Neil can definitely play the deep sitting role. He is great receiving the ball from the defence on the half turn and playing between the lines. Neil is great at cutting out passing channels when on defence
I think he is better suited to going forward (box-to-box), gliding through gaps and finding the killer pass. I agree he does the things you mentioned adequately, but it would be a waste for him to sit in and allow Ekwah free rein.
I would be moving Ekwah on for a half decent fee. Not entirely convinced he is up for the physicality of the championship. Rigg, Bellingham ahead of him for me for the medium term and they both need games in the middle of the park.
He’d decided to let Neil be the one with more freedom and then rotated Hume in there to compensate as well. It was a mess imo. It really hampered our rhs and then misprofiled the two midfielders (IMO Neil is much more suited to being a 6 than Ekwah). I’m more positive about PE than you, pal. Given his experience level a dip was perhaps inevitable. He remains a mobile, talented midfielder with a great left foot and a good engine - even if he needs a rocket up him. My big worry for next season is how to keep them all involved, engaged and with enough minutes to aid their development. Making things more flat three than 2 and 1 (as it kinda seemed we did on Saturday) will help, but we still need to move on two as things stand. That’s probably Matete and Embleton. Further changes to the squad in that area will mean more players need to be shifted.
Don’t get me wrong Ekwah is a silky player, has a lovely strike of a ball, cracking lad and I can see him doing well somewhere but he seems more suited to somewhere where players have more time which is not British football
He’s only played 18 months of senior football. Let him be a depth option and give him time to develop. These lads could be class at 23/24
I like Ekwah a lot and think he could end up a very good player but if we can get a big fee for him, it wouldn't be the worst outcome.
https://x.com/sportspeteo/status/1812909472840335732?s=46&t=bFwez-5oi7CdxUG56_1QKg Strange one, ran us ragged up here, incredibly raw though
He probably wants be more than a depth option. The challenge we have is Neil and Browne are almost certain to play in that central midfield area. There is probably only 1 more spot and we have Rigg and Bellingham, both who have a much higher ceiling in my opinion. Adil probably thinks he should be through the middle somewhere. Some arent getting the game time they will want and I can see Ekwah being disposable / frustrated. He is the one who is most vulnerable to Browne arriving in my opinion.
My biggest worry about Ekwah is what is between his ears and in his chest. Watching him jog back into the box after losing possession got really really old really really quickly. I don’t care if he’s the best player in the world, or the worst he has to show heart and desire.
Sheff Utd signed Callum OHare. Good signing that. They are starting to put together what is likely a side to challenge for the top 2 again in my opinion.
