In my opinion the midfield has been by far the weakest part of the side this year, we were crying out for a strong central midfielder last season - Np signed Matty James, who to be fair started off awful and didn't look fit, as the season wore on he came into his element and should be one of the first names on the teamsheet. Andy King - where do you start? Loved by most fans (not me - sorry!) but totally inept for 90% of the season and yet always seems to start, hardly ever gets subbed despite being absolute dogshit, ambles around the pitch with only one pace and unable to tackle or pass the ball forward only sideways or backwards. Without goals he's an empty shirt - hopefully if we get a new manager (unsure if I want NP to stay or not) this is recognised. I'd say get rid as he's clearly not earning the 20k a week wages he's on and with ffp then another reason to get rid. Danny Drinkwater - looks absolutely knackered which is not surprising considering he's carried King for a lot of games whilst James was injured and rest over the end of the season should do him good, needs to work a hell of a lot on his passing but will get stuck in so I'd keep him. Richie Wellens - criminally underused this season, the one midfielder we have who won't be bullied and has a nasty streak which we've missed, sadly his legs have gone but surely giving him 30+ minutes has got to be a decent option, much like Matt Oakley was used. Again keep him. Neil Danns - if NP still with us then he's a goner for sure, with ffp kicking in then be a goner as well. Another player who's loved or hated but last season picked us up by the scruff of the neck and dragged us through a few games, might or not have made a difference this season but that moments passed. I'd like to keep him but sadly his wages are huge so he'll be gone as well. What we'd give for a Midfield of Lennon, Izzett and Savage. Rant over and not even going to start a topic oh the manager - let someone else depress themselves without my help"
pearson has clearly alienated members of the squad, froze some out and chopped and changed..no good for team spirit..
Personally think we have no width. Knockaert needs to play the 'Messi' role and Ben Marshall hasn't got enough pace for this level, his shooting is wasted on the wing too. Dyer is the club's only out-and-out winger and he's so inconsistent. If we were going to beat Watford we needed to hit their wings hard. Keep Anya and their LM whose name escapes me tracking back, instead they both dealt with our players comfortably. We need to rethink the formation in pre-season, 4-4-2 in the Prem and we'd get destroyed. No surprise that the clubs in 2nd and 3rd play 5-3-2 and 3-5-2.
The midfield cost us last year as well, this year it's been wasted chances and a manager who has no plan b once we are up against it. I can see why the Hull fans weren't too bothered when he left, just like Swansea fans when Sousa left them!
We all thought pre season that Neil Danns would be the main man in the middle of the park. Behind the scenes something happened. He was never replaced King, James and Drinkwater have all done well but we lacked some muscle Up front up until Chris Wood signed up was short up top. We let Jermaine Beckford go and put all our hopes in a non league striker becoming a success in this league. Jamie Vardy started well but then went downhill. Then at the back we never really replaced Sol Bamba. Matt Mills got replaced last season by Wes Morgan but Bamba wasnt replaced. St. Ledger has been injury prone and Zak Whitbread is crap. Michael Keane has come in and done well but inexperience at times has cost us. We are 2 players short and it has cost us big time
Proud you say it perfectly just as it is. What bugs me most, is that we have had time to bolster the midfield either buying or loan player. When James came the united fans were saying what a good player he was but he is too injury prone as was whitbread that has proved to be the case but we never had cover for either. A very serious mistake by Pearson or should I say just another weakness in his armoury
Have to say King, who I rate, was made to look poor last night. Watford players just seemed to waltz past him but in fairness I think that more a statement about the Serie A quality of Watford's players than anything. I also thought another consistent player, Morgan, didn't do it when it counted last night. Apart from that I think the rest did well, but we always seem to have one or two that don't do the business, and it's never the same players! Must be frustrating for Pearson.
James I thought was excellent yesterday, find another player in his ilk and I think we'll be alright. Personally I'd want next season to play King, James and Danns in a 3, plenty of strength and energy there. I don't think Pearson will ever do that though. I'm getting tired of his boring 4-4-2 football now- I can take losing when we're playing alright but we aren't right now.
