I think hes good in the CDM role, just think hes better in the box to box role The issue when he has played CDM for us previously is the other 2 CMs in fromt of him are poor defensively and it leaves him exposed Browne would make him a better CDM, he covers the ground so well and he will drop in alongside Neil if needs me. If browne signs this will be the most excited (and convinced) by a signing since we brought Ballard in
It’s a shame we’ve got so many younger lads who look like they’d fit into the 8 so well but can’t play them all. I think Neil, Ekwah and Rigg would all do well there with a good 6 behind them. Still think Jobe would decent there too
Copley is just like a 24 hour news feed now. Finding stories and regurgitating them. The art of journalism seems to have died out
Seems to be really common at the minute when i watch young players, that they are better in the 8 role Its so hard to find young natural CDMs at the minute, suppose because its such a tough position to play (in my eyes anyway) I have a feeling Neil could take a massive leap forward this yr in that role
My opinion is that the CDM role is quickly disappearing. Traditionally I think of players that were tough tackling, strong aggressive types. Souness, Keane and the likes of Cattermole for us most recently. Youngsters now dont want to be just that sort of players. All the kids want to be on the ball all of the time. They want to be pinging passes and curling in shots. As a result the game is moving on where your central midfielder who sits the deepest is more of a play maker than play disrupter, in terms of their skill sets. Rodri is the best I have seen in recent years. His game is about positional awareness first and foremost out of possession. He is cutting off forward pass options all the time. It means interceptions are much more valuable than tackles becausd you can spring immediately forward. I dont think we will see another Terry Hurlock snarling around the midfield area again, nor even a Keane type. The game is different. Neil for me is perfect for that role. His first touch and range of passing is excellent. He is always on the half turn, which is the number 1 skill in that position. And he isnt afraid to carry the ball or go into different zones when he deems the time is right. I used to watch Dunga play and he would never leave his zone. Modern day players dont want to be so restricted. It is a good thing too. When you think about the out of the ball side of the game you dont really think about 1 player being key to recovery, particularly now more teams want to be high energy pressing teams. Recovery has to be a 7 or 8 man effort these days. Anyway, leave Neil deep for me where he can set the tempo and direction of play. Take the next best technical player and let them learn that position, like Neil has done, and accept the mistakes. They will be there, they probably are just need refining from an 8.
Mental. After spending £20m on Hutchinson too. They’ll have a good young team if they come back down though!
