[Archived] Rovers Midfield

[LeChuck]

I'm not sure really, but as Warnock didn't play in midfield at the end of last I'll be surprised if Sam considers that his position long term. We need more than 4 defenders anyway, if we hadn't signed Givet we would have needed someone else to compete with Nelsen and Samba.

[tcj_jones]

Considering the number of CM players on the books at present - Andrews, Grella, N'Zonzi, Dunn and Reid - I'd think it highly unlikely that either Emerton or Warnock will be starting in midfield next season, unless injuries dictate otherwise. And that's the way it should be as both play their best football at full back.

[Mr. E]

If we don't buy at least one quality CM we deserve to go down. This area has been screaming to be fixed for 2 seasons now, and Sam has no excuse.

[joey_big_nose]

I'm not sure really, but as Warnock didn't play in midfield at the end of last I'll be surprised if Sam considers that his position long term. We need more than 4 defenders anyway, if we hadn't signed Givet we would have needed someone else to compete with Nelsen and Samba.

He did though didn't he? Givet was at left back.

Warnock looked our best central midfielder last season. I think he will start the season there.

[MarkBRFC]

He did though didn't he? Givet was at left back.

Warnock looked our best central midfielder last season. I think he will start the season there.

Actually Givet was centre back with Nelson, whilst Warnock played left back & Samba played up front.

I really hope Warnock isnt playing in midfield at the start of the season.

[den]

He did though didn't he? Givet was at left back.

Warnock looked our best central midfielder last season. I think he will start the season there.

Warnock isn't good enough to be a central midfielder. He gives a lot of energy granted, but not enough quality.

Tugay has gone and now we're left without one midfielder that can control the pace and dictate from there. It needed addressing years ago, now we're desperate.

[Oklahoma]

I think that Sam could play 4-5-1 with McCarthy up front.

Unlike what most of you thinks, McCarthy can play up front alone, as he did under Mourinho for FC Porto.

The problem is that he will need a lot fo support from the midfield, mainly from the wingers. They need to be very fast to overcome their opposition and give the ball to Benni to do what he does best: score.

[Kelbo]

If we don't buy at least one quality CM we deserve to go down. This area has been screaming to be fixed for 2 seasons now, and Sam has no excuse.

Sam has an excuse if he has no money to buy one with, should have bought a quality one last year, instead we got a bloody journeyman!!

[joey_big_nose]

Actually Givet was centre back with Nelson, whilst Warnock played left back & Samba played up front.

I really hope Warnock isnt playing in midfield at the start of the season.

Ah good point. But when Samba is back in defence he will return to midfield.

Den - Warnock was our best midfielder in terms of creating chances and goals last term. He is very similar in style and footballing ability to Savage, I don't see why he can't be a good player for us in midfield alongside a more creative player. He also has an enormous virtue in being regularly fit which allows us to build up continuity.

I will be surprised if Warnock does not start in CM come Citeh, unless we have injuries or a few signings. He imposes himself on a game which is something the others really struggle with. Reid can do it if he is fit (but he never is) and N'Zonzi looks like he might be able to in future but it is too early. Dunn and Grella won't win the ball. Emerton could do it I suppose, but I think he is less suited than Warnock.

[den]

Ah good point. But when Samba is back in defence he will return to midfield.

Den - Warnock was our best midfielder in terms of creating chances and goals last term. He is very similar in style and footballing ability to Savage, I don't see why he can't be a good player for us in midfield alongside a more creative player. He also has an enormous virtue in being regularly fit which allows us to build up continuity.

Well we will have to differ JBN. IMO he "creates" nothing and his passing isn't anywhere nearly good enough for a midfielder.

[Mr. E]

Sam has an excuse if he has no money to buy one with, should have bought a quality one last year, instead we got a bloody journeyman!!

We sold RSC for 18m and Derbyshire for 3. If we spend all that for a striker...

[berkshireblue]

My choice would be;

Brotherston Metcalfe Kendall Parkes

Our current squad does nt fill me with much optimism in CM unless Reid, Dunn and Emerton return to their best form

[Majiball]

Where's Warnock playing in pre-season??

If I was Sam and I saw a left back as the starting central player next season he'd be getting games there now for sure. His little amount of premiership experience in that role would have me getting him as much as possible. Also Sam was very keen to point out last year that Warnock's future is as a left back.

Having Givet just means we have more options, can I see one of Samba, Nelsen and Givet on the bench, yes I can. They can't play all the games so one will probably miss out each week, form injuries fatigue will all influence which two start. All it means is that we'll have real competition for the CB's most of the time, great news.

I can see them all playing in the harder games, with Givet at left back and Warnock in central midfield in a 451. But Warnocks a great full back nine times out of ten and is strong going forward and defensively with a bit of pace (we have no left side pace at all), givet though is the better defender. So horses for courses, but surely only against the big un's?

It is an area we desperately need recruitments in. Savage, Tugay, Reid, gone and apparently forgotten as they have never been replaced. Hopefully Grella can step up to the plate this year so thats Savage replaced, but no play maker will just force our play down the flanks. Playing a 442 with two more defencive central mid fielders is not unheard of and the full backs can get forward a lot more, it would make us solid defensively given we'd have a Brazilian box going on ( ).

---------------Robbo------------

Emerton--Samba--Givet--Warnock

------------Grella---Andrews-----------

Diouf---------------------------Gamst

----------Big Mac??-Lanky fella-----

If Jacobsen cuts the mustard them Emerton with his buddy in the middle, as Emo has both legs and technique.

I think there will be a lot of pressure on our wide men to perform next season, which they are both more than capable of doing. Steve gives us by far the better options on the left flank he'll start there more times than in central midfield, purely because I can see all our play coming down the flanks.

There must be a central midfielder available for loan some where surely?? whats tiago doing now?? I worry because now we have no real passing or vision in the centre at all and until we do we'll go round it. So if all my plays coming down the flanks I want my best attacking players in those four roles and thats why I'm sure Warnock will be the main full back. Flank play will also suit the striker coming in if he does have to be over 6 foot.

I can see us setting out 451 first day though.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

To date we remain very understrength in this area just as we are up front...we lack quality.....we wait and hope this will be rectified soon.

[tcj_jones]

Warnock isn't good enough to be a central midfielder. He gives a lot of energy granted, but not enough quality.

Tugay has gone and now we're left without one midfielder that can control the pace and dictate from there. It needed addressing years ago, now we're desperate.

Well we will have to differ JBN. IMO he "creates" nothing and his passing isn't anywhere nearly good enough for a midfielder.

I agree with your first post, but feel as though you're being a bit too harsh on him in the second. He's a decent enough CM, who has a lot of energy and who is tenacious in the tackle. However, he lacks creativity and is far better suited to LB.

[den]

Well both Hughes and Ince saw it fit to play him in midfield. Not sure if Big Sam did too. So there must be some versatility about him. But having seen him play in those positions I agree with den - I'd be extremely concerned if we were going to play him in central midfield, even in a defensive role.

He's done a decent job there, in an emergency role. But yes, if Warnock is a starter for us as a regular midfielder this season, then that will be a sign of a very poor transfer window.

[Alex Rover]

Emerton was very good in midfield, I thought <Ciren Rover puts hard hat on>.

[Hughesy]

At the moment I see our midfield as

Pedersen -----------------Diouf

-----Dunn-Grella-Emerton----

[philipl]

For what its worth, Warnock has been LB and Givet CD in friendlies so far.

My fear about midfield is that we have numerous options this season, but none of them quite good enough.

Youngsters too young, recoveries not fully back, others with their own threads not up to Prem standard...

[dingles staying down 4ever]

The midfield will be made up of four workers plus someone who can play with one up front. I know Sam has not played that way in pre-season but I feel that is because he has not got the forward to play that way.

Last season Sam spoke about Grella's passing ability being one of the best he has worked with so I suspect he will play. The mobility from midfield will come from a combination of Emerton, Warnock, Andrews and Reid. The wide midfielders will be his long lost son Diouff and long throw specialist MGP.

David Dunn will be used when a variation is needed from the bench either wide or centrally.

With the forwards at present though, Sam will be forced to go 4-4-2 and this will cause Sam the same problems as last season. We have not got any central midfielders who can play 4-4-2 as none can really be called an all round midfielder. We have runners who can't pass and passers who can't run. Playing either takes away either attacking options or defensive options. Ince preferred neglecting the defensive duties whilst Sam preferred the defensive way. With avoiding relegation as a key objective then Sam was correct but lead to some dull football and forwards feeding off scraps. Without signing a forward who can play Sam's style of football, I envisage another dull season.

People will say that we should go and get a midfield but to get two midfielders who can play Premiership football week in and week out would be a more expensive option than buying one forward. Gareth Barry who is a good midfielder cost over £10million. Rovers have not got the money to buy two of these type of players. There are no cheap options available.

[tcj_jones]

My fear about midfield is that we have numerous options this season, but none of them quite good enough.

Youngsters too young, recoveries not fully back, others with their own threads not up to Prem standard...

Unfortunately, this has been the case for three seasons now and is a problem that still hasn't been addressed.

[Hughesy]

N'Zonzi will make the step up....im confident of that - although it may take him 6 months to really settle.

A big bonus for us is having Emerton back.

[joey_big_nose]

At the moment I see our midfield as

Pedersen -----------------Diouf

-----Dunn-Grella-Emerton----

I would take that, a dedcent midfield with a bit of creativity in Dunn and Diouf. People have made a good point about Warnock playing at full back in pre season, I do agree he will have to start there in the next couple of pre season games for him to be a viable starter in May.

Den - Warnock is no worse a passer of the ball than anyone in the team apart from Grella or Dunn. He is certainly no worse than Savage. It is not ideal but i don't see it as a real problem for him if he is playing the "enforcer" role.

[den]

Den - Warnock is no worse a passer of the ball than anyone in the team apart from Grella or Dunn. He is certainly no worse than Savage. It is not ideal but i don't see it as a real problem for him if he is playing the "enforcer" role.

Being "no worse" than anyone else in a midfield that was the poorest in the league, is no recommendation to keep him there JBN. He isn't good enough.

[Paul]

The midfield will be made up of four workers plus someone who can play with one up front. I know Sam has not played that way in pre-season but I feel that is because he has not got the forward to play that way.

Last season Sam spoke about Grella's passing ability being one of the best he has worked with so I suspect he will play. The mobility from midfield will come from a combination of Emerton, Warnock, Andrews and Reid. The wide midfielders will be his long lost son Diouff and long throw specialist MGP.

David Dunn will be used when a variation is needed from the bench either wide or centrally.

With the forwards at present though, Sam will be forced to go 4-4-2 and this will cause Sam the same problems as last season. We have not got any central midfielders who can play 4-4-2 as none can really be called an all round midfielder. We have runners who can't pass and passers who can't run. Playing either takes away either attacking options or defensive options. Ince preferred neglecting the defensive duties whilst Sam preferred the defensive way. With avoiding relegation as a key objective then Sam was correct but lead to some dull football and forwards feeding off scraps. Without signing a forward who can play Sam's style of football, I envisage another dull season.

People will say that we should go and get a midfield but to get two midfielders who can play Premiership football week in and week out would be a more expensive option than buying one forward. Gareth Barry who is a good midfielder cost over £10million. Rovers have not got the money to buy two of these type of players. There are no cheap options available.

Very much agree with all you have said especially the bit I have put in bold. The problem is without creative midfielders there's no point in buying strikers. We don't have any players capable of creating the chances so goodness knows how we are going to score goals this season. We've been reliant on Tugay for years and have done nothing to address replacing him or Bentley.

It's beginning to look like a long season of percentage football is ahead of us. When did we ever create anything from one of MGP's long throws?