[Archived] Central Midfield - it makes sense

[1864roverite]

Rovers have had some serious issues in this position for a number of years, and, right now it is causing us some serious problems. Lowe and Murphy are nothing more than KEAN playing together in the centre, 1 can run the other cant, neither can pass, neither can link play, neither support each other and the gaps through the middle would allow a small army to pass through unnoticed.

So, riddled with chronic shortages of skills what are the options ?

IMO

Bentley should be played centrally alongside Lowe. Bentley should play the offensive football whilst Lowe should remain defensive then he cannot cause any damage. The midfield should then be supported by playing Pederson on the left or the fittest of the two Olsson bros.On the right we should utilise a loan signing if possible.

If we cant do this then the option is to change formation.

Playing 3 at the back - Hanley Dann and Givet gives the midfield a better option.

We can use Henley, Orr, Murphy, Pederson, Lowe and Bentley or Olsson with either Rhodes or Campbell playing the slightly deeper role as second striker/link man because at this time there is no other option until the players start coming back fitter.

There is not the squad to play a 4-4-2 set up so MA must change his approach to the games remaining. we do have some slim hopes of making it into the top 6 albeit very very slim.

Anyone else share the views ?

[Amo]

Robbie Savage and a 38 year-old Tugay were our last decent CMs.

That's pretty sad when you think about it.

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

Would move either Bentley (preferred) or MGP into the centre instead of Murphy. At the moment possibly MGP - as we have Olsson Mk2 to cover left wing - not certain who could cover for Bentley on the right wing given the injury situation.

[Rover_Shaun]

MGP in the centre!!!!!!!!!!!! Uh oh

[AndyC]

I'm surprised he can't get hold of a loan from Man U, Arsenal, or Man city youngster who is almost ready for the step up.

We need quality - we do not need pederson in there.

Not sure that Bentley has got the stamina or bite to be a good centre mid. He'd go missing too much.

i also wouldnt move to a back 3, as the floodgates would seriously open then.

go back to the hughes model of 4 4 1 1 and try and nick a goal on the counter using pace. But have the extra man in midfield to try and control the game a b it better. ( actually, bentley could actually play behind the striker pretty well)

[den]

Central mid is abysmal 1864, you're dead right. It doesn't stop there though. Neither full back is up to much and neither pose any threat going forward. I would have suggested going back to 5 in midfield and back to 4-5-1 with Bentley being one of the three central mids. I can't think of 5 of 'em good enough though.

[LeChuck]

Central mid is abysmal 1864, you're dead right. It doesn't stop there though. Neither full back is up to much and neither pose any threat going forward. I would have suggested going back to 5 in midfield and back to 4-5-1 with Bentley being one of the three central mids. I can't think of 5 of 'em good enough though.

I was thinking the same about Bentley, put him a free role behind the striker like he used to play. Maybe he can start linking the midfield and attack.

Think you're possibly being a bit harsh on the full backs though. Given how rubbish the midfield is they can't really venture far forward because it's unlikely they'll have sufficient cover if they do.

[Muddboy]

Wish Appy would give some of the young lads in the squad a go, now that our play off hopes are looking even more distant.

I thought there was supposed to be a lot of talent in the successful Academy group that stepped up to ressies.

Hugo Fernandez, for instance...

[Pelio]

Why not give someone like Fernandez a go or another youngster. At least they would show a bit of passion! For anyone who watches the reserves regularly, how good are the likes of O'Sullivan, Hanley or Fernandez?

[DE.]

I was thinking the same about Bentley, put him a free role behind the striker like he used to play. Maybe he can start linking the midfield and attack.

Think you're possibly being a bit harsh on the full backs though. Given how rubbish the midfield is they can't really venture far forward because it's unlikely they'll have sufficient cover if they do.

Depends which full backs he's talking about to be fair. If we're talking Rekik and Orr, then yeah, atrocious.

Henley and Olsson on the other hand, not so bad. The problem is, as you say, they don't have sufficient cover to get forward even if they wanted to.

[den]

Depends which full backs he's talking about to be fair. If we're talking Rekik and Orr, then yeah, atrocious.

I am/was.

[Plastic Head]

Rovers have had some serious issues in this position for a number of years, and, right now it is causing us some serious problems. Lowe and Murphy are nothing more than KEAN playing together in the centre, 1 can run the other cant, neither can pass, neither can link play, neither support each other and the gaps through the middle would allow a small army to pass through unnoticed.

So, riddled with chronic shortages of skills what are the options ?

IMO

Bentley should be played centrally alongside Lowe. Bentley should play the offensive football whilst Lowe should remain defensive then he cannot cause any damage. The midfield should then be supported by playing Pederson on the left or the fittest of the two Olsson bros.On the right we should utilise a loan signing if possible.

If we cant do this then the option is to change formation.

Playing 3 at the back - Hanley Dann and Givet gives the midfield a better option.

We can use Henley, Orr, Murphy, Pederson, Lowe and Bentley or Olsson with either Rhodes or Campbell playing the slightly deeper role as second striker/link man because at this time there is no other option until the players start coming back fitter.

There is not the squad to play a 4-4-2 set up so MA must change his approach to the games remaining. we do have some slim hopes of making it into the top 6 albeit very very slim.

Anyone else share the views ?

Murphy is finished as a footballer. Might as all give a kid a go.

[AHoyle90]

Not a bad idea seeing how Bentley would do in 'the hole' with 2 midfielders sat behind him.

I think its time we delved into the 'development squad' for a central midfielder and give them a go. Fernandez? Cotton? Raheem Hanley?

[thenodrog]

Robbie Savage and a 38 year-old Tugay were our last decent CMs.

That's pretty sad when you think about it.

Jermaine Jones and N'Zonzi together were excellent imo since those two. Box to box and both tough tacklers. Wish we had them now plus two half decent wingers with overlapping full backs and an inside forward behind a striker would see us cruise this division.

Would move either Bentley (preferred) or MGP into the centre instead of Murphy. At the moment possibly MGP - as we have Olsson Mk2 to cover left wing - not certain who could cover for Bentley on the right wing given the injury situation.

MGP. Bentley should be far too influential for us to play a bit part out wide.

[DE.]

Jermaine Jones and N'Zonzi together were excellent imo since those two. Box to box and both tough tacklers. Wish we had them now plus two half decent wingers with overlapping full backs and an inside forward behind a striker would see us cruise this division.

It's a huge shame JJ came in during the Steve Kean era. I would have loved to have seen him in our midfield managed by Hughes or Allardyce.

[Amo]

Jermaine Jones and N'Zonzi together were excellent imo since those two. Box to box and both tough tacklers. Wish we had them now plus two half decent wingers with overlapping full backs and an inside forward behind a striker would see us cruise this division.

Aye, JJ slipped my mind. A very promising yet short-lived partnership.

[K-Hod]

Rovers have had some serious issues in this position for a number of years, and, right now it is causing us some serious problems. Lowe and Murphy are nothing more than KEAN playing together in the centre, 1 can run the other cant, neither can pass, neither can link play, neither support each other and the gaps through the middle would allow a small army to pass through unnoticed.

So, riddled with chronic shortages of skills what are the options ?

IMO

Bentley should be played centrally alongside Lowe. Bentley should play the offensive football whilst Lowe should remain defensive then he cannot cause any damage. The midfield should then be supported by playing Pederson on the left or the fittest of the two Olsson bros.On the right we should utilise a loan signing if possible.

If we cant do this then the option is to change formation.

Playing 3 at the back - Hanley Dann and Givet gives the midfield a better option.

We can use Henley, Orr, Murphy, Pederson, Lowe and Bentley or Olsson with either Rhodes or Campbell playing the slightly deeper role as second striker/link man because at this time there is no other option until the players start coming back fitter.

There is not the squad to play a 4-4-2 set up so MA must change his approach to the games remaining. we do have some slim hopes of making it into the top 6 albeit very very slim.

Anyone else share the views ?

Yes I do. Though not about promotion.

Robbie Savage and a 38 year-old Tugay were our last decent CMs.

That's pretty sad when you think about it.

Indeed, that midfield with Bentley, Pedersen, Tugay, Savage and Dunn was our best for ages.

[RibbleValleyRover]

Jermaine Jones and N'Zonzi together were excellent imo since those two. Box to box and both tough tacklers. Wish we had them now plus two half decent wingers with overlapping full backs and an inside forward behind a striker would see us cruise this division.

MGP. Bentley should be far too influential for us to play a bit part out wide.

JJ and N'zonzi was a promising partnership, probably the best since Savage/Tugay/Reid (when fit). Central midfield has been a problem area for a number of years because we haven't been able to offload some players Dunn and Pedersen spring to mind (new contract stopped that) and the ones we have brought in (Murphy and Etuhu) have been awful. There needs to be a purge at that position.

On Bentley he hasn't shown a great deal yet, he was never going to be the same player but I expect he will show more when he gets the match sharpness back. Having said that he has already looked better than some of our players who have been playing week in week out, especially in terms of keeping possession. If Appleton can keep him fit and use him right (he needs to get further forward either on the wing or behind the striker) he could be a productive player for us in terms of goals and assists.