I think the Corry Evans position has ben our achilles heel all season - even tried Oli there early doors cos SB mistakenly thought he would have presence. Corry's a decent enough player he just seems to go for periods when hes good to periods when he's not certainly in the formation we play. I don't think in all my years following City have I ever witnessed us thre down in the first ten mins.. that said the stats were in our fvour for the rest of the game.. Didnt go as intended with the ticket fiasco and pretty glad I didn't now. Plenty of tough games though were we need to roll our sleeves up. At least lesta and Palarse dropped points. Going for a beer.
I think the Corry Evans position has been our achilles heel all season - even tried Oli there early doors cos SB mistakenly thought he would have presence. Corry's a decent enough player he just seems to go for periods when he's good to periods when he's not, certainly in the formation we play. I don't think in all my years following City have I ever witnessed us three down in the first ten mins.. that said the stats were in our favour for the rest of the game so at least we sorted ourselves out. Didn't go as intended with the ticket fiasco and pretty glad I didn't now. Plenty of tough games though still to come where we need to roll our sleeves up. At least lesta and Palarse dropped points. Going for a beer.
I think that Meyler probably can do a job in the 'Evans role', but it would mean he can't do most of the things that have made him so great for us so far. He would have to stick much more rigidly to a position, and be more disciplined. I think he has been at his best running to all corners of the pitch, getting in to the box etc... I'd also have some concerns about his passing ability in a 'Evans role'. If you are going to kick Evans out of the side due to today's performance, then surely you would also have to do the same for Koren? Personally, I think that Meyler and Koren could potentially work as a pair in central midfield - but that raises problems with wingers and full backs, as well as leaving out Quinn (or playing him as a winger). Also, a partnership like that could probably do with time, which with not too many games left, probably isn't the best option.
I think the problem with Evans is that he's been really poor in three of the last four games, I'm not sure why, he was really good earlier in the season, but he's been terrible for the past month.
Not really Koren was a striker had no service at all, Evans lost his man for the first goal and was abysmal on the ball all day, leading to a lack of service for Koren. Koren had a cracking game the other night, Evans didn't. Koren is our second top scorer, he has earned a little more breathing space. I agree with your view on Meyler, however Evan's role is far more key than Meyler's, Evans's role is what keeps all team ticking, and we need to really get someone better in that role. I am not sure what his issue is as he had a good spell around October, November its gone completely wrong since.
He was taken off after 65 against Leicester and Huddersfield. He just isn't a strong centre midfield. We should have gone for tunic life as I and only I have been saying for ages!!
Tunic life is a bag of ****. Tunnicliffe is a far better player. If we're playing 352 I think the one of the three centre mid players needs to be an out and out enforcer/ defensive midfielder who protects the back three but also needs to be able to play. Tunners is a superb example of this. I have done my homework on the boy and have sought opinions of those who have seen a lot of him and those who have played against him. We've dropped a bollock in not getting him in IMO.
Just become a dad hasn't he? Not really an excuse but possibly could be having some sort of effect? I personally would like to see Fathi given a go there, yet I'm told his best position is either WB or in the Meyler/Quinn role as a box to box midfielder.
We don't really need a defensive midfielder when we keep the ball like when we played Blackburn. Get Koren or Fahti in midfield with Quinn and Meyler and we'll be fine.
Tunic Life or Tunnicliffe would both have been better than Evans today. I'd go with Chazz's team against Brum, but I'd play McShane ahead of Bruce, if he's available. I can't believe I just typed that...
I don't think we need a proper "holding" midfielder in this team, I agree with 1904 and OLM that we play koren, Meyler and Quinn in midfield, all have enough energy to get up and down, and koren was good there earlier in the season. The best form of defence is attack.
With Brady and Elmo as wing backs I do think we need a defensive midfielder. At one point today I pointed out to my son how ****e we are at times when we lose the ball. Bolton attacked at one stage and Brady, Koren and Quinn were all ball watching near the half way line. Add to the mix that Meyler was sauntering back and we looked ****ed , no shape or discipline at all. I hope it's a blip but it's a ****ty time for players to lose form (Evans) or confidence. I know I'm nearly as boring as OLM was about Killgallon but I'd much rather have had Tunnicliffe join the ranks than Fathi. Central holding midfielders. Evans- Not at the moment, he's playing ****e. Oli- just a simple no for him. Cairney- Not strong or physical enough. Bruce- **** right off. Meyler- Not his natural position. Fathi- got to give him a go me thinks. It's all opinions but a strong holding midfielder who's comfortable on the ball is a must in 352 , but then again what do I know?
I've been banging on about it for a long time, but I think Cairney would be the ideal in this system if we're playing a holding midfielder. He's happy to sit, keeps the ball and spreads the play and isn't afraid to get stuck in or win a header when he has to. Give him a try and tell him to get the ball wide early to Elmo and Brady and I think he'll shine. Lets face it, he can't be any worse than Bruce or Evans have been there recently.
