Central Midfield

[Deadly_D'Jaffo]

I hope this is an area that Clough is also looking to address.

McGinn and Doyle are slow, lack movement and creativity which is a contributory factor to our lack of goals imo. In the past we've been successful with McDonald and Quinn who offered more presence in the middle. After a promising debut, I hope Scougall can solve half of the problem but I think we need one more to cover us.

From what i've seen play at Bramall Lane recently, I liked the look of:

- Chuks Aneke (on loan to Crewe)
- Nicky Featherstone (Walsall)
- Nicky Adams (Crawley)

 

[SBSP]

Pesonally if our front 4 can play the way they have been starting to I dont feel we need 2 defensive minded CM's.

I'm happy for somebody to sit on front of the back 4 to offer protection, especially as (I hope) our full backs will be used as more of an attacking force.

The player I feel we need most is somebody like McDonald who was always happy to drop back and pick up the ball, from Doyle or whoever plays that role in his absense, to start the attacks.

I think Baxter could do this but with how he is playing at th emoment I want him nearer their box.

 

[Cool Clint]

I liked the look of Korey Smith from Oldham.

 

[Fiery Blade]

I liked the look of Korey Smith from Oldham.

Was he their number 8 ?

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

Given that Clough seems to like Doyle in there (at least for the rest of the season) then it seems to me that there is one place to be decided between McGinn, Scougall and Coady. Not sure we need anyone else in at the moment in that department. Personally,I'd give Scougall a go!

 

[Cool Clint]

Was he their number 8 ?

Yes.

 

[Fiery Blade]

Must say I was impressed with him - controlled midfield - looked a decent player !

 

[Bergen Blade]

I liked the look of Korey Smith from Oldham.

Agree that he looked good. Deadly's suggestion, Featherstone at Walsall seems to be quite a bit on their bench, so could maybe be available. Defensive midfield is probably a position where we should be looking to add a bit more height and strength though.

 

[kop_blade9]

I would put Harry in midfield holding and leave Hill at centre back as he looks a lot better there than as a full back.

 

[Lowen]

Whitehouse worth a go? Played a lot at York on loan wonder if he can make the step up. With Doyle suspended he could be in with a chance of breaking into the side. However the likelihood is that Coady and McGinn will occupy the midfield spots.

 

[Gavlar]

I would put Harry in midfield holding and leave Hill at centre back as he looks a lot better there than as a full back.

I thought this exact thing, not sure it will ever happen tho, but with Harry's run and cross on sun and the no of goals he scores i'm sure he could do this well.

 

[oxonblade]

Didn't we have a big Greek built like Harry, scored a few headers and long shots then went home for nowt and went on to be worth a fortune? Maybe it is worth a go

 

[boo radley]

Whitehouse worth a go? Played a lot at York on loan wonder if he can make the step up. With Doyle suspended he could be in with a chance of breaking into the side. However the likelihood is that Coady and McGinn will occupy the midfield spots.

I would give the Worksop kid a go. Take him over McGinn anytime.
I did also like the kid from Oldham.

 

[SBSP]

A midfield of McGinn and Coady wouldn't work for me. Not enough stopping power or creativity going forward.

Neither has shown enough to be in our starting 11.

McGinn just doesn't look like anything more than a non-league footballer, which is disappointing because after the first game of the season i thought we had finally found a decent ball winning midfielder to work around.

Coady has improved since he came but I won't be upset when he goes back.

 

[cooperblade]

Craig Eastmond from Colchester would be my choice as a holding midfielder. Thought he was superb at the Lane this season.

 

[Pinchy]

I used to play in central midfield. My job was to both attack and defend. I would have received some very strange looks and even worse language had I said, "I'm not going forward - I'm a DM" or "Tackle their ball player? Me? Fuck Off! I'm an AM".

It's bollocks, especially at this level. Two skilful, creative, hard working, up and down the pitch, central midfielders please. One can be more attack minded and the other a little more robust but I'm afraid your role is midfielder - the clue is in the title. Anyone wanting to do half a job need not apply. Sorry, Monty, that includes you, as I've told you a thousand times.

 

[KenMcnaughtsNuts]

I'd play Maguire up front and Porter at the back. Just for shits n giggles.

 

[Kenilworth]

I see Wade Elliot signed for Brizzle
Experienced but is he too old now?
Always scored against us

 

[alcoblade]

I used to play in central midfield. My job was to both attack and defend. I would have received some very strange looks and even worse language had I said, "I'm not going forward - I'm a DM" or "Tackle their ball player? Me? Fuck Off! I'm an AM".

It's bollocks, especially at this level. Two skilful, creative, hard working, up and down the pitch, central midfielders please. One can be more attack minded and the other a little more robust but I'm afraid your role is midfielder - the clue is in the title. Anyone wanting to do half a job need not apply. Sorry, Monty, that includes you, as I've told you a thousand times.

I agree 100% with this. But you'd have to accept that it would also exclude players like McDonald too.

UTB

 

[Pinchy]

I agree 100% with this. But you'd have to accept that it would also exclude players like McDonald too.

UTB

Yes, I suppose I would. Maybe that's why he has never fulfilled his considerable potential. I'm not sure he'd have been an NC player anyway. I did enjoy watching him though.

I'd like to see a combination of Coady and Scoogs. I know it sounds like an American police 'buddy movie'. They have the right combination of skill, commitment and positivity. You wouldn't be surprised to see either score or create chances. Equally both have shown they can get about the pitch and press the opposition.

It all looked very promising on Sunday, even after Mrs Doyle's early cup of tea. More of the same, please.

 

[Bergen Blade]

I agree 100% with this. But you'd have to accept that it would also exclude players like McDonald too.

UTB

And partnerships like Hockey/Currie and McCall/Brown?

 

[alcoblade]

And partnerships like Hockey/Currie and McCall/Brown?

Maybe so with Hockey / Curry, but Brown / McCalll could both tackle / hold / pass well.

Let's face it, we got the Premier leauge with Monty in the middle. To to say it can't work is clearly wrong. But I'm with Pinchy in that I'd prefer to see 2 players with a more balanced mix, even if one is more of "one than the other".

UTB

 

[super_pig]

I agree 100% with this. But you'd have to accept that it would also exclude players like McDonald too.

UTB

not really.. macdonald is really a number ten

 

[super_pig]

I'd like to see a combination of Coady and Scoogs. I know it sounds like an American police 'buddy movie'.

quality post.. LMAO

 

[super_pig]

Let's face it, we got the Premier league in spite of Monty in the middle. there fixed it for you

 

[alcoblade]

Let's face it, we got the Premier league in spite of Monty in the middle. there fixed it for you

Yep, in spite of Monty, Warnock, the other cloggers and the rest of the Dinosaurs. Yep, it makes perfect sense.

UTB

 

[alcoblade]

not really.. macdonald is really a number ten

Well either way, if he's played in the middle (as we are discussing) you couldn't possibly have another player alongside who was such a complete pussy in the tackle and with the workrate of an asthmatic.

UTB

 

[Sothall_Blade]

I'd like to see a combination of Coady and Scoogs. I know it sounds like an American police 'buddy movie'. They have the right combination of skill, commitment and positivity. You wouldn't be surprised to see either score or create chances. Equally both have shown they can get about the pitch and press the opposition.

It all looked very promising on Sunday, even after Mrs Doyle's early cup of tea. More of the same, please.

I think you also have to take age and experience into account along with physical and technical attributes.
I personally don't see Clough starting with a pairing that are only 20 and 21 and have less than 10 starts in the English League between them.
I think for that reason McGinn (25) will replace Doyle and the choice will be between Coady and Scougall for the other central midfield slot.
Personally, I would choose McGinn and Scougall but I think Clough will go with McGinn and Coady.
Crewe is a vital six-pointer and a game we simply cannot afford to lose. Not the right time to gamble.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Maybe so with Hockey / Curry, but Brown / McCalll could both tackle / hold / pass well.

Let's face it, we got the Premier leauge with Monty in the middle. To to say it can't work is clearly wrong. But I'm with Pinchy in that I'd prefer to see 2 players with a more balanced mix, even if one is more of "one than the other".

UTB

McCall did play the holding role. His passing accuracy, touch and football brain was very good, yes, but nevertheless, most of the time he held back as the deepest of the midfielders. Consequently, Ndlovu, Brown and Tonge were given a little more licence to attack. A term for McCall's role would be Holding, defensive playmaker.

Avoiding a debate on his overall ability/effectiveness, the description of Monty would be Midfield ball winner (Paul Rogers, Charlie Hartfield and Mark Patterson are other examples, neither of whom just sat in front of the centre halves). Him and Jags (doing a Box to box role) managed to find a way of outworking teams in midfield in 2005/06, and we had a little quality out wide and up front. Monty primarily chased, tracked back and challenged for the ball.

BTW, later Tonge came into central midfield and was excellent, adding playmaking qualities the former two didn't really have.

Have we ever had a well working midfield partnership where both players go forward equally much?

 

[jezzablade]

Given that Clough seems to like Doyle in there (at least for the rest of the season) then it seems to me that there is one place to be decided between McGinn, Scougall and Coady. Not sure we need anyone else in at the moment in that department. Personally,I'd give Scougall a go!

It depends how Scougall does in training. He was superb against Fulham but it was counter attack with therefore loads of space as Fulham were pushing up using their man advantage. There isn't normally that much space in a league game. I would like to see what he can do and see if he could break down the oppositions defence, but we have to give him time to adapt. Also should we not call him Scoogs in respect for the Livi fans who now follow us because of him and follow this board?