The Midfield

[Shoreham_View]

I think we looked far more dangerous when we dropped the flat three in midfield against both Bournemouth and Palace, Freeman is the ideal Duffy replacement and really helps us going forward. This being said is Fleck in risk of loosing his place to Lundstram with him being in form if Wilder agrees and decides that we are better of with the midfielder sitting and roaming behind the strikers instead of a flat three? Would love to get some opinions on this, its been a topic of debate between just five people so I have no doubt just opened a huge can of worms to an audience this size.

 

[Harry's Game]

Freeman played a flat three role on Sunday, granted he got forward a lot more than the other two but he didn’t play as an out and out number 10 in the Duffy role.

He did play very well and looked better than Fleck who was not playing badly himself.

 

[Akinbiyi]

Freeman played a flat three role on Sunday, granted he got forward a lot more than the other two but he didn’t play as an out and out number 10 in the Duffy role.

He did play very well and looked better than Fleck who was not playing badly himself.

Would agree with that

For me, if we play the flat 3 we need Freeman in it, he provides the link between midfield and attack better than Fleck because he's more attack minded and has a little bit extra ability wise. We wouldn't have looked as good had Freeman not come on IMO, we maybe wouldn't have won as he set up the goal...

If we were to go back to the slightly deeper 2 with 1 infront, Fleck comes back in and Freeman goes further up for me. They're two very slightly different in terms of position, but hugely different roles in terms of what is asked defensively.

 

[McGrath]

Don't expect any changes in our style on Saturday. Leicester are another team who are great on the break and who have good attacking players.

Expect us to again pack the midfield and stymie Maddison like we stymied Zaha

 

[Pinchy]

Freeman played a flat three role on Sunday, granted he got forward a lot more than the other two but he didn’t play as an out and out number 10 in the Duffy role.

He did play very well and looked better than Fleck who was not playing badly himself.

Yes. He can and has played in a flat three. It really is more about players than fine-lining positions and formations. Wilder has made it clear on more than one occasion (once very recently) that precise delineations of ‘midfielder’ “do me ‘ead in”.

 

[Bladezz]

I think we looked far more dangerous when we dropped the flat three in midfield against both Bournemouth and Palace, Freeman is the ideal Duffy replacement and really helps us going forward. This being said is Fleck in risk of loosing his place to Lundstram with him being in form if Wilder agrees and decides that we are better of with the midfielder sitting and roaming behind the strikers instead of a flat three? Would love to get some opinions on this, its been a topic of debate between just five people so I have no doubt just opened a huge can of worms to an audience this size.

Freeman played the Fleck role and didn’t go in behind the strikers. Plus as can be seen CW likes to have left footers in the left sides positions for balance across the team.

So that would rule out Lundstram in for Fleck also.

Plus I don’t see a real need to change anything tactically. Leicester will be a very difficult test so would do what we normally do and be very hard to beat and grow into the games.

 

[8lade]

I don't see Freeman as a Duffy replacement as Duffy had a goal threat that none of our other midfielders has. Freeman's style of play is more likely to set up more goals he's probably the best crosser of the ball in the squad. As for Fleck, his injury is not a threat to the quality of the first team so he doesn't need to be rushed back and when he returns he will then have to win his position in the team back.

 

[Pinchy]

Would agree with that

For me, if we play the flat 3 we need Freeman in it, he provides the link between midfield and attack better than Fleck because he's more attack minded and has a little bit extra ability wise. We wouldn't have looked as good had Freeman not come on IMO, we maybe wouldn't have won as he set up the goal...

If we were to go back to the slightly deeper 2 with 1 infront, Fleck comes back in and Freeman goes further up for me. They're two very slightly different in terms of position, but hugely different roles in terms of what is asked defensively.

Freeman showed that he is no show pony fancy feet. He pressed and challenged as well as anyone on the pitch. He was hugely impressive. I speak as one who was underwhelmed at his recruitment. Silly me.

Beardoli and Freeze would be starting on Saturday if I were selecting the team.

 

[I should coco]

Freeman showed that he is no show pony fancy feet. He pressed and challenged as well as anyone on the pitch. He was hugely impressive. I speak as one who was underwhelmed at his recruitment. Silly me.

His lack of pace showed when he was unable to chase down their dodgy keeper, who clearly wasn't comfortable with the ball at his feet.

That said, he reminded me of Coutts in his unerring ability to always find a red shirt; 'Never gives the ball away".
He was involved all over the middle of the pitch and has a great range of passing. If he'd had more pace he'd proabably have been in the Prem for years, so it's to our great benefit he continued to get ignored in La Liga.

I don't want to get carried away after watching just an hour, but there looks to be a good creative player in there.

 

[Dnblade]

Certainly gave us a bit more going forward, and good without the ball aswell...but yes, played on the left of the 3 in the Fleck role, and for me played himself into the starting line up for Saturday, and I'm a big Fleck fan.

 

[TaipeiBlade]

We looked better with Freeman. I think we've gotta start him.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Last year when we played at QPR he was involved in their best moves with direct running and pasing. Most of these moves started deep and he ghosted through our players at times. He is perfect for the flat 3 home or away.