Midfield options...

[shyfx2k2]

I thought he was good last season, well there was certainly some good performances in his twenty odd apperances....notably at home to Everton and United.

This season, partnering Sandro, it didn't work. The balance wasn't right at all and of course he became the scapegoat. I think we should definitely try him to see how we go, at least to have a look at another option if the same problems persist.

He did have excellent pass completion and tackle success stats from last season. One positive of having Parker is that we are dominating teams possession wise, and obviously while we have the ball it makes us difficult to beat. However, the possession is passive instead of active and this could come back to haunt us.

I don't know though, I think AVB is more of a 'play the percentages' man and while we are dominating possession, he may feel that he should stick with Parker.

 

[WiganSpur]

I don't think Parker should play against the weaker sides when we don't need his talents as much, teams have sussed us and know we are shite at breaking teams down and great on the counter. Stick Carroll, Hudd or Holtby alongside Dembele for a couple of games and see how we go on. If we're conceding then bring Scotty or Jake back in.

 

[WiganSpur]

I'd bring Livermore in. Never got why he gets so much stick. Always happy to receive the ball, sets a much higher tempo and is willing to try a forward pass.

Give him a go, may not be as precise in the tackle as Parker but he's certainly stronger.

 

[hellava_tough]

Didn't Dembele play further up the pitch for Fulham?

If so, couldn't we have:

Parker playing in his England role as midfield destroyer

Holtby alongside Parker as the dynamo - he has the energy, doesn't seem to hide from the game and has an eye for a pass

Dembele playing as the number 10 - he's good running at the defence and can also hit them from range


So basically a midfield of:

-------Parker---Holtby----

Lennon---Dembele---Bale


It's got to be better than what we've currently got

 

[Chris Flynn]

Nice to see some positive Livermore posts. I spent a fair ammount of the transfer window defending him. Loads of people seem to be really down on him. Maybe it's mainly the 'come on for the transfer window' crew. Who don't know as much about football as you fine gents

 

[Mr Pink]

He did have excellent pass completion and tackle success stats from last season. One positive of having Parker is that we are dominating teams possession wise, and obviously while we have the ball it makes us difficult to beat. However, the possession is passive instead of active and this could come back to haunt us.

I don't know though, I think AVB is more of a 'play the percentages' man and while we are dominating possession, he may feel that he should stick with Parker.

But do we have more possession because we have a lack of cutting edge in terms of creativty and invention...In other words we play it safe so much its logical that our possession is high. Like you say we won't concede much doing this but we arn't creating much either. Time will tell if we tweak that or that the problem becomes more exposed ie Bale doesn't win us games singlehandly.

 

[dn013]

Didn't Dembele play further up the pitch for Fulham?

He started out in the hole, but was pushed back by BMJ and he flourished for Fulham in the position he is playing for us.

Even though your formation would work, I think Holtby is better as CAM and Dembele as a CM.

 

[ultimateloner]

this is what i think our midfield personnel offers (bar Bale because he is a must-start)
Parker: work rate, interceptions
Dembele: ball retention, penetration
Holtby: ball retention, quick passes, movement
Lennon: Penetration, crosses
Dempsey: goal threat
Siggy: nothing atm

If i were to pick 3 to complement Bale it would be Parker/Holtby/Dembele; if we fail to score then Dempsey on.
I would take a more versatile Dembele over Lennon.

 

[ItsBoris]

A lot of good points in this thread, personally I thought we were looking good earlier in the season playing 4-4-2 so perhaps we will return to that when Defoe comes back from injury, at least against weaker teams at home. In that case I would play something like this:

Lloris​

Walker Dawson Vertonghen Benny​

Lennon Dembele Holtby Bale​

Adebayor Defoe​

When Kaboul returns I think I would consider moving Vertonghen into a midfield 3, and playing 4-3-3 against the better teams and away from home, like this:

Lloris​

Walker Kaboul Dawson Benny​

Vertonghen​

Dembele Holtby​

Lennon Adebayor Bale​

​

I just think Parker is too much of a passenger and while I would like Carroll to get chance or Sigurdsson to get an extended run in the team I doubt that will happen.