Forest Midfield

[wassy04]

We have a lot of weaknesses obviously but it feels like it's time to accept our key weakness is midfield. Now I'm largely stealing this from Fletch on the Garibaldi Reds podcast, however it's hard to disagree.

So I suppose the question is why? Is it just Yates and Kouyate being out? (has been pretty costly)
Freuler being rubbish?
Attackers not covering enough?
Danilo and Mangala not been given enough time to develop (in the way Johnson was earlier in the year)
Shelvey a liability when he's played?
Midfield too slow?
Colback not getting enough games?  :Laugh:

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

Freuler rubbish?

[Marinakis Red]

Freuler rubbish?

He was at Leeds on Tuesday, he was that deep he thought it was a home game played at the city ground. Totally bypassed.

[northeastred]

Freuler rubbish?

He was at Leeds on Tuesday, he was that deep he thought it was a home game played at the city ground. Totally bypassed.

Have a word with the gaffer to play him right and in his right position, and you might get to see him shine better

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

Freuler rubbish?

He was at Leeds on Tuesday, he was that deep he thought it was a home game played at the city ground. Totally bypassed.

Have a word with the gaffer to play him right and in his right position, and you might get to see him shine better

Exactly.

How can a bloke who has played more than 200 times for a top team in Serie A, played in the Champions League and in 2 World Cups for a decent side be rubbish?

He ain't rubbish it's the way we use him that is rubbish.

[wassy04]

Freuler rubbish?

He was at Leeds on Tuesday, he was that deep he thought it was a home game played at the city ground. Totally bypassed.

Have a word with the gaffer to play him right and in his right position, and you might get to see him shine better

Exactly.

How can a bloke who has played more than 200 times for a top team in Serie A, played in the Champions League and in 2 World Cups for a decent side be rubbish?

He ain't rubbish it's the way we use him that is rubbish.

Neco Williams has also played in a World Cup, not sure that means anything! 

He openly admitted in an interview with The Athletic that he struggled with the pace of the game in the Premier League when he joined. If he was that good why were we the only team in for him and why did it take this long for him to move to the Prem?

By the way it was a question not a statement, just trying to work out why our midfield is so bad.

[Redgirl]

I can remember reading an opposition fans comment a while ago which said they didn’t think we would go down because we were a team of fighters. It seems to me the fight went out of the team when Yates became unavailable, I think his drive and determination are huge factors in our recent drop in motivation.

I know the team isn’t just one man but coincidence?

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

Neco Williams has not played 200 games in Serie A and even I could get in Wales team. I fail to see your point.

What makes you think we were the only team in for him, how do you know that? The Captain of Atlanta, one of the best player's in Serie A and we were the only team in for him, seriously?

Lionel Messi would also struggle with the pace of the PL at the start but does that make him rubbish?

[wassy04]

Neco Williams has not played 200 games in Serie A and even I could get in Wales team. I fail to see your point.

What makes you think we were the only team in for him, how do you know that? The Captain of Atlanta, one of the best player's in Serie A and we were the only team in for him, seriously?

Lionel Messi would also struggle with the pace of the PL at the start but does that make him rubbish?

I'm point was referring the World Cup is pretty irrelevant.

I heard of no other teams and the guy is 30 so if there was outside interest it would've surely materialised before now?

I'm not trying to dig him out just wondering why it's not working? What's this position he should be playing that he's not?

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

That is Steve's job.


So if he is indeed rubbish like you said he was then can you please let your mate Steve know because he appears to be the first name on Steve's team sheet every week and he's also been made Captain too.

[wassy04]

That is Steve's job.


So if he is indeed rubbish like you said he was then can you please let your mate Steve know because he appears to be the first name on Steve's team sheet every week and he's also been made Captain too.

I didnt say he was rubbish.

I asked is he rubbish? You appear to think not.

[Salvatore Matrecano]

I gave Freuler his own thread for this argument.

I havent said he is rubbish either, just that other than closing down space and making interceptions his contribution is limited. That Steve has made him captain definitely says something, he has a quiet authority about him to go with his undoubted experience.

Every team needs a water carrier but in my opinion we are being dominated in midfield in most of our games so we need to be more composed on the ball. Freuler has also been subbed in most recent games which would indicate the manager agrees.

Agree with the original post. Our midfield is weak overall compared to most teams, too many players of average ability.
We definitely miss Yates
Same for Kouyate who has been good but he struggles with pace too and rarely lasts beyond 60 mins
Mangala blows hot and cold and makes too many unforced errors despite some real quality.
Shelvey disappointing looks clumsy and off the pace
Danilo aint ready yet
Colback never lets us down but like Freuler a limited player
OBrien, just odd what’s happened
Lingard could be a midfielder but his fitness has been awful
Scarpa Im not sure will ever work in our system.