2 defensive central mids

[James1979]

I’m not sure I agree with all the Legs bashing as he hasn’t played much this season and he got better in the 2nd half. Yes he’s not the best passer but he’s never been a good passer.
Thought Derry had a cracking game again but have we ever performed well with 2 defensive midfielders. I was thinking of combinations in recent years……we’ve had

Palmer, Bircham
Palmer, Bean
Bircham, Santos
Bircham, Bean
Legs, Mahon
Derry, Legs
and there are others...

The above combinations were all used by various managers because the belief was they were solid, not much would get through them and from that solid base we’d create chances. But who favours the above? I understand Faurlin wasn’t fit but in recent years, we have consistently underperformed as a side with these combinations. Not because as players it’s their fault but because their first thought and action is to break up play and then a pass sideways. A forward pass was normally a hook over the shoulder or misplaced or they just lack confidence to go forward atall. What happens? We end up punting it upfield. Faurlin and Buz are absolutely key for us this season, we can survive without one but I really fear for us when both aren’t playing. Can’t believe I’m saying this when we’re top!

[1cliveallen]

looking at those combo,s is it any wonder we,ve struggled for the last 4/5 seasons?i know bircham had blue hair and was loved by the crowd but he really was poor.

[Morris]

I’m not sure I agree with all the Legs bashing as he hasn’t played much this season and he got better in the 2nd half. Yes he’s not the best passer but he’s never been a good passer.
Thought Derry had a cracking game again but have we ever performed well with 2 defensive midfielders. I was thinking of combinations in recent years……we’ve had

Palmer, Bircham
Palmer, Bean
Bircham, Santos
Bircham, Bean
Legs, Mahon
Derry, Legs
and there are others...

The above combinations were all used by various managers because the belief was they were solid, not much would get through them and from that solid base we’d create chances. But who favours the above? I understand Faurlin wasn’t fit but in recent years, we have consistently underperformed as a side with these combinations. Not because as players it’s their fault but because their first thought and action is to break up play and then a pass sideways. A forward pass was normally a hook over the shoulder or misplaced or they just lack confidence to go forward atall. What happens? We end up punting it upfield. Faurlin and Buz are absolutely key for us this season, we can survive without one but I really fear for us when both aren’t playing. Can’t believe I’m saying this when we’re top!

He did????

[m_cooper]

2 defensive midfielders is the way to go in this division;rather have rowly and faurlin as rowly will score goals and can unlock defenses;derry has been great but he and faurlin will not score many goals.rowly is a scorer and will bag goals,of that there is no question

[waterbuffalo]

4-2-3-1
of the 3, Mackie left, Taraabt right, and whoever you want in the middle.
Helguson lone striker

[E6 Ranger]

I’m not sure I agree with all the Legs bashing as he hasn’t played much this season and he got better in the 2nd half. Yes he’s not the best passer but he’s never been a good passer.
Thought Derry had a cracking game again but have we ever performed well with 2 defensive midfielders. I was thinking of combinations in recent years……we’ve had

Palmer, Bircham
Palmer, Bean
Bircham, Santos
Bircham, Bean
Legs, Mahon
Derry, Legs
and there are others...

The above combinations were all used by various managers because the belief was they were solid, not much would get through them and from that solid base we’d create chances. But who favours the above? I understand Faurlin wasn’t fit but in recent years, we have consistently underperformed as a side with these combinations. Not because as players it’s their fault but because their first thought and action is to break up play and then a pass sideways. A forward pass was normally a hook over the shoulder or misplaced or they just lack confidence to go forward atall. What happens? We end up punting it upfield. Faurlin and Buz are absolutely key for us this season, we can survive without one but I really fear for us when both aren’t playing. Can’t believe I’m saying this when we’re top!

Yes I agree let's bring back Palmer for the holding role in midfield.

[HammersmithR]

Leigterwood is utter toilet. Always has been and always will be. Sooner he gets sold the better.

[qblockpete]

With a player like Tarrabt, surely you need two defensive midfielders?

[qprjames]

Depends if you call Faurlin a defensive mid

[James1979]

ok maybe I should have explained myself a bit better. I mean I think we have consistently looked average when we've had 2 CMs whose strong point is tackling and breaking up opposition play. We need one who can do that (Derry) and another (Faurlin, Buzz) who can pass the ball around and make us tick. Otherwise we become very one dimensional

[Spencer]

Hi Pete,

Sorry, thought L/wood was utter toilet on saturday.Looked un interested, slow, and his passing and distribution was poor.For a person who looks like he is going to be a fringe player at best, you would have thought he would have seized the opportunity in a game that was well within his reach.He reminds me of all the bad things on the pitch over past 2-3 season.

As for 2 def midfielders?? With Hogan/Smith and Mackie wide..Adel in front and 1 up front....no problem with that, esp away from home.

[Jeff]

we have not played once this season with 2 of what is generally accepted as defensive midfielder or 'Holding Midfielder'. in fact, until Mahon signed, we only had one, Derry.

if we are happy to pigeon hole our players into nice little boxes for the sake of this argument, then Derry and Mahon are the only Defensive midfielders in the squad.

Legiertwood is a box-to-box midfielder (as well as being toilet...)

Buzsaky is an attacking central midfielder

Faurlin is a deep lying playmaker, who can also tackle as an added bonus.

[James1979]

Legs must be seen as defensive and his strong point isn't passing!!
Pigeon hole....isn't this just how they play or just illustrating strong/weak points?