We Need a Top 'Holding' m/f Player.greenspun.com : LUSENET : Unofficial Newcastle United Football Club BBS : One Thread |
I've become increasingly concerned by our central midfield over recent weeks. In many recent games, even those where we've picked up points, we have failed for long spells to establish any dominance in m/f. I feel as though many of our recent successes have come despite not having control in central m/f, and exclusively through our flair players.I don't think the combination of Dyer and Speed has been very effective, and indeed Dyer, while working hard, has struggled to find his best form. This may well be due to nothing more than Dyer having been out for such a long, long time. However, I have funny feeling this could be down to neither Speed or Dyer really being a natural holding midfielder - something we've lacked since Rob Lee grew old.
With both Speed and Dyer recognising the need to support the defence, they may both be being inhibited from playing their natural game. Dyer is such an exciting talent that I really don't feel he should have explicit defensive responsibilities, and should be principally linking with the front and wide players.
This has brought me around to considering Gary Speed's future. I have long defended Speed as a significant contributor to the team, a hard-working player who never ever hides even when things don't go right for him; another excellent professional, who rarely misses a game, and scores more than his share of goals from m/f.
However, in considering the playing issues we are facing in seeking to continue to improve a team that will be playing at the very highest level next season, and hopefully challenging for domestic honours, I have come to the conclusion that we should be looking for a player to replace Gary Speed - a holding m/f player in the Viera/Keane mould who can release Dyer from specific defensive responsibilities.
When I saw JJ playing for the U-19's earlier in the season, he played in that role and was highly effective. However, he seems to have been employed here so far as another attacking m/f player. The long-term plan may well be to develop JJ to play in this holding position, if not then we have a critical gap in the squad as I don't think the other alternative, Clarance Acuna, is good enough to be anything more than a squad player.
Having said all that, I can't really think of anyone we could go after who might solve our weakness in this critical position. Didi Hamman springs to mind, but Real Madrid have apparently ofered Liverpool £14m for him, and he seems likely to move there in the summer.
Any other thoughts?
-- Anonymous, April 28, 2002
Agree Mr C. Personally I think we've struggled following the departure of both Batty and The German, even though they weren't exactly the same type of player. Its difficult to think of possible alternatives, especially when you're at work. Matt Holland?
-- Anonymous, April 28, 2002
Matt Holland immediately sprung to mind then I scrolled down and saw your post Tony!When we signed Dyer I suggested we should have gone for a job lot and had Holland as well. He's very committed to Ipswich though - don't know what his contract situation is but I don't imagine he is one of these blokes who will just want to beggar off because they get relegated.
-- Anonymous, April 28, 2002
Couldnt young Carrick occupy this position? Havent seen enough of him over 90 minutes but he appears ready to go box to box for a full game and puts in his share of defensive duties.If he wasnt a tad envious yesterday I would be surprised.
Just a thought
-- Anonymous, April 28, 2002
I agree with your sentiments about Speed, but he's actually looked better since the return of Dyer. Pre-season friendlies may present an opportunity to try out one of our centre halves in a more forward role; obvious candidate being Distin. Would he have the legs though?
-- Anonymous, April 28, 2002
what about the lad Ferguson from Rangers - isnt he an aggressive type midfielder - and wants away from scotland it seemswhoever we go for should be top notch if he is to make a real impact.
Same applies to a centre half
-- Anonymous, April 28, 2002
I've been saying the same thing for many months Clarky.Not only would it massively help the midfield, but I'm convinced it would help our defence out in a big way.
Dabizas is an example, all too often looks up and has nowhere to pass to so ends up taking it forward himself, meaning he's out of position. Put Roy Keane in there and he can take the ball off him. and distribute it. Jenas will be able to do this job in a couple of years time, but until that time we need a more experienced player - Barry Ferguson would be great to be honest.
I also agree about Speed looking much better with Dyer. Yesterday I thought Speed was good as a playmaker, spraying passes out wide, in fact the majority of Robert's enterprising play was started by a Gary Speed pass. All in all we need somebody comfortable on the ball. Rob Lee used to be that player, but his standards dropped with age.
If Barry Ferguson is available we should pull out all the stops to get him. Arsenal / Man Utd / Liverpool are not the same team without Vieira / Keane / Gerrard. We, at present don't have a player like that, yet still sit only 3 points behind Liverpool. Imagine the possibilities if we had somebody in that mould. It could be one of the most important pieces in our jigsaw.
-- Anonymous, April 28, 2002
Gibbo, I wouldn't say Distin could play centre midfield, simply because his distribution skills are lacking too much. Keane, Vieira and Gerrard are all great passers, Distin is not, he's a physical and quick player which makes his suited to defence.
-- Anonymous, April 28, 2002
Forget about moving any of our CBs forward to MF. Clarky pointed out we need a player of the class of Keane or Viera. They're not good enough as CBs nevermind midfielders. And forget about dropping Shearer back to that position as well.
-- Anonymous, April 28, 2002
I agree a holding CM + a CB are top priority. Though i do wonder if a central midfield including Dyer will ever consistently control midfield. Problem is, where else can we play him?
-- Anonymous, April 28, 2002
hmmmmm....too much being made of this 'holding' role in CM if you ask me. Sounds like we're being lulled into making this assumption as we don't have a Roy Keane 'character' in there. The thing with Keane is that he's an excellent all-round midfield player [and a thug] - not just a great tackler but a playmaker in his own right.
Dyer, Speed and JJ are all in that mould. And we have Acuna so i'm not too worried in that dept.
Pacey full-back and a pacey, organising CB are TOP of the list IMHO.
-- Anonymous, April 28, 2002
But a good holding midfielder can make a mediocre defence look a lot better, meaning they only need to intecept passes and tackle, not deal with the ball afterwards.I have absolutely no doubts Jenas will become this player in a few years but we really need someone to fill in that before then.
Alternatively, Dyer and Jenas as a partnership has a lot of potential, with both players being able to hold midfield or go forward, so they can switch roles - very versatile and great for confusing the opposition.
-- Anonymous, April 28, 2002
..............not to mention the manager!
-- Anonymous, April 28, 2002
..... Dyer couldn't punch his way out of a paper bag!
-- Anonymous, April 28, 2002
min!!!!!!!!! That's best sense you've made you said we'll just have one more that go.... TOTALLY AGREE, some may see it as lightweight but this isn't a bloody line out, Keane, Viera, et al are good players first then nutters. I think Robson is thinking KD & JJ and a more exciting pairing I've yet to see at Newcastle (errr on the pitch that is, little and Large at the city hall took some beating...before you buggers with smutty minds get started). JJ is the defensive of the two and he is still at the stylish end of the game....think yourselves lucky, what do you want a carthorse for when you've got the thoroughbred....and another thing I was joking about City Hall...take it away.
-- Anonymous, April 29, 2002
err, thanks TM [i think...]Dyer doesn't need to punch his way out of a paper bag, he can run out faster than anyone else....
point is, it's just not about having a specific 'type' of midfield player - ie 'hard man' or 'attacking'. You just have to be good.
I agree that In comparison Speed/Dyer/Jenas/Acuna have limitations when you put them against Gerrard/Hammann or Keane/Scholes or Viera and er, Grimandi? Parlour? Jesus.
Anyway, you get the point. The players i've just listed play for the current top three teams in the country. They are exceptional players. But who's got the next best [and younger] pairing[s] and who are arguably faster than any of them?
Do they mean us? They surely do....
I think the CB is a more important piece in the jigsaw right now.
-- Anonymous, April 29, 2002
Remember when this was all we had to worry about?
-- Anonymous, September 30, 2003