mins v Colchester 3 goals conceded

Work it out

 

[Pedro Verde]

Basham and Reed, 90 mins v Swindon clean sheet, 60 mins v Bury clean sheet.
Basham and Wallace last 30 mins v Bury 3 goals conceded and Basham and Baxter 90 mins v Colchester 3 goals conceded

Work it out

Is it Basham ?
I dont think hes good enough in midfield he loses the ball too much Reed is too lightweight K Wallace is not good enough (NA seems to like him) and Baxter is a luxury player
We are fucked I tell thee

 

[Lawrence]

Roygbiv summed it up perfectly. Our midfielders don't score or defend.

As shit as we all know our defence is - don't kid yourselves that bringing Burn or anyone else in will make it better. You could have the best defence in the league on paper but if you get no protection from strikers holding it up and midfielders helping defend and taking the ball out and creating then the defence will be put under too much pressure.

If any other club owner is lacking mental capacity and wants to take any player off our hands, let them do it, we wouldn't miss a single one of them. It has really hit home tonight how average we are. 3 defeats half way through September. The danger we face is Adkins walking if he's not getting the financial backing of the board. I'm personally bored of Phipps on Twitter. The novelty has worn off. Let's see how serious this club is about promotion because my belief is other than Adkins and his team, the board and players don't give a toss. We are a pay cheque to them, nothing more.

Agree but suprised with many on here that it's taken this long for the penny to drop! not good enough last season and not much has changed, Adkins said he was going to give everyone a chance, well guys the honeymoon is over and for me no more chances, most of these players aren't suddenly going to become good players (even for the 3rd Division)

First and foremost we need to refresh the midfield - I still feel Bash can do a job in the middle? Reed is only a kid but has had a lot of opportunities and only occasionally looks like he could make it, he looks too light weight gets pushed off the ball and has never done it for me? like wise Scougall, Campbell Rice is a one trick-pony, and I voiced my concerns on here when we signed Wolley? Flynn 100%er, should be ok when fit, Cha looks a descent kid and Baxter ( the invisible man) well he should have gone in the close season for me, will definitely not be missed!

So basically we need a quality play-maker, a good holding mid-fielder (can't understand why we let Doyle go, maybe he was slowing down but was always a good link between defence and midfield) and we need a replacement for Murph.

Somehow I don't think we will get any of the above?

Now let's take a look at the Back four :/

 

[MobileBlade]

In my opinion it was the midfield to blame for tonight's loss, the first two goals were scored by their centre mid who wasn't tracked by either basham or baxter, third goal possibly should have been closed down but the defence was left exposed. Not only were they poor in helping the defence, there was absolutely no movement from any of them especially in the first half leaving sharp and sammon isolated, and giving the full backs no option but to pass it backwards (and in mcceverlys case get booed for it.). I didn't go Saturday so cant really comment on the goals, but that midfield looks like it needs sorting far more urgently on that display than the defence- who up until Saturday bar Gillingham were looking fairly solid.

I think you must have been sat next to me ☺. I was saying exactly the same in the game. They seemed to be permanently square to each other meaning that they were too deep when we had the ball and too far away from defence when we didnt. Neither of them played the hod carrier but we easily let them carry the ball through us.

 

[Grappler]

Was not at the game tonight as I am overseas, in fact only landed a couple of hours ago and Mrs G texted me the result (she went of course), must admit I was shocked. I thought Gillingham was a blip, I was concerned after the Bury game on Saturday, which I attended, and being greeted by this news has got me worried. If we can't keep clean sheets at home we are knackered.

As we have all said, one way or another, over the years we have slowly let all the good players go, and replaced them with inferior ones, until in the end, virtually the whole team needs changing.

Baxter was the only midfielder scoring last year, I think Basham, Scougall, Flynn, etc., scored one each, Murphy was the other scorer, with McNulty.

Midfield seems incredibly weak when playing 4-4-2.

Nigel has his work cut out, good and proper....

 

[Sirius]

Exactly. My 6yr old summed it up tonight when after about 50 mins he asked if Jose Baxter was playing tonight

And what WAS THE ANSWER?