What did Ball do wrong?

[NicRanger]

I still don’t really get it.

Ok he is not the most fluent but he gives us some control and was there when we had those impressive pre season performances.

Now can’t get a look in as we struggle to control the game in the middle. Not really clear to me what SJ has delivered the last few games, and why Ball doesn’t deserve a place on the bench.

Did Ball do something to #### off Warbs?

[QPROslo]

He didn't do much wrong, but we are crowded with options in that department.

Field is the first name on the team sheet for a defensive midfield role, and next to him we need creativity. From the little I have seen of Hendrick he looks the best option. Not impressed by Johansen. I would rather see Amos start ahead of him.

Unfortunately for Ball he is behind the four mentioned players. As is Dozzell.

If Field isn't playing for whatever reason there could be a role for Ball.

[gator]

It is a crowded midfield but Ball gives us some much needed teeth there that is missing in some games, I thought he was playing very well before he inexplicably got sat down!

[qpr4life]

It is a crowded midfield but Ball gives us some much needed teeth there that is missing in some games, I thought he was playing very well before he inexplicably got sat down!

Ball isn't on the same level as Field, Stefan or Amos IMO

[stanistheman]

Ball has not done anything wrong, but Field is the better player and gets to start.

Johansen has good and bad games, but Hendrick is capable of doing well as his replacement for the next few games.

[Qprtanpa1]

Let's first state the obvious.

Stefan is not the same player he was last season.

Slow, not overly sharp in much of his passing, and always instinctively going sideways and backwards with the ball.

Like Hendrick as our new mainstay, but he needs more than Field (who's looking sharp) to succeed when our two offensive dynamos (Chair and Willock) do little defensively.

Ball and Amos are certainly two options here.

Anxious to see McCallum back. He'll bring speed to the midfield play AND will spell Wallace who cannot sustain his level of play if starting every game.

[BarryBarry]

Personally against the better teams I wouldn’t play Chair and Willock. Rather have another DM in there to hopefully provide a bit more control and push Johansen / Hendricks a little further forward

[Shania]

As far as Stefan Johansen is concerned, he has played a lof through the pain barrier. Against Boro he stuggled with a stomach bug.

[NicRanger]

I guess I wonder whether we would be better with Field and Hendrick/Ball, with Willock and one of SJ and Chair, and Dykes up front.

This would allow us to dominate the midfield and still have creativity with Albert, Willock and one of SJ/Chair.

At the minute, SJ being played deep makes us too slow and we lack mobility.

[MINCER]

As far as Stefan Johansen is concerned, he has played a lof through the pain barrier. Against Boro he stuggled with a stomach bug.

I saw a picture of Johansen in pre season training whilst he was still at Fulham,in that picture he was standing on the sidelines with what looked a cast on his knee.

I wouldn’t be surprised if he has been carrying a long term injury this season that has restricted his mobility,shame as he showed last season he was a key figure in our MF.

[Shania]

I saw a picture of Johansen in pre season training whilst he was still at Fulham,in that picture he was standing on the sidelines with what looked a cast on his knee.

I wouldn’t be surprised if he has been carrying a long term injury this season that has restricted his mobility,shame as he showed last season he was a key figure in our MF.

Ok. Interesting, because a few weeks ago I read that Warburton mentioned that Stefan J. was carrying a niggling injury of some sort.