Brayford in the middle.

[William Henry Foulkes]

Oops! Sorry for murdering those puppies guys. But that was a genuine post with what I thought was a reasonable suggestion. Kieran Freeman had done nothing wrong before being dropped for Brayford and Alcock is also quality in that positon. Its just the old headache of how to accommodate a glut of good players in the same position.
Adkins has been putting square pegs in round holes all season and his judgement of certain players seems to be pretty damned shit.
I simply don't trust the bloke to bring the right players in come January whether gets the boards backing or not.

I'll trust Adkins' judgement over yours

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

Brayford's solved the right back problem. Let's solve the central midfield one by buying what we need there (i.e. Sam Morsy) in January.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

Brayford's solved the right back problem. Let's solve the central midfield one by buying what we need there (i.e. Sam Morsy) in January.

I agree with the latter sentiment but the chances of United actually signing the right player for the right position?.......ZERO.

They'll fuck it up again and we will stay exactly where we are.

 

[blade too long]

That's the first time I've brought myself to liking one of your posts. Never again.

youll come to realise they are pure literatural gold
the panache and nuiances in every collection of words is a massage for a thirsty mind

 

[Fjortoft's Aeroplane]

No idea what the O/P's done to warrant such sensitive, offended responses but I suppose that's just what happens on here with new posters. It's a fair enough point of view and Brayford does have the attributes, on the surface at least, to play in that position and do well there in this division. But what you'll never know until you try is the positional side of it. At centre half where he's played before you've got everything in front of you and focus only on defending, it's very different in midfield. It is worth a try, ideally in a three man midfield, which would alleviate some of the individual responsibility for him. If you spend £2m on someone as a third division club ideally you'd have the player in a position where he can have more influence than at right back. These position changes do occasionally work for players. If not, move him back to right back, no big deal. But we should try it.

The single most reasonable post I've ever read on this site. Sure he's a great right back, but when you look at the holes we have in key positions (CB & CM) he simply CAN'T DO ANY WORSE than what's there at present. That's why I dont get the great resistance to change here, it's not like we're taking a risk.

 

[blade too long]

The single most reasonable post I've ever read on this site. Sure he's a great right back, but when you look at the holes we have in key positions (CB & CM) he simply CAN'T DO ANY WORSE than what's there at present. That's why I dont get the great resistance to change here, it's not like we're taking a risk.

but you dont fill one hole and inadvertantly create a void where he came from
We have tried Brayford centrally , it wasnt magical

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

Looks like he has lost half a yard of pace since his injury,it was apparent when the Coventry winger skinned him for the cross that led to the "was it a goal over the line no goal"

 

[Fjortoft's Aeroplane]

but you dont fill one hole and inadvertantly create a void where he came from
We have tried Brayford centrally , it wasnt magical

Maybe not magical but certainly a step up from Collins / McCeveley. Freeman might not be gods gift but he's more worthy of the shirt than those two wage stealers.

 

[finlaytheblade]

Brayford is an outstanding attacking fullback and all managers hAve played him there ,clough has used him as a centre back and he did well
Considering his lack of height (maybe in the future a sweeper roll may suit him but that is for when he can't get up and down the pitch as an attacking fullback).Many central midfielders have made good fullbacks when put there ,the energy they have is needed at fullback.Fullback to central midfield is totally different as Ricky has said facing the play and having it going on all around you are totally different .
In my opinion leave well alone Adkins ime sure will sort the midfield out (he needs a bit of time) let him get on with it ,what's the point of having an experienced manager if we as fans think we know better.Coaches during training try all sorts of permutations and that includes
Putting players in different positions to see if they can cut it.To be sure Adkins and his CoaChes will be well up to speed on this
A good example of midfield to fullback is Ted Helmsley who made a great left back,the opposite can be said of Len Badger who was tried
in midfield by John Harris ,it didn't work and Len was a great fullback.

 

[finlaytheblade]

Looks like he has lost half a yard of pace since his injury,it was apparent when the Coventry winger skinned him for the cross that led to the "was it a goal over the line no goal"

That wasn't lack of pace he was skinned by a good player Murphy (on loan from Norwich) that happens to the best fullbacks,in any case
Brayford is not up to speed yet played only 3 games after a long lay off.

 

[Bladesince59]

I remember a very good right back, 45 odd years ago. Len Badger. Brayford reminds me of Len - a great attacking right full back.

Leave him where he is,

 

[Bladesince59]

Brayford is an outstanding attacking fullback and all managers hAve played him there ,clough has used him as a centre back and he did well
Considering his lack of height (maybe in the future a sweeper roll may suit him but that is for when he can't get up and down the pitch as an attacking fullback).Many central midfielders have made good fullbacks when put there ,the energy they have is needed at fullback.Fullback to central midfield is totally different as Ricky has said facing the play and having it going on all around you are totally different .
In my opinion leave well alone Adkins ime sure will sort the midfield out (he needs a bit of time) let him get on with it ,what's the point of having an experienced manager if we as fans think we know better.Coaches during training try all sorts of permutations and that includes
Putting players in different positions to see if they can cut it.To be sure Adkins and his CoaChes will be well up to speed on this
A good example of midfield to fullback is Ted Helmsley who made a great left back,the opposite can be said of Len Badger who was tried
in midfield by John Harris ,it didn't work and Len was a great fullback.

Agreed. Just posted my message before I read yours. Ted and Len were great attacking full backs. I recall a few goals that Len scored at the Kop end that Woody would have been proud of.

 

[Bladebri]

Last week against Coventry Brayford put some good balls in for the forwards so in a sense he does help the midfield with his forward runs from defence.

 

[coaxingstar71]

I think Brayford should stay at right back but I can also see some merit in playing Freeman on the right side of midfield in front of Brayford. He's played there before and I thought he looked comfortable as he's got some pace, can beat a man, and is useful defending. I thought Coutts did ok there in the last game but is much more comfortable in the middle with either Bash or Hammond (in a 4-4-2).

 

[Kenilworth]

I think Brayford should stay at right back but I can also see some merit in playing Freeman on the right side of midfield in front of Brayford. He's played there before and I thought he looked comfortable as he's got some pace, can beat a man, and is useful defending. I thought Coutts did ok there in the last game but is much more comfortable in the middle with either Bash or Hammond (in a 4-4-2).

I'd rather see a fit again Flynn doing that cos he and Brayford combine well but Freeman is a good shout for right mid - he has a goal in him too.
You could even have Flynn right and Freeman in front of Harris (when fit again). That might be solid enough in the wide areas. Just need to stoke some dynamism in the midfield then. We are too pedestrian in there and don't support the strikers well enough. Hammond, Bash and Coutts are too similar.

 

[Harry's Game]

Leave Brayford at right back and sign a propper centre half in January.. It's not rocket science.

 

[Thorpy]

but hes a natural , defence-attack right back
he pulls the right side together
we need an experienced ,dyed in the wool centre back
with a gob on him

lets play players in their defined position , bit radical maybe[/QUOT

 

[coaxingstar71]

I'd rather see a fit again Flynn doing that cos he and Brayford combine well but Freeman is a good shout for right mid - he has a goal in him too.
You could even have Flynn right and Freeman in front of Harris (when fit again). That might be solid enough in the wide areas. Just need to stoke some dynamism in the midfield then. We are too pedestrian in there and don't support the strikers well enough. Hammond, Bash and Coutts are too similar.

Well yes, if he's fit, but then I'd be playing James Wallace in centre mid - if he was fit.
I suppose at least it looks like Ryan's on his way back.
Good shout for Freeman wide left - we haven't had an ideal fit for that position since Murph went.