Callum McGregor

Yeah couldn't believe that.

 

Fully understand that, but I still dont think that one players absence should affect us so badly. It shows the lack of balance when there is still quality there, but no one really able to play the position effectively

 

Indeed these are reminiscent of previous mistakes, of which lessons that I hoped we had learned.

 

Yeah I get what you mean. Last year we were able to keep a steady enough ship when Bitton was able to slot in for Callum. Our midfield needs strengthing in January. We can't keep running Cal into the ground season after season and if Ange has to take Hatate and O'Riley off after 60mins we need to be bringing on better players than Mooy and Turnbull. You can't release a player like Rogic and not replace him in the squad.

 

I agree, its just worrying that it still feels like it needs strengthened after Ideguchi, Mooy, etc. we could use someone with a bit of power. Even with Cal it still feels like there is an imbalance.

 

No imbalance with Cal for me.

 

Not long ago many were talking about how we needed to sign a defensive mid. We then signed Abildgaard.

 

Honestly not sure Abildgaard was Ange’s idea.

 

I wasn't one of them. I'm not here to answer for our supports obsession with "big hard *", those types of players don't belong in Ange's system unless they have speed and can pass the ball quickly.

 

I floated this in the Abildgaard thread a few weeks ago and got pelters but it's looking more and more like I'm right. Ange knows the game too well to bring in a player who doesn't suit his system and had no chance of being fit for the only games he might have been of some use to us (and even then Ange has proven he will not compromise and play safe in Europe, he was raging at how many times we passed the ball back last week)

The board wanted to sign a more traditional "hard *" type midfielder and it kept the fans happy for a bit. Sometimes managers need to compromise to get other things they want. We pay his wages while he trains with us and gets fit then goes back to his club at the end of the season.

 

We don’t need that player in Scotland but by * we need some defensive cover in midfield in Europe. I long for a backs to the wall 1-0 win against any half decent European team

 

Maybe, but considering he joined from Rubin Kazan, where Ange has bought two players from, it's more likely it was his idea imo.

 

We’d have got humped with McGregor in the team as well

 

You aren't going to get that from Ange.

 

Abildgaard played 60 minutes in Europe and it was arguably when we looked our most vulnerable in any of the matches. Playing him or even Mooy at the 6 last night would likely have diminished the speed of our buildup and invited their press onto us. Once both are fitter and more up to speed, hopefully this isn't the case. It's a shame we missed out on Souza who could have been ready to go from the off and appeared to offer that mix of athleticism, defensive solidity and ball playing ability that's difficult to find in our price range.

As for back to the wall 1-0 wins, they're great as one off events, but they rarely get you anywhere beyond that. It's a fantasy to think Ange is gonna subscribe to that anyhow. We'll just have to hope that he's right and that by being exposed to this level and playing the way we do, we chip away at the gap and improve. Other sides have done it.

 

Id probably agree but i still think he would have improved our midfield a bit.

 

A defensive mid doesnt mean a big hard * either. Just a player who is accustomed to playing the role and is positionally comfortable, instead of a short term fix like moving a player further back. I havnt seen much of Abildgaard, so i cant comment.

There are mobile players who are decent on the ball, who also happen to be physical.

 

As I said a tough holding mid who is fast and can turn the ball over quickly is the kind Ange might be tempted to use if Cal isn't available. But that kind of midfielder will never be his first choice and is also rare within our budget.

 

Its going to be difficult for us to find one if we keep signing attacking players. Mooy certainly doesnt fit that bill.