All the energy and movement has been taken out of central midfield

I know Etuhu had a bad start to the season, but wasn't on his own - then gets played wide right, tells DJW he dunt like it there (rightly or wrongly) then is bombed out. Last season Etuhu picked up the 2nd balls, closed down and gave energy when driving forward to support the strikers.

This season our central midfield is tissue thin, void of battle, immobile and void of creativity without Mellis.

Unless and until that is addressed then bottom 3 beckons - play whatever back 4 you want, we'll concede because we are as weak as piss in the midfield. He has to find a way to give support to the back 4 and yet allow one or two players to create.

It might take a full season to get right, but we'll be getting pillocked by Chesterfield by the time we're there. And we'll need a new central defence cos Crainie and Ramage won't be here.

Bit of a mess really.

 

Spot on re. the midfield. Didn't go to Donny but thought a Digby, Frimpong, Woods might offer the balance of solidity and ability on the ball we're looking for. Last night Woods and Frimpong spent large amounts of the game 10 yards in front of the centre backs lacking either the ability or ambition (or both) to make a break or support O'Grady and Nick. If that's not going to happen they need to disciplined and strong off the ball.....they weren't.

Mellis and McCourt have their faults but I'm much forgiving of losing possession in the opposition half than not getting anywhere near it. Even Dawson, who I'd pretty much written off offers some mobility and bite in the tackle. Seemingly, the only solution is to pack the midfield and one up front but that means losing one of the two forwards and goal threat.

 

Need a combo - a midfield of Dawsons will make me physically ill, whilst a midfield of McCourts will be funny yet ultimately carnage.

Can't help thinking though there's a sense of fear/caution coming from the management - I was lifted when DJW said we'd impose ourselves on the opposition but that hasn't happened - we seem as fragile mentally as ever - v Ipswich we just folded. Yes they were a decent team but they got to 25 yards from our net without so much as a challenge - no wonder we conceded.

For me it's **** or bust now, we may as well be positive because points sneaked here and there aren't going to do it - but that means mentally positive and brave as well.

 

So I'm not quite sure, do you want energy and mobility or quality in midfield?

Are we back to wanting toilers?

 

Either/or I reckon. Last night we had neither. We had two Kevin Richardsons sitting deep playing 10 yard passes. That's going to get us nowhere. I'd rather either **** or bust Mellis, McCourt involved and try to take the team to the opposition. Or, 'better the devil you know' Dawson giving a bit of box to box in the midfield. Like EN says, it requires balance. Woods and Frimpong have too similar attributes/deficiencies to be an effective pairing in my opinion.

 

Does it have to be a choice ?

 

Mellon went with a diamond at Brighton of Etuhu, Cywka, Mellis and McCourt. We bossed it. That four is available this weekend. You could even drop a striker to fit Jennings in there as a five. We'd see more of the ball, that's for sure.

 

I think Frimpong and Mellis will be an effective partnership in central midfield. See no reason why players of their quality can't form an effective partnership. I suspect they are Danny's first choice pairing but have had little game time together so far.

 

For me once available Mellis has to be played consistently - whether or not he 'puts a shift in' - players like him need to be atuned to the pace of the game and perform better when so. He needs players alongside him who will do the dirty work to allow him to play. Hopefully that's Frimpong.

 

Shame Bobby can't get fit. He'd be ideal.

 

He wasn't alone in that respect.

Why someone who was so influential LAST season has been completely ditched will probably remain a mystery.

 

I think it's obvious that Mellon isn't telling Danny what to do, as was hinted by many on here not too long ago. Because Mellon picked Paddy and Etuhu. We got four points from nine.