I know Cairney divides opinion with City fans but I thought today was another game that showed he should be one of the first names on the team sheet. His quality in general play is just a cut above everyone else, the way he moves the ball about and keeps the pace going when other players would spend hours letting the defence organise before eventually passing back to Mannone. Evans seems to have taken Cairney's place for most of the season just because he runs more, but what's the point in running the length of the pitch to get on the end of a pass only to miss from 5 yards out, twice!? McKenna does his role very well when he plays but he plays incredibly deep as others have pointed out and it doesn't help us attacking. I think Cairney, apart from offering us a free kick/long distance goal threat just makes our passing miles better when he is in the team. It's way overexaggerated that he is so lazy, he actually does get involved in defending even though it obviously isn't one of his strengths. It just seems to me like he always gets dropped when we lose even though he plays well, he seems to be the easiest player to drop and replace him with someone who just runs a lot. We need to give him a proper run in the team and let him show us once again what quality he has.
I had someone say to me Cairney doesn't get stuck in, after making three sliding tackles in five minutes. I personally think he didn't use to work hard enough, but people seem to get an opinion in their head and don't change it. Today indeed he did enough work, yet he did what he needs to and created chances, rotated possesion and even took a man on. Thats the key he doens't just pass for passing sake, he draws a man before he does it. The problem is would you keep Evans and Cairney together, or drop Evans and bring Mckenna in? As it was clear for all to see we missed Mckenna, just i think Barmby will find it hard to drop Evans even if Cairney and Mckenna deserve a chance together.
cant comment on today, but it sounds like he played the exact oppisite to every time ive seen him play, its usually the fact hes so slow at moving the ball around that frustrates me, compared to koren who passes and moves slickly and at speed.. glad he played well tho.
I've said for years that Dawson is the biggest culprit for this. Every time he passes the ball it's behind the man and slows everything down, does my head in. The way I see it Cairney like Koren gets the pass perfect most times so the recieving player can just take it in their stride without spending 20 minutes getting hold of the thing while the defence reorganises. I didn't think it was anything new from Cairney today, he always seems very good to me but he gets dropped anyway. I don't agree with all this nonsense of 'luxury players' who you never play. If he is the most skillful player in the squad, get him on the pitch!
somebody text in humberside saying they thought we played better because mckenna wasnt playing, with his sideways passing... what do you think about that? on the face of it, it is harsh as mckenna has been excellent , but ive always said one of the best displays of the season in my opinion has been brighton away, who where flying at the time with a reputation for passing people to death, and we did it to them on there own pitch, with a midfield 2 of koren-evans, so i must admit i did think he may have a slight point.. no dig at mckenna because at times you need his type in there doing his role, but something to think about.
i know what you mean, the difference to me tho is koren is always one step ahead, the balls out his feet and moved within seconds and he moves into space..cairney plays the right pass etc, just always seems to need more touches, a few more seconds, and then admires his pass instead of moving.(must stress once again, cant comment on today). it may seem harsh comparing him against koren, but as they are both deemed skillful/creative midfielders, its a natural comparison imo..
It's an interesting one. I think McKenna is very good at what he does and I'm sure he's played a very big role in all the clean sheets we've had this season. He's a leader and he's the only player we have who is anything like 'streetwise' when it comes to refs, but when we need a goal I don't think a midfielder who spends the entire game in his own half is what we need. Maybe we should use him more in away games or when playing a better side but use more attacking players against weaker sides. It's not that I don't like rotation it's that Cairney always seems to be the scapegoat when we lose. Any excuse to drop him such as losing a game or if he gets injured and he is out of the side for ages, even though he generally plays well all along.
I thought Cairney had a good game today. He'll have another chance at Watford to stake a claim for a first team place.
McKenna is the one of the best at what he does! Other than moaning and b*tching; he hardly ever gives the ball away, and works his socks off or the team without anyone really noticing it. IMO he should be club captain next year because he is a leader and has vast experience. Cairney is good in the middle of the park, he has skills that can beat ANYONE in this division; unfortunately he's a lazy git which lets him down. But good god; we missed Robert Koren. Best player I've actually seen in a city shirt in my 13 years of watching... simple.
He hasn't got the defensive ability to play as a holding midfielder, he plays a nice pass and sometimes shows nice feet, but when he impressed everybody in the premier league he was playing with holding midfielder Georgie B. George seemed to almost coach Tom and was always praising him if i remember rightly those two were the central midfielders in a midfield 4. Not a formation with two holding midfielders in it.
One of the young lads who used to play for City told me that Cairney is probably one of the most naturally talented players City have. He did really well today in attack and defence. He doesn't run around in a panic and maybe this is why some people say he looks slow.
Cairney had a decent game, his defending is improving, yes he is a little lazy but his work rate is also improving. Wish he could use his right foot a little as well though. But still prefer Mckenna & Evans
Tom seems to be getting stronger in the challenge - he just needs to be quicker in shifting the ball. Koren having missed the last few games showed what a class act he really is..
Cairney covers a lot more ground than McKenna does because he plays in the full pitch not just his own half, so if Cairney is lazy McKenna must be too? But how many goals have we scored playing two holding midfielders and how much better was it today playing with one tackler and one skillful player? I think if we're going to play this system it's even more important that one of the holding two can get forward and help out. Evans offers nothing in attack so you need Cairney in there IMO. Agreed. Even if he was especially slow it wouldn't be a big problem in the middle of the pitch but I don't really think he is that slow anyway.
It's not, you just have 4 central midfielders for those positions. McKenna and Evans can cover the defensive side of it, and Cairney and another can cover the attacking (Koren if we go to 442, a signing if we stay 4231). That way you can pick and choose your options depending on the opposition and on form/fitness.
problem with cairney is you shouldn't base his performance on just today, he must have given his all for his first proper game in a while but he doesn't put the effort in and will be extremely inconsistent. Same thing happened when he scored against everton. The moment fans get behind him and compliment he gets big headed and slacks.
Loanee, or get Olofinjana fit (with a proper preseason), we've not exactly put him in the shop window to encourage clubs to come and part with their money on his wages.
