So....with the signing of Cork, what do people see the future of Chaplow and Hammond being? Im guessing most people would assume a Cork and Spiderman midfield? That leaves the team captain, and a very good player as second choice?! Unless.....NA is thinking that Cork could partner Fonte at the back? That would leave Jedi to be wheeled out against the likes of Clive Platt, Iwelumo and similar lumps. Martin and Seaborne as further backup for the pair as well?
i got to be honest, hammond is going to be captain next season, but Fonte should be tbh, cork going to be good cant wait now COYR
let's not write Deano off please... not yet. I posted elsehwere, that you need someone in a team to do the dirty stuff. England won a world cup with Nobby stiles in midfield. I don't know what NA plans, but if selected Deano will do a job for us.
Horses for courses. We have a great midfield and I'm sure everyone will get a chance somewhere during the season. Competition will bring out the best in them.
yeah i think apart from anything else Deano has earned the right to play in teh championship - he scored some important goals over the season - a danger in the air too. I think Cork might well get played at centre back
I want it to Be Cork and Schneiderlin, but I don't think NA will want to be without the Captain and probably the most energetic and physical CM we have in Hammond. Also, I don't see NA changing the formation to fit 3 CM, unless Chamberlain leaves where he could always switch Lallana to the whole just off the Strikers, but tbh I just don't see it. Fingers crossed that the midfield 4 of Chamberlain, Cork, Schneiderlin and Lallana really comes of BIG this season.
Cork needs to play in Midfield that is where he is best and did well last year for burnley. Playing him in defence would be a mistake i think. If we want him to play in defence we should have bought and established CB. He can play the odd game there if need IMO
Cork is obviously versatile, but probably played in defence for the u21s because he was needed. Not necessarily where we'd use him.
Chappers & Deano's future looks bright to me. They have got us promoted already and weighed in with some great goals along the way. They are now part of an evolving machine thats on a steady march to the Prem. We all have our ideal starting 11 but injuries and the tough tackling of our current midfield will lead to suspensions and open doors for others. The players we have that want the shirt are alright by me and will always be welcome. (will review in January)
it's a squad game now, and NA will rotate the players as he sees fit with different players for different games. We need strength in depth, and Cork just adds to this. Everyone played their part last year, and no doubt everone will do the same this year.
Having 3 in midfield with Lallana and Chamberlain attacking more from the wings could work. Lambert in more of a supporting role with the wingers scoring most of the open-play goals. We'll see how pre-season goes.
I would like to see a 4-2-3-1 formation. Cork and Schneiderlin holding, Chaplow or Hammond further forward with Oxo and Lallana out wide. Let's face it with what we have we will be a match for any team this season. Cork, Schneiderlin, Oxo and Lallana would walk into any championship team. We have all four of them playing for us.
Regardless of who is our first choice for CM (Corky & Sniders for me) all four are going to get games and play an important part in our success. Its a long season with suspensions and injury taking its toll unfortunately. Also don't forget Guly can drop back into midfield too, be good as the attacking CM in a 4-5-1 formation to supply the support for the front man
Got to be honest we have 4 really good cm's 'in the building' and I'm sure that we will see play from them all there will be squad rotation when injuries and fixtures take their tole. Last season I said that I thought schniderlin and chaplow was our best midfield pairing, but deano works so hard for the team and so we can use that, as fran said it's horses for courses and very much a squad game now. 'it's not about the 11'
Agree with DLSFC; the 4-5-1 offers our strong midfield so many options going forward and allows us to drop a midfielder in front of the centre backs for additional protection. With Lallana, Oxo and Guli in the attacking midfield roles - we may also see Forte using his pace out wide, coming inside as needs be. Its a formation I like and works very well if you have alot of quality in midfield. Also, we don't have too many strikers at he moment (who knows what will happen to Barnie) and playing 4-5-1 means the strikers get rotated more often. Finally, i loce to watch Lambert hold the ball up and play in others - being a former midfielder himself, he is so adept at bringing others into a game. Feeling good already about next season; just want another Fonte at the back.
with the signing of cork, i wouldnt mind schneiderlin playing in a more attacking role, to maybe provide the final pass or the key ball to lambert, oxo or lallana to really stretch a defence, something i think potential-wise morgan could do.
