Midfield against Derby

[jodman]

Assuming that no central midfielder arrives before the game against Derby County this weekend; who would people like to see come into the line-up to replace the departed Michael Tonge.

I'm going to assume that Lee Hendrie is still injured and so i personally would like to see Halford shifted to right back, Cotterill brought into the team to play on the right wing and then Sun shited into the centre of midfied.

This would mean that both our central midfielders would have a lot of covering to do as it would be the responsibility of both Quinn and Cotts to make in-roads down the flanks.

I doubt Blackie will want to make so many changes when he is only forced into one and the obvious change would be Spring for Tonge but i think we need more penetration from the middle third.

 

[Robbie]

I'd bring Halford in to the middle and chuck Cotts on the right. Seems simple enough for me.

That is of course if Hendrie is still injured.

We have plenty of options in Sun, Halford, Squinn, Monty, Hendrie and Spring. I'm not worried one iota.

 

[butchaboy]

well its quite simple if hendrie's fit and in my opinion this is a better midfield now tonge has left

Hendrie --- Squinny --- Speed ---- Cotts

 

[jodman]

I'd bring Halford in to the middle and chuck Cotts on the right. Seems simple enough for me.

That is of course if Hendrie is still injured.

We have plenty of options in Sun, Halford, Squinn, Monty, Hendrie and Spring. I'm not worried one iota.

Derby County away is the kind of game in which we won't miss Tongey simply because having two deffensive cenrtal midfielders is probably a prudent approach.

Monty, Halford or Sun would be, in my opinion, the way to go even if Tonge was at the club. This way it will allow Blackie to throw Cotts on from the start as we have deffensive minded players who can drop in and cover when he goes surging forward.

Henderson must be praying for Cotts to start too just so he'll have a few crosses from the by-line as opposed to having them banged up to him from deep.

The idea of having two players in the middle of the park who are so comfortable on the ball (Sun and Speed) and read the game so well seems very favourable to me; it'll probably turn out to be a disaster if my track record is anything to go by

 

[TonyAgana]

then Sun shited into the centre of midfied

Pffffftt!! They'll do it anywhere these Chinese.

 

[RaWW]

And this is the problem when you sell your starting players.

Why on earth would you want to move one of if not the best performer in his position so far this year, to play him in a position the manager obviously doesn't think he's best suited too. Then you're gonna have 2 players effectively playing out of (what Blackwell thinks) there best position.

Sunny Jim has performed absolutely magnificently at RB so why change that, why change a defence that looks solid.

I knew it was a bad move letting Tonge go until we had a replacement. Fingers crossed something might happen, but I'm not expecting big things as is the norm with us.

The fact is that we do not have anyone who can come straight into the team in Tonges' position and keep the fluidity of the team intact.

 

[jodman]

And this is the problem when you sell your starting players.

Why on earth would you want to move one of if not the best performer in his position so far this year, to play him in a position the manager obviously doesn't think he's best suited too. Then you're gonna have 2 players effectively playing out of (what Blackwell thinks) there best position.

Sunny Jim has performed absolutely magnificently at RB so why change that, why change a defence that looks solid.

I knew it was a bad move letting Tonge go until we had a replacement. Fingers crossed something might happen, but I'm not expecting big things as is the norm with us.

The fact is that we do not have anyone who can come straight into the team in Tonges' position and keep the fluidity of the team intact.

I see your point, I don't think anyone would argue that Sun has been fantastic at right back so far this season and our goals against record would suggest that making an unneccessary change would be folly.

Obviously one change needs to be made and the lack of an attacking midfielder to play centrally would suggest the best move may be to switch halford inside (his self proclaimed best position) and bring Cotts in on the right.

The transfer of Tonge has been covered in excruciating depth so lets try and keep this one on topic by debating who should come in.

 

[TonyAgana]

Sun Ji to CM? I can see the argument for that, TBH.

Yes, we have a very solid and settled back four and I'd be very wary of disrupting that. However, he's a great player who is accomplished in various positions. It's not different shaped pegs and holes like some are making out.

We need players to "do damage" and I firmly believe that with his running, tackling, attacking and dribbling skills (and, dare I say it, pace?), he'd do miles better than any of our other options in midfield (aside from an in-form Lee Hendrie).

In my opinion, there's not many positions in which you're less likely to "do damage" than at right-back. You have to cover more ground than any other player to get back into position as a full-back. His run from RB to CF against Birmingham was something we haven't seen at United for an age - and how exciting was it? (Not to mention how difficult it is for the opposition to defend) But ultimately we needed to cover for quite a few moments for him to get back which could cost us if it becomes habit.

I'd be very interested to see him in the middle of the park. He's got the composure, experience, confidence, backing of the fans, everything to give it a good shot. And let's face it, it's not like we have a shortage of RBs is it??

 

[SRBlade]

Apparently Speed is struggling with an ankle injury, as is Spring.

So that will leave us with Squinn, Monty and the Tango man.







Excellent

 

[ClarkeBhoy]

Speedo was fine at training yesterday but Springy is struggling. blackie kept saing dave on the left so could be carney.

 

[DazBlade88]

I don't know if anyone saw it, but in the programme the other week Halford said his favourite position is in the middle of the park.

I think it's worth a go, physical presence in the middle with 2 nippy wingers either side.

 

[RaWW]

It may be his favourite position but has he ever played there for anyone. For Colchester he was RB, and for every other club he's been at he's played on the right.

 

[Foxy]

It may be his favourite position but has he ever played there for anyone. For Colchester he was RB, and for every other club he's been at he's played on the right.

He played there for Colchester, in fact when we were linked with him the first time around and he was rated as one of the top up and coming youngsters, he was a regular in that position.