We've all read the criticism of the teams defence and attack in recent weeks. OK there have been a few calls for a creative midfielder and criticism of individuals but no one has really criticised our midfielders as a midfield unit. To me the midfielders are not seen as a unit, more like individuals. I'd like to propose that the failings at either side of the midfield are directly linked to an underperforming midfield unit! There is very little service for the attackers to feed off, the midfield offers little attacking threat and they do not help the defence out! So if Nigel can sort out the midfield will the other problems also disappear?
The stats show we are making plenty of chances but not finishing them so in that respect I think the midfield is working. The problem is we need thrust from midfield hence the attempt to sign Danns. The only player I can think of at City who might be able to provide that is Olofinjana. We always try to use him in a defensive role, but he is most effective when going forward as Cardiff found out last season.
The central midfield has been a problem for us for the last 18 months. Only Mckenna added over the summer, Evans hasn't lived up to his early promise - only Cairney can claim any credit in this position so far this seaon with improved performances. I have said several times on our forum that if we could bring in a quality combative central midfield player and play Koren alongside him, we'd have the issue sorted. I do, however, appreciate that quality combative central midfield players aren't easy to come by - or cheap and available !
I see the "time to gel" appeal, but with NP apparently not happy with Basso and the Hungarian, some fans doubting Hobbs, an obvious weakness in our central midfield, and a lack of goals from our strikers - the spine of the team looks poor. We can give Waghorn - a loan signing - time to settle in, but how long does NP give the "gelling" process ?
I've said for long enough if we had a HARD MAN midfielder like Ashbee this would allow our more creative midfielders, Cairney and Koren a more free role to be more creative but now at the minute Koren and Cairney are been asked to defend/tackle as well which is'nt their biggest strengths. McKenna is not my idea of a hard man either. Olifinjana would fit this mould very well though but for what ever the reason maybe, be it his wages too high or NP's Face does'nt fit type attitude towards 99% of City players already at the club before he was, I cant see Oli kicking another ball for us. I am awarre oli is injured but when fit he would immense for us in Midfield and he can unleash some amazing shots from range, I'll always remember his screamer against his former club at the KC !!!
As much as I would like to see Oli back in the midfield even if it does happen it wont solve the "hard man midfielder" problem that isnt his game either
I tend to disagree slightly, I understand where your coming from, Oli is far more creative than say somebody like Ashbee and we could do with a direct Hard Man - Ball Winner but he would be the best Hard Man type midfielder that we have at the club at this moment in time. He is big and very strong on the ball.
Oli's big and strong on the ball? When did this happen? He has some talent on the ball, he's a half decent player and has a decent shot on him, but for a big bloke, he's a right ****ing wuss.
Id go along with big but for such a big hard looking bloke hes got a soft tackle (I'll let someone else do the viagra jokes)
Just sayings he the best options we've got and would still be the hardest in a tackle. Who else we got to compete?
We're missing a bit of steel in midfield a la Ashbee. There's nobody grasping the nettle and not letting our midfield be bossed around. Mckenna may come into this role but he seems too quiet most of the time. We're also crying out for some creativity at times, but maybe that can come from an ever improving Cairney or Koren playing behind the strikers. Midfield 4 off Brady Mckenna Stewart (when fit) and Koren in front of a midfield 3 is promising.
in a few weeks....we could pu this out brady-koren-oli-stewart.. imo that midfield for this division is class, yet the odds of it ever happening are probably 500,000/1
I'm not too fussed that Oli isn't 'hard', i'd still like to see him, he's got the height that our squad lacks, and while he's not the Ashbee type player we want, while he's on the books he'd chip in with a few much needed goals for us if he played. Let's face it, after signing McKenna we're not going to get the midfield general we want, if we sign anybody it will surely be cover at CB/RB. It makes sense to play Oli IMO.
There's a lot of skill in that midfield, but I'd be nervous about the ability to hang on to the ball, it's very light weight(there's not a single ball winner in all four). That said, so long as we don't give the ball away at all, we'd be all over any opposition. I do expect Oli to be gone in the next week though.
i wouldnt fancy it away from home...but i reckon it would stop the home games been such a snooze fest, might put a few more bums on seats too...
