It was posted on here some weeks ago that we have a winning record when Meyler plays if I recall correctly. A remarkable stat given our overall record. I'm surprised that Marco hasn't given him more playing time given our problems at RB and his good performances there for Ireland. Elmo is poor defensively at RB and is probably short on confidence after his howlers at Man City. Maybe time for Meyler to start at RB at Stoke. After Palace demolished Arsenal tonight we need that win on Saturday to keep pace,
Hudd offers a lot of cover for the defence and takes control when others can't. I think he's definitely worth starting to take the sting out of Stoke and give us a foothold in the game. The trouble with playing Hudd is quite a few of our other players have a completely different mind set when he's on the pitch. Because he's often a safe outlet they abandon their more adventurous instincts for the big safe option. So instead of the ball moving fluently to players in the best position it just moves magnetically backwards and forwards to him. Maybe Evandro for Hudd after an hour would work.
Ah, so you understood it. And you call me a patronising ****. As for your facts: Swansea 1 - 2 Hull City: Huddlestone was key to this win, was he. I thought it was Snodgrass ... Burnley 1 - 1 Hull City: Didn't he come on really late, after all of the goals were scored? Not exactly critical to the result - or maybe it was ... Edit: No he didn't come on late - thanks Citygirl! Man Utd 0 - 0 Hull City: Aye, he played a part in a goalless draw. Jak kept us in it. At least you are right to make your facts lower case.
I totally understand what you're saying here, but it's the highlighted bit that kills us away from home. The more we defend the deeper Huddlestone gets. The deeper he gets the more we defend and pass in dangerous areas. That mindset, you speak of, is real and has been there not just with this current squad of players, but in other seasons with other players. It's been noted on here time and again, by many posters. If Huddlestone plays then he needs to play higher, where is excellent passing is a threat.
I don't disagree with any of that and I don't think there's an easy solution because none of our other midfielders protect a vulnerable defence as much as he can. I just hope Silva can solve it.
Aye, my bad. For some reason the Everton game stuck in my head, which is where he came on late. Problem with posting and watching Homeland! Still three games that really don't make Huddlestone's inclusion mandatory; more for the reason I gave Craigo.
I'd always have Omar at RB over Elmo, but this is the type of game Meyler would love, he could wind up Charlie Adam a treat. As it is, I think Evandro will drop out and Thudd will come in.
I'm not so sure we have a vulnerable defence; at least, not to the point of having to sacrifice attacking midfield for it. RB is a problem and Meyler may be the answer, but it seems Silva doesn't agree. Playing Huddlestone in a deep defensive role isn't the answer, whatever the question is. Like I said in my first post, we need to defend solidly and, for me that includes getting Huddlestone out of the face of the CBs. Nobody has to agree, it's an opinion.
How many other players involved in our recent run of away defeats should we not select, on top of Huddlestone? All of them?
No; why do you ask? I've given specific reason why I would not select Huddlestone; did you miss them?
Meyler is the obvs answer at right back. You don't think the Allams are insisting that Elmohamady plays?
You did notice Clucas and N'Diaye dropping deep to receive the ball in the last three games, didn't you? It's not some foible unique to Tom Huddlestone, its Silva's instructions.
Not in the last game, as I only saw the highlights. Nothing wrong with dropping deep to receive the ball, but that's not what Huddlestone does. I am happy for you to correct me, but I believe Clucas and N'Diaye both feature prominently in the top two thirds, they also carry the ball and act as a threat. Do you think Tom does?
And I'm happy to disagree with you. Tom has some excellent quality to his game, but being a threat is not one of them. He is excellent at being pivotal and spreading the ball around; he also has one hell of a shot on him - but he sits too deep and that makes his threat pointless.
His job is to ping the ball about to areas we usually have to make 2 or 3 sideways passes to get to. He is very good at stretching teams and Stoke aren't the quickest, between him and Harry hopefully they'll cause some problems.
