Worth a punt?

[MBoreman]

The obvious thing we've lost from McDonald is his creativity and having a quality focal point in a 4-2-3-1, but what he offered a lot last season starting deeper (in a 4-4-2) was that he could pick the ball up and run with it (like a L1 Yaya Toure), thus relieving pressure and getting us up the pitch. Now in a 4-2-3-1, and later on in a 4-4-2, the central midfielders aren't offering this. Seeing as things are looking pretty desperate (and with our squad being full of defenders) I thought a possible solution to this would be pushing Maguire up t0 CM/CDM, as he does make these runs from defence and this would give him more opportunity to do so. Obviously there are a lot of issues with this, such as whether he has the passing ability, the touch, the engine, the vision etc and who would be best alongside him. But like I say, it doesn't look as though it could get much worse so it may be worth a try.

On a side note I find it extremely annoying at games the people constantly screaming get in/hit him, it's a lot easier said then done.

 

[SwissBlade]

I'd say no to moving Harry into midfield, he needs more pace and speed of thought. As my mate said today, once you get him moving, he moves in that direction only, he hasn't the nimble agile feet to turn quickly. Not his fault, he's a big unit.

But I agree we need a central midfielder that drives forward with the ball.

 

[MBoreman]

I'd say no to moving Harry into midfield, he needs more pace and speed of thought. As my mate said today, once you get him moving, he moves in that direction only, he hasn't the nimble agile feet to turn quickly. Not his fault, he's a big unit.

But I agree we need a central midfielder that drives forward with the ball.

See what you mean, but then, like you say we do need it, and I can't see us getting anyone from else where.

 

[SwissBlade]

See what you mean, but then, like you say we do need it, and I can't see us getting anyone from else where.

What about Coady?

 

[Foxy]

I think Coady is suited further back with the odd forward movement rather than being relied on to regularly attack.

The way no one is seizing the role at the moment we could do worse than chuck young Jahmal in, he's strong for his size and can run at defences... not sure he's got the range of passing yet though.

Not sure where Elliott Whitehouse is at the minute, but he has a knack of turning up in and around the area at the right time, perhaps we could try him in a role without the defensive shackles.

It's a role that Murphy should be making his own, but he seems reluctant... Last season, I put it down to not being fit and in a side struggling to make space... this season he's carried on in the same vein at the moment.

McFadzean is more suited wide for me and Doyle is too much of a stopper/all rounder.

McGinn I think is more suited to dropping off and using the ball well from deep.

Which leaves Flynn, who I think is better suited to the wing (with actual support, rather than the lack of movement he got last season) or trying to cause trouble in a front three.

 

[OllyBlade]

On a side note I find it extremely annoying at games the people constantly screaming get in/hit him, it's a lot easier said then done.

Sorry that was almost certainly me When our players are that rubbish I start begging them to make things interesting. Having said that, I can't remember the last time one of our players made a foul to stop a dangerous counter-attack.

 

[highpeakblade]

Have to agree with all of the above if i'm honest. Maguire isn't technically gifted enough to play that sort of position and he's the wrong build and doesn't have the pace or stamina in my opinion to cover the ground required in that position.

After looking at the options now I don't feel we have anyone in the club who can play that position. As said Murphy should be the ideal option but he's not up to it. We need to look at bringing someone in but we won't find anyone I feel with the same all round attributes that McDonald had so I think we need to be looking at a tricky, young, pacey type who will run at players and try and get into the box and win us a few set pieces / penalties.

Dare I say it, I would have Michael Tonge back now for that position if I could.

 

[SwissBlade]

Sod tonge, get Michael brown back

 

[MBoreman]

Another alternative could be that rather than putting Harry into a holding midfield role (where I think he could do a passing job while giving a physical presence), have a tactic in place where Harry is allowed to bomb forward more often and make sure someone like Doyle stays back as cover.

 

[MBoreman]

But generally, not just in CM, we could do with more pushing forward with the ball, something which will come with confidence and support when it doesn't work. Personally, if someone attempts the odd positive run and one doesn't come off I'll be pleased with them for attempting it, as long as it's not there only form of attack.

 

[highpeakblade]

No disrespect but I can't even believe you are contemplating putting a central defender and a central defender who has been important in that position over the last couple of games in midfield or even attacking midfield!

To be frank I personally don't think Maguire is anywhere near good enough to play that role and it should even be considered!

 

[MBoreman]

No disrespect but I can't even believe you are contemplating putting a central defender and a central defender who has been important in that position over the last couple of games in midfield or even attacking midfield!

To be frank I personally don't think Maguire is anywhere near good enough to play that role and it should even be considered!

Think I may have been slightly misinterpreted, I'd only want him in a deep role, then being released to bomb forward, much like Toure does for City. Like I said, probably wouldn't come off, just thought it might be worth a shout, maybe in the JPT.

 

[highpeakblade]

Think I may have been slightly misinterpreted, I'd only want him in a deep role, then being released to bomb forward, much like Toure does for City. Like I said, probably wouldn't come off, just thought it might be worth a shout, maybe in the JPT.

Don't get me wrong mate i wasn't personally trying to attack you in any way but at the minute I see Maguire as nothing other than important in the role he is playing in and I don't think he is technically all round gifted enough to play anywhere in advance of that position.

Nothing against you bud.

 

[MBoreman]

Don't get me wrong mate i wasn't personally trying to attack you in any way but at the minute I see Maguire as nothing other than important in the role he is playing in and I don't think he is technically all round gifted enough to play anywhere in advance of that position.

Nothing against you bud.

Fair play, I'm probably just feeling a bit desperate after that performance.

 

[SwissBlade]

No disrespect but I can't even believe you are contemplating putting a central defender and a central defender who has been important in that position over the last couple of games in midfield or even attacking midfield!

To be frank I personally don't think Maguire is anywhere near good enough to play that role and it should even be considered!

Did you never see Jags play!

 

[highpeakblade]

Did you never see Jags play!

Completely different kettle of fish and you know it!

Jags is technically gifted and started his playing days in midfield originally as a winger I think but then central midfield. You are talking about a player who is technically an all round outstanding player and his reliability, his ability to read a situation and make a good challenge and his height of 6 foot plus was the reason he was drafted into a defensive position.

Maguire is nowhere near good enough to be the boot cleaner of Jags!

 

[MBoreman]

Did you never see Jags play!

That's who my brother mentioned when I said this! Maguire could do a Jags...but backwards.

 

[highpeakblade]

That's who my brother mentioned when I said this! Maguire could do a Jags...but backwards.

Oh dear, Maguire doesn't hold a fraction of the Ability or Agility to ever be as good as Jags!

 

[Latters]

Jags was rubbish in midfield. Probably why he never plays there for Everton. Maguire would be even worse though.

 

[MBoreman]

Oh dear, Maguire doesn't hold a fraction of the Ability or Agility to ever be as good as Jags!

Did you not see his jinking run through half of Bradford's team?

 

[highpeakblade]

Did you not see his jinking run through half of Bradford's team?

And bobby ford once scored a screamer for United all be it an intended cross! A flash in the pan doesn't automatically make a player suited to a position.

Harry might have a bit of composure about him but lacks any sort of pace to keep up with players over a distance. He's slow into tackles at times and if a player gets a step on him he gets a free run as Maguire is poor on the turn.

Should Maguire venture up the pitch the rest of the team would have to be prepared to step in as Maguire would potentially take longer to get back in position for one and for two I think after 45 minutes in that position yong harry would be blowing out of his ......

 

[SwissBlade]

Jags was rubbish in midfield. Probably why he never plays there for Everton. Maguire would be even worse though.

In fairness he was voted championship player of the year in midfield. But to me he was a centre half as soon as he moved there from fullback.

I actually said to stick Harry up front in a Paul (piggy) warhurst style

 

[SwissBlade]

Did you not see his jinking run through half of Bradford's team?

Jinking? Or juddering? His angle of attack was headed for the corner flag from the centre circle. It's unfortunate because he was unable to alter his direction, instead he had to stop.

 

[highpeakblade]

Anyone thought about giving George long a shot in the number 10 role? Despite his lack of physical size his kicking is good!.....Oh hold on

Tony McMahon could be a winger had it not be for the fact that when he beats a player and advances past him he then turns around and beats him again to go right back where the move started from!

What about Chris Porter? I fancy him as a bit or a striker?

 

[MBoreman]

And bobby ford once scored a screamer for United all be it an intended cross! A flash in the pan doesn't automatically make a player suited to a position.

Harry might have a bit of composure about him but lacks any sort of pace to keep up with players over a distance. He's slow into tackles at times and if a player gets a step on him he gets a free run as Maguire is poor on the turn.

Should Maguire venture up the pitch the rest of the team would have to be prepared to step in as Maguire would potentially take longer to get back in position for one and for two I think after 45 minutes in that position yong harry would be blowing out of his ......

To be fair I've seen him do it quite often and at least he has the bravery to actually run into space when he sees it which is more than can be said about a lot of the squad. You're probably right but we may as well give him 45 some time...might be a laugh.

 

[MBoreman]

In Maguire's defence, i think people sometimes over-exaggerate his poor feet/touch due to his build. Whereas in reality he can take the ba around players, admittedlyin areas a lot less crowded than the middle of the park. Another point in Harry's favour is he seems to have quite a shot on him. While we're redecorating the team, Flynn to full back?

 

[Guesty]

Jags was rubbish in midfield. Probably why he never plays there for Everton. Maguire would be even worse though.

Jags didn't really cut it as a midfielder in the Premiership but he was excellent there in the second tier.

 

[shorehamview]

Sticking Maguire in midfield to play like Yaya Toure, even a Division Three variant, would be like going slalom canoeing in an oil tanker. Harry's "jinking" midfield runs are about as jinking as the T Rex in Jurassic Park.

When he does take the ball up from defence it usually ends up with a hopeful punt somewhere in the direction of the corner flag at the end of the left wing, in the forlorn hope that Murphy will have removed his head from his arse and actually run in pursuit of the ball, rather than been distracted by a wind-blown crisp packet.

"Oooh, salt and vinegar! I like yon wee crispies, although my favourite is of course haggis and lard flavour, what with being a Scotchman an' all. What's Harry doing? Who the feck is going to chase that ball he's leathered towards London Road? Me? Aye, right, the noo." will be what generally goes through Murphy's mind, and it probably doesn't have very far to go.

 

[Bergen Blade]

What about Coady?

We have tried him, but he didn't look at home there.

 

[SwissBlade]

We have tried him, but he didn't look at home there.

For how many games in a side that hasn't settled?