I think the fella raises some very pertinent points and they are valid. It is extremely random and rare for a new head coach to go solo, especially in a foreign country. This has to be a worry with the season so close. Neil may get converted to that position but I think you lose his best ability, half term, playing through the lines and looking for those sneaky passes. A specialist CDM is required. Striker, there is no debate. CP raises some incredibly valid points and we have to look at them objectively.
Hope we dont have a situation like Rusyn last season, drags on then needs weeks to get up to speed, be nice to start the season with a striker ready to go and score from the off. Amazing what a bit confidence does for a striker
I don't think so. He is no Evans and that takes away lots of his game. Needs to play higher for me. Wasting his talent.
Def not wasting his talents, he might be slightly better as a box to box but he has all the skills n qualities to play the CDM role I actually think hes better now than what Evans was in our 1st season back in the league. Browne will help take Neil's game up a level this season I cant wait to see how neil develops this season
He’s poor at championship level mind, Barnsley fans didn’t seem too bothered about losing him either, goes on runs where he’s scores loads then does nothing for months, strange one potentially going to West Brom though
Nah he's more than competent defensively and his passing range is wasted higher up. He is the best player receiving the ball on the half turn i've seen at the club and that is wasted higher up. Let him dictate the play from deep. An out and out defensive midfielder would hinder our attacking play, we need players comfortable on the ball in tight areas in midfield. Big reason why O'Nien shouldn't be played there.
Reminds me a bit of the path Henderson took. For us he was an all action, attacking midfielder. In fact he played a lot of games on the right wing for us. Then at Liverpool he developed into a world class CDM, utilising his work rate and passing range. Personally I think Neil is 100% suited to that Quarterback role
Interesting to watch. I prefer someone who sniffs the danger more and as I said, it think Neil has more to offer slightly higher up.
Really? Not saying he isn’t by the way I’m just sure when he was tried in the holding role he was getting caught on the ball constantly so Ekwah ended up moving back, might be mistaken though I can’t really remember. I think he’s a better 8 personally but Browne offers more of a goal threat so playing him as the 8 makes more sense. Shame we couldn’t get a player of Brownes profile but who was a natural 6 would’ve made things easier
The thing about Neil - and maybe it isn't ideal - but you can see him develop in front of your eyes. The way he receives the ball with his back to play last season, compared to the previous two is night and day. He's learning as he goes and he's quickly become the lynchpin of our midfield. I take your point about him having something to offer higher up, but I feel he's far more important as a no.4
Didn't Neil end the season with good defensive stats, for tackles, recoveries and interceptions? *Edit - Commendable but not leading in defensive stats I think its down to the type of midfield you want to play, I've seen it described as a double pivot but from what I have seen its more single with two 8s, more often than not that single pivot would be more in the mould of how you describe sniffs out the danger combative and gives it to the lads who can play, Neil is defo more of a playmaker himself but think he will learn - however we have no back up for him in my eyes barring potentially Browne - Ekwah but we all know he could be a potential liability in defensive areas
2 seasons ago yeah but he's developed it to a point where he's superb. I don't like Neil further forward personally, think he'd be the weakest option in the 2 8 positions out of Neil, Browne, Jobe and Rigg. Even prefer someone of Aouchiches profile in them positions. Play him as the 6 and bring in cover for him. Disaster if he gets injured, I don't even know who would replace him.
Le Bris is going to play Dan Neil in the 6 and make him into what Enzo Le Fee was in his Lorient team.
