My take on the current situation -

[davieG]

Now I’m not an expert just someone who has watched a lot of footy, primarily for enjoyment. One thing that has always been stressed is the importance of a strong, creative midfield, it doesn’t matter if you have the best defence in the world or the best forwards the midfield is vital for both of them to operate successfully.

We do not have a midfield that is good enough for the Championship?

Gillespie, Gudjonsson, Williams, Nalis, Hughes, Tiatto, Stewart, Gemmill, Wilcox, Morris.

It doesn’t matter how you mix them up, what formation you pick 3, 4 or 5 there is just not enough quality in terms of ball winning, passing and creating amongst those 10 players.

Now I’m not saying we have a decent defence, I’m no lover of Dabizas, or Dublin for that matter but with the midfield we have we put undue pressure on an already average defence.

Likewise our forward line up is equally poor, but again creativity though the middle and down the flanks is minimal.

Chandler is right to say that a half decent hoofing team, which is what we were under Bassett and MAs will get better results than a piss poor passing team, which we are. The price we have paid for trying to make the change has costs us points, if we stay up that will have been a price worth paying as it is the only way forward.

So until CL gets a chance to sort the midfield out I have no reason to expect any further improvement in our style of play and in the results it can bring us. Provided we get the final win we so desperately need, I for one will accept the situation.

Of course if we don’t then CL will have to take full responsibility for abandoning the hoof too soon as it will have proved to be a wrong decision.

[Jimmy]

stewart has been used as a left back all season and morris is actually a striker when he is fit!

and hughes and williams are exerlant midfielders

[shen]

stewart has been used as a left back all season and morris is actually a striker when he is fit!

and hughes and williams are exerlant midfielders

93874[/snapback]

Yes, they're setting the world alight, it seems..

[Vardinhio]

Our central midfielders barely touch the ball nowadays it seems to me. I think Joey Gudjonsson is out best midfielder. Williams seems to go missing and I'm yet to decide what I think of Hughes.

I'd like to see an old head in the centre in the role the Billy Mckinaly played so well for us in the promotion season. Someone that can inspire others preferably.

[breadandcheese]

Joey Gudjonsson is our worst midfielder. He consistently loses the ball with one mis-placed pass after another. There is no point tackling an opponent to pass it straight to them. He is shocking and possibly the only player to ply his trade in Spain, whilst simultaneously being unable to keep possession.

I would hope Levein ships him out in the summer. We are in desperate need for a midfield leader who breaks up play and retains the ball.

[davieG]

stewart has been used as a left back all season and morris is actually a striker when he is fit!

Well that's quite pendantic if you don't mind me saying, Stewart has played left midfield and the few times Morris has played he's played wide as well, so both can justifiably be included in my analysis.

and hughes and williams are exerlant midfielders

93874[/snapback]

As for Hughes he may well turn out to be excellent, up to now he has admittedly looked better than the others but is far from having been excellent. As for Williams well he should be ashamed to be seen in public, ok a bit harsh but he continues, by his long abscences from the action to totally waste his undoubted talent. I've said it once before and I'll say it again that is unforgivable in my eyes.

So thanks for your response but I'll stick to my original assessment the midfield does not contain sufficient quality at present to perform in the Championship, never mind being contenders for promotion and as for the Premier well forget it.

[davieG]

Our central midfielders barely touch the ball nowadays it seems to me.  I think Joey Gudjonsson is out best midfielder.  Williams seems to go missing and I'm yet to decide what I think of Hughes.

I'd like to see an old head in the centre in the role the Billy Mckinaly played so well for us in the promotion season.  Someone that can inspire others preferably.

93907[/snapback]

Now that is funny, sorry but the guy is terrible, I can't even be bothered to list his bad points, and he certainly has no good ones.

[mr potatohead]

Your spot on mate , the midfield is the "engine room" of any side, ours is simply not good enough whichever combination you pick.

[Simon]

Gudjonnson is just awful, period. He just gives the ball away FAR too much and is much to petulant for my liking.

Next season's midfield looks a bit more promising with Kisnorbo joining Hughes and Gillespie (who have to be first names on the team sheet IMO). I think we need a quality left winger though (as Tiatto is not it) and Stewart has yet to prove he can put in good performances on a regular basis.

I have been disappointed with Williams, if he doesnt have a serious transformation in the summer I cant see him finding a place in the team next season... however much a talent I think the lad is...

[Steven]

Your spot on mate , the midfield is the "engine room" of any side, ours  is simply not good enough whichever combination you pick.

93937[/snapback]

I agree.

[C-man]

We do not have a midfield that is good enough for the Championship?

Gillespie, Gudjonsson, Williams, Nalis, Hughes, Tiatto, Stewart, Gemmill, Wilcox, Morris.

93872[/snapback]

I think that theres more than enough talent to make a good midfield there. Get rid of Gudjonsson, Nalis, Tiatto, Gemmill, Wilcox and Morris. Promote some of the youth team into the first team squad and give them a go on the bench to start off. I would start with Gillespie, Williams, Hughes and Stewart personally. I think that if there was a bit more cohesion between them and the strikers, we would have a good attacking midfield. However, what worries me is we dont have a defensive midfield player, which allows the opposition to run at us and cause us problems. We've seen that time and time again after someone has given the ball away easily and not tracked back. Thats just my view on our midfield, feel free to slate it or praise it

[breadandcheese]

I think our entire midfield needs rebuilding, give or take a player or two.

Out of the players we have at the minute, only Hughes looks like he has what it takes to be an automatic first-choice.

Nalis, Gudjonsson, Gemmill should be shipped out.

Tiatto, Gillespie, Stewart and Williams should be kept to provide strength and depth to our squad, but I do not consider any good enough for automatic first-team selection.

Gillespie's crossing is not good enough. In fact, we do not have anyone with the ability to provide a good final-ball from the wings. That is one of our major problems. Therefore I do not subscribe to this fallacy that Gillespie is one of our better players. When he is able to consistently put in good crosses whilst on the run, then he should be an automatic first choice. In my eyes, it shows how bad we are that Gillespie is considered one of our better players.

It's also a shame Williams has been such a letdown. He clearly has talent but allows himself to be bossed by opposing teams. Kavanagh ran the show on Saturday stamping his authority over our midfield. Williams allowed this (only Tiatto tried to stop this).

So my assessment is that only Hughes appears to have what it takes to take this team forward, which admittedly is based on the assumption that his performances are inkeeping with what he have already seen so far.

[Anish]

Gudjonnson is just awful, period. He just gives the ball away FAR too much and is much to petulant for my liking.

Next season's midfield looks a bit more promising with Kisnorbo joining Hughes and Gillespie (who have to be first names on the team sheet IMO). I think we need a quality left winger though (as Tiatto is not it) and Stewart has yet to prove he can put in good performances on a regular basis.

I have been disappointed with Williams, if he doesnt have a serious transformation in the summer I cant see him finding a place in the team next season... however much a talent I think the lad is...

93941[/snapback]

Let's wait and see how good Kisnorbo actually is before saying he's going to improve our midfield - he could be the next Junior Lewis for all we know. Reports from Hearts have been mixed to say the least, and in that respect it is no different to their views on MDV - which have proved to be spot on thus far.

[shen]

Gudjonnson is just awful, period. He just gives the ball away FAR too much and is much to petulant for my liking.

Next season's midfield looks a bit more promising with Kisnorbo joining Hughes and Gillespie (who have to be first names on the team sheet IMO). I think we need a quality left winger though (as Tiatto is not it) and Stewart has yet to prove he can put in good performances on a regular basis.

I have been disappointed with Williams, if he doesnt have a serious transformation in the summer I cant see him finding a place in the team next season... however much a talent I think the lad is...

93941[/snapback]

What makes you think that? I haven't seen him play, but Hearts fans tell us he's a fighter and an athlete but no footballer... seems familiar...

[Steven]

I think our entire midfield needs rebuilding, give or take a player or two.

Out of the players we have at the minute, only Hughes looks like he has what it takes to be an automatic first-choice. 

Nalis, Gudjonsson, Gemmill should be shipped out.

Tiatto, Gillespie, Stewart and Williams should be kept to provide strength and depth to our squad, but I do not consider any good enough for automatic first-team selection. 

Gillespie's crossing is not good enough.  In fact, we do not have anyone with the ability to provide a good final-ball from the wings.  That is one of our major problems.  Therefore I do not subscribe to this fallacy that Gillespie is one of our better players.  When he is able to consistently put in good crosses whilst on the run, then he should be an automatic first choice.  In my eyes, it shows how bad we are that Gillespie is considered one of our better players.

It's also a shame Williams has been such a letdown.  He clearly has talent but allows himself to be bossed by opposing teams.  Kavanagh ran the show on Saturday stamping his authority over our midfield.  Williams allowed this (only Tiatto tried to stop this).

So my assessment is that only Hughes appears to have what it takes to take this team forward, which admittedly is based on the assumption that his performances are inkeeping with what he have already seen so far.

93985[/snapback]

A big rebuilding job. <_<

[Anish]

Shen - great minds think like eh?!

[shen]

Gudjonnson is just awful, period. He just gives the ball away FAR too much and is much to petulant for my liking.

Next season's midfield looks a bit more promising with Kisnorbo joining Hughes and Gillespie (who have to be first names on the team sheet IMO). I think we need a quality left winger though (as Tiatto is not it) and Stewart has yet to prove he can put in good performances on a regular basis.

I have been disappointed with Williams, if he doesnt have a serious transformation in the summer I cant see him finding a place in the team next season... however much a talent I think the lad is...

93941[/snapback]

Let's wait and see how good Kisnorbo actually is before saying he's going to improve our midfield - he could be the next Junior Lewis for all we know. Reports from Hearts have been mixed to say the least, and in that respect it is no different to their views on MDV - which have proved to be spot on thus far.

93988[/snapback]

[davieG]

We do not have a midfield that is good enough for the Championship?

Gillespie, Gudjonsson, Williams, Nalis, Hughes, Tiatto, Stewart, Gemmill, Wilcox, Morris.

93872[/snapback]

I think that theres more than enough talent to make a good midfield there. Get rid of Gudjonsson, Nalis, Tiatto, Gemmill, Wilcox and Morris. Promote some of the youth team into the first team squad and give them a go on the bench to start off. I would start with Gillespie, Williams, Hughes and Stewart personally. I think that if there was a bit more cohesion between them and the strikers, we would have a good attacking midfield. However, what worries me is we dont have a defensive midfield player, which allows the opposition to run at us and cause us problems. We've seen that time and time again after someone has given the ball away easily and not tracked back. Thats just my view on our midfield, feel free to slate it or praise it

93978[/snapback]

Well you pretty much contradicted yourself there C-man - Gillespie, Williams, Hughes and Stewart certainly can't be considered more than enough, and to not even cite ONE defensive midfielder is more than enough on its own.

Gillespie, Williams, Hughes and Stewart need much more than "bit more cohesion between them and the strikers" to convince me.

[C-man]

We do not have a midfield that is good enough for the Championship?

Gillespie, Gudjonsson, Williams, Nalis, Hughes, Tiatto, Stewart, Gemmill, Wilcox, Morris.

93872[/snapback]

I think that theres more than enough talent to make a good midfield there. Get rid of Gudjonsson, Nalis, Tiatto, Gemmill, Wilcox and Morris. Promote some of the youth team into the first team squad and give them a go on the bench to start off. I would start with Gillespie, Williams, Hughes and Stewart personally. I think that if there was a bit more cohesion between them and the strikers, we would have a good attacking midfield. However, what worries me is we dont have a defensive midfield player, which allows the opposition to run at us and cause us problems. We've seen that time and time again after someone has given the ball away easily and not tracked back. Thats just my view on our midfield, feel free to slate it or praise it

93978[/snapback]

Well you pretty much contradicted yourself there C-man - Gillespie, Williams, Hughes and Stewart certainly can't be considered more than enough, and to not even cite ONE defensive midfielder is more than enough on its own.

Gillespie, Williams, Hughes and Stewart need much more than "bit more cohesion between them and the strikers" to convince me.

94013[/snapback]

I was in a rush

[Steven]

I was in a rush

94085[/snapback]

My dog ate the original.

[martyn]

After watching Ipswich v Sunderland today, it was embarrasing how much more cohesive and creative the midfields were. A player like Dean Whitehead would be perfect, box to box and good simple distribution. That is what Gudjonsson is supposed to be but the fact is the guy is an abomination. How he ever was a £3m player I'll never know.

[Chandler]

I think that the average neutral has heard of more of our midfield players than probably any other midfield 'squad' in the Championship. Most of our midfielders were regarded (and still are in some cases) at one time as outstanding prospects. Most have plied their trades in The Prem and/or have been with bigger clubs.

And look at the depth! By Championship standards it's almost awesome. What we should be doing is asking ourselves why their current FORM does not match their reputations.

Why was an ageing journeyman oddfellow like Kavanagh allowed to seize the day on Saturday and treat the occasion like a home game against minor league opposition? After all, no away team takes the game to the opposition anymore - they sit on the edge of their box in rows of three watching the home side play and then deliver the sucker punch (especially if the punch bag in question is Leicester).

Answers please Mr Levein: - only 23,000 fans are waiting...

[davieG]

I think that the average neutral has heard of more of our midfield players than probably any other midfield 'squad' in the Championship. Most of our midfielders were regarded (and still are in some cases) at one time as outstanding prospects. Most have plied their trades in The Prem and/or have been with bigger clubs.

And look at the depth! By Championship standards it's almost awesome. What we should be doing is asking ourselves why their current FORM does not match their reputations.

Why was an ageing journeyman oddfellow like Kavanagh allowed to seize the day on Saturday and treat the occasion like a home game against minor league opposition? After all, no away team takes the game to the opposition anymore - they sit on the edge of their box in rows of three watching the home side play and then deliver the sucker punch (especially if the punch bag in question is Leicester).

Answers please Mr Levein: - only 23,000 fans are waiting...

94271[/snapback]

As it was the same midfield put together by MA and were equally inept under him perhaps you with your contacts should also ask him as well.

[Chandler]

I think that the average neutral has heard of more of our midfield players than probably any other midfield 'squad' in the Championship. Most of our midfielders were regarded (and still are in some cases) at one time as outstanding prospects. Most have plied their trades in The Prem and/or have been with bigger clubs.

And look at the depth! By Championship standards it's almost awesome. What we should be doing is asking ourselves why their current FORM does not match their reputations.

Why was an ageing journeyman oddfellow like Kavanagh allowed to seize the day on Saturday and treat the occasion like a home game against minor league opposition? After all, no away team takes the game to the opposition anymore - they sit on the edge of their box in rows of three watching the home side play and then deliver the sucker punch (especially if the punch bag in question is Leicester).

Answers please Mr Levein: - only 23,000 fans are waiting...

94271[/snapback]

As it was the same midfield put together by MA and were equally inept under him perhaps you with your contacts should also ask him as well.

94284[/snapback]

Your memory does not serve you well DG. I seem to remember 10 men in 100 degree heat fighting West Ham to a stand still. I remember the midfield breaking with electrifying pace to beat a feisty Derby 2-1 AWAY. I recall the destruction of the Blades. We played QPR off the park when they were in their pomp for 50+ minutes until silly Connolly got himself sent off.

In all of these encounters our midfield was outstanding. There is no doubt that it is the engine room that has deteriorated steadily under Levein and that we have been on a downward spiral since early December.

In fairness to Levein he might plead 'FA Cup' in mitigation. Might be credible if we were talking about losing an automatic promotion spot or, if I was in a very generous mood, a play-off place.

But definitely not when we're talking about beating the drop...

[Ric Flair]

I think that the average neutral has heard of more of our midfield players than probably any other midfield 'squad' in the Championship. Most of our midfielders were regarded (and still are in some cases) at one time as outstanding prospects. Most have plied their trades in The Prem and/or have been with bigger clubs.

And look at the depth! By Championship standards it's almost awesome. What we should be doing is asking ourselves why their current FORM does not match their reputations.

Why was an ageing journeyman oddfellow like Kavanagh allowed to seize the day on Saturday and treat the occasion like a home game against minor league opposition? After all, no away team takes the game to the opposition anymore - they sit on the edge of their box in rows of three watching the home side play and then deliver the sucker punch (especially if the punch bag in question is Leicester).

Answers please Mr Levein: - only 23,000 fans are waiting...

94271[/snapback]

As it was the same midfield put together by MA and were equally inept under him perhaps you with your contacts should also ask him as well.

94284[/snapback]

Your memory does not serve you well DG. I seem to remember 10 men in 100 degree heat fighting West Ham to a stand still. I remember the midfield breaking with electrifying pace to beat a feisty Derby 2-1 AWAY. I recall the destruction of the Blades. We played QPR off the park when they were in their pomp for 50+ minutes until silly Connolly got himself sent off.

In all of these encounters our midfield was outstanding. There is no doubt that it is the engine room that has deteriorated steadily under Levein and that we have been on a downward spiral since early December.

In fairness to Levein he might plead 'FA Cup' in mitigation. Might be credible if we were talking about losing an automatic promotion spot or, if I was in a very generous mood, a play-off place.

But definitely not when we're talking about beating the drop...

94434[/snapback]

Chandler, i'm sorry but i've been disgusted with our midfield all season. It's been one of our many downfalls. Nalis was impressive until xmas but other than that they've been shocking. Williams has got better since Levein took over as previously the ball was sailing over his head, but even so he's hardly bossed it. Gudjonsson has always been bad, as has Gemmill and the others who have played.

Whether that's been Adams and Levein's fault or not, but when two managers have struggled to get the midfield bossing it then usually it indicates that the players are at fault. Not good enough.