We will never get out of this division with Morgan playing in midfield. He’s not strong enough and doesn't impose himself enough. He’s obviously a talented footballer and shows up well in training. All the managers play him and then steadily lose faith. We need another agressive ball winner who can also play a bit alongside Dobbo & Fraser. Maybe Russell or Kilkenny will do the job but someone has to.
I know nothing about Jon Russell, but going by this picture, I want him in the side. He has a I’m not going to get bullied off the ball look about him.
Yeah. The bleached hair, right?
Nah, that's natural, just looks young for his age...🙄
Or he just went grey instantly when the news broke that we were interested in getting him in.
Glad to see nobody is worried Dobbo will be sold. A new deal announced would be better than any new signings atm.
he got a 12 month extension so there no concerns ..
There is an option for a year extension which has not been actioned at this time by the football club
I assume that’s because there’s a window at the end of the season when it can be activated, which is probably standard for those clauses.
Typical can kicking that we have seen over and over again, for the last decade. That's the problem with slowly building a squad (if that's what we were ever trying to do) you spit the good ones out faster than you bring better ones in.
To be honest, we don't need a physically imposing midfielder in so much as we need control. Our midfield has some good players in it but it's so reactive. Dobson putting in a great tackle because an attacker has gone clear, Fraser breaking the lines with some good footwork, maybe a quick searching ball from Morgan. All good stuff but sudden. We very rarely see stuff happen as the result of a platform we've built from controlling the game in the middle. We've got Dobson to go around kicking people and Fraser to come up with some moments of brilliance but we need a midfielder alongside them who can keep the game ticking over while being able to hold his space and win the ball where needed, or at least cover the gaps created by a fullback going or an attack breaking down. I know absolutely nothing about Kilkenny so I don't know if he's that player, but while Albie has some good attributes he just doesn't know how to play to the full extent of his role. He's often caught in odd positions and has trouble resetting on a turnover. It's no surprise that Albie's best games where when Bowyer put him as a wide midfielder in a 4 and told him to stay narrow, put in challenges and play the ball early when he gets it.
Glad to see nobody is worried Dobbo will be sold. A new deal announced would be better than any new signings atm.
he got a 12 month extension so there no concerns ..
There is an option for a year extension which has not been actioned at this time by the football club
I assume that’s because there’s a window at the end of the season when it can be activated, which is probably standard for those clauses.
Typical can kicking that we have seen over and over again, for the last decade. That's the problem with slowly building a squad (if that's what we were ever trying to do) you spit the good ones out faster than you bring better ones in.
It’s where we are due to the ownership situation, TS doesn’t want to hand out new contracts that will increase the wage bill. Same reason we won’t be paying fees in this window.
I don’t think slowly building the squad was ever the plan. The money we’ve spent under TS could have built a good top 6 side, the issue is it was spent badly.
To be honest, we don't need a physically imposing midfielder in so much as we need control. Our midfield has some good players in it but it's so reactive. Dobson putting in a great tackle because an attacker has gone clear, Fraser breaking the lines with some good footwork, maybe a quick searching ball from Morgan. All good stuff but sudden. We very rarely see stuff happen as the result of a platform we've built from controlling the game in the middle. We've got Dobson to go around kicking people and Fraser to come up with some moments of brilliance but we need a midfielder alongside them who can keep the game ticking over while being able to hold his space and win the ball where needed, or at least cover the gaps created by a fullback going or an attack breaking down. I know absolutely nothing about Kilkenny so I don't know if he's that player, but while Albie has some good attributes he just doesn't know how to play to the full extent of his role. He's often caught in odd positions and has trouble resetting on a turnover. It's no surprise that Albie's best games where when Bowyer put him as a wide midfielder in a 4 and told him to stay narrow, put in challenges and play the ball early when he gets it.
Yes, good post. You forget Albie's other best games, though - when he played as a sort of hybrid second pivot/right-back/quarterback type, not having to get too involved in the scrap. The ultimate luxury position mind you
Kilkenny fits the ilk of player I expected we'd be looking at , just hope he's not another Matt Smith (either of them)
Arsenal Matt Smith was decent, I will die on this hill! Okay, not die. Argue half-heartedly for a couple of posts maybe tho
Arsenal Matt Smith wasn't outright bad , just a fairly middling loan signing. Hopefully Kilkenny is the missing link for this midfield 3 Holden wants to go with.
Would rather Kilkenny over Morgan every day of the week in midfield
Morgan's performance on Saturday was baffling. 50% brilliant. 50% terrible
100% Morgan basically. But the team as a whole would be better off with a midfielder who is consistently decent instead of one who is either great or awful with no real middle ground between.
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Maybe Russell or Kilkenny will do the job but someone has to.
My thoughts exactly.
I don’t think slowly building the squad was ever the plan. The money we’ve spent under TS could have built a good top 6 side, the issue is it was spent badly.
Another Josh Cullen hopefully.
Arsenal Matt Smith wasn't outright bad , just a fairly middling loan signing. Hopefully Kilkenny is the missing link for this midfield 3 Holden wants to go with.