Excellent article that highlights how times have changed and the various differing roles that now exist in top level midfields It highlights the style we have advocated the past few seasons ,relying on posession football, short passes with high completion rates and allowing players to play specific roles It also highlights the type of game that Leon/Joe are playing as compared to Dobbie http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/ne...nasri-luka-modric-high-demand-epl-michael-cox
We can but hope Dai! "So Brendan, what's your game plan?" "Pitter...patter...pitter...patter...pitter...WHAAAAMMMYY!"
i have to be honest and say that i think the premiership is a step to far for little britton, i think he will play a bit part this season against the so called smaller clubs. against the big clubs he will be mussled of the ball more often than not, he is a great little player and good to have in the squad but to me he is not physically strong enough against premiership big boys, there are not that many who have made good at his size and those who do are far more skillful ...
I agree that he may be bit part IF Bodde can get to his best but I strongly disagree that his size would be the reason, as smaller skilful players seem to be the hot property at the moment, it would be that on paper he is arguable the 4th best centre midfielder in comparison to Allen, Dobbie and a back to best Bodde.
I don't know Dai. I think Britton will do exactly the same as he normally does. Harry people, not dive in and occupy space cleverly. On top of that, his first touch, control (as evidenced in his goal in the playoff semi final. Quality) and short passing are about as good as it gets in fairness, and I think he could do a job for us.
Danny Murphy type of experience I think we need now...he was absolute class against us in FA Cup 2 seasons back
There's no way we can assess Bodde at the moment as he hasn't played for so long and his fitness,both mental and physical,is an unknown. We all know how good Britton,Allen and Dobbie can be but that tends to be when we're in the ascendancy in terms of possession,and I'm going to upset a few here when I say that Dobbie is a luxury at times when we're under the cosh as he tends to go AWOL and doesn't seem to want to get stuck in.Pratley was a godsend at times just to come on and get stuck in,all arms and legs and looking clumsy at times but doing what was needed. I've said it before that if he can play for the team Kemy could become a real asset. Buck has said he wants to sign another winger, but I feel we need another option in the middle in case Bodde doesn't regain his obvious past ability, but what to go for - finesse or physicality?
What concerns me most is our ability to get hold of the ball in order to play with it. It's no good banging on about our creativity and our talent if the other team has the ball - and many, if not most, Premiership teams will be at least as good, if not better than us in possession. Let's be honest here, there were times when we struggled to get the ball in the NPC when we came under pressure - notably twice against Forest (late on) and against Reading at Wembley. There were other occasions too when the opposition seemed to sweep through midfield at will, picking up every loose ball - usually late on in the game. But for some heroic defending and luck with the posts we might not be where we are now. We all know that when teams got in our faces, our passing game became ragged. Premiership sides will not only compete for every ball but when they win it, who do we have who consistently, game after game, will get it back for us? Most of us are hoping that our style of play will confound the Premiership boys. Well, it might do..... for a while. It won't take long, though, for other teams to suss us out with the depth of analysis that exists at that level. I keep thinking of the times that Dobbie was forced out of the game and we were obliged to bring on Prats, or someone else, to try and stem the flow - obviously our passing game had broken down and we were reduced to playing off the back foot. Joe and Leon can do a job with Bodde hopefully supplying some steel but as people have pointed out, they are lightweight. I am hoping that Buck will sign an experienced, quality war-horse who can battle for us in the middle and give us the right to play. If we can get parity in possession, I have a feeling that as the season progresses, we will gain confidence, get to grips with what is required and surprise a few people.
Ivor I totally agree and other matches that cone to mind are Portsmouth and Cardiff where we were bettered by bigger and stronger players. I think we need a signing that to most would be uninspiring,but someone of experience and grit who has consistently done their job. I remember thinking when Nolan and Bowyer were available that they could bring something to the team. Uninspiring,but could prove essential.
Nobody is mentioning Harland. I hope somebody at the game tomorrow posts a match report to let us all know what this guy's all about. I can't help but think that if he was that good he wouldn't have been let out on loan after we signed him.
Yankee You're right about Harley but I think he's 26 so not a newcommer to football by any means Hope he can play a role Think he was loaned straight back as part of the deal that allowed us to sign him so not a reflection on his ability or we wouldn't have signed him in the first place Think hecwas probably a signing in case we remained in the championship
You never know, he might be? We need a signing like Geore Boetang for Hull going back a few years ago, as ivor has said. I think we're all in agreement that we hope Bodde is that player, but it's a hell of a gamble not signing someone and relying on someone who hasn't successfully played 90 minutes in what, 2 years and a bit? In fairness, it looks like Bodde really is fit this time (I had the sense, sadly, that for whatever reason he rushed/was rushed back last time), so here's hoping he can make an impact.
We'll need to except the fact that there will be a bit more hoof ball involved in getting the ball up field , it happens to the best of teams !! . We still need to sign a major central midfielder , an absolute must !!
Augustien is a good shout! i really rate the guy and hope he can do the 'enforcers' role really well. If we were looking for one of those type of players we would have been linked with some already. Its either Brendan think we are good enough in that department or he it keeping all his cards extremely close to his chest
