We need that quality deep lying midfielder who can play those long forward passes consistently that none of our midfielder do right now. I would like another that plays the number 8 role as well but I don’t know if finances will allow that. If Morelos is sold we should be bringing in another attacker in the roofe mold, one that can play multiple forward positions.
Tavernier never cost us the game. We were well beaten over two legs by a right good German side
Edmundson gave away a stupid penalty in the first leg and Polster also cost us a goal. We were well beaten over the two legsIt was tavs man who scored the only goal of the game
Edmundson gave away a stupid penalty in the first leg and Polster also cost us a goal. We were well beaten over the two legs
Yes, I know. I was responding to the comment “How many goals in big games will he cost us?”. We were well beaten over the two legs - anyways, this is a thread about our centre mids not Tav.Correct but it was still tavs man who scored the only goal tonight!
We’ve got to be looking at someone. I am worried though because Jack is Gerrard’s boy and Kamara is Michael Beale’s.
This is true and it’s so evident but as Empire alluded to, Gerrard has really put all his eggs in Jack’s basket.Jack was so nervous on the ball and negative there were times he didn’t even lift his head and started heading back the way when there were forward passes on.
I’d imagine the manager will be pressing ahead to get a midfielder in someone like the dyed blonde hair boy they had he was unreal all action and could play too.
We will sign a midfielder. I think it’s obvious we are in the market for one.We’ve got to be looking at someone. I am worried though because Jack is Gerrard’s boy and Kamara is Michael Beale’s.
Not to be harsh but when playing teams like Leverkusen they are a level above players Like Jack in our midfield. No doubt He’s a battler and will do a job for us domestically , it’s just how it is. Davis also starting to show signs that he’s done at the very top level too.
We do need two in. A natural holding player that can play forward passes and a dynamic number 8, I really hope Zungu is the former as he seems absolutely perfect for that role.
Aribo, Kamara and Jack are the only midfielders we have that are good enough to start regularly imo, Davis and Arfield should be nothing more than rotation options to give others a rest.
I agree with you with the Zungu interest, he didn't go to Manchester for no reason, hopefully it isn't completely dead.Kamara, Jack and Davis are fine, perhaps even good, options. But none of them should be an automatic first pick in the vein of a Goldson or Barisic. There are various reasons for that.
Intrigued to see who we bring in now. No one will be able to convince me that the interest in Zungu wasn't legitimate.
I agree with you with the Zungu interest, he didn't go to Manchester for no reason, hopefully it isn't completely dead.
I do highly disagree with you on those three being good options for the holding role though, they can semi adequately cover the position in cases of injury or suspension but they're simply incapable of maintaining a high tempo, attacking style of play with forward passes.
It's really easy for me to look back at some performance last season and try to convince myself that it was working then and could now but the thing is our midfield has always been highly inefficient and one dimensional in the majority of games we play, we've just had two very good fullbacks to mask it.
Jack doesn't look right to me, lacking confidence or a wee niggly injury. Seems hesitant.
That midfield did absolutly fine agaisnt Feyennord, Porto & Braga.
He bossed it pre Christmas mate.Was thinking the same. Very early in the season but not looking anything like the player from pre-Christmas
Strolled? Pedestrian is the word. Saturday was a game for a dynamic box to box midfielder linking play. The midfield duo were poor I felt considering they were up against nothingI Don't think our cente midfield is as bad as people are making out - they strolled to on Sunday against the 3rd best team in the league and tonight was an anomaly - Leverkusen are miles ahead of any team we have or will face in a long time so I wouldn't judge it on that. That being said it is clear Gerrard wants one more CM so I would expect us to make a move - would be interesting to see Hagi play in there though
For me, we need two new players in there. Two athletic monsters who can dominate physically and aren't scared to carry the ball up the park and play it forward.
Here's a question. How much do people think we'd get for Ryan Jack this summer ? Because I'd be seriously considering punting him to help fund what's required.
Were you slagging off our midfield when they were dominating Brown and McGregor, Porto, Braga, Feyenoord, Legia etc etc?
Here's a novel idea, why not refrain from making rash judgments in the first week of the season?
Writing Steven Davis off, when he's just started his first competitive game of the season, after an injury doesn't show a great level of football knowledge mate.
Let's cut them a bit of slack until everyone is fully match fit.
Here's a question. How much do people think we'd get for Ryan Jack this summer ? Because I'd be seriously considering punting him to help fund what's required.
I am glad we went out last night as lengthy European runs have hampered us domestically the past 2 seasons.
The weakest part of our team.
Also the biggest difference between us and our competitors domestically.
The engine room is so important and I think Aribo is the only one who is of the quality required to take us to the next level.
The lack of passing ability, control, speed and strength in Jack, Kamara, Davis and Arfield is worrying. Always a side ball or playing backwards, rarely do they offer anything different to one another.
He certainly brought a freshness to the midfield last night and that says enough for me, our midfield has been stale for long enough and Gerrard needs to improve it or we will win nothing again this seasonArfield is nowhere near good enough to be anywhere near our first 11.
That midfield did absolutly fine agaisnt Feyennord, Porto & Braga.
That midfield did absolutly fine agaisnt Feyennord, Porto & Braga.
That midfield did absolutly fine agaisnt Feyennord, Porto & Braga.