The Midfield

[Lky]

Having read all the posts it seems everyone is of the same oponion. The midfield is not good enough. People have different oponions of Bannan and Albrighton but I'm splitting hairs.

Surely the management has the same oponion. Lets hope so and I look forward to our new signings.

Oh for an Ian Taylor, someone who could tackle, had a physical presence and would make an intelligent run into the box and notch half a dozen a year. Ironically he was the player we needed to and tried to replace for about 3 seasons on the trot in order to properly challenge. We never suceeded.

[glasses]

The Midfield? What's one of those?

[Mister E]

I still think that the BB / Westwood combo, with Herd (or, hopefully, a more epxerienced and talented MF enforcer) protecting the back four, has a future.
When we were playing 4-3-2-1, the MF looked good - against ManUre, Arse.
I do think that Albrighton, KEA, Holman, Ireland and Charles are not going to make it with us and should be shipped out.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

When we were playing 4-3-2-1, the MF looked good

After the last 3 games, they're all MF's as far as i'm concerned.

[walsall villain]

I still think that the BB / Westwood combo, with Herd (or, hopefully, a more epxerienced and talented MF enforcer) protecting the back four, has a future.
When we were playing 4-3-2-1, the MF looked good - against ManUre, Arse.
I do think that Albrighton, KEA, Holman, Ireland and Charles are not going to make it with us and should be shipped


Holman has looked ok at times, KEA looked great on the YouTube video playing in Holland so perhaps he needs time to settle. Agree about the rest.

[mr woo]

Before the season started, I recall both myself and Mazrim saying there was a lack of height, muscle, presence and power in our midfield. The problem was never addressed then and now we're paying the price. Just about every team needs those qualities and certainly, a below average side like ours needs grit to compete.

As most people say, we have 5 or so sub-6ft clones who have a neat first touch and no end product.

KEA - Has perfected the trap, turn and pass back to his back four like no player I have ever seen. Like thats something to be proud of.

Delph - TBF I think the injuries have stunted him, nowhere near the player he looked like he was going to be.

Petrov - Has gone from being the weak link to the missing link? Says it all.

Westwood - Has done well, even so I doubt he'd be a regular starter for most Premiership sides.

Holman - He was free - who else wanted him? What did we expect then?

Bannan - More hit and miss than Michael J Fox playing darts during an earthquake. Brilliant pass over 30 yards, then underweights a 12 foot putt across the carpet. Take his stature into account and the guy is a luxury (ha, I never thought I'd say that about wee Barry) we cant afford.

Edit- Whoops! I forgot the mecurial Stephen 'Bastard' Ireland - 8 million pounds, 80k a week, 3 seasons, 1 goal. Assists? who knows. Never mind pass n' move, this fella has pass n' hide down to a tee. Mister Houllier had him sussed within weeks. Sell him in Jan and get Robbie Keane to do his job properly for 6 games.

And so who from the current crop would I play in midfield?

Someone who can tackle, pass, run and has desire and ability?

Its obvious.

Ciaran Clark.

[SoccerHQ]

I believe Lambert scoffed at the idea of Clark playing in midfield at one of those fans forum things at the start of the season.

[ozzjim]

Rumour on twitter that Westwood may be out for 3 months. If true, and it sounded a bad one from reports, then our need for midfield re-enforcement s went from critical to code red. Westwood has been head and shoulders our best player in there and without him we will stuggle badly I fear. A couple of central defenders and moving Clark up might be a short term solution, but a proper ball winner and a box to box player are so badly needed now.

[SoccerHQ]

That is a huge blow if true. If it comes down to a straight choice between Bannan and Westwood, Ashley wins that by a mile imo. Delph isn't even a consideration.

Two new experienced and good central midfielders are a must in this window imo. Have Bannan, KEA and Delph as back up to them.

[ozzjim]

Not so fussed on age, but a good 100 plus games under their belt yes. One being big and powerful.

We were linked to a Dane a while back, wonder if that is still on.

[steffo]

Clark is an excellent reader of the game - however, he is so slow. Midfield like Barry for me.

[tomd2103]

Nolan is the exact street wise type of midfielder that we need.

To be fair, West Ham have a good balance in their first choice midfield three.  They have Noble who is decent on the ball and a good passer, Diame who is a real physical presence and can drive forward with the ball, and Nolan who gets forward and chips in with a few goals.  West Brom have a similar balance with Yacob, Mulumbu and Morrison. 

We have Westwood who can get on the ball and pass it, but we are lacking options and quality in the other two roles.     

[ozzjim]

Nolan is the exact street wise type of midfielder that we need.

To be fair, West Ham have a good balance in their first choice midfield three.  They have Noble who is decent on the ball and a good passer, Diame who is a real physical presence and can drive forward with the ball, and Nolan who gets forward and chips in with a few goals.  West Brom have a similar balance with Yacob, Mulumbu and Morrison. 

We have Westwood who can get on the ball and pass it, but we are lacking options and quality in the other two roles.     

For 3 months we may well not have Westwood. Shit creek.

[villan from luton]

Westwood will be a massive loss if this is true

[Legion]

Yes, definitely.