Hodgson's Midfield

[doctor_mac]

So early signs last night were encouraging in respect of our midfield movement. Cole SG and Lucas were forming triangles all night, usually with Cole at the point, but with a nice fluidity in that any of them could try and get behind their lines and would be covered. Lucas (I don't like to bash him , but...) was the weakest link, but with players of the quality of Cole and SG that's pretty much to be expected.

I know it is only one game with a full strength line up but there were real signs that Hodgson will release the Kracken a bit more than Rafa, and allow us a bit more unpredictable movement in shifting the ball between midfield and attack. Cole and SG are obvious lynch-pins, but Aqua will also benefit when he plays.

 

[dmishra]

If for some reason, we manage to retain Mascherano, we'd have a superb starting midfield. Mascherano, Gerrard and Cole is as good as any in the league.

 

[Insignificance]

[quote author=dmishra link=topic=41307.msg1149369#msg1149369 date=1281087240]
If for some reason, we manage to retain Mascherano, we'd have a superb starting midfield. Mascherano, Gerrard and Cole is as good as any in the league.
[/quote]

Not much worse than a Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta!

 

[Atlas]

I was thinking about the Masher issue last night, against a better team who would hit us on the counter we need Masher or someone like him Lucas just doesn't cut it.

Really I was thinking I wish Alonso was still here

 

[doctor_mac]

I actually don't think we need an Alonso type player- we need someone a bit nippier and busier. Alonso is perfect in that sitting role, playing quarterback, but someone who can make this triangle revolve, with the point of attack pivoting around a different player, but also good at closing down. I reckon Defour would fit the bill rightly. I think Milner would be a decent shout too, or perhaps even Stephen Ireland.

 

[Insignificance]

[quote author=Asim link=topic=41307.msg1149372#msg1149372 date=1281087637]
I was thinking about the Masher issue last night, against a better team who would hit us on the counter we need Masher or someone like him Lucas just doesn't cut it.

Really I was thinking I wish Alonso was still here
[/quote]

Mascher is a pure monster when it comes to break up oppositions play. Dont mention Lucas in the same breath. Look at games i.e. against ManUre how many times Mascher drives in some few mistimed but most off the time weeltimed tackles. His engine is huge so he keeps up his game for a full 90 mins. He is very very good at this.

It doesnt nessecary show as much in games were we manage to break up opposition high in pitch and the whole team manage to press together.

He needs a passer/distributor with him. Lucas is abviously not close to fit that description. So many times last season were we were unable to cturn the game from left to right or vice versa due to the pairs inability to pick out a pass over 5 meters. It ade our team such an easy unit to defend against. Just keep the ball on one of them and the other team had relatively good control. Lack of movement didnt matter as they would not have been able to pick out the movement with a long range pass anyway.

Xabi and MAscher is a monster midfield. I actually think Aquilani can be that distributer, given the right midfield partner.

 

[Cerberus]

I hate to say it and I know Jovanovic has only had one decent game BUT, I think hard work Dirk could make way.



----------Gerrard---Masher

----------------Cole---------

----------Maxi-----------Jova

-----------------Torres

Creativity, Goals, Balance.


When were comfortable with a goal or two up in the second half bring on Aqua for Masher. Id be tempted to put Aqua in the starting lineup if at home.

 

[Khalido]

My concern with our midfield is that we STILL do not have enough top quality down the wings and this hasn't been addressed with the singing of Joe Cole as he will play centrally.

Kuyt / Jovanovic / Maxi / Babel - None of these are what I'd rate as top class wide players.

Top Class wide players,
Giggs
Pires
Overmars
Robben
Malouda

 

[Wilko7]

[quote author=Cerberus link=topic=41307.msg1149530#msg1149530 date=1281099702]
I hate to say it and I know Jovanovic has only had one decent game BUT, I think hard work Dirk could make way.



----------Gerrard---Masher

----------------Cole---------

----------Maxi-----------Jova

-----------------Torres

Creativity, Goals, Balance.


When were comfortable with a goal or two up in the second half bring on Aqua for Masher. Id be tempted to put Aqua in the starting lineup if at home.
[/quote]

Yes, Maxi may not have pace however he has en excellent football brain and would compliment the other attacking players well. That looks like a great line up.

 

[peterhague]

[quote author=Wilko link=topic=41307.msg1149546#msg1149546 date=1281101428]
[quote author=Cerberus link=topic=41307.msg1149530#msg1149530 date=1281099702]
I hate to say it and I know Jovanovic has only had one decent game BUT, I think hard work Dirk could make way.



----------Gerrard---Masher

----------------Cole---------

----------Maxi-----------Jova

-----------------Torres

Creativity, Goals, Balance.


When were comfortable with a goal or two up in the second half bring on Aqua for Masher. Id be tempted to put Aqua in the starting lineup if at home.
[/quote]

Yes, Maxi may not have pace however he has en excellent football brain and would compliment the other attacking players well. That looks like a great line up.
[/quote]

agreed. i like maxi , and i think he deserves to start - he's technically really, really, good.

i really hope we get a better replacement for mascherano than poulsen, though, or best of all, we don't get any bids for mascherano and he has to stay. that'd be a fairly promising first XI then, with a reasonable shout of getting back in the top 4.

 

[WhyAlwaysMe?]

Poulsen

Gerrard

Maxi Cole Jovanovic

Torres


I reckon this is how we'll line up.

The attacking quintuple is brilliant, creative, and clever - as opposed to our previous PACEEEEEE of Cisse, Pennant, Gonzalez and Babel that were thick as fuck..

Regardless of the popular view on this forum Poulsen is a monster at defending and will give the front 5 license to attack.

Title here we come!

 

[Hansern]

We really need to replace Lucas in that midfield, if we manage that we're on our way.

Yesterday was very encouraging though

 

[TheBunnyman]

Ha, I can't believe you're all dropping Kuyt from your first XIs! I was slagged off for suggesting he wasn't one of the world's greatest footballers a few weeks ago.

 

[ankreds]

malouda is not top class.....he had a good season last year but he's hot and cold otherwise.

 

[zlatan18]

I think this is a possibility

-------------Poulsen------------
-------Gerrard----Lucas-------
Cole------------------------Jova
---------------Torres------------

or

-------------Poulsen--Lucas----------
Kuyt-----------Gerrard-----------Cole
-------------------Torres----------------

 

[mark1975]

[quote author=zlatan18 link=topic=41307.msg1149729#msg1149729 date=1281117474]
I think this is a possibility

-------------Poulsen------------
-------Gerrard----Lucas-------
Cole------------------------Jova
---------------Torres------------

or

-------------Poulsen--Lucas----------
Kuyt-----------Gerrard-----------Cole
-------------------Torres----------------
[/quote]

I'd cry if that was the way we're gonna shape up. Poulsen is shit and Lucas isn't doing much to justify his inclusion.

 

[zlatan18]

[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=41307.msg1149732#msg1149732 date=1281117616]
[quote author=zlatan18 link=topic=41307.msg1149729#msg1149729 date=1281117474]
I think this is a possibility

-------------Poulsen------------
-------Gerrard----Lucas-------
Cole------------------------Jova
---------------Torres------------

or

-------------Poulsen--Lucas----------
Kuyt-----------Gerrard-----------Cole
-------------------Torres----------------
[/quote]

I'd cry if that was the way we're gonna shape up. Poulsen is shit and Lucas isn't doing much to justify his inclusion.
[/quote]

Id be pretty shattered aswell but Poulsen looks 99% to come to us and i cant see lucas getting subbed especially as he was our captain last week. Hope im wrong though

 

[mark1975]

[quote author=zlatan18 link=topic=41307.msg1149739#msg1149739 date=1281118005]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=41307.msg1149732#msg1149732 date=1281117616]
[quote author=zlatan18 link=topic=41307.msg1149729#msg1149729 date=1281117474]
I think this is a possibility

-------------Poulsen------------
-------Gerrard----Lucas-------
Cole------------------------Jova
---------------Torres------------

or

-------------Poulsen--Lucas----------
Kuyt-----------Gerrard-----------Cole
-------------------Torres----------------
[/quote]

I'd cry if that was the way we're gonna shape up. Poulsen is shit and Lucas isn't doing much to justify his inclusion.
[/quote]

Id be pretty shattered aswell but Poulsen looks 99% to come to us and i cant see lucas getting subbed especially as he was our captain last week. Hope im wrong though
[/quote]

I hope we bring in another midfielder and Poulsen is just an option..

 

[Wilko7]

[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=41307.msg1149741#msg1149741 date=1281118173]
[quote author=zlatan18 link=topic=41307.msg1149739#msg1149739 date=1281118005]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=41307.msg1149732#msg1149732 date=1281117616]
[quote author=zlatan18 link=topic=41307.msg1149729#msg1149729 date=1281117474]
I think this is a possibility

-------------Poulsen------------
-------Gerrard----Lucas-------
Cole------------------------Jova
---------------Torres------------

or

-------------Poulsen--Lucas----------
Kuyt-----------Gerrard-----------Cole
-------------------Torres----------------
[/quote]

I'd cry if that was the way we're gonna shape up. Poulsen is shit and Lucas isn't doing much to justify his inclusion.
[/quote]

Id be pretty shattered aswell but Poulsen looks 99% to come to us and i cant see lucas getting subbed especially as he was our captain last week. Hope im wrong though
[/quote]

I hope we bring in another midfielder and Poulsen is just an option..
[/quote]

I doubt Poulsen will be bought until after Mascherano has been sold.

 

[keniget]

The team was so poor at keeping possession well last season, I think I'll have to wait and see how we fare in the league before increasing my expectations.

Thus far it seems as though we're going to be largely reliant on Gerrard having a big season for us in the middle of the park.

 

[zlatan18]

[quote author=Wilko link=topic=41307.msg1149743#msg1149743 date=1281118380]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=41307.msg1149741#msg1149741 date=1281118173]
[quote author=zlatan18 link=topic=41307.msg1149739#msg1149739 date=1281118005]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=41307.msg1149732#msg1149732 date=1281117616]
[quote author=zlatan18 link=topic=41307.msg1149729#msg1149729 date=1281117474]
I think this is a possibility

-------------Poulsen------------
-------Gerrard----Lucas-------
Cole------------------------Jova
---------------Torres------------

or

-------------Poulsen--Lucas----------
Kuyt-----------Gerrard-----------Cole
-------------------Torres----------------
[/quote]

I'd cry if that was the way we're gonna shape up. Poulsen is shit and Lucas isn't doing much to justify his inclusion.
[/quote]

Id be pretty shattered aswell but Poulsen looks 99% to come to us and i cant see lucas getting subbed especially as he was our captain last week. Hope im wrong though
[/quote]

I hope we bring in another midfielder and Poulsen is just an option..
[/quote]

I doubt Poulsen will be bought until after Mascherano has been sold.
[/quote]

According to his agent, it should be finalised by the end of next week. I doubt mascherano will be gone by then. i have a feeling he will leave on the last day or will stay til next season

 

[Wilko7]

[quote author=zlatan18 link=topic=41307.msg1149756#msg1149756 date=1281119598]
[quote author=Wilko link=topic=41307.msg1149743#msg1149743 date=1281118380]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=41307.msg1149741#msg1149741 date=1281118173]
[quote author=zlatan18 link=topic=41307.msg1149739#msg1149739 date=1281118005]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=41307.msg1149732#msg1149732 date=1281117616]
[quote author=zlatan18 link=topic=41307.msg1149729#msg1149729 date=1281117474]
I think this is a possibility

-------------Poulsen------------
-------Gerrard----Lucas-------
Cole------------------------Jova
---------------Torres------------

or

-------------Poulsen--Lucas----------
Kuyt-----------Gerrard-----------Cole
-------------------Torres----------------
[/quote]

I'd cry if that was the way we're gonna shape up. Poulsen is shit and Lucas isn't doing much to justify his inclusion.
[/quote]

Id be pretty shattered aswell but Poulsen looks 99% to come to us and i cant see lucas getting subbed especially as he was our captain last week. Hope im wrong though
[/quote]

I hope we bring in another midfielder and Poulsen is just an option..
[/quote]

I doubt Poulsen will be bought until after Mascherano has been sold.
[/quote]

According to his agent, it should be finalised by the end of next week. I doubt mascherano will be gone by then. i have a feeling he will leave on the last day or will stay til next season
[/quote]

I very much doubt we will spend what little we currently have on a defensive midfielder if the Argentine ends up staying.

 

[manwithnoname]

If Old Uncle Roy pairs Poolsen and Lucarse in midfield, I will be slightly apoplectic

 

[Buddha]

[quote author=Brendan link=topic=41307.msg1149802#msg1149802 date=1281123381]
If Old Uncle Roy pairs Poolsen and Lucarse in midfield, I will be slightly apoplectic
[/quote]

I'm sure you'll find a way of eloquently expressing your discomfort, Brendan.

 

[manwithnoname]

Heh