muzzy1981 Posted 17 March 2013 Posted 17 March 2013 Wellens = defensive or attacking? Drinkwater = " " King = " " James = " " Oakley = " " All good players but Call me old fashioned but I think a defensive midfielder and attacking midfielder still works. Lennon = defensive Izzet = attacking Cardiff. Gunnarson and cowie with Kim and others in. Reserve Apart from yesterday our defence is strong, we are prob one exp striker away from being strong. Wings good. It worries me that we have had neither a defensive or attacking midfielder play this season as we need the continuity for next.
foxesfan1989 Posted 17 March 2013 Posted 17 March 2013 I just think we have a very small weak midfield. King, Wellens, Drinkwater, Knockaert, Marshall...all a bit lightweight. Need a mix of those kind of players and a bossing midfielder. We have got it right in defence, De Laet and Morgan provide a good mix...yet we have failed to do this with the midfield, don't get it.
Guest Col city fan Posted 17 March 2013 Posted 17 March 2013 There has been an ongoing debate over this all season. Some have stated they prefer the 'all round midfield player', so to speak. Someone who can attack and defend. Others, like myself would have liked to have seen a defensive minded midfielder playing alongside an attack minded midfielder. For example, James playing alongside Koren, Spearing playing alongside Boyd... That type of thing. For me, this has been Pearson's major failing. I'd have also liked to have seen a proper DM, with two further central midfielders in front, when away from home. It's all opinions.. But I've been consistent with this all season.
lcfc will Posted 17 March 2013 Posted 17 March 2013 I think we have the strikers, we just need the midfielders to be creating chances for them, we've not been creating enough chances and you can't expect strikers to score goals out of nothing every week
Harry - LCFC Posted 17 March 2013 Posted 17 March 2013 The midfield was right in the 10/11 season. King scored 15, Wellens was excellent in his playmaker role and Abe did plenty of running and tackling. I wouldn't mind us trying to copy that midfield by replacing Abe with James and Wellens with Drinkwater (or keeping Wellens if he's up to it).
marbelladave Posted 17 March 2013 Posted 17 March 2013 Muzzy and foxesfan.... Sorry guys but you have it wrong on virtually all counts. Our central midfield is fine, any 2 of our 3 proper players will do fine. The problem is the setup, with no one in front of them showing for the ball, as has been the case for some time, they can only play the ball back resulting in the hoof. They are fine defensively too, our record shows this, but our recent negative strategy invites pressure and eventually it counts against us. Our defending in the box is poor too, we really lack a truly commanding figure to take control, we do not have one so we loose goals to set pieces and crosses that we simply can not deal with.
lcfcsnow Posted 17 March 2013 Posted 17 March 2013 It's been obvious for years, I am sick to death of complaining about King starting away games, Dyer starting any game and Gallagher and Wellens returning to the first team fold due to our manager refusing to strengthen this area. How, when we have been crying out for a stronger midfield, he has managed to sign Harry Kane - the forward version of Andy King, play him on the wing and get away with it is incredible.
leicesterseddon Posted 17 March 2013 Posted 17 March 2013 Personally I'd just like a midfield who gets the ball and doesn't instantly look to pass it sideways or backwards.
Ozwin Posted 17 March 2013 Posted 17 March 2013 Pearson does seem to like these midfielders who do it all, especially with us playing 442 a lot.
Karljohn Posted 17 March 2013 Posted 17 March 2013 Personally I'd just like a midfield who gets the ball and doesn't instantly look to pass it sideways or backwards. Yes, and some energy to go with it, king runs as if he's carrying a rucksack full of housebricks, wellens I've never rated, lots of 360 degree turns and a simple sideways pass! Reminds me of Jason Jarrett.
muzzy1981 Posted 17 March 2013 Author Posted 17 March 2013 Muzzy and foxesfan.... Sorry guys but you have it wrong on virtually all counts. Our central midfield is fine, any 2 of our 3 proper players will do fine. The problem is the setup, with no one in front of them showing for the ball, as has been the case for some time, they can only play the ball back resulting in the hoof. They are fine defensively too, our record shows this, but our recent negative strategy invites pressure and eventually it counts against us. Our defending in the box is poor too, we really lack a truly commanding figure to take control, we do not have one so we loose goals to set pieces and crosses that we simply can not deal with. I think many would beg to differ that our centre mid is good defensively, we have been muscled out of a lot of games and Wed Morgan has been the commanding figure you speak of. However, I do agree that we may have the players but their positions need to be more defined as defensive/ attacking or striker that comes deep etc
marbelladave Posted 17 March 2013 Posted 17 March 2013 Personally I'd just like a midfield who gets the ball and doesn't instantly look to pass it sideways or backwards. Give them some options in forward areas then, simple as that. It was not a problem early in the season when De Laet, Knockaert, Marshall, Dyer and even Nugent and Vardy were all making runs in forward areas. Good enough to get us top of the table. Why did NFP stop this and start setting up to defend?
Dan Posted 17 March 2013 Posted 17 March 2013 Drinkwater - Not had a good game in weeks, looks one of the main players devoid of confidence and I maintain what I said early season that he's often crucial to how our performance pans out. King - Yet again he seems to have gone quiet, it's something you just can't seem to get out of him but unfortunately if he wasn't, he wouldn't be here. Wellens - I agree he's past-it, yet looks our best midfielder at the minute, I actually despair. James - Seriously, when the hell is he back? We miss him a lot, best defensive midfielder we have, hardly ever gives the ball away and can actually finish too, I think we've missed him a lot and I'd be delighted if he's back for the Millwall game.
marbelladave Posted 17 March 2013 Posted 17 March 2013 I think many would beg to differ that our centre mid is good defensively, we have been muscled out of a lot of games and Wed Morgan has been the commanding figure you speak of. However, I do agree that we may have the players but their positions need to be more defined as defensive/ attacking or striker that comes deep etc Sorry Muzzy but you, and many others on here are wrong. Despite our recent appalling run we still have one to the best defensive records in the league, you do not get that with a midfield that cannot defend. Our primary defensive problem is inside the box from crosses and set pieces, and this is down to the 'back 3' of Schmeichel, Morgan and now Keane. There is a basic lack of organisation and a total lack of a commanding presence. Schmeichel flaps at crosses and is inconsistent, he complains but does not command and direct, neither does Morgan, he is much too quiet for me and promising as he is, Keane is a kid. That is our defensive issue, right there.....
Dan Posted 17 March 2013 Posted 17 March 2013 The midfield was right in the 10/11 season. King scored 15, Wellens was excellent in his playmaker role and Abe did plenty of running and tackling. I wouldn't mind us trying to copy that midfield by replacing Abe with James and Wellens with Drinkwater (or keeping Wellens if he's up to it). Drinkwater hasn't been up to Wellens' form of that season, King hasn't been up to his own but I agree about James who I'd rate above Abe personally.
fleckneymike Posted 17 March 2013 Posted 17 March 2013 It's the goal threat (or lack thereof) from midfield which is key. Take King's goals out + Gallaghers penalties and that midfield offers zero offensive threat. With strikers not firing we need the midfield to lend a hand and that midfield aint helping at all.
marbelladave Posted 17 March 2013 Posted 17 March 2013 It's the goal threat (or lack thereof) from midfield which is key. Take King's goals out + Gallaghers penalties and that midfield offers zero offensive threat. With strikers not firing we need the midfield to lend a hand and that midfield aint helping at all. Abso-fooking-lutely. Which is why 4-2-3-1 would suit us, our non-scoring midfielders play the holding roles and we play those who can score, Knockaert and Marsall predominately, in front of them supporting the striker. BTW I think Wood could lead the line in this setup, not the crocked / don't give a fook Wood we have at the moment, the one we used to have back in January.......
kingfox Posted 17 March 2013 Posted 17 March 2013 All our midfielders are too similar in my opinion, we haven't even really counted Wellens as an option up until now. Drinkwater is too negative, he started this season well, but he is progressively getting worse again, like when he first joined us last season. I don't rate him, I think it's personally his fault that we are struggling in the final third, because he either turns on the ball, slows things down or takes unnecessary touches, which then let's his marker close him down, leading to a mistake, or when he slows things down, it then let's the opposition get behind the ball, which makes it harder for us to unlock things in the final third. James I have been impressed with, I like how he plays, he can pass, tackle and always tends to look forward, if we keep him next season, I would cement him as our key midfielder, I think he should play week in week out when fit. King has been more defensive again this season, he is a useful player to have, but shouldn't start on a consistent basis, he can have games where he tends to be quiet and go missing, or he can have good games, when his works his socks off defensively, and help out in an attacking sense, and can often pop up with a key goal. Wellens for me is too old, and should leave in the summer, yes he played well yesterday, but I think we need fresh options, and I would like to see him move on. Next season we really need new options in midfield, I think a holding midfielder would do the trick in some games, in a possible 4-1-2-1-2 formation, while I think we should really adopt a 4-3-1-2 formation in the majority of our games, all teams around us have about 5-6 central midfielders in their squad, we have only really had 3 all season, which has led to a possible burn out, mentally and physically. I would like to Drinkwater leave(Probably won't happen), and I would like to see Wellens leave. With a more defensive midfielder coming in, someone who can tackle and sit in, while I would like to see a midfield general similar to James and King, who can actually shoot on goal, while I think we need an attacking midfielder, someone who can give Knockaert(if he stays) competition in a more advancing role.
Electricity Sports 1960 Posted 17 March 2013 Posted 17 March 2013 Play a 1-1-0-9 formation. Kasper boots it up to the forwards & they deal with it. Miss out the midfield. A bit like now really except at present we have a weak midfield so why bother with one & strengthen the attack.
spittingfeathers Posted 17 March 2013 Posted 17 March 2013 I'm sorry to keep saying this but what exactly does King ever do to actually influence a game ? He's simply not bloody good enough !!!!!
AKCJ Posted 17 March 2013 Posted 17 March 2013 Really hope we go for someone like Trotter in the summer.
deanolegend1989 Posted 17 March 2013 Posted 17 March 2013 In my honest opinion and I know most of here disagree with this but I feel Drinkwater is sh*t! Ive said this for a while and I personally think hes an absolute useless player. He cant shoot for toffee, hes got no ideas or vision of creative passing. He doesnt really offer anything IMO. We havnt once all season played King and James, IMO this would work a treat because King would be able to use his strengths as well as James sitting and doing a solid job.
Harry - LCFC Posted 17 March 2013 Posted 17 March 2013 Drinkwater's one of the three players to start every league game this season, pretty unjust IMO. You wonder how James and King have never lined up together. I can't say he's been exceptional for us this season whereas Wes, the only other outfield player to start every game, definitely has been.
spittingfeathers Posted 17 March 2013 Posted 17 March 2013 Even if wev'e had the best run this season with Drinkwater & James together !
demon_dog Posted 17 March 2013 Posted 17 March 2013 Even if wev'e had the best run this season with Drinkwater & James together ! Spot on. It seems to me that Drinkwater and King can't play together. Look at our recent winning streak, King only came on as a sub toward the end of the matches. (with 1 exception) Since he has started a game our results have been worse. I say ban him from the ground on matchdays!
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