If we've got all our midfielders fit and I know there's no guarantee they stay fit then I'd let him have his shoulder op and sideline him for as long as it takes. Physiologaly it must affect his performance trying to shield his injury and earlier in the season he seemed to be managing that but no longer, he seems to pick up a yellow card every game at the minute. I'm not with the fans who seemed to have scapegoated him recently but he does need some time out.
basically backs up what i was seeing with onien...a 'bally' type player who is there to break up attacks and do the 'niggly stuff'. with him trying to play further forward it removes a lot of his qualities and although i like the lad he was never an attacking box to box type midfielder, either defence or DM is where he needs to play as i am sure we have other players to go into the more advanced role.
It's turning out that he's more of a DM who can play a bit and isn't a complete chump going forward than he is a box to box midfielder, so I'd play him as a DM which he is very good at. Whether that means play him alongside a more attacking CM, when appropriate, or set us up so he plays deeper on his own I don't know. If people think our midfield is poor defensively now it'd be weak as piss without him in the team. Evans is a good player but I wouldn't hand him the burden of shouldering our defensive midfield duties on his own, he'd struggle too.
Being saying for few weeks now, put him at RB and give Winchester a go in midfield. Both look like they need a change.
Like the lad all action and very brave. But for me in midfield he is limited. Very poor positional sense always chasing the game. Makes loads of last ditch tackles but its because he's rarely in the right position to start with. Maybe that's a bit too critical and I would love to see him develop. but I think he's best with the game in front of him so full back for me at the minute With Huggins out would actually swap him with Winchester see how that works out.
Reports from Blackburn fans said that Evans operated better in a central midfield 3, but struggled in a 2. That's why I think 3-5-2 might suit us better. We also get greater height and physicality in the back line that way too and Stewart and Broadhead can do the business up top, with Cirkin and Huggins providing the width.
The way he played for a chunk of the season last year, I'd say centre half. He faded, but so did almost everyone. I'd have him back there now, in a three. His attitude alone almost gets him on the pitch. Right back too seemed to suit him as, though it is a very demanding position physically, there are far fewer decisions to make. It's up and down, tackle and cross, and get in the box when you can. He always looked good there. We are a long way from not needing this lad in the side IMO.
ATM i am struggling to see why 09 is being made the scapegoat...yes probably not on his best form last couple of games... yet still gives 110% For Sheff's Wed opening goal Gooch imho was at fault. Yes he has not played a lot of games lately so is not that sharp, however he is normally better at defending than going forward... Then we do not stop crosses or do clearing headers... all basic stuff we must get better at. we either stick with a back 4, then two DMs, Evans and 09. Or a back 3 with two wing backs... we have to stop conceding easy goals and being bullied. Gooch however is really the only wing back we have, the others are wingers pure and simple, can Winnesta be a wing back?. McGeady is never a wing back. Embleton, Neil and Pritchard are attacking central midfielders. The german lad is a pacey winger, not seen too much of his defending yet.
I'd deffo give that formation a try. We need to do something to steady the ship and that's the most logical option.
Good post mate. However,Luke often lets himself down....110% doesn't need to mean charging into every tackle,no matter where on the pitch,unnecessarily aggressive or,as often,late.
In the reserves. It can’t be true that there is a clause in his contract that he has to play CM surely? The club should never have agreed to it. Currently we’re hamstrung because Winchester is having to fill in at RB and he’s a far superior midfielder to O’Nien. He’s one of several doing my head in at the moment like, he’s been terrifyingly bad.
