IMO O’Nien has been better than Ballard this season. Wasn’t last season but this year Ballard has looked quite clumsy to me. Mepham better than both. On balance I don’t mind which of them drops to the bench on Tuesday. But Mepham has to start every week for me.
09 has been class this season. I'll say it again. He has once again defied what most thought his ceiling is. That said, I still would personally try to build a brick if a partnership with Mepo and Ballard.
It's not like I flinch when he's picked. He normally does a good job. All I'm saying is when Ballard and Mepham are fit at the same time, I know which two I'd pick. Every single time.
And yet he has 5 goal contributions this season, our second most. aswell hands in a lot of other goals that he doesn’t get credited for
Agree mate. If he could finish he’d be playing at a much higher level than this. Dribbling and touch is world class no doubt about it. Took loads out of the sky today right on his boot
This would be directed more to @FellTop and @Scout73 who would be better to answer but watching Man Utd game and their switch to 3-4-3 now, do either of you (or anyone for that matter) think that this formation would suit us?
I don't think it would at the minute, as I'd rather we had Watson or Mundle starting and I don't think they suit this formation However, if they were injured then 100% we could play this formation. I really like this formation as gives the 2 AMs so much freedom. When I was coaching I played this formation and my team played some cracking stuff and were so hard to play against
Don’t think it suits Manchester United either mind I know he’s trying to install a system, but I think play with what’s best, this isn’t it
Under the right circumstances it would cost nothing to try O/9 out in a midfield holding role, he can play anywhere imo.
He’s a centre back who can play full back now. I think the centre midfield ship has sailed. He never looked comfortable there for us and seems so much better when he’s able to look up and see the whole pitch. It’s not even that I think he’d be a liability there, it just takes away one of his main strengths of being able to read the game and pitch in front of him.
And FWIW ONien has never played defensive midfield anywhere he’s been. At Wycombe he was a number 10 in a system where his job was literally to be a ****house and pester centre backs and latch on to Akinfenwa. He’s become a top championship level centre back and I don’t understand why so many people want to move him out of that position.
That's your opinion and you are perfectly entitled to it. It's great having 2 big ****house centre backs but it means the midfield then has to be more creative. Of course the midfield may feel more confident that they have someone behind then to snuff out any danger and blossom, however I still feel thar O9 has that ability to hit that long pass that turns defence into attack. There are plusses and minuses to each argument but at the moment O9 has partnered Aleise, Mepham, and Ballard, and has not looked out of place. Personally I'm pleased that RLB has to make that decision as its a tight call.
That’s fine. But why the desire to move him out of his best position? Are there any other players you’d like to move?
