Midfield options

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Captain Morgan

Captain Morgan

Well-Known Member
Mar 25, 2011
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Bournemouth
I've seen various people stating that to flourish in the Championship you need a powerful, athletic, midfield enforcer in the mould of Dixon Etuhu. I'm not sure that's necessarily so. Bournemouth had four good central midfielders this season, none of whom could be described like that. All of them, to varying degrees, were old fashioned centre-mids who are willing to get stuck in but who are primarily passing players. I think (though I'm not at all sure, and happy to be corrected) that Norwich don't use a Dixon either.

Scott Parker, at his prime - long before he came to us - was the type of player I'm talking about. Is it possible that rather than looking for a breaker-upper to partner a playmaker, we might do better to go for two up-for-a-fight playmakers? I've seen enough of Hyndman and LVC to rate their passing, do those of you who've seen more of them think they are/could grow into that type of player? Guthrie, if we sign him, sounds like he'd fit the bill, as would Eunan O'Kane if we can prise him away from Bournemouth. I'm not saying we shouldn't consider a beauty and the beast midfield combination, merely that it isn't the only way to succeed at this level. Any thoughts, anyone?
 
Captain, LVC definitely, Hyndman potentially. Guthrie is a yes for me. His stamina was not to the level we wanted but played some good passes and covers ground.

LVC with Guthrie alongside him will thrive.
 
Can I throw Barry Bannan in here??? Always rated him great passer of the ball, creative and dead ball specialist, has played in the premier league and been promoted from the championship before ( on loan at Blackpool) Palace have said they will listen to offers for him and Marriappa who I also want at the back!!!!
 
Captain Morgan said:
I think (though I'm not at all sure, and happy to be corrected) that Norwich don't use a Dixon either.
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They actually relied heavily on Alexander Tettey who is certainly in the Etuhu mould.

You're correct Captain that it's not the be all and end all to have an enforcer but instead of developing the likes of Hyndman and Christensen into that type of player which could take some time, I think the enforcer type player would do the nasty work freeing up Hyndman and Christensen to do what they're already good at. It does all depend though what formation we play. Your idea of two up-for-the-fight playmakers works well in a flat 4-4-2. The idea of the enforcer is to sit between the Midfield and Defence and disrupt the player in 'the hole'. I think in Kit's narrow diamond which we seem to be stuck with, the ideal player for the base of the diamond would be an enforcer.
 
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FulhamIreland said:
They actually relied heavily on Alexander Tettey who is certainly in the Etuhu mould.

You're correct Captain that it's not the be all and end all to have an enforcer but instead of developing the likes of Hyndman and Christensen into that type of player which could take some time, I think the enforcer type player would do the nasty work freeing up Hyndman and Christensen to do what they're already good at. It does all depend though what formation we play. Your idea of two up-for-the-fight playmakers works well in a flat 4-4-2. The idea of the enforcer is to sit between the Midfield and Defence and disrupt the player in 'the hole'. I think in Kit's narrow diamond which we seem to be stuck with, the ideal player for the base of the diamond would be an enforcer.
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Good call on Tettey. Thanks for putting me straight. The point about Bournemouth stands though.

As for Kit's diamond, maybe I'm just hoping blindly that we'll have seen the last of it!
 
Having an enforcer would also allow for a 4-3-3 formation which I think is what our younger players would work best in. If we bring in a proper DM Hyndman can dictate the tempo and LVC can have a bit of freedom to roam. We could then have Roberts on one side and either McC on the other or up top.

I agree it's not necessary in a 4-4-2.
 
silkship said:
Having an enforcer would also allow for a 4-3-3 formation which I think is what our younger players would work best in. If we bring in a proper DM Hyndman can dictate the tempo and LVC can have a bit of freedom to roam. We could then have Roberts on one side and either McC on the other or up top.
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This is probably my ideal formation for us at the moment. We could play it as a 4-3-3 when in possession and easily fall into a 4-5-1 when defending. The trio in midfield as you describe with McCormack - Smith - Roberts or Williams - McCormack - Roberts with the two outside players swapping swapping back and forth. They could act as wingers or inside forwards getting crosses in or cutting inside and shooting. A lot more dynamic and unpredictable than anything we've seen this season.
 
Captain Morgan said:
As for Kit's diamond, maybe I'm just hoping blindly that we'll have seen the last of it!
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Wholeheartedly agree Captain. Yet the more I think about Rigg and Kit on that video talking about a strategy for “the way we want to play”, players for “the way we want to play” and Kit repeating how he compromised “the way I wanted to play” in the final games of the season, the more I fear the return of the Diamond. And if that’s the case, as silky and FI say, then a holding defender in the middle will be essential - someone like McCarthy of Everton rather than Etuhu of Fulham?

Above all however, Kit needs to introduce more discipline in the side (covering for one another) and more movement (creating space for one another). LVC and Hyndman could be the catalysts for that but they’ll need someone new to anchor them.
 
A 4-3-3 may suit the younger players best, but would it mean wasting McCormack. The consensus on here seems to be that we miss him when he's not playing as a central striker, and that he's best with another striker alongside him. It's not that he can't play anywhere else - I've seen him play well out wide and well as a Parker-esque central midfielder - but we've not got another goal scoring striker who is half as dangerous as the focal point of the team. 4-4-2 with McCormack and either Smith or someone new might well be the way to get the best out of our biggest asset.
 
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