I hope this isnt a case of a player becoming better when he isnt playing. We have some high expectations of him. For me when he is fit it should be a case of him and Neil competing. For me Neil is the modern day holding player and should be judged as such. If Samed is better Neil should sit out. I dont think he is better further forward, he is better deeper where he can control the whole tempo. That said, I am quite a fan of a double holding formation, 4231 and it would be nice to have that option as well.
Agree with a lot of that mate. One point that jumped out was Neil not being better further forward. For me, Neil is one of our best at playing passes through defences and we miss that with him playing CDM. Isidor, Mayenda and Connolly would thrive on those through balls and that's not where Rigg's and Jobe's strengths lie imo.
Even when he looks like he’s going to lose the ball with someone harrying behind him he manages to get the pass away. Keeps me nice and calm when he’s on the ball.
I am probably wrong mate. He can play those balls for sure. What I have always loved about Neil, since day one, is his natural instinct to play on the half turn. He has the entire 360 degree view in his head always. It is a rare skill. It is why ONien in there for me wouldnt be great as I dont think he has that. Neil plays the continuity role so well, he keeps the ball moving and therefore the opposition moving. I just love that part of his contribution to our team. I know he gets caught out sometimes, but the positive is so much greater with him imo. If Samed comes in and presses better, or wins more tackles, but cant play on the half turn or split the centre backs to create space out wide my feeling is we will be worse as a team. I look at Man City now and the Rodri size hole is enormous. Neil is miles off Rodri of course, but it is a very similar role he fulfils. Lets see. I hope Samed is elite level and he demands a place through value to the team, that way we will be better.
It's hard to argue when you put it like that! We have played teams off the park in spells and I think Neil has been instrumental. Now if we can just get some of his creative play from others further forward then we are laughing.
