Derry

Flyer, we are playing defensive wingers cause we don't have a defensive centre. If we had a DCM or two we would have less need for hard working wingers

I dont see that at all, look at WHU for example, both goals came down the wing and our so called defensive wingers didnt do a sodding thing about it. Faurlin was the player with the most interceptions/tackles last year until he got injured, our CM is solid enough both way but our wingers offer nothing going forward while being suspect defensively.
 
I dont see that at all, look at WHU for example, both goals came down the wing and our so called defensive wingers didnt do a sodding thing about it. Faurlin was the player with the most interceptions/tackles last year until he got injured, our CM is solid enough both way but our wingers offer nothing going forward while being suspect defensively.

I think what we saw at Spurs showed we need 1 CDM. Granero and Ale had reasonable control for maybe 2/3 of the game but as they tired and Spurs pressed, even with our defensive wingers Spurs cut through us readily. Ale and G aren't that quick either, so for me Diakite supporting them and covering our dodgy back 4 should be good, M'bia can probably play well there too. Derry of course too tho quick no, he sits, is solid, and very Pro! Don't see normally that we should need 2 DCM's in addition to Ale and G. With a strenthened defensive midfield the need to play Park and SWP in attacking wide positions is further reduced.
 
I agree with you that they can't play together in a tactically inept flat 4 across the midfield. However, I believe that they can play together as the two holding players in a 4-2-3-1, although I'd play M'Bia and Faurlin as the two in that formation with Granero ahead of them in the centre of the 3 with 2 of Park/Hoilett and Taarabt.
In a 4-3-3, for home games (4-5-1 when we lose the ball), I'd play M'Bia as the holding midfielder behind Granero and Faurlin with Taarabt and Hoilett each side of Zamora.[/
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Would accept any variation as long as at least one of M'Bia/Diakite//Derry is designated as a DCM to hold the middle

If M'Bia played in that holding role he would also give us the option to push him forward if we wanted to (he has said he likes the midfield role more than CB). So terrific flexibility offered from him. Just not sure about Diakite in there, his tackling is rash and could give away free kicks in crucial areas. But, for now, I would like to see us have those defensive roles in front of the back four.
 
We all love Derry, he has become a legend at the club in probably the shortest space of time than any other player, but lets not kid ourselves here, he was found out more than a few times last season.

Plus he's not had any match time in quiet a while which means he's probably not up to it now. But it would to be good to start using him when we're in a better position, show the rest of the team what it means to were the hoops and play with some pride.
 
I think what we saw at Spurs showed we need 1 CDM. Granero and Ale had reasonable control for maybe 2/3 of the game but as they tired and Spurs pressed, even with our defensive wingers Spurs cut through us readily. Ale and G aren't that quick either, so for me Diakite supporting them and covering our dodgy back 4 should be good, M'bia can probably play well there too. Derry of course too tho quick no, he sits, is solid, and very Pro! Don't see normally that we should need 2 DCM's in addition to Ale and G. With a strenthened defensive midfield the need to play Park and SWP in attacking wide positions is further reduced.

What we needed against Spurs and WHU was an extra man in midfield, but not Derry. Derry in a 442 would be frightening to watch.