Liam Henderson

You might be right but I just feel like we can't have two midfielders who are content with just passing it on. We need someone there to drive forward.

A Joe Ledley type.

 

Ledley was the best since Lambert at timing those runs from deep, but still being in position to break up attacks. Was hoping Johansen would become that type, but he looks more comfortable higher up the park.

If you're playing two holders, they have to link the team somehow. Through their running or through their passing. Think Bitton has the capability to move the ball quickly forward.

 

How dare you forget Stan Petrov!?

 

I've said it before but Brown is just the big stumbling block.

He has to be in the team because his drive and passion but in terms of pure technical ability, Henderson and Bitton are better players than him. Ideally you'd have they two in midfield - if Bitton mans up a bit.

Sounds really harsh on Brown but that's what I believe.

 

You can keep your Martin Odegaard and shuve it up yer arsee. Hendooooo ooooooo (emilio song)

 

Let me dig myself out of this here.

Petrove either played in the 3-5-2 with Lennon and Lambert behind him, so he had great freedom to go forward.
Or he played on the right of a 4-4-2 with Agathe pretty much covering the entire right side. He was always given great license to attack by the players who covered for him.

Was only when he moved to Villa or played for his country he was primarily a defensive player.

 

No, just no..

Seriously no..

 

Nobody in Scotland tracks runners like Scott Brown

 

Gordon Strachan's first season :icon_mrgreen:?

 

It is harsh. He's better than a lot of people give him credit for. His passing can be rash, but he is generally quite calm in possession.

The main thing about Brown is his presence, and how that affects the other players in the side. It almost always shows when he isn't there.

 

*. Fair enough

 

He is really important and that's why he can't be dropped. But again, I think it says something about the team that we struggle so much without him.

We could be doing with more leaders in the team.

 

I know what you mean.

In a two in the middle you really need to decent passing and strong players - thats what gives you the best balance. Brown is more the energetic type of defensive player that works best in a 3 man midfield where he can roam more. He doesnt really fit into a 2 man midfield with the right balance.

 

I thought Henderson was outstanding tonight. He must've been gutted to get dropped this season when he played so well last season, but he's got his head down and improved himself. He made the right decision so many times and just looked so comfortable in his position .He could be a real star for us.

McGregor should take note. He should be dropped from the first team now but told to get his head down and improve and he'll be back in.

 

He does a good job but he is unsuited to a 2-man midfield, as is Johansen its why they can't play together.

Brown, Kayal, D.Fletcher, Davids, Gattuso, Essien and those kind of energetic roaming types who can play as a defensive midfielder for me aren't ideal to play in the 2 sitting player roles in a 2-man centre midfield as the best balance is people with better passing ranges and who don't go out of position a lot so you remain a bit stable in there.

In the two I think the ideal are well rounded but more solid defensive midfielders like Strootman, Matic, Keane, Petit, Schweinsteiger, Ambrosini, Cambiasso, Lambert, Ledley - they are smart in the role and good enough on the ball and would all work well with each other the best.

When you have one player who sits more and one who likes to roam a bit too much it become unbalanced although can work ok. When you have two who like to roam about and close down like Brown/Kayal/Johansen you end up all over the place.

We don't have the right balance and probably never will with Brown playing with 1 other in there because his style is more the one who plays in front of a defensive midfielder in a 3. Not that he doesn't play well and he generally now sits in midfield without roaming too much but his more natural game is to get about the pitch.

 

I genuinely feel Henderson is a couple of levels above mcgregor and as he matures that gap will increase..

Night and day for me, i don't think mcgregor is Celtic regular first team class whereas Henderson, for me is..

 

I agree, but I think McGregor has potential which may or may not be realised. I think the poor form he's on just now could be damaging. He needs a lower level of football to develop.

 

There is no doubt he's lacking in confidence, i'd loan him to a Dundee or something for the rest of the season..