We cannot go into the game on Saturday with Dawson and Perkins in the middle. If Etuhu is out long term we need a replacement and we need one in tomorrow. I am also doubting whether the 3-5-2 system will work for us this season. I wouldnt drop it completely but I think getting a strong center mid in will allow us to go 4-4-2 and use the likes of Cywka/O'brien/RNL/Jennings out wide with the full backs pushing on for support. I'm fully aware we also need a striker but I'll save that point for someone else.
Ok I'll make it... We desperately need a striker of championship quality in and we need them in this week because we're not going to score enough with what we have. Oh and I agree about centre midfield.
So in this what Dawson & Perkins are both dropped and a new player brought in to play centrally in a 442 with Mellis? Or is Mellis & one of Dawson or Perkins dropped for this magical new player? Either way that would be a terrific way to create rifts in the squad! What happens when Digby & Etuhu get back, too?
DusThaNo a bigger way to create rifts in the squad and club for that matter is playing systems that are ineffective and as a result not getting goals or results. You cant play a system that isn't working just to accommodate other players. Mellis played where myself and other have been crying out for him to play tonight and he was completely ineffective, in fact he looked disinterested to me and on that performance he doesn't deserve a start on Saturday. Dawson would be dropped and Perkins played alongside a strong commanding center mid. Ideally Etuhu or possibly Digby. As things stand they're both injured and its flickers job to plug that gap.
Meh I disagree. They were both much better tonight. Dawson was much more direct, offering us something a little different to Perkins. When he got the ball he used his speed and upper body strength to drive past their midfield leaving. Meanwhile, Perkins was his usual self, picking it up from the defence and retaining possession, he had more space to do it in because him and Dawson weren't on top of each other.
So after wanting us to play 3-5-2 (or at least Mellis in the hole) and not 4-4-2 you now want us to play 4-4-2 and not 3-5-2 and bring in a new central midfielder? All this based on two games?
Blivy we were playing a league 2 side tonight and although they were better they still didnt get hold of the game. We were pretty awful until Scotland came on. Dawson and Perkins are not a strong enough pairing for championship level and I havnt seen anything but a 6-0 to Charlton, 4-0 to Wigan and 0-0 vs Scunny to make me think otherwise.
Its about finding the right balance between 'pressers' and 'passers' in midfield. If we play Dawson and Perkins in the middle, we have got two 'pressers'. If Mellis gets marked out of the game or doesn't get involved, then we don't have any 'passers'. Poor balance. Digby looks like a 'passer' who comes deep to get the ball (play-maker), and Etuhu is a 'presser/passer'. We dont need to sign another central midfielder, we just need Digby and Etuhu fit and available for selection.
Problem is when Mellis does turn it on we haven't got another player in the squad that can hold a candle to him creatively speaking.
With Etuhu in the starting 11 and an inform, interested Mellis it would be 3-5-2 all day for me. As Etuhu is injured and Mellis looking like hes not bothered I'd rather play 4-4-2 and use the like of Tommy and Jim who looked much more interested.
I agree about using Cywka and O'Brien. I'd much prefer those two wide than Mellis and Golbourne. If you're going to play 4-4-2, play wide men. I feel that with the creativity on the wings, there's less pressure on the central two to pick the passes and create the chances. The problem on Saturday was that we lacked creativity out wide. Golbourne is a defender and Mellis never even attacked his full back. I don't think it's fair that our two defensive midfielders take the brunt of the blame for our overall lack of creativity.
. Jim may look interested but every Saturday or Tuesday when playing against championship players.. He isnt good enough.
Agree. He looked better than Mellis tonight though. I'll just leave it at this for tonight. Etuhu fit, striker in, problem solved.
Bringing in another midfielder wouldn't be ideal for anyone! We did that last season bringing in greening and buszaky! And it was a complete waste of time and money. We already have the quality in your midfield. Lets just find another striker that has scored a few goals at this level and be done with it!
Yes but we cant play Perkins and Dawson in the middle together they simply do not work at Championship level.
I agree! But etuhu wasn't only ruled out for 2-3 weeks wasn't he? And with digby coming back from injury soon I think we have more than enough options in the middle
