So, has Berner cemented his place in midfield....

[davieG]

at the expense of Gradel/Adams?

[Hullfox]

at the expense of Gradel/Adams?

I hope not.

I think that he provides us with much needed steel and increases the permutations available overall.

[Fez of Mahrez]

For me, definitely. Anything that allows King and Oakley to get forward more is what we want. As people have been saying, Berner had his best game of the season so far yesterday. He actually got forward himself in the first half very effectively and we should have scored from one of his crosses from the left. I still think we could do with another holding central midfielder in January, if only because we can financially and because we might regret it if we don't. It could also mean Berner going back to play left-back, especially if Mattock is sold. For now though, I think this is definitely the way to go. Gradel coming off the bench with 20 to go is a decent prospect as well. He needs to get himself a goal somehow, get his confidence up and push his way back into the XI.

[Cropwellfox]

If he continues his level of performance and stays injury-free he seems to be heading for a start every week. It's at Gradel/Adams expense just now, but I think he'll play a number of different roles / positions for us over the next few months. Fair play to the guy for getting himself fit after the summer without a club and taking his chance. All three of the free-agents we've taken have improved the squad and are in and around the team - Makes me wonder how many other UK-based players are out of work who could do a job in League One or better??

[Head Honcho]

Hopefully NP can make good use of all of them...........horses for courses and all that!

It was good to see NP persevere with him though, he was getting some duff reviews and his performances warranted them. He's a player pretty much in the same mould of Pearson and I reckon he's picked up a bargain there.

[Tilley]

Yes,

As many have said, he allows King & Oakley to attack, & it is no coinsidence than Oakley has finally started to find some form since Berner has been in.

He was fantastic yesterday and has been good in recent games, I also loved him coming over at full-time & punching the air, looked like he is really up for a fight to get out of this league.

[Corky]

Berner coming in has allowed Oakley and King to do what they do best, go forward, more often. Oakley looks far more comfortable on the ball with Berner playing, and Bruno himself got into some threatening positions in the first half yesterday.

Gradel and Adams are still very useful. If Lloyd gets injured (heaven forbid), then I'm sure Maxi could play on the left.

[JakeShingler]

Hope so.

[Simi]

Yesterday certainly went a long way to proving that point.

I think playing Campbell yesterday compliments that set up well. Oakley likes to drop inside when he's playing on the right and that allowed Campbell to work the channels and offer a ball over the top. Also Oakley was playing balls through to Campbell from the centre and Scunny struggled to pick that move up.

[Thracian]

With virtually all our opponents packing midfield it was clear that Oakley and King were having far too much to do and Berner's presence has had the effect of sharing the burden.

He's done a decent enough job these last couple of weeks. That has been reflected in our results and the goalscoring contributions from his central midfield partners and it's probably safe to say that three will be the preferred approach in central midfield barring serious mishaps.

And it brings additional benefits because I think Pearson will find it much easier to manipulate the front three now because all his available options will be able to operate as more genuine and fairly fluid attackers.

With a more numerical and resilient central midfield and a range of talented central and wide options for the three places up front - including Gradel and Adams - I really cannot see why our performances cannot improve still further in the second half of the season.

It is really only our full-backs that bother me now. I'll be glad when Gilbert gets back to offer pace and support and when the position regarding Mattock is finalised because we still seem vulnerable in that department.

[Corky]

Yesterday certainly went a long way to proving that point.

I think playing Campbell yesterday compliments that set up well. Oakley likes to drop inside when he's playing on the right and that allowed Campbell to work the channels and offer a ball over the top. Also Oakley was playing balls through to Campbell from the centre and Scunny struggled to pick that move up.

There was one incident where Campbell was clearly held back when through on goal. Although he was offside a lot, he looked threatening when he wasn't.

[Simi]

There was one incident where Campbell was clearly held back when through on goal. Although he was offside a lot, he looked threatening when he wasn't.

I hope the offsides can be ironed out because I feel he could be a key player for us. Howard still has a role to play, but he won't always be effective I don't think.

We'll carry on seeing the same DJ until he gets some matches under his belt. I think with our current formation, DJ is best suited to partner Fryatt.

[Katy]

Yes, I think so. He was ace yesterday, made one obvious error but other than that I think he's great personally.

[colbo68]

For me, definitely. Anything that allows King and Oakley to get forward more is what we want. As people have been saying, Berner had his best game of the season so far yesterday. He actually got forward himself in the first half very effectively and we should have scored from one of his crosses from the left. I still think we could do with another holding central midfielder in January, if only because we can financially and because we might regret it if we don't. It could also mean Berner going back to play left-back, especially if Mattock is sold. For now though, I think this is definitely the way to go. Gradel coming off the bench with 20 to go is a decent prospect as well. He needs to get himself a goal somehow, get his confidence up and push his way back into the XI.

Agree with you Fez 100% - Berner looked extremely composed yesterday and was driving into the box countless times in the first half - I'd keep him in without a doubt - to be honest I'd play that same starting eleven on Tues

[Sir Alex Ferguson]

I thought Berner played really well yesterday. Gave King and Oakley more of a chance to get forward and it added a much needed strong tackler in the centre of midfield.

And on occasion he managed to get forward himself, with some good low crosses, which we could have done better with.

Quick question to anyone who knows, Was Dickov on the bench yesterday? Is he still not fully recovered from his injury?

[lildave3]

For now, yeah. Was very good yesterday, and he's allowed King and Oakley to get forward and make there mark.

He certainly hasn't let us down in any of the games he's played.

[Katy]

I thought Berner played really well yesterday. Gave King and Oakley more of a chance to get forward and it added a much needed strong tackler in the centre of midfield.

And on occasion he managed to get forward himself, with some good low crosses, which we could have done better with.

Quick question to anyone who knows, Was Dickov on the bench yesterday? Is he still not fully recovered from his injury?

They (whoever they are) said he would be in the squad but he wasn't even on the bench

[Fox92]

He got off of the bus and I thought 'oh he may be on the bench'

But he wasn't

[Alexikokopops]

With virtually all our opponents packing midfield it was clear that Oakley and King were having far too much to do and Berner's presence has had the effect of sharing the burden.

He's done a decent enough job these last couple of weeks. That has been reflected in our results and the goalscoring contributions from his central midfield partners and it's probably safe to say that three will be the preferred approach in central midfield barring serious mishaps.

And it brings additional benefits because I think Pearson will find it much easier to manipulate the front three now because all his available options will be able to operate as more genuine and fairly fluid attackers.

With a more numerical and resilient central midfield and a range of talented central and wide options for the three places up front - including Gradel and Adams - I really cannot see why our performances cannot improve still further in the second half of the season.

It is really only our full-backs that bother me now. I'll be glad when Gilbert gets back to offer pace and support and when the position regarding Mattock is finalised because we still seem vulnerable in that department.

Exactly, the improvement in King and Oakley's games has been noticable (from what I've heard, with my recent move I've been unable to get to many games in the past month) since Berner's started playing in midfield. Wasn't it you though Thrac who said we didn't need an "'orrible midfielder"

Having had the meanest defence in recent history until Kisnorbo's return we now want a defensive midfielder. Are you lot for real?

[Ric Flair]

I didn't go on Saturday, but from what I have seen of him so far, he goes about his business very efficiently and it has allowed Oakley and King to do a bit in the opposition's half. I said earlier in the season that Oakley and King are often so similar and yet so different in what they will produce game in, game out. With Berner now playing the holding role as such, it means King and Oakley have that freedom I think they both need.

My only slight concern is, is this just a purple patch for Berner as he's never been known to play in central midfield for any great period of time. He's been a left back as far as I am aware, but having said that, he's playing at least 1 level below where he probably should be playing and his quality is allowing him to make an impact as a defensive midfielder.

It's a shame for Adams and Gradel. Neither have performed consistently, Adams to be fair has hardly had a run of games to impose himself, and I can imagine him being a tad disillusioned. Gradel, although he's been incosistent, is still a danger to the opposition and has proved so with the amount of assists he has provided and general involvement in other goals.

I hope Pearson tries to keep both of them involved and not just 5 minutes, here and there as that helps nobody. Gradel I feel, is still only a goal and a crowd lifting performance away from getting in to the sort of form he was in last season. Lloyd just keeps on bagging though and i'm not so sure Gradel is ever going to be as devastating on the right as he can be at this level from the left wing. On saturday against Daggers, I hope Pearson gives Maxi a go on the left. Dave will be left with a new arsehole.

[morris1234]

With virtually all our opponents packing midfield it was clear that Oakley and King were having far too much to do and Berner's presence has had the effect of sharing the burden.

He's done a decent enough job these last couple of weeks. That has been reflected in our results and the goalscoring contributions from his central midfield partners and it's probably safe to say that three will be the preferred approach in central midfield barring serious mishaps.

And it brings additional benefits because I think Pearson will find it much easier to manipulate the front three now because all his available options will be able to operate as more genuine and fairly fluid attackers.

With a more numerical and resilient central midfield and a range of talented central and wide options for the three places up front - including Gradel and Adams - I really cannot see why our performances cannot improve still further in the second half of the season.

It is really only our full-backs that bother me now. I'll be glad when Gilbert gets back to offer pace and support and when the position regarding Mattock is finalised because we still seem vulnerable in that department.

great post! couldnt agree more! you have to remember also king, adams and gradel are all still young, so playing or not they can only learn from great pro's such as oakley and berner.

[carterfox90]

whenever i have seen adams ( been to most of away & all home games) i have been impressed with him but for some reason nigel does'nt seem to rate him but i would play him in midfield i think berner has been ok not great though we still need a tough tackling bloke in midfield to do the dirty side of the game

[potter3]

Exactly, the improvement in King and Oakley's games has been noticable (from what I've heard, with my recent move I've been unable to get to many games in the past month) since Berner's started playing in midfield. Wasn't it you though Thrac who said we didn't need an "'orrible midfielder"

I didn't think he was particularly 'orrible on Saturday, he was a little more defensive than Oakley and King but he broke forwards a few times, did some fancy skill too which I can't imagine someone like Tiatto doing

[davieG]

I didn't go on Saturday, but from what I have seen of him so far, he goes about his business very efficiently and it has allowed Oakley and King to do a bit in the opposition's half. I said earlier in the season that Oakley and King are often so similar and yet so different in what they will produce game in, game out. With Berner now playing the holding role as such, it means King and Oakley have that freedom I think they both need.

My only slight concern is, is this just a purple patch for Berner as he's never been known to play in central midfield for any great period of time. He's been a left back as far as I am aware, but having said that, he's playing at least 1 level below where he probably should be playing and his quality is allowing him to make an impact as a defensive midfielder.

It's a shame for Adams and Gradel. Neither have performed consistently, Adams to be fair has hardly had a run of games to impose himself, and I can imagine him being a tad disillusioned. Gradel, although he's been incosistent, is still a danger to the opposition and has proved so with the amount of assists he has provided and general involvement in other goals.

I hope Pearson tries to keep both of them involved and not just 5 minutes, here and there as that helps nobody. Gradel I feel, is still only a goal and a crowd lifting performance away from getting in to the sort of form he was in last season. Lloyd just keeps on bagging though and i'm not so sure Gradel is ever going to be as devastating on the right as he can be at this level from the left wing. On saturday against Daggers, I hope Pearson gives Maxi a go on the left. Dave will be left with a new arsehole.

What we need Ric is for the current midfield to get us so far a head in a game, say 3-0 that it provides Pearson with the luxury of using subs other than to close the game down.

Tomorrow against Crewe is a great chance to do just that, 3-0 up at half time bring on Gradel for Dyer.

[Bazaldo]

Good 100% player, doesn't like losing at all and can also play a bit. Bit of bite we've needed.

Shame for gradel etc but at the end of it all you have to come back even better to get your place back and surely that can only be good. Just take the chance when it comes.