When is Fabian Delph back?

[Shrek]

Sidwell mistiming a tackle is not indicative of the mindset of the team as a whole.

I'd be quite happy to see a central three with Delph, Petrov and NRC - with Delph operating on the left and Albrighton as our only out and out winger.

Gives us a bit of everything.

I'm not sure, Enland for example have looked fat better an more balanced since they moved Gerrard inside and played 2 wingers.

I just fear Delph would do tge same as Gerrard and drift inside alot, leaving us very open on the left.

[KevinGage]

I can't see us being any more vulnerable defensively on the left than we are with Downing there at present, who effectively provides nuisance value and little else if he doesn't have the ball.

Probably part of the reason why Warnock has been more exposed over the past few months.
IIRC most of Warnock's best form was pre Downing's return from injury last Nov/ Dec.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Good point about the exposure of Warnock. A big part of his game is getting forward and putting in crosses. With Downing such a light weight he is constantly being threatend .......

[pablopicasso_10]

delph isnt anywhere near as effective when put out on the left wing...

[Dante Lavelli]

I'm not sure, Enland for example have looked fat better an more balanced since they moved Gerrard inside and played 2 wingers.

I'm not sure that the England team is the benchmark by which we should be basing our formation, unless we can guarantee ourselves fixtures against second rate teams.

[SoccerHQ]

It was a 9 months lay off, so he won't be back till the new year.

Are you sure? I seem to recall October or November as the return date. The club haven't updated us much recently (no surprise there). Any quotes from Fabian himself?

It was a cruciate injury so a lot more serious than Downing's injury for example. So don't expect a quick return from him, early 2011 is realistic.

[PaulTheVillan]

Delph as a left winger?! Why the hell when we've got Downing and Young?

[Namaste]

Delph is not a winger; he'll take some time to be PL ready but hopefully he can get some substitute appearances for Petrov in the New Year and then who knows.

Time is key though with Delph, got to be patient. But he does look a great prospect in the Gerrard-style.

[KevinGage]

delph isnt anywhere near as effective when put out on the left wing...

Come on, don't leave me hanging. The... tells me there is more to this story. Is there?
He played LM for Leeds.

Some of his best form was in that position.

[KevinGage]

Delph as a left winger?! Why the hell when we've got Downing and Young?

Who said anything about left wing?
I specifically said playing him would be a better option than always going with two wingers, as not many sides can get away with that for an extended period of time and it often leaves us overrun in the latter stages of a match.

Delph has all the attributes to play as an orthodox LM, similar to the function that GB fulfilled for a number of years - though both bring different things to the table. Delph being more agile and more willing to take players on et.c

[KevinGage]

Delph is not a winger; he'll take some time to be PL ready but hopefully he can get some substitute appearances for Petrov in the New Year and then who knows.

Time is key though with Delph, got to be patient. But he does look a great prospect in the Gerrard-style.

This will be the Steve Gerrard who has often played on the left hand side for Liverpool and England? Or is there another one knocking about?

[PaulTheVillan]

Delph should be in the middle...


This is what I think of Steve Sidwell

[pablopicasso_10]

delph isnt anywhere near as effective when put out on the left wing...

He played LM for Leeds.

Some of his best form was in that position.

but the majority of of his best form was in the centre...

whenever i watched him, he always drifted out of the game on the left wing, and i spoke to a lot of leeds fans after we signed him, and they pretty much backed up what i had seen, that we wouldnt get the best out of him on the left hand side, as he is better influencing the game in the centre....

[SoccerHQ]

I've always seen Delph as an upgrade on NRC (e.g he can pass.)

So if NRC goes, I'd expect Delph to be his replacement and I expect GH to buy a replacement for Petrov aswell.

[Karl Bridges]

MON should have been bringing him on more in games. 20 minutes here and there at the end of games. Building it up as he got more confident.