Midfield

Think if we ever do try him there, it’s to push McGregor into the 8 and let him off the leash.

I’ve zero desire to see Calmac come out of that 6 though in general

 

I don't think he'll come out of the 6. Last 2 managers have shown absolutely no desire to change his position. I think we need someone that can be rotated with him (he's not getting any younger) or can sit in beside him when necessary. Although Engels has done that well in Europe but for whatever reason Rodgers won't do that domestically. Outwith Huns game at parkhead, when it was Bernardo that dropped in to create double pivot and give us more control after 1st 10 mins. Been a couple of times this season when I thought he should of done similar, Huns game at Ibrox and 1st half yesterday being 2 examples of it.

I dunno if Schlupp has played much as a 6 as a single pivot. He's definitely played as an 8 tho and going forward I think that's the kind of profile we should be looking for in there if Hatate goes.

Hopefully Engels bulks up a bit too with natural development and then McGregor as a 6 would be better supported by 2 physical guys either side of him.

 

I don't think it's lack of physical strength or that wee need a midfield bruiser, it's a mental issue.

We need players willing and enjoy the physical battle, put a foot in, make tactical fouls, be more savvy and even a wee bit nasty when needed.

Today we shirk tackles, go in half hearted and can be very easily bullied.
All our current midfield players have this same weakness.

You don't need to be Wanyama - Kante, Busquets, Lambert, Valverde etc good examples.of players willing to do dirty side of the game but can play as well.

Like others, I really struggle that we don't recognise this obvious gap with managers taking the frankly, lazy Calmac at 6 option.

 

Just saying elsewhere but we only have 5 centre mids and play a gruelling schedule with 3 week to week..

That isn't enough for me and the drop off from our main guys to McCowan is quite big. Even Bernardo flatters to deceive often..

We need 6 centre mids ideally. I think Hatate will go this summer so really, 2 needed if quality to come in..

 

We need a Schlupp type in midfield. Sign one in the summer. It really can’t be that difficult.

 

Sadly having to bump the midfield discussion yet again after today.
It's a real problem, our weak physicality and fragile mentality and confidence.
Engels clearly not the answer as holding player.

Desperately need real leaders and players truly willing to compete against strong sides, not just against teams that play like us or sit in.

Surely a high quality, true #6 incoming in summer.

 

It's definitely an area we need to strengthen..

Be are too easily bullied in the middle of the park.. was so evident v Villa.. and lately v the Huns too.

 

Feel like we've been constantly losing the midfield battle against them in recent years.

Lost it at Ibrox last year and we've lost it the last 3 games, even in the games we've won we haven't dominated there, not since Ange's first season for me.

I think it's pretty obvious why, they play with 3 defensive minded midfielders in these games, we play with 3 offensive.

We need a bit of balance, a CDM or at least a physical CM would make a massive difference.

Rodgers, Lennon, Ange and even Deila all missed the fact a CDM would make a massive difference to us, I just don't get it.

 

It's a big problem that needs addressing with more than one quality mid coming in this summer..

The manager speaks about pace and power. That's exactly what we don't have enough of in there..

 

We've needed a Wanyama replacement since Wanyama left it's been bizarre to see it be such an obvious issue yet we never address it and the one time we did was Abildgaard on loan.

Every single midfielder we have is far too similar they all want to do the same thing we don't have an out and out 10 or an out and out sitter if we can go out and sign a holding mid and just let the rest fight it out for the 2 other spots.

 

Our midfield is shamefully imbalanced, and equally similar.

It's such a shame Callum has to do the job of sometimes 2 and 3 men.

 

I think we may see Rodgers revert to a double pivot especially next season when KT arrives..as he and AJ are overlapping fullbacks..but maybe when we go to Ibrox this season.

Schmeichel
Johnston CCV Trusty Schlupp
Engels McGregor
Kuhn Hatate Jota
Maeda
​

Make us a bit more solid..

We do absolutely need to sign a dynamic 6.. as Callum will start to decline, it's natural and think we're seeing it this season.. still, he is pivotal to the way play in the current system and both Engels and Bernardo have struggled trying to emulate him.

We will need a 10 too, especially if Hatate leaves.

 

We badly need a couple with pace and power, badly..

There's zero depth in that midfield and it's too easily bullied, ran over the top of. Bit too one paced for me by and large and just needs a real injection of quality in there that can mix it, play and go box to box..

 

I think Engels was bought to be the power in midfield that Rodgers was looking for, but it has become quickly apparent that he isnt that, and he hasnt been given the defensive responsibilities in his normal position playing the more attacking of the three that the others do. I think we seen why yesterday.

As good as Reo can be technically for us, i think its his replacement that needs to be a powerful box to box player.

I hope we do move for Lennon Miller but I dont see him as being that. We will still have to add another.

 

Overrun and outfought. These games are won and lost in midfield. Its the same issue at times in european games.

I agree that we need to be more pragmatic in our approach in these games which doesnt necessarily mean we have to abandon our attacking philosophy.

 

For me it’s two players that are needed one who is that powerful box to box type, probably more on the defensive side but still has that ability to either play forward or carry it.

The other is someone with real press resistance and vision to get on the ball and be creative. Again if they have some physicality about them that would be a big bonus too but might be outwith our budget.

I think our options in midfield are all too similar just now.

 

Not sure the accuracy of these statistics, but apparently our midfield won 7 out of 21 ground duels yesterday, but won all of them in the air.
Our midfield committed only 4 fouls.
0 yellow cards.

 

That's why I said a couple mate

 

Yeah, I agree on the number but maybe slightly differ on the style. I think if we lose Hatate we have a real problem with creativity in there too.

I do agree our current options are all very similar in terms of pace and stature. I also think we should be looking at playing our central midfielders as two deeper with one pushed on and the one pushed on should remain more central.

I believe it is one thing that Rodgers has kept from Ange’s style of play is having the 8’s push wide and try create overloads out there, where I actually think having someone properly central picking the ball up in and around the opponents D or making runs beyond like for Hatate’s goal yesterday would be more beneficial. Give the wingers and full backs space out wide to go 2 v 2. I also think it leaves us very exposed straight down the middle to counter attacks.

However, that would take time like any other positions on the park, the two playing deeper need to know when someone is going and the other sits etc.

I would rather have my full backs and wingers on the ball in less congested space and my creative centre midfielder getting it more centrally.