Genuine holding defensive midfielder

[DronnieBlade]

Our need for one of the above has never been more important IMHO.

Wilder has enjoyed success with 3:4:1:2 without one thus far. This has to be applauded.

BUT.

It has always been my view that in this formation, a holding midfield player is vital to plug the gaps and blanket cover the defenders when dealing with overloads.

Perhaps Leonard or Basham could fulfil this role but neither are what I would call specialists for the job.

UTB

 

[LJBlade]

Our need for one of the above has never been more important IMHO.

Wilder has enjoyed success with 3:4:1:2 without one thus far. This has to be applauded.

BUT.

It has always been my view that in this formation, a holding midfield player is vital to plug the gaps and blanket cover the defenders when dealing with overloads.

Perhaps Leonard or Basham could fulfil this role but neither are what I would call specialists for the job.

UTB

What would you do with said holding midfielder if and when Coutts comes back? Providing that Coutts gets up to a similar level as before his injury.

 

[Stretch]

Was thinking the same. Until we get Coutts back in there controlling possession we need a spoiler to toughen us up.
From our current options Leonard puts himself about and Bash is a solid tackler. Fleck is also as tough as old boots but we need him going box to box. Bryan might also be worth a punt.
A bit of nastiness might be needed, even if just for the short term.

 

[DronnieBlade]

What would you do with said holding midfielder if and when Coutts comes back? Providing that Coutts gets up to a similar level as before his injury.

Play him alongside Coutts and Fleck.

That rules out Duffy, and is more likely to be utilised in games we are up against stronger opposition and away games.

There has to be a compromise somewhere along the line.

Just feel that the defence has been woefully exposed in the last 2 games and a DM may have helped. Set plays aside !!

UTB

 

[LJBlade]

Play him alongside Coutts and Fleck.

That rules out Duffy, and is more likely to be utilised in games we are up against stronger opposition and away games.

There has to be a compromise somewhere along the line.

Just feel that the defence has been woefully exposed in the last 2 games and a DM may have helped. Set plays aside !!

UTB

Personally I'd prefer to see us stick with the formation that saw us doing so well last season, rather than go defensive but I can see why you might do it against the stronger teams.

 

[super_pig]

Play him alongside Coutts and Fleck.

That rules out Duffy, and is more likely to be utilised in games we are up against stronger opposition and away games.

There has to be a compromise somewhere along the line.

Just feel that the defence has been woefully exposed in the last 2 games and a DM may have helped. Set plays aside !!

UTB

thst’s how they got the set plays

 

[RMBlade]

Play him alongside Coutts and Fleck.

That rules out Duffy, and is more likely to be utilised in games we are up against stronger opposition and away games.

There has to be a compromise somewhere along the line.

Just feel that the defence has been woefully exposed in the last 2 games and a DM may have helped. Set plays aside !!

UTB

Or play with some wingers (Duffy being one of them. We could play Coutts as the "holding" midfielder who dictates play. Because we have wingers we don't need to commit both full backs forward leaving us with more players back to defend the counter.

 

[Roygbiv]

Ledson at Oxford would have been good for this but he's gone to Preston. We really don't Evans AND Lundstram especially when Coutts comes back. I'd happily swap one of them for someone who can offer something a bit different.

 

[Ricky]

Oh Lenny Lenny, please take your chance.

 

[Dnblade]

I don't think there is much wrong with the 3412/352...I'm ok with giving Lenny a chance,but what we're missing from the starting line up's so far is the creativity that Duffy brings,and players who can carry the ball and go past players like Brooks brought and Woodburn can bring ..We end up with just playing in front of teams,having to work the ball,playing one,two's etc...this is often far to slow and teams have time to get behind the ball...a bank of 4 and 5...hard to break down and easy to pick us off on the break.
It's hard to fit both Woodburn and Duffy in if we're playing a DM aswell without playing one up top.. Fleck has to play at least he can carry the ball..Evans and Lundstram have been largely ineffective ..Duffy and Woodburn made a difference at Boro...maybe he'll play them as 2 no.10's behind Leon with Lenny and Fleck in midfield at QPR...only problem is we haven't then got a playmaker/deep lying passer...so he'll probably persevere with the ineffective sideways and back Evans.

 

[sufcboy95]

Could basham not do this until coutts comes back??
Also the lad from Man City can play in midfield from what I’ve read

 

[CarlMcBlade]

When it’s became apparent that none of the replacement midfielders could do what Coutts does for the team........I’d have fucked em right off straight away.
Non of them even tried replicate the uncomplicated measured approach of Coutts. I wager that not one of the self absorbed cunts even bothered to ask Coutts for advice on how to play that role.
If we are going to continue to play this way we need to find a talented young willing to shadow Coutts in training and learn that position. Because without someone able to “pick a pass” and dictate the pace of the game. ..........We’re fucked!

 

[BushBlade]

When it’s became apparent that none of the replacement midfielders could do what Coutts does for the team........I’d have fucked em right off straight away.
Non of them even tried replicate the uncomplicated measured approach of Coutts. I wager that not one of the self absorbed cunts even bothered to ask Coutts for advice on how to play that role.
If we are going to continue to play this way we need to find a talented young willing to shadow Coutts in training and learn that position. Because without someone able to “pick a pass” and dictate the pace of the game. ..........We’re fucked!

You can’t always teach ‘intelligence’. Some players are able to take information on board and develop, others can’t and never progress. Like JCR, as erratic at 30 as he was at 20.