I still think that by signing Mason, we signed the wrong type of midfielder. We've lacked an aggressive, tough-tackling defensive midfielder since Ashbee left.
I agree, but Meyler on form is that tough tackling midfielder, despite the anti Meyler brigade, he can still do the job!
The problem with Meyler in our current set up is that he's expected to pass the ball numerous times accurately as we try and keep possession When the ball comes to him he either tries to thread a ball he blatantly can't thread, or hits and hopes giving the ball away - or worse of all puts pressure on our defence by taking an age to decide to pass it backwards. I don't mind Meyler in his natural tackling role but he can't seem to play a decent pass at all
No, Mason was linked pretty much from the word go. Hendrick only later on. I believe Hendrick was fall back in case Mason went to Sunderland.
Ironically, anyone watching the highlights in MOTD is going to think Mason is by far our best player.
Not watched it yet. Dunno about mason, same with Henricksen. Can't say he did much wrong but what did they do? We were certainly outmuscled in midfield. Been saying for ages as soon as Harry was fit Jake has to come back into midfield.
Based on the first half highlights, he looked like the best player on the pitch. Dawson returning for Bournemouth makes it far more likely that Jake will move back into the middle, we certainly did look a bit weak there yesterday and you can be sure Bournemouth will be all over us like a rash.
What do you actually know about Tymon? No offence to the lad but he isn't even championship level. I take it you haven't seen any of the youth games?
In Andrew Robertsons defence, cos he hasn't got one Arf, he has a wayward center forward in front of him who is erratic as **** doing a job he isn't equipped for. Robertsons performance will improve when he gets a proper left midfield player in front of him.
I don't think Diomande has played that badly on the left. He's in that position for his work rate, which in honesty is phenomenal. His tracking back yesterday was superb. We need players like him and Clucas who get through a huge amount of work. They help carry players that seem to have less propensity for hard work - no names mentioned.
We've just had Man Utd, Arsenal, Lpool, Chelsea in the past 5 games..Not many predicted many pts. So lets not get too downhearted just yet. Plenty of time for the newbies to gel...and to get some confidence. Impressed with Mbokani, if thats any conciliation. The two week break has come at a good time.
I honestly don't Tigerbalm apart from one appearance. All I know is for me, Robertson's 100% of a player is 75% going forward and 25% a defender. I also think that if he was good as people like to think he;d have been gone in the last window and yet no one came in for him despite some rumours.
I'm not surprised at the amount of tracking back he had done. He'd done enough for the rest of the team put together.
Tymon isn't great to be honest. It would destroy any prospect the lad has by playing him in a league he is simply a million miles off at the moment. I think Roberson had a tough game but was marking two at points and wasn't the worst on the pitch. I would like to see him form pick up though as he clearly isn't showing his best. Same for a lot of players though. Clucas started the season brilliantly. Not is playing poorly and without confidence. A break might be what they need.
I agree that it's far too early for Tymon, but he has a lot of potential, he needs a lower league loan as soon as possible. Clucas was simply given too much to do yesterday.
