Goals from midfield

[Bergen Blade]

It's not easy to find midfielders who score many goals, they usually cost a fortune. It's been a problem the last couple of season where I've often thought our goals would have to come from the strikers - if at all. But we've got a couple of goalscoring midfielders in the squad now who haven't played much in the league so far. Erik Tønne and David McAllister both have good goal records, although at lower levels, and they showed that they can do it last night.

It would be nice to see them get more of a chance in the league, but I think it seems difficult to get them both included while also keeping Quinn, who really can't be replaced at the moment. And then there's Williamson, and DW seems to want a destroyer (Monty/Doyle) in there as well... Any suggestions?

 

[Micalijo]

It's not easy to find midfielders who score many goals, they usually cost a fortune. It's been a problem the last couple of season where I've often thought our goals would have to come from the strikers - if at all. But we've got a couple of goalscoring midfielders in the squad now who haven't played much in the league so far. Erik Tønne and David McAllister both have good goal records, although at lower levels, and they showed that they can do it last night.

It would be nice to see them get more of a chance in the league, but I think it seems difficult to get them both included while also keeping Quinn, who really can't be replaced at the moment. And then there's Williamson, and DW seems to want a destroyer (Monty/Doyle) in there as well... Any suggestions?

If we assume Monty is out for a while and if we assume Flynn is more suited to U13 football, I'd love to see Lowton, Willo, Doyle, Quinn in the middle. Kmac, Dmac, Tonne, NML in reserve and it does look reasonably healthy but one huge problem - no real pace. If Quinn leaves today I'd like to see Tonne have a go on Saturday.

 

[sitwell]

The back 4 should remain unchanged until injury forces it.We have plenty more capable than Lowton to play midfield.

 

[Bergen Blade]

If we assume Monty is out for a while and if we assume Flynn is more suited to U13 football, I'd love to see Lowton, Willo, Doyle, Quinn in the middle. Kmac, Dmac, Tonne, NML in reserve and it does look reasonably healthy but one huge problem - no real pace. If Quinn leaves today I'd like to see Tonne have a go on Saturday.

Yes, adding pace seems difficult, and we really do have loads of options in central midfield. 4-4-1-1 may be an option with Tønne (or maybe Quinn) in the attacking midfield role.

Regarding Lowton, when you have a full back that does better offensively than defensively it's worth trying him in wide midfield, but remember how ineffective Borbokis became when he was put there? Same can be said for Norway's John Arne Riise for example.

 

[cooperblade]

Yes, adding pace seems difficult, and we really do have loads of options in central midfield. 4-4-1-1 may be an option with Tønne (or maybe Quinn) in the attacking midfield role.

Regarding Lowton, when you have a full back that does better offensively than defensively it's worth trying him in wide midfield, but remember how ineffective Borbokis became when he was put there? Same can be said for Norway's John Arne Riise for example.

Quinny played closest of the 5 to Cresswell at Goodison and looked good there. Think he gave an interview afterwards saying he liked playing in that role. He's a little wasted out wide at present because we don't get the ball to him quickly enough and he then drops deep to look for it.

 

[sheffielder]

Bergen, not seen Tonne myself. Is he pacey? as a left pegger do you not see him playing left side midfield?

 

[Micalijo]

Quinny played closest of the 5 to Cresswell at Goodison and looked good there. Think he gave an interview afterwards saying he liked playing in that role. He's a little wasted out wide at present because we don't get the ball to him quickly enough and he then drops deep to look for it.

Why would either of the 2 donkeys usually employed in central midfield or anyone else in the side for that matter be able to find Quinny more effectively if he played behind a striker rather than out wide. There is no hope for any quicker forward and accurate passing or better ball retention if Doyle and Monty are in central midfield. They are incapable of receving a ball under pressure and using it to slip a ball through so Quinn has to drop deep to areas where the donkeys are able to find him. I suppose you are referring to a long ball to Cresswell with Quinn picking up any loose balls?

Hopefully with Monty out there is scope for a bit of creativity in the middle, but I have to admit we will miss Monty in games like Saturday's.

 

[SwissBlade]

For me, Quinny has to play on the left, I never liked him in the middle and he has no height/ upper body strength to compete against bigger midfielders.

 

[cooperblade]

Why would either of the 2 donkeys usually employed in central midfield or anyone else in the side for that matter be able to find Quinny more effectively if he played behind a striker rather than out wide. There is no hope for any quicker forward and accurate passing or better ball retention if Doyle and Monty are in central midfield. They are incapable of receving a ball under pressure and using it to slip a ball through so Quinn has to drop deep to areas where the donkeys are able to find him. I suppose you are referring to a long ball to Cresswell with Quinn picking up any loose balls?

Hopefully with Monty out there is scope for a bit of creativity in the middle, but I have to admit we will miss Monty in games like Saturday's.

In all the games I've seen so far, we've gone through the middle a lot more than we've gone wide so he's naturally be more involved by playing centrally (where he's tended to end up in every game anyway).

We have other central midfielders available and I wouldn't/didn't suggest Doyle plays with Monty in the centre.

I wouldn't/didn't suggest long ball either - we didn't play in that way at Goodison.

My current preference would be to play a 4-4-2 with Quinn and Williamson wide but I think we need to make much more of an effort to get the ball wide so they aren't forced inside.

 

[Micalijo]

In all the games I've seen so far, we've gone through the middle a lot more than we've gone wide so he's naturally be more involved by playing centrally (where he's tended to end up in every game anyway).

We have other central midfielders available and I wouldn't/didn't suggest Doyle plays with Monty in the centre.

I wouldn't/didn't suggest long ball either - we didn't play in that way at Goodison.

My current preference would be to play a 4-4-2 with Quinn and Williamson wide but I think we need to make much more of an effort to get the ball wide so they aren't forced inside.

I think alot of the play has been out wide, certainly alot of stuff down the left involving Quinny and most of the goals we have scored in open play (Cresswell x 3 and the penalty against Walsall came from wide). I think Lowton and LJF have seen alot of the ball - not sure where you get this playing down the middle from. it might go from side to side but down middle from what I have seen unless it is the launch forward.

No point for me having Quinn in behind because a) he will never get the ball and b) Cresswell and or Porter have no ability to make a quick run in behind to receive a ball from Quinn.

 

[Bergen Blade]

My current preference would be to play a 4-4-2 with Quinn and Williamson wide but I think we need to make much more of an effort to get the ball wide so they aren't forced inside.

Some teams make it work with a narrow midfield four, helped by overlapping full backs who provide the real width. With Lowton and Jean-Francois we could make it work. Such a system for me is also dependant on a mobile front pairing, i.e. we need to add more pace there.

For now it would be something like:

Simonsen
Lowton Maguire Collins Jean-Francois
Williamson McAllister Doyle Quinn
Cresswell Slew​

---------- Post added at 01:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:47 PM ----------

Bergen, not seen Tonne myself. Is he pacey? as a left pegger do you not see him playing left side midfield?

Not seen too much of him myself, but he himself does list pace among his good qualities. He's got a great left foot, is skilful and has a bit of flair. Yes, left midfield would be his ideal position, but he is very versatile.

 

[frechyblade]

When I've seen Tonne play he wants to come inside far too much. So won't give us the width we need to get down the outside of teams. I think Quinn played centrally in the friendly against Blackpool and I thought he was outstanding there. As others have said free of the instructions to get shut asap. So whilst I would be happy with Quinn moving to the middle, I'm not so sure Tonne is what is required on the left.

UTB

 

[Kenilworth]

Have to say I was impressed with Tonne last night - lively, tenacious and the shot he scored from dipped just in front of the keeper. Very well taken goal.
He played on the right side last night so he will naturally come inside and hit one - nothing wrong with that Ashley Young tells me.
He does appear to have some pace but this was against Burton Albion so I would like to see him perform at a higher level.
That said some of the Burton lads had some pace to burn.

Kenilworth jnr got a great video of Tonne's goal on his phone - hoping to upload the vid for all to see via foxy when he gets back from work later tonight

 

[boo radley]

So how many does Willo have so far?

 

[Wapping Blade]

So how many does Willo have so far?

6 according to the OS

 

[stannyblade]

6 according to the OS

What about Quinn and Flynn?

I know Doyle & Monty have 1 and the big surprise is how Old Mcdonald has yet to score

 

[Sothall_Blade]

What about Quinn and Flynn?
I know Doyle & Monty have 1 and the big surprise is how Old Mcdonald has yet to score

Quinn and Flynn have 3 goals each. Phillips got 6 from wide midfield. McAllister and Mendez-Laing got 1 each. Tonne got 2 but not sure where he played:-
So 20 to 22 goals from midfielders already. I think that might be our best return since the 2002/3 season?

http://www.sufc.co.uk/page/Goalscorers/0,,10418~201110418,00.html

It doesn't concern me that McDonald hasn't scored as he tends to spray the ball wide and keep the pressure on, rather than having a speculative shot from 25 yards.
I think that's one of the main reasons we're scoring plenty of goals overall this season.
We're working the ball to the byline and delivery quality crosses from good positions rather than hopeful balls in from deep

 

[Bergen Blade]

Since our good run started after the Bradford defeat (13 matches) our scorers are:

STRIKERS:
Evans 13
Cresswell 3
Porter 2

MIDFIELDERS:
Flynn 3
Williamson 3
Doyle 1

OTHERS:

Own goals 5

Goalscoring hasn't been a problem, but our prefered starting midfield (Williamson, McDonald, Doyle, Quinn) aren't scoring very often. It's also been a while since our defenders chipped in. Thankfully Evans has been in lethal form, and it may be no coincidence that Wilson has been looking at Riordan - this team could be struggling without a typical goalgetter.

 

[boo radley]

I just remember loads of people saying Willo is no good played wide and I think he's been one of our best players. The things we create from wide right are great and the players who join in on that are many.

 

[j j]

Glad we signed Owen Goals. Second top scorer in that run. A good indication that we put the goal mouth under pressure.