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Centre midfield

Centre midfield

H

HunterLionheart

Joined
Dec 19, 2004
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So this has been a bit odd to me, we have the established Whiteman and Ledson to play there, and then presumably Bayliss as the backup, plus maybe Browne or Johnson if they're moved deeper? It seems a little thin to me, but we don't seem to have any interest in another holding midfielder?

However I'm curious about the three younger players after that also. Adam O'Reilly and Jack Baxter have come back from Ireland and barely been seen, whilst first year pro Lewis Leigh has played a lot of minutes. Are there issues for AOR and Baxter? Or is Leigh just showing enough in training to leapfrog them?
 
I agree. I think a sitting midfielder would be just as important as a number 10. If Ledson or Whiteman get injured then we’re looking light in that area. Not sure if Regan Slater could still be an option or if he’s gonna be getting game time with Sheff Utd
 
Don't think our midfield is quite as balanced without Pearson. We are a bit more limited without his mobility and defensive nous. Ledson gets stuck in but he doesn't have anywhere near the same defensive instinct as Pearson.

If we had room to bring in a holding midfielder then I'd definitely be in favour of it but in terms of the 25 man squad, for now a creative player and a striker have to take priority imho.

Ideally we would be able to make more changes but we are paying the price for packing the squad full of mediocre players in the last 2-3 years, and in some cases giving them new long-term contracts. We really need to start seeing some outgoings.
 
I know I am seen as a heretic on this but with Browne and Potts as the primary candidates for the forward central midfield position then for the deeper lying roles Ledson, Whiteman and Bayliss are joined by Johnson. I am pretty confident Johnson could partner either of Ledson or Whiteman though he and Bayliss together probably would be a bit lightweight. The wing-back positions are where we are maybe a bit short. Olusunde and Barkhuizen give us a mix of more defensive and more attacking options, respectively, on the right but on the left well as I've said Cunningham seems to be taking a while to get up to speed and otherwise we have Earl or well no-one unless Harrop blossoms in that role. FM really should give Earl some game time there over these next three matches to see how effective he can be.
 
HunterLionheart said:
So this has been a bit odd to me, we have the established Whiteman and Ledson to play there, and then presumably Bayliss as the backup, plus maybe Browne or Johnson if they're moved deeper? It seems a little thin to me, but we don't seem to have any interest in another holding midfielder?

However I'm curious about the three younger players after that also. Adam O'Reilly and Jack Baxter have come back from Ireland and barely been seen, whilst first year pro Lewis Leigh has played a lot of minutes. Are there issues for AOR and Baxter? Or is Leigh just showing enough in training to leapfrog them?
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Adam reportedly picked up a bad injury in Scotland and Jack (like Ethan) got covid before the scottish trip...

I've seen the last 2 friendlies and struggled to notice Bayliss when he was playing........

Ledson showed yesterday he is 1 'ref' away from a 3 match ban !!!

I'm ok with Adam being 'a cover' but if he isnt going to be fit then I'm not sure Bayliss and DJ are options in the sitting roles...
 
Ledson isn’t good enough to start week in week out. Granted he’s the least of our issues if we line up with a back three of Hughes, Lindsay and Storey *shudder*, but I’d soon rather have Browne next to Whiteman with DJ at 10.
 
Doyler said:
Ledson isn’t good enough to start week in week out. Granted he’s the least of our issues if we line up with a back three of Hughes, Lindsay and Storey *shudder*, but I’d soon rather have Browne next to Whiteman with DJ at 10.
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What have you been smoking?

Lad was very good last season, a bit to go yet to mirror Pearson but he's been playing well.

Passes forward more than Pearson.
 
Doyler said:
Ledson isn’t good enough to start week in week out. Granted he’s the least of our issues if we line up with a back three of Hughes, Lindsay and Storey *shudder*, but I’d soon rather have Browne next to Whiteman with DJ at 10.
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Our players player of the season and fans player of the season isn't good enough? I've seen some shit on here over the years but that's up there! Ledson is a talent and a grafter. First name on the team sheet now for me & should be club captain.
 
NG White said:
Our players player of the season and fans player of the season isn't good enough? I've seen some shit on here over the years but that's up there! Ledson is a talent and a grafter. First name on the team sheet now for me & should be club captain.
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Another one who gets bigged up because he shows a load of passion. Had a decent season last year, to be fair. But was always going to look good in comparison with his past seasons. He set the bar very low.

Take emotion out of it and look at him as a player, and you do get some very decent performances but a lot of very average ones too. Like I said, I don't think he's an issue, I just don't think he should be starting every week.
 
Doyler said:
Another one who gets bigged up because he shows a load of passion. Had a decent season last year, to be fair. But was always going to look good in comparison with his past seasons. He set the bar very low.

Take emotion out of it and look at him as a player, and you do get some very decent performances but a lot of very average ones too. Like I said, I don't think he's an issue, I just don't think he should be starting every week.
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I think you're underestimating his ability, he's a terrific passer of the ball and a very positive forward thinking player despite playing quite deep. Respect your opinion obviously but I'd pick him every week.

I think if there is any criticism its that the passion you mention makes him a liability at times when he dives in to challenges but I'm hoping he is maturing and we will see less of the silly errors of judgement.
 
Doyler said:
Ledson isn’t good enough to start week in week out. Granted he’s the least of our issues if we line up with a back three of Hughes, Lindsay and Storey *shudder*, but I’d soon rather have Browne next to Whiteman with DJ at 10.
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He won't start week in week out anyway, the way he racks up the cards.
 
Doyler said:
Another one who gets bigged up because he shows a load of passion. Had a decent season last year, to be fair. But was always going to look good in comparison with his past seasons. He set the bar very low.

Take emotion out of it and look at him as a player, and you do get some very decent performances but a lot of very average ones too. Like I said, I don't think he's an issue, I just don't think he should be starting every week.
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Without him, we'd be ripped to shreds more often than not, he is the backbone of the team now for me an forever improving
 
Doyler said:
Another one who gets bigged up because he shows a load of passion. Had a decent season last year, to be fair. But was always going to look good in comparison with his past seasons. He set the bar very low.

Take emotion out of it and look at him as a player, and you do get some very decent performances but a lot of very average ones too. Like I said, I don't think he's an issue, I just don't think he should be starting every week.
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By the first half of last season Ledson had made 30 key passes, streets ahead of anybody else in the squad. That's not abput passion, it's about ability and application during games.
 
NG White said:
I think you're underestimating his ability, he's a terrific passer of the ball and a very positive forward thinking player despite playing quite deep. Respect your opinion obviously but I'd pick him every week.

I think if there is any criticism its that the passion you mention makes him a liability at times when he dives in to challenges but I'm hoping he is maturing and we will see less of the silly errors of judgement.
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Agree...his vision for forward passes is excellent and street's ahead of Pearson in that respect
 
He's very willing to play the Hollywood passes, which sometimes pay off huge, sometimes just waste possession, but frankly we need that- Gallagher was our outlet for that previously.
 
Well Johnson should be in action at 2.30am Monday morning UK time against the US - no mean opponents. As far as I can tell Jamaica play him fairly deep - when I see video of him playing for them he seems to be shaping up to shoot or cross from distance. So let's see how he does. Looks like there is a full match replay on Freesport but not till midnight on Monday.
 
HunterLionheart said:
That's a take, Ledson was our most consistent performer last season, other than Iverson's post-January
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No player came away from last season with any credit other than the loanees.

The lot of them were an absolute shambles and cost a manager their employment.
 
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