Midfield Selection

[Houso]

For the first time in seasons, we seem to have too many midfielders to pick from. Fair enough, could do with another winger or two, but with youngsters like Jordan Chappell doing well, maybe it's not necessary. So, when everyone is fit, who would you pick from this bunch:

Quinn - an obvious shoe-in. There's little point in even questioning his selection.
Doyle - like Collins, seems to have 'found his level'. Was excellent on Saturday and no reason to believe this can't continue.
Monty - had been solid until he was injured. I can only see him being the same old Monty, but to a better degree in this league.
McDonald - was good for the most part in the games he's played so far. Along with Quinn, maybe the most creative player of the bunch.
McAllister - done nothing to show he's not good enough for this level, and in many ways the level above too.
Williamson - has looked as good as Quinn has looked in his brief cameos.
Mendez Laing - the jury may still be out, but he was involved in two goals on Saturday. Could be the Paul Ifill of this season.
Flynn - again, jury is still out. Looks lightweight, but may be just finding his feet in this division.
Tonne - winger or striker? Whichever position he takes, he's going to be a big asset for us this season if his previous performances are anything to go by.
Ertl - another who occupies a couple of positions, but if Doyle is good at this level, then logic dictates that Ertl will be too.

I know Monty and Ertl in particular are some way off match fitness, but McDonald is back in training so the majority are available.

Isn't it nice to have options for a change?

 

[Sothall_Blade]

I'd sell a promising young striker and sign a couple of loan players to fill two of the positions ;-)

Failing that:- Mendez-Laing, McDonald, Montgomery, Quinn
Subs:- Doyle and Williamson
Spares:- McAllister, Flynn, Tonne, Ertl and Harriot

 

[blader]

I think you're spot on with what you say, and that is what is making me think that a 4-5-1 just might work. (or away from home at least)

but a midfield of Quinn - Doyle/Monty - K-Mac - Willo - Flynn/NML

That looks very very strong for me, and flooding the midfield allows us to get the ball on the eck a lot more.

However, this would arise a few questions:

1. 4-5-1 was arguably our reason for winning sod all away games in the PL, therefore could be suggested our negativity away from home was our downfall.
2. Is Cresswell or Porter good enough to play a lone striker role? I know the rumour maybe a load of old toss, but would BT be good enough in that role?
3. Is it too risky to change our winning formula to date, to make room for our surplus of good midfielders?

either way, its a great luxury that we haven't had since..... ever? maybe a few older heads can remember the last time we had this many midfielders who were more than capable at the level we are playing.

 

[Houso]

I'd sell a promising young striker and sign a couple of loan players to fill two of the positions ;-)

Failing that:- Mendez-Laing, McDonald, Montgomery, Quinn
Subs:- Doyle and Williamson
Spares:- McAllister, Flynn, Tonne, Ertl and Harriot

ha, yeah, it does seem bizarre now. Although, I'm happy that Slew went, but that's for another thread.

 

[Houso]

Edit: double post.

Board acting strange...

 

[Balham]

I like the idea of a 4-3-2-1; with the central three midfielders being Quinn - Montgomery - McDonald and then two wingers/attacking midfielders being picked from Tonne/Flynn/NML/Williamson depending on intent.

Something like this:

Simonsen

Lowton - Maguire - Collins - Jean-Francois

McDonald - Montgomery - Quinn

NML___________________________Tonne

Cresswell/Porter/Evans​

With an emphasis on getting forward.

 

[Ollessendro]

Interesting post Houso. It is nice that Wilson has a dilemma that not many Unite managers have faced before. I think that whether we play home or away, the opposition and fitness will be the key factors to Wilson’s midfield selection. Hence I am unsure if there will be a ‘first choice midfield’.

Home

Why look any further than the midfield that controlled the game, looked comfortable on the ball, passed it well, created plenty of chances and helped their team win 4-0 against a decent team?
For me (at this stage) the first choice midfield at home should be:

Mendez-Laing* Doyle** McAllister*** Quinn

That said I can see the merits of others. See my stars.

* Flynn may come in for Laing and Tonne may be an option
** Monty is the obvious choice for Doyle as they are both more holding midfielders (though Doyle does get forward) and offer more protection to the back 4.
*** Williamson and McDonald are both natural play makers, creative/flair players and good attacking midfielders and could replace McAllister.

Away

I would like to see us tear teams apart away, but maybe we don’t have to. If we can keep this form up and make Bramall Lane a fortress again (the Bury manager stated ‘not many teams will go there and pick up points) then being solid away from home is probably the best option.
Hence I could see why Wilson would go with:

Flynn Monty Doyle Quinn

It is not my first choice centre mid, but it has ground out results (and looked solid) at Oldham, Tranmere and Yeovil. More of the same?

Opposition

The other factor to this is who we are playing. I have never been a big fan of worrying about other teams (always prefer to play our best team and let them worry about us) but I am not a footballing coach. I hated the way Blackwell did it and thought Warnock got much more success (i.e. the promotion season) when he did not do it. But I have seen the merit it in it so far.
Against physical teams away from home (Tranmere and Oldham) he wanted to keep it tight and make sure we won the midfield. Against the more footballing teams (Brentford and Bury) he has gone for creativity. It has worked. I will be interested to see how he approaches the likes of Huddersfield, Charlton, Pigs and Mk Dons.

Fitness (and suspensions)

This cannot be ignored and will dictate things. Williamson, McDonald and Monty are all on the treatment table. We are likely to see a pattern as injuries and suspensions will no doubt influence team selection.

Ollessendro’s final thoughts

It is nice for Wilson to have a headache in midfield selection. It is a long hard season (46 games, plus any JPT and FA cup games … maybe even play offs!?) and we will need strength in depth. Personally I am relatively happy with any of the players Houso named getting in the first team. I’d love to see any combo of Willo, McAllister and McDonald in centre mid (at home) and us play some real football. But Monty and Doyle have both proved they can do a job and have their merits.

 

[Bergen Blade]

At this level it's a great midfield to pick from. In a way I'm happy the scottish lads didn't come as having too many options isn't ideal either. Don't forget we also have Harriott and Conneely, and even Whitehouse may be an option later on. Maybe we could have wished for a bit more pace/quality out wide, but the way our full backs have gone forward this season we shouldn't be lacking much width.

For how long can we keep them all though?

 

[Balham]

For how long can we keep them all though?

A good question Bergen - the logical follow-on in my mind is who would we actually miss? On current form, probably only Quinn; as well as Montgomery is playing, Doyle is in a similar mould and it's the same with Williamson and McDonald. The rest aren't high profile enough to attract significant bids so should be staying.

I can see Harriott going on loan to a League 2 side if we exit the JPT, same with Conneely.

 

[Tuns]

As a part timer I've only seen Mendez Laing once - v Bury. Thought he was very poor and is not going to be the answer even at this level.

Maybe he's better in other games but a team which may need to keep up with a high standard set by MK Dons aint going to be able to carry many players.

Agree the rest of the midfield and the options looks very good for this level but take Quinn out and the attacking options take a blow that we would struggle to replace on our budget.

 

[beechblade]

Conneely,

I think he's a defender Bergs

---------- Post added at 04:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:59 PM ----------

Maybe he's better in other games but a team which may need to keep up with a high standard set by MK Dons aint going to be able to carry many players.

Haven't we set the same high standard?

I think they've scored a couple more than us but they've conceded more also. Evidentally we are both sat on a very healthy +10 which I'd put that down as equal standard.

 

[Sothall_Blade]

At this level it's a great midfield to pick from. In a way I'm happy the scottish lads didn't come as having too many options isn't ideal either. Don't forget we also have Harriott and Conneely, and even Whitehouse may be an option later on. Maybe we could have wished for a bit more pace/quality out wide, but the way our full backs have gone forward this season we shouldn't be lacking much width.

For how long can we keep them all though?

I predict Quinn will leave for 600K in January and will be replaced by Fleck on a short-term loan.
Cue “He wasn’t that good anyway”, “I think we got a good deal”, “We can’t stand in the boys way”, “Unsustainable wage bill”, “I hear good reports about the lad from Rangers”, “At least we didn’t sell xxxx”, “I’m enjoying this division, who needs promotion” etc...

 

[Balham]

I think he's a defender Bergs

He's been playing centre-mid for the reserves/development squad but I think came over originally as a right-back.

 

[Ollessendro]

Don't forget we also have Harriott and Conneely, and even Whitehouse may be an option later on.

good call. I rate Harriot, but have not seen much of the others. I see Harriot as a longer term replacement for Monty and Doyle. He sits deep and can really play (as well as get his foot in). The way he takes the ball of the back 4, always makes the pass and is always available reminds me of a (very poor man's) Xavi or (closer to home - and ability) Leon Britton. I'd like to see Harriot be given a run out against Rotherham and potentially featuring in the first team at some point this season.

 

[Bergen Blade]

He's been playing centre-mid for the reserves/development squad but I think came over originally as a right-back.

Yes, heard Conneely's better in midfield. Our last reserve line up was:

Long
Brown Parrino Pomares Warren
Chapell Harriott Conneely Murray
Philliskirk Evans​

---------- Post added at 06:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:52 PM ----------

good call. I rate Harriot, but have not seen much of the others. I see Harriot as a longer term replacement for Monty and Doyle. He sits deep and can really play (as well as get his foot in). The way he takes the ball of the back 4, always makes the pass and is always available reminds me of a (very poor man's) Xavi or (closer to home - and ability) Leon Britton. I'd like to see Harriot be given a run out against Rotherham and potentially featuring in the first team at some point this season.

Yes, that's pretty much how I saw him as well. Thought he looked like a veteran playmaker a la McCall when I saw him for the U18s, very calm on the ball. Thought he didn't look very mobile for a youngster against Man Utd, (occasionally struggled to reach some balls), but other players singled him out as being able to run all day in pre season, so he'll probably be ok.

 

[Ollessendro]

Yes, that's pretty much how I saw him as well. Thought he looked like a veteran playmaker a la McCall when I saw him for the U18s, very calm on the ball. Thought he didn't look very mobile for a youngster against Man Utd, (occasionally struggled to reach some balls), but other players singled him out as being able to run all day in pre season, so he'll probably be ok.

I'd like to see him paired with McAllister. Two young midfielders that both look comfortable on the ball and can play. Harriot could sit and distribute and McAllister would offer more as an attacking option. It might not be the right time for them both to start in League games just now, but certainly the the JPT and possibly at some stage in the season/next couple of years.

 

[beechblade]

He's been playing centre-mid for the reserves/development squad but I think came over originally as a right-back.

Ah cheers BB.