Carruthers for Duffy is this the problem?

[bikerblade]

I have to say I like Duffy. I think he's a very intelligent player, doesn't always work, but creates space for himself and more importantly others. I think carruthers (not totally convinced) is ok but better off the bench after maybe 70 mins.
Is this part is the current creativity issue?

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

I have to say I like Duffy. I think he's a very intelligent player, doesn't always work, but creates space for himself and more importantly others. I think carruthers (not totally convinced) is ok but better off the bench after maybe 70 mins.
Is this part is the current creativity issue?

Not sure either is the answer.

Maybe it's time to unleash the Brooks!

 

[bikerblade]

Not sure either is the answer.

Maybe it's time to unleash the Brooks!

Would be great if he was/is the answer

 

[Stretch]

We certainly looked better when Duffy came on against Boro. Without doubt he is a craftier player than Carruthers but Samir is more physical and has better stamina. I think this is why Chris is going with him for now but I would be surprised if Duffy or Brooks didn't start on Saturday, Ched as well.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

The two games i’ve Seen carruthers in so far this season he’s been gash.

 

[Ricky]

Duffy from the start and Carruthers from the bench is probably the way to go for now.

If we're going to start Duffy this season we should do it early, while his fitness is at its maximum and before age maybe catches up with him further. He was excellent in the first half of last season then tailed off a bit, maybe it would be the same this time around too.

Brooks looked good when he came on tonight, he's more of a direct threat than either of them.

But I don't think the attacking midfielder is the main problem. The problem is having a very limited strike pairing and no pace or ball carriers out wide. We'll get towards the 18 yard box and then go back, time and again.

We need to sign at least one good, quick attacking player. If only we could've signed Mendez fucking Laing.

 

[SwissBlade]

From what I saw against Boro in particular

Carruthers - didn't get on the ball enough, was too isolated from Coutts/ Fleck. More of a defensive player and distributes the ball quickly and incisively when he gets it

Duffy - energetic and creative. Looks to move into space and link up with Coutts/ Fleck, Stevens and Freeman

Personally I think if we play carruthers he needs to play deeper, away from home at least.

Duffy should be starting games ahead of carruthers

 

[YES Blade]

Looking at Duffy's career, he's never really established himself in the Championship so he's another for me that has a big question mark against his name.

At his age, it's unlikely he's going to improve, so if Samir and Brooks aren't going to make that place their own, we probably need to look at signing someone.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

I have to say I like Duffy. I think he's a very intelligent player, doesn't always work, but creates space for himself and more importantly others. I think carruthers (not totally convinced) is ok but better off the bench after maybe 70 mins.
Is this part is the current creativity issue?

No. But thanks for asking.

I'm sure we'll get a lot of other posts like this, running the microscope over every nook and cranny of the team, looking to find out where the faults are and landing in the totally wrong place.

For what it's worth, I also prefer Duffy to Carruthers, overall. I think he creates more than Carruthers. However, I think Carruthers brings something slightly different to the team, his constant running and trickery can open up gaps, the problem with him is, he's just inconsistent and does something brilliant followed by the most stupid, careless thing, straight after it. But let's give him time and meanwhile I'd use him as you suggest, more of an impact player in exchange for Duffy. Both of them are decent players I think.

But that's not the issue really.

The issue is in all 3 areas of the team. Defence - new centre half with youth and Championship experience on his side. Midfield - aggressive ball winner. Attack - pace and quality.

Now that Stearman's fitness is in doubt I sincerely hope it accelerates the transfer of Lenihan from Blackburn Rovers. I think he'd be a very good acquisition for us. Only 24 but a couple of season's in the Championship behind him and very highly thought of there.

Despite the 150 odd page thread on him, I don't know enough about Leonard to be able to say whether he's what we need in midfield. I think someone with Prem quality is needed in there myself and also up top in attack.

It's no crisis as I see it. We're a bit short in a few areas, but we're good enough to compete at this level and a bit more quality would make all the difference.

 

[SteveBlade]

Carruthers was very good against Brentford, a game where we looked to get on the front foot a lot.

Away where we have to dig in and are getting pinned back, nope. I'd like to see Brooks more.

 

[ilovesufc]

I'd be very worried about playing Carruthers in a deeper role, I would say he's been the player most guilty of conceding possession so far this season. There are things I like about him but his carelessness is frustrating. I don't think Duffy has the stamina for 90 mins at Championship level but I would give him the start against Barnsley - yes he can also be guilty of giving the ball away too but what we know about Duffy and what we've seen in his sub appearances so far is that he is constantly moving with and without the ball, dragging defenders around and creating space. I think this encourages other players to react as well... we've been too static and Duffy is a bit of an antidote to this. All that said, the real problem for either Carruthers or Duffy is lack of movement and pace from Clarke and Sharp...if there's no option ahead of you, you're only going to go sideways or backwards or hold the ball too long and risk giving it away.

 

[Scooter_mcgavin]

Whoever plays in this position has a problem. They're relying on the wing backs to provide options wide, and the front two to provide options up top.

The problem is our wing backs are no longer pushing up at the fear of getting caught out (which they often have) and the front two are providing no movement whatsoever.

He's go absolutely no option most of the time but to run down blind alleys or play the ball back and look 'safe'.

 

[Scooter_mcgavin]

Also regarding fleck.... there was a moment in the first 30 mins where he had the ball, went past a player, then cut back and went past him again....then come back on himself again.

You could see he was looking for an option and there was none. He gave it away and held his arms apart as if to say 'someone fucking show for it lads'.

 

[snootyfenooty]

Neither. We need some fresh blood in that team. We ended up playing mostly last seasons league 1 team.

 

[sheffielder]

I have to say I like Duffy. I think he's a very intelligent player, doesn't always work, but creates space for himself and more importantly others. I think carruthers (not totally convinced) is ok but better off the bench after maybe 70 mins.
Is this part is the current creativity issue?

I don't think he's a very intelligent player at all. He's got some skill but rarely is he where he needs to be when we are in possession. Duffy showed in 10 minutes on Saturday how to find space.

 

[sheffielder]

Also he lets runners go

 

[Digger]

If our choice of creative number 10 is either of these two then it's going to be a long hard season.

 

[Working Class Hero]

Duffy links the midfield and forwards so much better than Carruthers. He has a much better brain and uses it to find pockets of space. I think it's very harsh that he's lost his place in the first place.

 

[Norderner]

More the pity we couldn't get Holmes over the line? Would have took the pressure off of Brooks, one more season toughening up in league 1/2? Now however, the chance is there for him to take his charge of the situation and grab it with both hands.