We just can't seem to get the midfield right at all and I'm not sure we have the personnel to get a proper blend either. Dawson, Perkins and Etuhu are all defensive players who offer little going forward. Mellis is an enigma. He has the talent but cannot play as part of a central pair as he isn't really strong enough. Cywka only seems to be useful as an impact sub and offers very little when he starts, also is he a wide player or a central midfielder? Digby doesn't look fit enough as yet to make an impact. As for wide players, O'Brien is another workhorse with little end product and Jennings has been a massive disappointment thus far. I was genuinely excited when he chose us over Huddersfield but with hindsight Hammill looks a far better signing for them. McCourt just seems a pointless signing and RNL, whilst not really having a proper run, looks as if a lack of pace will be his undoing. He can however, deliver a decent cross and corner. Most teams at this level seem to have central midfielders that can get a foot in to win the ball but are also a threat going forward and can unlock a defence. They also tend to have pace on the flanks which is something else we are sadly lacking. I'm not advocating any more signings as we surely have to ship out a few first as the squad is already bigger than Chelski's! It's a real problem and I'm really not sure what formation is the answer. September isn't yet out but I fear for us.......
Just got back from tonight's game and I have to say that I agree with your assessment. We have no creativity in midfield, no ability to put the opposition under sustained pressure.
I wasn't at the game so I can't comment based on tonight but that generally sounds about right - I'd struggle to pick our best midfield. Some thoughts. Can we really afford, as a football club of our size, to carry a player like Mellis who can only play in one position.. that being the hole behind two strikers. He needs to become the all round player that his talent deserves otherwise he's going to become quite familiar with benches over the course of his career. This is not the end of the world for him though, sure he's never going to be a fast player but strength can be built and his all round game worked upon - neither are quick fixes though. If only he could be trusted to play in a midfield two, the Barnsley line-up could look a lot more dynamic. Potential there for me but is he up for the challenge? I'm not sure about RNL lacking pace. Again, he isn't the quickest but he's a very strong player with a low centre of gravity which can make up for quite a lot in my view. I've said it time and again, the lad's ready but he needs a manager who will show confidence in him week in, week out. We have the makings of a great player there, someone who's been an attacker all his career but has now come to terms with defensive side of the game (having played/trained at wing-back). In short, he's a great all round winger, very multi-positional... but he needs games.
I agree with what you've all said there,the strange thing is, this board on the whole(and I include myself) were quite convinced we had midfield well sorted before the start of the season.The problem is as we've said three workhorses but no magician,and as Mellis has been dismal so far I'm not sure where the creativity is going to come from.
