Our Midfield

Time we addressed the massive elephant in the room.

McGregor is the problem with our midfield.

Just the same way Brown was when his legs went

 

If he is then we will go nowhere in Europe. It’s harsh but with him as the 6 we are gonna get bypassed against mobile midfields and he also is very negative against a high press just passes it back where it came from instead of dropping the shoulder and turning out of trouble and springing us on an attack.

 

Personally, I think what people want, that will actually function in this system is very very hard for us to achieve.

We need someone whos quick, strong, covers ground, wins the ball a lot (maybe what McGregor lacks) But also has the ability to take the ball in tight spaces woth composure and off the defenders and progress play effectively. (What McGregor has)

If we find rhat player great. But they're golddust at our price range.

Maybe there is a compromise, like a double pivot beside McGregor. But as a possession based team we might struggle to find the 6 everyone wants.

Also it's worth noting McGregor was very good last season, including in a few CL games. He was also excellent last week.

 

Aye the big 6'2, quick, ball playing 6 that can tackle and breeze past people is a fortune away..

They are there but very hard to find and nab..

It doesn't have to be a monster. Can be a wee nippy *. Someone who is aware of danger, can pick a pass and is mobile enough to get about or carry it at times..

Size would be a bonus..

We need something there..

 

Genuinely thought for a brief moment that Ismaila Soro was that guy

 

Not all of them. Big Vic the brick didn't break the bank.

 

The big one i wanted was Vini Souza. Game changers type i think he would've been/would be for us..

 

It's unlikely we are getting the 6 we need.

Christ we can't even sign wingers when our options are Tillio, Forrest and Yang.

What the manger could do is make best of a bad situation and do his * job and come up with a tactical solution that addresses the weaknesses.

Christ even Lennon realised it with Brown and changed the shape and changed McGregor's position to provide the cover Brown needed.

Go 4231 for the love of * *.

 

I know we agree on the topic overall but for me it's not even his age or lack of pace I dont think he was ever particularly quick it's just the fact he has never ever been a holding midfielder it kills everything that he is good at

 

Overall its just not effective enough out of possession for me and it doesnt get tested enough domestically to prepare for CL standard matches. Especially away from home.

If given time and space its capable of playing some good stuff, even against top teams. But when they move up a gear, even that relatively small change in tempo, having less time on the ball, being put under that bit of extra pressure can really have a big impact.

And when we start giving it away its just not a midfield thats been conceived to win the ball back easily or be difficult to breakdown.

 

Our midfield has been a major problem for a long time, and it's unthinkable that we will go into this season without a commanding, defensive midfielder signed. If we do, and Brendan sticks by an ageing and slowing McGregor in the No.6 position, who lacks the physical tools to be able to do the job properly, then we are going to be in deep trouble I think. And if McGregor is injured or suspended, then there is nobody in our current midfield quota, that you could really trust to do an effective job either at No.6, imo.

 

It’s not on the cards that type of midfielder because the manager isn’t interested in that type of midfielder. A midfielder like a Wanyama, who can soundly replace what McGregor also does on the ball is just one that doesn’t exist for us. Next option then is one happy enough to sit out most games, and that option won’t be at a level we hope for when that option is talked about. I’d like that pace, power, legs and physical type one ahead in the 8 role that was Engel’s position last season but having signed Nygren and playing him there then I can’t see that either. And I’m very happy with that signing.

Bernardo I quite like in the 6, but despite that, we can’t replace like for like what Calmac does. We all can see that, it’s obvious, so my problem is why do we then try to do it when we can’t? The replacement for the 6 when Calmac isn’t available is to not have a * 6, we have more than enough quality to play a double pivot and an attacking midfielder. Pick your choice of guys for that, Hatate and Bernardo with Nygren ahead? Engels and Nygren with Hatate ahead? Hatate and Nygren even, with McCowan ahead? Pick whatever way you prefer from the guys we have there, and it’s a different threat for us and maintains a level of quality. When a player is irreplaceable, don’t attempt to and hope it’ll somehow work, adapt to it and play to strengths. Fries my brain that.

 

Our midfield felt very slow and negative. We do some nice passes and movements but it still feels slow and we have so much side and backward passing.

Domestically, we shouldn’t even play with a defensive/deeper centre mid. We should be more positive, riskier and take chances.

I don’t think we’ll sign another centre mid though we have 6 who are more than capable for the season.

 

That midfield won't play often but it's a very weak trio combined..

No much athleticism in there and a lack of quality and goals from open play..

I don't even think any of them are close to the 3 infront currently..

 

We don't need an enforcer, Broon or Wanyama - that's a myth.
We need a midfield full of technically excellent players - not unlike the current crop
BUT those players need to also be mentally strong, athletic and happy to put the foot in - not the absolute physicality/mentality shitebags that we currently have.
It's that simple.

 

We play against teams similar to our level and budget in Europe and they are always flush with these type of players. Guys who can be physical without being massive with good legs and mobility but can also play a bit, as good players as our midfield are they have next to no legs and physicality. How can it be such a blind spot for us to find them, it's so frustrating.

 

I think our midfield is fine. Nygren, Hatate and McGregor is a great trio. Bernardo is good. Questionmarks on the rest but we would need to get rid of 1 in order to bring another one in.

Our front 3 is a huge priority

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All good players but they will be bullied and run over the top of in Europe and potentially against the huns.

 

We know we need and should get two arracking players.

But my gut is something will change in midfield. Still feel we need a DM but wont get one without losing a player in midfield.

I still think if we sell a CM it wont be a number 6, be likely dependant on who is moved on