It’s a niche opinion but I reckon Neil has the makings of a cracking 6. I’d go further than that and say that if Neil wants to go as far as he possibly can in the game, then he’ll knuckle down and commit to the position. His ceiling in that position is higher than it would be if he concentrates on playing further forward imo. Frustrated the life out of me when Mowbray decided to play him and Ekwah the wrong way round last season.
I hope so mate, that makes more sense than Browne playing as the 6. There’s any amounts of decent 8s in the game and Neil has the quality to become a good 6 which I’ve already stated i think is the hardest position on the pitch. He played there a few times and thought he looked sloppy at times getting caught on the turn but that’s bound to happen and sticking with him all season will be of benefit to us I think.
I dont think many warranted a start so i would rather give minutes to someone with his upside. So id say no one wasnt left out didnt deserve to be left out We have no idea what he will be like thjs season, those few games last season may really help him kick on this season - we dont know that yet but i def wouldnt be loaning him out when theres a good chance he will play plenty of minutes
Think you've misunderstood what I'm getting at. I don't expect us not to buy, I'm just more excited by signing young players in the same mould as Clarke or even Poveda. I want us to develop an identity based on that because it sets us apart from the morass of similar clubs. I didn't say anything about not being bothered about progression.
Totally agree. This is what I was alluding to when I asked my question at the talk a couple of weeks ago. There’s been so much talk about the model we are adopting but we haven’t seen the full model in operation yet as we haven’t sold any of the players we have brought through eg Clark which would enable us to improve across the team. Other teams totally figured us out last season in that they knew that the majority of our attacks would come through Clark so they doubled up on him. Sell Clark and invest well and we would have multiple attacking options and we wouldn’t be as easy for opposition teams to figure out
I’ve seen enough of Rigg to know he will be a very important player for us this year. I don’t expect to see the same midfield line up all the time though. It will be interesting to see who RLB can coach to their potential. I think Neil is interesting and can reach a high level in a 6 or further forward - wonder to what extent he’ll be moved around or stick to one position.
No idea how our midfield is going to work for all parties. Dan Neil, Rigg, Jobe, Ekwah, Browne, Aouchiche. If we play a 3 man midfield in all 46 league games, that's 138 starts to share between all 6, an average of 23. It will be a tough act for RLB to juggle that, and that's without thinking about other players who can slot into midfield, who will also need more games.
You're not wrong but my concern is that some of that quality will be asking to leave in January if they don't get enough time on the pitch.
I think it is clear as day Neil is a perfect 6. I think he right out of the Rodri mould. Pushing him furtner forward limits his ability to control the whole game which is what he does time and again. As for Rigg, he is from a different footballing planet to some in our squad. It isnt the fact he is from our academy, but that he has talent and ability to burn. Ba, Adil, Ekwah, all someway behind him. He is second name in our misfield after Neil.
Aouchiche loaned to Saudi in Jan, there's a prediction, I know RLB didn't play him that much at Lorient.
Neil will be the best CM in the league this season imo Looking forward to seeing how Rigg kicks on, always looks good when he is played in his preferred position
That's assuming no injuries, also Rigg won't expect to play as much as Neil. Theres also bound to be a pecking order develop with form, which will mean someone falls to the bottom, becomes unhappy and we sell next summer. I'd rather go in with a headache to come than find yourself short later.
He has looked like one of the best under le Bris at the minute I think le bris will want to play him, seems to have got used to the switches and quick transitions already
I think them 6 will be fine and get enough game time between them. 5 games in 21 days to start the season (4 league, 1 cup) along with being able to make 5 subs, I expect plenty rotation. Desperately need to move Matete and Embleton on though.
I really hope you’re wrong. He is very erratic in his playing standards but at times he is a joy to watch.
