I'd have Hemir starting and have Ba replace Taylor. Probably need Ekwah in there as we are short numbers wise in CM.
I have to admit that I thought about taking Neil off and putting Pritchard on behind Hemir before TM made his changes
Its all about opinions, i thought neil was good on saturday. 1st half he constantly picked up positions to receive the ball n played forward throughout. Only lost the ball 6 times and most of those were playing final passes in the final 3rd where he could have taken more take. He broke up play well n was aggressive n intelligent with his pressing- had 8 recoveries due to pressing opponents which is really good He was also our biggest goal threat, 6 shots n got into dangerous positions throughout He def needed to take more care with his through balls n need a bit more composure with a couple of his shots He is the type of player that doesnt really stand out n i think thats why people play down his performances. Hes the type of lad that once hes out a team people realise exactly what he does Ekwah has more upside for sure but imo neil is more important to the team at the minute - just!! We have the makings of a quality cm 3, neil has to be the deepest as ekwah has the ability to score from distance
Neil needed to be on to break up play, thats why i keep saying we need another CDM as so much rests on neil being fit
I recognise he works hard, tackles, etc, but it's the critical aspects where he falls down imo ... ... accurate crosses into the box, the ability to see when a pass/turn is just too risky and his shooting is very poor tbh, was last season as well.
They are different types of players though so thats abit harsh to compare. Just like I’d never want Pritch to be the deepest midfielder I also would never want Neil as the 10. Harsh to compare
I thought he had a decent game. Just shows how people have such different opinions on the same player He’s not really there to be putting crosses in mind but yeah he needs to improve his shooting, as do the whole team from the edge of the box. Their first goal shows what can happen if you take a shot instead of constantly trying to work the ball into the box.
I get your point but I’d rather not risk an important player in a game against Crewe in the Carabao Cup.
Id like Hemir to get some minutes tonight, it’s a bit of a risk but he needs the experience. I’m hoping one of the u23 strikers starts rather than a senior squad member in an unnatural position.
Agree with this. Neil often gets criticism it seems to me for things he isnt really in the team for. His ability in the deep lying midfield position in my opinion second to none. I think it is arguably the most unglamorous position to play, but probably the hardest of all. He has to have a complete 360 degree view of the pitch at all times, and be prepared to receive it at all times. He will get robbed in a game in there a couple of times, but all players who take that respinsibility do. I have seen Rodri at City, probably the best in the world, get robbed lots of times. I love Pritchard because of his ratting around the opposition deep lying midfielders trying to disrupt them, other teams want to do that to Neil. 99% of the time he receives and keeps possession, which I would bet is one of the best in the league. We asked Pritch to play in a 2 once last season and we saw what happened. It isnt his skill set though so not much value in being critical of him for it. Having said this I thought it looked like Neil had more goal threat than anyone on Sunday. If he has improved that over the summer then massive credit to him. I thought his finish was really smart and he was a lot more willing to have an effort than I remember him being last season. Still a young lad and one to me who looks to be learning his trade faster than most of our young lads. Mowbray certainly seems to trust him and I know Venus is his number 1 fan. That will do for me to be honest. Fingers crossed he stays fit because I honestly see nobody else in our squad who can play that deeper role at this stage.
