Which 2 central midfielders? Id say priority number 1 is to get Mutch in the team. We are desperate for someone to bring the ball forward. Not only that he is far more comfortable on the ball than Gunnarsson. We wont come up against many better midfields than that this season. However Gunnarsson struggled big time getting tackles in which is his job. In possession he just wasnt up to it. I think Mutch deserves his chance and if not Cowie should get the role alongside Medel. Hes played well when given the chance.
It's a fine line Hilts. Medel is a shoe in with Kim as the more forward looking in the middle. The question is, another stopper or another ball player. Not sure there's a lot between Mutch, Gunnar and Cowie. They all bring something a little different. Mutch is the more forward looking of the 3, Cowie has a good engine and is organised while Gunnar has a bit more bite. Perhaps Fulham is the time for Mutch as there will be less defending to do. It will still be a lot, but less than for some of the teams.
I agree with your assessment of the 3. However I think with squad we have if someone doesnt perform its time for someone else to get a chance. Mutch was excellent towards the end of last season and Cowie has played well in his appearances. Gunnar tried hard but was so uncomfortable in possession I just think Malky has to change it. On that display id recall Ralls. At this level you need more than just bite. Hopefully hes just out of form and will get better. Im not writing him off hes a good player but as is the risk when you go up this level is he just a good Championship player.
Glad you're not writing him off - that would be a big mistake. No one in the side is more committed than Gunnar. If his skill levels matched his approach to the games, he'd be a world beater. As it is, he's the best chance we've got for a goal from midfield. Playing only Campbell up top as we have been means he's more of a necessity than a luxury. He should have scored at Hull and again against Spurs. You can criticise him for his poor finishing, but at least he got his arse in there to accept the chance like he did for the first goal against Man City. I'd only replace him with Mutch (or Cowie even) if Malky pushes Bellers up to work with the lone star striker. I think Bellamy's problem this season is that he's being asked to do a job that he's not cut out for at his age. Far better to keep him further forward with less distance between him and the target area. Getting him to run 70 yards to get on the end of a move is getting too much to ask. If we need to persevere with the keeper + 9 man defensive set up for the moment, we have better options from the kick off. Bellers off the bench would make a great impact sub for the last half hour. I'd like to see PO start against Fulham in his place, leaving the rest as was.
I'd be tempted to put Mutch in and move Kimbo. Witts and Kimbo can provide an attacking platform but we need the ball first. Medel, Gunnar and Mutch should be able to get us a fair share of the ball. Mutch will hopefully provide the energy and movement to help keep it. I know it seems a backwards step but Kim will provide a threat down the flank that can lead to more corners (on the correct side) at the very least. Nothing stopping Kimbo stepping inside to link with FC leaving space for my new favourite Cathrine bombing down the right outside him Could bring Cowie in I just think Mutch is a lot more dynamic around the pitch.
Malky wants our full backs protected. Right side I think we can go for it a bit more. Taylor needs protection though - this means Whittinghams threat is limited. I think Kim is playing well where he is. Though pushing him wide is an option. Whovever he selects we have to keep the ball better in the middle and move it quicker. Maybe he could put Bellamy on the left and PO right and put Whitts in the middle with Medel. Just think Mutch will provide us with someone who can bring the ball forward and run at the opposition. Maybe Malky doesnt want that though and doesnt want to take any risks.
I'd go with that. Mutch in for Bellers would be a good choice especially as we've got Theo now coming down the right hand side. Medel, Gunnar and Mutch seems a very strong middle of the park setup. Kimbo on the right linking with Theo could be a big threat.
I agree that Kimbo has been superb where he is, but to get mutch on with our other cm's I think it's worth a go. As you say Mutch will run with the ball which will give us 2 options along with Kimbo to transition from very defensive to attacking.
