He's never played well there. He couldn't play in midfield in League One, but all of a sudden he's a guaranteed starter in a Championship midfield? Do me a favour...
Most of the games that Ekwah has played throughout his career, including in the West Ham and Chelsea age group sides, have been as a defensive midfielder. Neil plays the role well. There is an argument that both are better slightly further forward but both are good enough to play the role.
Defensive midfielders who can break up play but also have the qualities to play midfield for a possession based team are rare, I'd say they are rarer than the mystical 'championship proven striker'. I'd say in the championship I can think of Ampadu, Shea Charles and Ben Sheaf who are players who can play as a lone defensive midfielder and also have ability on the ball to play at the top end of the championship. The rest of the league either play 2 more box to box players which masks any defensive weaknesses like Ipswich and Boro or they play a genuine ball player like Leicester with Winks and Swansea with Grimes which in Swanseas case especially leaves them so open. I want another defensive midfielder but I think we will persist with Neil deeper and either sign a more box to box player or give more game time to Rigg which I am not against at all.
Bournemouth after a striker according to Romano. There could still be time if things fall into place.
You've got me now, I've read what Scout said twice and can't see anything that's not already been said.
I think Ben Whiteman is a bit of an underrated DM too for Preston.. remember him playing for Doncaster against us and he looked a cut above that level
Scout posted just after the other lad was dying on the "O'Nien and Matete are defensive midfielders" hill
Fishpastie, at it again. Bent seems to think he'll come back after his stint in Holland. Would any have him back, it's a no from me https://x.com/Capt_Fishpaste/status/1752346916598288756?s=20
I’d be fairly content with just a dm in, a striker would be great but quality strikers are few and far between and anyone would be mad to let one go in Jan, there’s goals in this team if we play to the tempo we did at the weekend
An able CB at this level with a few flaws. He's not a midfielder anymore, certainly not a Championship level. He doesn't have the game for it
No,sorry marra,but there's no way I'd see Luke playing in central midfield. I love the lad, but he needs to see the game in front of him.
Just thought there Blackburn have loaned their DM captain out and sold their other centre midfielder. Imagine the meltdown if we sold Neil and loaned Ekwah out this window
