Midfield

[not3bad]

Like I said, a better and more clinical team could have punished us, and I hope this is worked on ahead of Spurs this weekend.

I think most people would agree there is more improvement that needs to come yet.  Whether Spurs will manage to be more clinical than Wolves is arguable. 

[garyshawsknee]

Every extra day in training with Sid and Gary Mac will be a bonus to the team,especially the midfield,so come Sat things might improve again. I just wish we could start to get the second goal when were on top,just like the Stoke game.

[PaulTheVillan]

Collins is a class centre back, why the hell move him?

[Chris Smith]

As much as I hate to say it, Man City did a superb job of stifling Chelsea on Saturday. Their defensive midfielders stuffing the centre stopped Chelsea from playing. I think that we should do the same even if it means playing Reo-Coker, maybe Petrov and Sidwell in there. If we concede the centre as we have done in the 2nd halves against Stoke, Bolton and Wolves then Chelsea'll take us to the cleaners.

I remember making a very similar argument before the home game against Chelsea last season, where I was convinced that we HAD to play 5 across the middle to combat them and any other formation would see us get stuffed. 

We played 4-4-2 and beat them 2-1.

Mancini has bought players specifically to allow him to play like this, I'm not sure we have the right personnel to sit back against such a strong side as Chelsea and just soak it up.

[unclefabio]

Reo-Coker's passing stats this season (from the Guardian chalkboards):

Wolves: 19 of 23 passes completed
Stoke: 30 of 32
Everton: 17 of 20
Newcastle: 8 of 8 (came on as 65th min sub)
West Ham: 2 of 2 (came on as 85th min sub)

Total: 76 of 85 (89%)

I'll post Petrov's as well.

Wolves: 23 of 23
Bolton: 24 of 26
Stoke: 37 of 39
Everton: 13 of 15
Newcastle: 28 of 30
West Ham: 36 of 37

Total: 161 of 170 (95%)

[Monty]

Excellent stats, Uncle Fabio.  Considering that Reo has played about two games and three quarters less than Petrov, the numbers are hardly bad in his favour. It's also impressive from Stan's point of view that, despite playing more games and passes, his percentage is still higher. However, much improvement there from NRC, which is great to see.

[Dante Lavelli]

I agree with the sentiments that we need to go with three in the centre.
My three would be NRC (cruncher), Petrov (spreader) and Ireland (buzzer).  This would mean moving Young back on to the wing and I'd keep Albrighton on the right.

Downing dropping to then bench (for now) although he could come on in a number of positions.

I think it's got good balance and the players would complement each other well.

[Concrete John]

I don't think that actually all that much of an improvement from NRC - the stats have always showed up the 'he can't pass' theory!

In truth he's very capable of winning it and playing a short and simple ball.  It's when he tries to run forward with it and goes down blind alleys that the problems start!

[Monty]

I don't think that actually all that much of an improvement from NRC - the stats have always showed up the 'he can't pass' theory!

89% would be very respectable for a defender, and if, as many do, we seem to be thinking of NRC as essentially a defender who plays in midfield then he's done a lot better than before.

[duvillain]

I thought before and from what ive seen recently NRC is a very good footballer. His box to box runs are very good. I believe his weakness, is in the opposition penalty area. I personally woyld pick him 1st every time, in the petrov role. NRC is very fit and very committed, before MON got hold of him wasent he in or around the england squad. Some players prospered with MON others fell by wayside. Luke young looks like the best right back in prem at moment, as another example.

[Chris Smith]

I agree with the sentiments that we need to go with three in the centre.
My three would be NRC (cruncher), Petrov (spreader) and Ireland (buzzer).  This would mean moving Young back on to the wing and I'd keep Albrighton on the right.

Downing dropping to then bench (for now) although he could come on in a number of positions.

I think it's got good balance and the players would complement each other well.

Dropping out top scorer (in the league) doesn't seem that clever a move nor does moving Young after his performance yesterday. We do have a problem with how to accomodate Ireland but I think he'll just have to bide his time.

[KRS]

Every extra day in training with Sid and Gary Mac will be a bonus to the team,especially the midfield,so come Sat things might improve again. I just wish we could start to get the second goal when were on top,just like the Stoke game.

Yeah its going to take a while, but hopefully we're on the right bath even though I'm sure we'll see a few disappointing performances results along the way. I think GH mentioned that we need to be more nasty, and killing teams off when we have them under pressure should be included in that...getting the 2nd goals against Stoke and Wolves would have put a very different perspective on those games.

[PaulTheVillan]

Downing dropping to then bench (for now) although he could come on in a number of positions.

I think there lies some of the O'Neill problems.

Downing is a left winger and IMO only a left winger.

He's gash when on the right.

This season he's scored 3 goals from being on the left wing and attacking the back post.

Didn't we have enough bullshit square pegs in round holes with Martin O'Fuckface?

[Concrete John]

I don't think that actually all that much of an improvement from NRC - the stats have always showed up the 'he can't pass' theory!

89% would be very respectable for a defender, and if, as many do, we seem to be thinking of NRC as essentially a defender who plays in midfield then he's done a lot better than before.

What I was saying was that, from memory, his pass completion percentage has always been around that for us, especially his first season where he had a good run in the side and was first choice.

[PaulTheVillan]

I agree with the sentiments that we need to go with three in the centre.
My three would be NRC (cruncher), Petrov (spreader) and Ireland (buzzer).  This would mean moving Young back on to the wing and I'd keep Albrighton on the right.

Downing dropping to then bench (for now) although he could come on in a number of positions.

I think it's got good balance and the players would complement each other well.

Dropping out top scorer (in the league) doesn't seem that clever a move nor does moving Young after his performance yesterday. We do have a problem with how to accomodate Ireland but I think he'll just have to bide his time.

I would start NRC and Ireland. Surely has to be worth a try.