Knockaert as a Centre Mid?

[LordFox]

I think we can all agree that for the majority of the time when AK is on the pitch he looks a threat.

Yesterday he was always looking for the ball, with a view to going forward, and trying to create things, so what are your views on using him as an “attacking†centre midfielder say with Drinkwater (or another) beside him?

It may not be the answer – but surly it’s worth a punt, and at least we would potentially have him on the pitch for the full 90 min instead of a replacement for Dyer, who lets face it unless he is injured NP is never going to drop from the starting 11.

As I said It's just an idea, and this is a forum -- Ok go on, rip me the shreads then.

[MattyFromLE]

He certainly added a bit of urgency, and Wolves seemed to back off him a lot - one or two poor decisions but overall I thought he changed the game. Midfield though? Not sure.

[cc_star]

Good point

Unlike most people I'm not keen on him to be a first choice starter out-wide

I thought he drifted in, lost shape and starting him would be dangerous as we'd have no width for attacks and the opposing fullback would be free to bomb forward supporting their winger, but playing in CM as the creative force? Yes could work... and in my opinion is necessary if King is out as no one else has any guile or craft.

[bakerfox123]

Not ripping to shreds but I disagree for a few reasons.

Weak on the ball an can get pushed off quite easily.

And would give away free kicks if he connected with some of the challenges made yesterday. Personally would like to see Marshall there.

[SMX11]

I also think he would be more effective if played centrally. However, I think he should be allowed to play a free role, roaming around in between the midfield and defence of the opposition team as the lad has great eye for a pass and really can cause problems with his direct running. Not sure NP will be willing to do this though unless we only play with one up top.

[Captain...]

I think it could only work as part of a midfield 3 or a 4231 formation, he is a quality looking player, and he gets stuck in, but he's not a centre mid, I don't want him having to protect the back 4 as well as be an attacking force.

I am pretty sure he will start on Wednesday, we spent a few million on him, and he has time to bed in.

Don't think anyone will rip you to shreds, it's nice to have a non knee jerk, moaning thread for a change.

[Buzzell]

Keep him on the wing. He's quick, likes to take players on, tricky and his delivery isnt bad either. He looks too weak to play in a more central role.

Keep him on the wing. He's quick, likes to take players on, tricky and his delivery isnt bad either. He looks too weak to play in a more central role.

[LcFc_Smiv]

I think we can all agree that for the majority of the time when AK is on the pitch he looks a threat.

Yesterday he was always looking for the ball, with a view to going forward, and trying to create things, so what are your views on using him as an “attacking†centre midfielder say with Drinkwater (or another) beside him?

It may not be the answer – but surly it’s worth a punt, and at least we would potentially have him on the pitch for the full 90 min instead of a replacement for Dyer, who lets face it unless he is injured NP is never going to drop from the starting 11.

As I said It's just an idea, and this is a forum -- Ok go on, rip me the shreads then.

If it was too happen we would need that strong defensive midfielder in there as it would be a physically weak midfield. Not going to rip you to shreds but the Dyer comment isn't needed, there hasn't really been enough to suggest that Knockaert should be in ahead of Dyer, who has put in some good shifts but lacked that final product the same as AK. However based on yesterdays performance I think that he will be in ahead of Dyer for our next game, he offered far more and while I think he was rather selfish (not always a bad thing) he certainly played a big part in raising our game.

[Ashley]

I would play him as an attacking midfielder, he's always wandering into gaps between the midfield and the defence the lad is quality and will only contintue to get better.

[Guest Col city fan]

I would play him as an attacking midfielder, he's always wandering into gaps between the midfield and the defence the lad is quality and will only contintue to get better.

So would I.

The question is, will Pearson?

Both Knocky and Marshall look made for that attacking midfielder in an advanced position role.

Both are wasted on the wings IMO AND who are they crossing to?

Keep it on the floor and let's play some football.

[chris_lcfc_85]

So would I.

The question is, will Pearson?

Both Knocky and Marshall look made for that attacking midfielder in an advanced position role.

Both are wasted on the wings IMO AND who are they crossing to?

Keep it on the floor and let's play some football.

I would play him there with a 5 man midfield but not in a 4-4-2, wouldnt work

[marbelladave]

So would I.

The question is, will Pearson?

Both Knocky and Marshall look made for that attacking midfielder in an advanced position role.

Both are wasted on the wings IMO AND who are they crossing to?

Keep it on the floor and let's play some football.

Is that really you Col, sounding more and more like me every day......

Change the formation to get our most creative players on the ball, play short quick balls into the box and stop putting in crosses to our striker(s) who, errrm, don't seem to like attacking crosses.....

[Dan]

I can see the logic in this, I wouldn't snub a 4-2-3-1 which sees him in the centre, Vardy on the left (he's as natural there as up front) and Marshall on the right.

[Guest Col city fan]

Is that really you Col, sounding more and more like me every day......

Change the formation to get our most creative players on the ball, play short quick balls into the box and stop putting in crosses to our striker(s) who, errrm, don't seem to like attacking crosses.....

Bloody knowitall!!

[cc_star]

Moore - Morgan - SSL - Schlupp

James - Drinky

Marshall - Knockaert - Dyer

Forward

Don't know a single manager who'd play that in the Championship, but I would. Obviously I'd have King in there instead of either James or Drinky but I'd play like that... Yes and I have neatly sidestepped picking a forward.

[Ric Flair]

We need to play 4-2-3-1 and allow Knockaert and Marshall to have free roles behind the striker.

[Mack]

Decent player, can scare defences at times.

However he is ball greedy and often ends up sulking with his hands on his hips rather than getting back to do the other side of the game.

Impact sub for me until he learns his responsibilities better.

[Corky]

It's worth a try.

[Captain...]

Decent player, can scare defences at times.

However he is ball greedy and often ends up sulking with his hands on his hips rather than getting back to do the other side of the game.

Impact sub for me until he learns his responsibilities better.

Really? Or are you just applying foreign flair player stereotype #23

I saw him get stuck in a few times, a couple of wild challenges, but he wants the ball, is not afraid to go looking for it, I didn't see him sulk once, the closest to sulking came when Nugent, I think, had a shot blocked when Knocky was in a good position and he had a bit of French gesture at him, but that was with the ball out of play.

[Mack]

What we really need in the middle is someone who can drive the game and and get back plus has a half decent shot and a decent work ethic.

Like Neal Danns Oops sorry wait!

[Mack]

Really? Or are you just applying foreign flair player stereotype #23

I saw him get stuck in a few times, a couple of wild challenges, but he wants the ball, is not afraid to go looking for it, I didn't see him sulk once, the closest to sulking came when Nugent, I think, had a shot blocked when Knocky was in a good position and he had a bit of French gesture at him, but that was with the ball out of play.

He lost the ball 2-3 times and just stood there in disgust rather than working to get the ball back.

He also tried to beat 154564635213153534 men rather than playing a pass or through ball.

He has talent but needs to learn the game here better and improve his decision making / attitude for me.

[chris_lcfc_85]

He lost the ball 2-3 times and just stood there in disgust rather than working to get the ball back.

He also tried to beat 154564635213153534 men rather than playing a pass or through ball.

He has talent but needs to learn the game here better and improve his decision making / attitude for me.

Have you not seen his workrate in previous games? He's worked back in every game to try and retrieve the ball.

We actually looked a threat with him and De Laet down the right hand side

[LordFox]

Not ripping to shreds but I disagree for a few reasons.

Weak on the ball an can get pushed off quite easily.

And would give away free kicks if he connected with some of the challenges made yesterday. Personally would like to see Marshall there.

Good Point- I believe Marshall would / could do a similar job, I think what I’m getting at is we have at the club players who can get forward and scare the Cr@p out of defences with tricky, cleaver runs, inciting defenders to be a bit rash and give away free kicks and penalties, I truly believe this is the way we should play. Whilst I think King is a good player, for me I just don’t see him doing that, arriving late in the box to score or latching on to a ball just outside, 1 quick side step, bang and queue Kasabin in the KP speakers, yes brilliant, something he’d done on more then a few occasions, but he does have a tendency IMO to ‘appear’ to disappear in a game.

I also think NP should stick to a style of play that matches the players on the field, yesterday we did revert to a bit of hoof ball, which is fine if big Marko is playing, but when we kept the ball on the floor and started to play and pass (which suited the players on the pitch) we looked so much more affective and put wolves on the back foot.

[marbelladave]

Bloody knowitall!!

I know, tried to change my name but Knowitall is still taken.......

Moore - Morgan - SSL - Schlupp

James - Drinky

Marshall - Knockaert - Dyer

Forward

Don't know a single manager who'd play that in the Championship, but I would. Obviously I'd have King in there instead of either James or Drinky but I'd play like that... Yes and I have neatly sidestepped picking a forward.

I think the setup is more important than the personel but changes are needed before some of our players loose it completely. Just dropping different players into the same setup is not the answer though.

Might be worth giving Vardy a go on the left, might take a bit of pressure of him if he is not seen as the main striker.

We need to play 4-2-3-1 and allow Knockaert and Marshall to have free roles behind the striker.

With Vardy or Dyer making up the 3 for an attacking setup or a central midfielder (edging towards a 4-3-2-1) for those tougher (away?) games.

[RoosterRussell92]

I can see the logic in this, I wouldn't snub a 4-2-3-1 which sees him in the centre, Vardy on the left (he's as natural there as up front) and Marshall on the right.

We need to play 4-2-3-1 and allow Knockaert and Marshall to have free roles behind the striker.

Definitely agree with you both on this. Can't see it happening but I would love to see us give it a try. Maybe something along the lines of:

GK Kasper

LB Schlupp (Despite that wonder goal, Konchesky has been terrible of late)

RB RDL

CB Whitbread

CB Morgan

DM Drinkwater

DM James (assuming King is unfit)

AML Nugent

AMC Knockaert

AMR Marshall

FC Vardy