Midfield Worries

[robbiez666]

The midfielders in our squad are:

Berge
Lunny
Norwood
Fleck
Osborn
Rodwell

Since lockdown, only Berge has consistently been at the races. Fleck has looked totally off and Osborn is energetic but wildly inconsistent. Norwood is now suddenly dropped after a poor start and Rodwell, who knows why on earth he is here. Lunny was meant to be off but looks like staying. Just doesn't look anything like the player from the first half of last season. There is no cover for him, which is odd (we must have been after Swift as a replacement).

We have problems all over the pitch at the moment but the midfield group is worrying me the most. They are so far away from the strikers and far too easily played through.

We set up to defend and stop other teams scoring but when they inevitably do we have very little creativity from midfield.

Everyone seems devoid of confidence, which doesn't help, but our negative set-up isn't helping either.

It sounds like we're just after a LCB tomorrow but I'm more and more convinced every game that we're desperate for someone else in midfield. Even if it's just to cover at RCM.

 

[BladeTillIDie]

Still baffles me now we didn't sign a midfielder and were having to start Lunny every game because of it

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Wilder wanted Swift - Reading wouldn't play ball - Wilder won't spunk our money, we should respect him for that - we go with what we have.

UTB

 

[AnstonBlade1]

Not an ounce of creativity in that midfield.

 

[robbiez666]

Wilder wanted Swift - Reading wouldn't play ball - Wilder won't spunk our money, we should respect him for that - we go with what we have.

UTB

I can only assume he thought Lunny was going as it seems very strange to go after someone to fill a position but when he's not available to not pursue anyone else.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Not an ounce of creativity in that midfield.

This game isn't about creativity on our part - it's about containment - it's why CWAK has gone with Berge at the base with Osborn and lunny to run their socks off and cover space and players.

We're looking for 1 or 2 chances throughout the whole evening which is why Brewster starts - to actually finish one of those chances where as others up until now have failed.

We are on a no lose situation here - same as when we play City

Pray tell - do you expect United to take the game to Liverpool?


UTB

 

[hidesbehindapseudonym]

Well the midfield certainly scares the cr*p out of me.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Just hoof it to McBurnie and hope he can get Brewster in behind their weak defence.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

I can only assume he thought Lunny was going as it seems very strange to go after someone to fill a position but when he's not available to not pursue anyone else.

yep, quite possibly - but CW keeps telling us all about the lack of funds - our funds are targeted to players to probably go straight in the team - my feeling is Swift was that Lunny positionwith Lunny being backup. sadly we'll never know now.

UTB

 

[Wards]

Weakened, certainly not weak.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

We're playing Liverpool way, not a poor or average team (where we need to be on the front foot) at home.

We simply cannot use our normal tactics of front foot football v Liverpool or City who simply have two of the best squads in European football.

the game is about first of all getting to half time at 0-0.

After that it becomes a different game and CWAK will no doubt have a plan worked out - tonight is about not conceding early - like last year.

UTB

 

[yorkshirecoast]

We simply cannot use our normal tactics of front foot football v Liverpool or City who simply have two of the best squads in European football.

Front foot football?! We never play that way, even against bottom of the table Fulham.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Front foot football?! We never play that way, even against bottom of the table Fulham.

for sure they like to keep the ball - and again they did the same today - but their defence is rubbish and we should have been well in front at half time.

The tactics won't change in theory - we're just not quite on it this season.

No need to worry yet.

UTB

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Creative midfielder missing big time, played well but the AM is badly missing

 

[Ldn_Rd_Blades]

Ampadu in the middle with Berge on the right looked good to me

 

[A Storm of Blades]

We don’t have a playmaker and I’m worried it could cost us. Someone asked earlier if our L1 promotion midfield was better than this...

 

[FMBlade1]

Creative midfielder missing big time, played well but the AM is badly missing

It's why I've suggested that we take a look at Wilshere.

Not even sign him, just have him on trial for a bit, nothing to lose imho

 

[blades14]

Does anyone know the exact role of each of our midfielders. I think they're clueless at the minute

 

[BushBlade]

Does anyone know the exact role of each of our midfielders. I think they're clueless at the minute

I think Reach is a kind of wide player and Bannan is a playmaker. Not sure about the rest.

 

[bladesince64]

I think it was stated at the time that the Reading chairman put the block on the Swift move. Didnt they have a change of manager as well.

Swift then got injured and was estimated to be out for 3 months.

 

[blades14]

I think Reach is a kind of wide player and Bannan is a playmaker. Not sure about the rest.

Better of asking someone else with a bit of footballing knowledge i suppose

 

[FriethBlade]

I think it was stated at the time that the Reading chairman put the block on the Swift move. Didnt they have a change of manager as well.

Swift then got injured and was estimated to be out for 3 months.

The pursuit of Swift was strange. Seems like he may have been a first 11 player but we only went to 4m. Why did we think Reading would sell him for that? In the meantime its seems we spent a similar amount on Bogle who is nowhere near getting a game and 5x the amount on Brewster

 

[robbiez666]

The pursuit of Swift was strange. Seems like he may have been a first 11 player but we only went to 4m. Why did we think Reading would sell him for that? In the meantime its seems we spent a similar amount on Bogle who is nowhere near getting a game and 5x the amount on Brewster

I'd guess that Wilder assumed Lunny would leave. It still seems rather odd given that would still leave us a bit short. I have zero problem with the signing of the Derby lads. If Baldock had got injured then Bogle would be playing. The fact we seem to be using Rodwell as one of our midfielders even though he's nowhere near a squad is perplexing. Could have got shut and used the wages towards a loan. Doesn't make sense to me.

 

[Yogi]

The pursuit of Swift was strange. Seems like he may have been a first 11 player but we only went to 4m. Why did we think Reading would sell him for that? In the meantime its seems we spent a similar amount on Bogle who is nowhere near getting a game and 5x the amount on Brewster

By all accounts reading had sold him for that it was agreed at board level until the owner stepped in and said double it or not for sale and for a whole host of reason I think we respectfully declined.

 

[Wincobank S9 Blade]

We need more craft for sure and Wilder probably knows that but unfortionatly it’s not football manager however it’s got to be priority next window surely

 

[robbiez666]

What on earth has happened to our midfield this year? They're anonymous almost every game. They offer limited or no cover for the back 5 and offer absolutely nothing going forward. Last season, whether we were going down the left or right, the midfield played a pivotal role in protecting the wingbacks, joining up play and supporting down the wings. This year, almost nothing. We're now going long, but have no one for McBurnie to find as no one is getting forward and Burke is not that kind of player. If we're going to play hopeful long balls we need players running on ahead of McBurnie, but no one does.

Also, has anyone checked on Jack Rodwell lately? I suspect they all got drunk one night and accidentally killed him. He's buried under the Kop but they're all covering it up. I'm not sure how bad you have to be to be a midfielder at this club and not get a chance ahead of any of these excuses for Premier League footballers.

 

[Kevincarterversion2.0]

Myself and may others were saying the same about the midfield before the transfer window opened. By lockdown two, Fleck was obviously out of form, Sander was inconsistent and Lunny was wanting out. We needed creativity adding, as well as bite and CW didnt address either. This failure, coupled with prioritising cover over first teamers, and not replacing JOC is what made the window so completely rubbish.

It is hard to believe this is the same manager that built some excellent mdifields in previous seasons. Because this one, is not fit for purpose. The holy trinity of Coutts, Duffy and a on form Fleck seems a distant memory.

 

[Broomhall Blade]

The midfielders in our squad are:

Berge
Lunny
Norwood
Fleck
Osborn
Rodwell

Since lockdown, only Berge has consistently been at the races. Fleck has looked totally off and Osborn is energetic but wildly inconsistent. Norwood is now suddenly dropped after a poor start and Rodwell, who knows why on earth he is here. Lunny was meant to be off but looks like staying. Just doesn't look anything like the player from the first half of last season. There is no cover for him, which is odd (we must have been after Swift as a replacement).

We have problems all over the pitch at the moment but the midfield group is worrying me the most. They are so far away from the strikers and far too easily played through.

We set up to defend and stop other teams scoring but when they inevitably do we have very little creativity from midfield.

Everyone seems devoid of confidence, which doesn't help, but our negative set-up isn't helping either.

It sounds like we're just after a LCB tomorrow but I'm more and more convinced every game that we're desperate for someone else in midfield. Even if it's just to cover at RCM.

Spot on our midfield is slow and poor.
We are too slow when we have a chance to break and end up doubling back or passing back or giving the ball away.
With the exception of Berge none of them look comfortable with the ball.


Berge the only Premiership quality midfielder we have.

Lunny he wants to leave shouldn't be anywhere near the 1st team.

Norwood you can now see why his previous clubs got rid when they got Promotion.

Fleck been poor this season, the one hope is he could get back to last seasons form.

Osborn Sorry Championship at best.

Rodwell What is the point ? Even if we are only paying him £500 a week its a total waste, the money would be better spent donated to a local food bank.

 

[robbiez666]

Spot on our midfield is slow and poor.
We are too slow when we have a chance to break and end up doubling back or passing back or giving the ball away.
With the exception of Berge no of them look comfortable with the ball.


Berge the only Premiership quality midfielder we have.

Lunny he wants to leave shouldn't be anywhere near the 1st team.

Norwood you can now see why his previous clubs got rid when they got Promotion.

Fleck been poor this season, the one hope is he could get back to last seasons form.

Osborn Sorry Championship at best.

Rodwell What is the point ? Even if we are only paying him £500 a week its a total waste, the money would be better spent donated to a local food bank.

I've said this before, but I do wonder whose signing Berge is. He does look like a Premier League footballer, at times, but he's never looked like a player who fits into how we play. I can't put my finger on it but he just seems to be the wrong kind of player for how we play.

 

[Davalon]

I've said this before, but I do wonder whose signing Berge is. He does look like a Premier League footballer, at times, but he's never looked like a player who fits into how we play. I can't put my finger on it but he just seems to be the wrong kind of player for how we play.

He is.

I've backed him because I honestly believe he has the ability to play higher but in a possession based team.

He's wasted in a battling team. He wins nothing in the air which is obscene for someone of his stature, and too often he tackles like a wet lettuce.

You can't have a midfielder in our system ambling around and going missing in the physical battle.

I feel sorry for the kid because he's very young, moved to a foreign country during a pandemic, and is playing in a team that doesn't suit his style. You can see how the confidence has drained from him.