Having A Midfield That Doesn't Score Goals

[sirlordbaltimore]

Probably our biggest Achilles heel along with ropey defending IMHO

I've been watching the 1000 Premiership Goals DVD and it's alarming how many we used to score from midfield compared to the current lot. Westwood never comes close, Delph is as bad so we'd better hope Sylla can add a few (not looking likely granted). If not then we'll always struggle as you can't just expect the forwards to score em all

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Somebody should show Fabian this:

[tomd2103]

I can't recall seeing our midfielders even in the box last season.  Don't mind Westwood not scoring, but if we keep the 4-3-3 formation then the two either side of him need to start chipping in.

[Concrete John]

I can't recall seeing our midfielders even in the box last season.  Don't mind Westwood not scoring, but if we keep the 4-3-3 formation then the two either side of him need to start chipping in.

N'Zogbia does when he plays, but his lack of tracking back mean the other two with him rarely do.   When it's Sylla, then the onus is on him and Delph, which is an area they need to improve on.  Presuming we play the same way next season, then you'd have to expect 20 from Benteke, 10 each from Gabby and Weimann and then 10 from the rest of the midfield.

[PeterWithesShin]

I fancy Delph to score a few next season.

[flybo]

Midfield That Doesn't Score Goals  have been saying that for most of the season.
they need to start scoring next season or we will but near the bottom again

[frank black]

How long has Delph got left on his contract?
If he is in his last year, does he warrant a new one?

He looks like the kind if player that should score but has yet to demonstrate that side to his game.

[Toronto Villa]

It's helpful when they chip in with goals, but when you have three forwards we need to have creativity in midfield as opposed to goals. For me though the primary criteria for our midfield in the Lambert system is that they don't give the ball away needlessly and have the ability and desire to win the ball back quickly when they do.

[Mister E]

Rather than obsess specifically about the midfield, I'd be far more interested to know what is being done about our relatively poor conversion of set-piece opportunities. We win corners but rarely core from them; we get free-kicks in the final third but I don't remember many conversions from last season; we seem to have no throw-in routines that cause opponents problems.
Set pieces are scoring opportunities and Lambert needs to get us much sharper for them.

[andyaston]

I think Westwood will be the player to sit deep and keep things simple and ticking along. Delph grew in confidence once he got a run in the side and will hopefully score goals, out of the three mentioned he looks the most likely. Sylla is a pressing player and can fit into that role of midfield runner with an engine.

We play two either side of Benteke anyway, those being Gabby and Andreas. But, it wouldn't do any harm getting in an attacking midfielder a an option.

[Salsa Party Animal]

I think we need a young goalscoring midfielder in similar mould of Frank Lampard Jr or Matthew Le Tissler or Zidane in our team If he can score 15 and add extra 10 assists that would be awesome

[eastie]

I think we need a young goalscoring midfielder in similar mould of Frank Lampard Jr or Matthew Le Tissler or Zidane in our team If he can score 15 and add extra 10 assists that would be awesome

Anyone in mind Michael? Do you think Luke  murphy could develop that way?

[Ads]

The midfield certainly improved after the end of January, with there being a good blend between Sylla, Delph and Westwood.

I think Delph grew in confidence with the way he started to use his pace to really break from the midfield and you would hope he can weigh in with a few goals next season.

That said, I think we need a genuine player who can link the attack and the midfield in the way Milner did, Ireland was supposed, but has failed so miserably.

Sylla and Westwood are good players who will get a lot better still, but I think we have to remember the size of the situation they were both thrown into. Sylla in particular had a language barrier and culture barrier to overcome too.

I think it speaks volumes for the spirit that Lambert has engendered amongst the squad. This is why I think Benteke will stay at least one more season and why Andi will be here for years to come; they’re all of a similar age and there is a real cohesion about them.

The players we bring in have to have the same attitude. 

[hipkiss92]

Hopefully Gary Gardner will fill this role once he's back fit and firing

[ozzjim]

I fancy Delph to score a few next season.

I would bet on 6 or more in the league next season