Was thinking the same last night. While some of the defensive issues have stemmed from being out passed and out muscled in midfield, the back 3 have looked pretty uncomfortable too at times. I think Mcloughlin shows a lot of composure and reads the game really well, and we looked very solid away from home with him in the middle of a back three last season.
I have to say Figgy is not as good as I was expecting. He is aimless when coming out with the ball, doesn't seem to know what to do with it, and a bit clumsy when tackling etc. I think McLoughlin might be worth a go, and give Figgy a rest.
Just what I was thinking. I thought last season McLoughlin was at times better than Greaves and Jones, especially with the number of tiimes he bailed out Greaves.
Against Coventry, when Fig was coming forward with the ball, there was virtually no movement ahead of him. I don't know what he's supposed to do with it if everyone is marked and no one is making the effort to get free. I think both he and Jones have been poor in the last two games but without our injured midfield stars, we look out of ideas.
Figgy has been like this every game I've watched, not only the Coventry game. Yes, there are times when there is little movement, but most of the time he brings the ball out slowly which allows the opposition time to mark players. The transition has to be quicker, so you don't give the opposition time to get into shape.
....if its any compensation DQPR could be the surprise package this season. They've got a few talented lads.
Coventry deliberately backed off him to allow him to get isolated out of position , they’d obviously figured us like QPR ‘s boss did . Did we watch them properly ?
Some of their fans have said they're good at full strength but lack depth over a season. I'd expect playoff contention.
My past concern with McL was that he had a mistake in him most games. Unfortunately Fig has proved no different. Not much between the 2 of them .... except maybe just maybe McL might now have leant to cut out the type of mistake he seemed most prone to
McL much better on the ball, Figs bit more no nonsense. Without some size in the midfield I think Figs gets the nod as he rarely gets beat in the air
i have to watch because you never know what can happen. last night even with 8 mins left im thinking we can get a draw. even when the 90 is up im still hopefull. maybe cos ive spent a lifetime walking up to mirrors hoping things have changed for the better.
On the subject of Greaves he is no captain. I struggled last night to see we even had a captain on the field. Give it to an older midfielder who can organise the team & refocus players (like Ashbee used to do). Don't give a boy a man's job!!!!
Out of everyone that I watched last night that would be Woods. He was constantly talking and telling those where to be. Did his upmost to get us back into the game too
agree, we actually had a bit of bite in midfield second half once he came on. He looks a good replacement for Honeyman. Give him the armband on Sat.
I don’t think stripping Greaves of the vice-captaincy would do any good now he’s been made it for the foreseeable. It’s a learning curve for him. I just wonder why more senior centre-halves like Figueiredo wasn’t marshalling the defence last night.
I've been impressed with what I've seen of Woods so far. Little ginger weasel of a larker. If he played for the oppos I'd think he was a gobby, dirty, little spoiler. Good signing.
