Andy King.

[Fox92]

Any chance we can do the same for Beckford please?

lol

&, more importantly, Gallagher.

[marbelladave]

&, more importantly, Gallagher.

I quite like Gallagher, 3 goals from 5 games under NFP is not at all bad.

But in the interests of harmony if you support the move to 'out' Richie I'll help you lose Gally.......

Deal........

[jamesmilner]

he can only improve , hes young and gonna blow hot and cold . lets just hope he wises up quick !!!!!!!!!!

[Corky]

I have been banging on about how Fernandes and King are the obvious pairing virtually from the day Fernandes arrived, yet it has never been tried, why FFS........

Crazy when you consider that Fernandes played that role for Sven at Citeh, in the Premier league, how on earth did he think that he could not play that role in the Championship?

Sadly I think that particular ship has sailed, Sven never tried it and although NFP had the perfect excuse ( Fernandes' steller performance in midweek) to try it on Saturday he simply wasn't having it. Shame but I think that means the end, Fernandes will be gone in January.....

As much as I would like to see it dave, I just can't.

Wellens was made captain on Saturday, that's an indication that NP sees him as a key member of the squad.

[Happy Fox]

Is Wellens undropable how much of a grip does he have on NP and the dressing room.

[marbelladave]

As much as I would like to see it dave, I just can't.

Wellens was made captain on Saturday, that's an indication that NP sees him as a key member of the squad.

Is Wellens undropable how much of a grip does he have on NP and the dressing room.

This is something we will undoubtably find out over the next 5 or 6 weeks......

I think the Fernandes option is gone, he will leave next month which I personally think is a shame, he has the ability to boss this league but if he don't wanna play then..........

[Babylon]

I have been banging on about how Fernandes and King are the obvious pairing virtually from the day Fernandes arrived, yet it has never been tried, why FFS........

You been present at every training session then Dave?

[Corky]

It's got to be better than Wellens and King though Babs.

[marbelladave]

You been present at every training session then Dave?

Nope, just looking at how each player has played in the past......

King's best season came in 2009/10 when NFP played him in the anchor role. That team wasn't perfect but it was determined and organised and he was our outstanding player. You do not have to go to any training sessions to see that.

Similarly Fernandes's best season was under Sven at Citeh, he played the holding role but still found the energy to burst forward and support the attack.

Are you seriously suggesting that if both players came even close to that standard that they would not be better than anything we have seen this season......

[Guest Col city fan]

I'm starting to think there has been a big over reaction on here since the Peterborough game.

I thought we came out of the blocks fantastic and could have had the game wrapped up inside of thirty minutes. There were chances made IMO which weren't taken.

The second half was more even and either side could have taken the points.

Don't forget that Borough have not been a bad side this season. They have amassed almost as many points as us and are quick to hit in the counter. In their top man they have a pacy player who can hold the ball up well. I thought he had a good game.

Every team in this division will be set up to beat us. They will all be aware of Kings bursts, wellens dallying on the ball and Bambas tendency for the unpredictable.

Just look at some of Sats results. The Saints were ungodly, the hammers went limp and even the tractor boys ploughed a furrow once more.

This is a rough, tough, hard to predict division.

If King is given licence to start to control things once more, richie stops playing the silly flicks and jermaine puts himself about and starts gambling we could be right back up there. It's fine margins here.. But certainly not insurmountable.

[Wherethefoxhat?]

Perhaps Nige will drop Wellens if enough people post for it on this board!

Iv heard everything now !!

Jesus !!

[EnderbyFox]

I'm starting to think there has been a big over reaction on here since the Peterborough game.

I thought we came out of the blocks fantastic and could have had the game wrapped up inside of thirty minutes. There were chances made IMO which weren't taken.

The second half was more even and either side could have taken the points.

Don't forget that Borough have not been a bad side this season. They have amassed almost as many points as us and are quick to hit in the counter. In their top man they have a pacy player who can hold the ball up well. I thought he had a good game.

Every team in this division will be set up to beat us. They will all be aware of Kings bursts, wellens dallying on the ball and Bambas tendency for the unpredictable.

Just look at some of Sats results. The Saints were ungodly, the hammers went limp and even the tractor boys ploughed a furrow once more.

This is a rough, tough, hard to predict division.

If King is given licence to start to control things once more, richie stops playing the silly flicks and jermaine puts himself about and starts gambling we could be right back up there. It's fine margins here.. But certainly not insurmountable.

[Heskey2011]

Sorry theatkin'fenwa, i agree that he played poorley last game but for me kingy is a quality player, no myth, i've seen him play dozens of times and he is, for me, 1st on the team sheet.

[artursteppe]

Our midfield is without doubt the weakest defensively in the whole of the Championship. It is only average offensively. Conclusion, our midfield is poor. Whatever people think of King, Wellens, Dyer and Gallagher ( plus sub Danns ) as players, collectively they are CRAP. It is so obvious, there must be some doubt already over Pearson as manager. If he cannot see how poor his midfield really is, I can only conclude he is being financially rewarded by some betting syndicate or one or more of his midfield players are his lover(s).

[Corky]

I'm starting to think there has been a big over reaction on here since the Peterborough game.

I thought we came out of the blocks fantastic and could have had the game wrapped up inside of thirty minutes. There were chances made IMO which weren't taken.

The second half was more even and either side could have taken the points.

Yes, we should've had the game wrapped up. But we didn't and Peterborough were always in the game.

We killed Palace off at the right time. We needed to do the same on Saturday.

You can accept an even second half if you make the most of the first.

[artursteppe]

Yes, we should've had the game wrapped up. But we didn't and Peterborough were always in the game.

We killed Palace off at the right time. We needed to do the same on Saturday.

You can accept an even second half if you make the most of the first.

Peterborough are very poor, and we did not beat them!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Corky]

I agree with you.

[Thracian]

Kingy should get a move - and go somewhere he'll be appreciated. Wellens should be made club captain, given the Freedom of the City and have a statue erected where he took his last shot!

[CountesthorpeFox]

Nope, just looking at how each player has played in the past......

King's best season came in 2009/10 when NFP played him in the anchor role. That team wasn't perfect but it was determined and organised and he was our outstanding player. You do not have to go to any training sessions to see that.

Similarly Fernandes's best season was under Sven at Citeh, he played the holding role but still found the energy to burst forward and support the attack.

Are you seriously suggesting that if both players came even close to that standard that they would not be better than anything we have seen this season......

For me, this board is as divided on our central midfield pairing as Jeremy Clarkson and Greenpeace are on the link between motor cars and global warming.

Dave is obviously in the King corner, which is fair enough, I respect the fact he backs his argument up with a well thought out and detailed explanation, without lowering to personal insults as soon as somebody disagrees with him.

I would probably be described as being in the Wellens corner. I do like King. He has obvious qualities which he has shown time and time again. I think in terms of longevity he has got more to offer LCFC than Wellens for obvious reasons but in their current state I dont think there is much between them. What I do like though about Wellens, is his clear resilience. Our fans can be SO critical at times and voice discontent if we are not 3-0 up within 15 minutes. When the fans get on the teams back I think it affects some of the players in the team, but with Wellens I have total and utter respect for the way he carries on getting stuck in and trying to play attacking passes. Sometimes they dont come off and he gives the ball away but I think more often than not he plays a very useful pass indeed. This is somewhat demonstrated as he has the most assists in the team this season.

The perception of King "hiding" is a little harsh but as you said his main qualities are not in the middle third. As someone has rightly suggested though, Gallagher is somewhat lightweight, as is Dyer to a degree, so this midfield I think is a little lacking in metal to put it one way. For the record I dont think the Tomlin header was Kings fault. The team concedes as a whole and the move should have been broken up before he's chipping a ball into our 6 yard box.

You mention 2009/10. Wellens was also the top assister alongsie Fryatt that season. King weighed in with a good 9 league goals to add to Fryatts 11 and Waghorns 12. I apologise for the constant stat quoting I just like to back things up with a little fact, even though I know these can be skewed. (set piece takers, penalties etc).

Overall I think we're having a little over reaction to the game on Saturday. The midfield does need strengthening but I dont think it is the worst in the division, not by any stretch of the imagination, and I think sorting the flanks out is just as much, if not more a priority than getting another central midfielder in. We finished 5th with this midfield under Pearson last time so I think a few tweaks (to the overall team) are needed rather than a radical change. It was a dissapointing result Saturday but I have faith in Pearson to sort the consistency out and I have faith that our midfield pairing can work just as well as it did under Pearson last time. Just give it time guys.

[Happy Fox]

You only have to look at the fact that most oppositions cuts through our midfield like butter, they are weak as a unit

[CountesthorpeFox]

You only have to look at the fact that most oppositions cuts through our midfield like butter, they are weak as a unit

I respect what youre saying but -

Under Pearson goals conceded (most recent first)

1,2,0,1,0. = 4 ( 1 home 3 away) (remember the 2 was with ten men for the vast majority of the game).

Pre Pearson -

1,1,3,3,0. = 8 (4 home 4 away)

I think Pearson will address this. I agree its lightweight but I think with better organisation we will see things improve. We already are.

[yag101]

Personally I'd like to see Pearson try throwing another midfielder into the mix, push the wingers high up like inside forwards in order to get the most out of the likes of Schlupp, and test their pace in behind defences between the centre half and full back. We could alternate between a double pivot with Wellens playing very deep alongside the box-to-box King with Gallagher playing ahead of them, or have a 3-man midfield with a single holding mid. Would be nice to see Fernandes getting a start.

[marbelladave]

Personally I'd like to see Pearson try throwing another midfielder into the mix, push the wingers high up like inside forwards in order to get the most out of the likes of Schlupp, and test their pace in behind defences between the centre half and full back. We could alternate between a double pivot with Wellens playing very deep alongside the box-to-box King with Gallagher playing ahead of them, or have a 3-man midfield with a single holding mid. Would be nice to see Fernandes getting a start.

This is kind off what we have been getting at for a while.

King and Fernandes anchor the midfield with a playmaker, Gallagher or Danns, in front of them in the hole. Pace either side with 2 from Nugent, Dyer and Schlupp and all 3 of them supporting a lone frontman.

Except we do not have anyone but Howard to play up top and he is clearly not good enough......

And I think Fernandes is out of here as soon as so I think we will have to wait for NFP to bring in some new players before anything much changes.

[C.J]

If it takes the Death of a Welshman to inspire him to play well, can we get a famous Welsh person shot before every game? I think we should start with Tom Jones. Because King is getting worse.

[Jagdinho]

I used to love King and Wellens, but at the moment they just aren't contributing or working well together or for the team.

No one can say they aren't good enough. Otherwise King wouldn't be playing for Wales and also Wellens used to be one of the main men in are team. I think we just need something a bit different and midfield that will get a few goal and attack defences. Messi is a good shout but unlikely at the moment.