ponsaelius

That's exactly the argument for bringing in a player of this ilk surely. Guthrie and Barton don't have energy and Nolan certainly doesn't have either. Someone sitting in front of the 2 central defenders is going to bring movement and energy? Have I missed something? I don't even think it has to be somebody who just sits infront of the defenders. It just needs to be a midfielder with the legs and dynamism to get across the pitch, cover defensively and give us some energy in the centre of the park. Nearly all 'defensive midfielders' offer this. For example 2 players mentioned in this thread (Reo-Coker and Annan) both offer these qualities.

Nah mate I'm lost

Sound like a broken record with this but Annan would be absolutely perfect for us.

That's exactly the argument for bringing in a player of this ilk surely. Guthrie and Barton don't have energy and Nolan certainly doesn't have either.

It gives us possibilities beyond a flat 4 in midfield. It would really help the players who are limited physically in our team aswell.

Not really. It's a myth that a team needs an AM and DM to be successful. It's the defender's job to defend. As long as there's two CMs willing to track back from time to time, we're fine. I agree with that last season, it was unnecesary including one. This season however having one would give us a lot more options. Doesn't even have to be an out and out defensive midfielder, just somebody with legs and physical presence in the centre would do.

You've got a serious love-in for Best and Perch.

Think a one of quality would really help us like.

The loan fee is fine for me. It's nowt relatively.

If we fuck this up I'll cry. That is all.

KPB plays nowhere near as deep as you're making out though. He's very much an attacking midfielder. It would have made slightly more sense if you'd posted a 4-4-1-1 with KPB alongside Barton/Guthrie rather than making it look utterly barmy.

Our lack of holding midfielder makes it imperative that we play 2 box-to-box/central midfielders in either a flat 4-4-2 or 4-5-1. Sure if have an athletic, discipline holding player you can start to place more attack minded players further up the pitch, but that formation would just never ever work with out personel.

Did you even watch KPB in the world cup? When Ghana lost the ball he dropped back central and was tenacious along with anan in the middle, part of the reason why they progressed so far. Then why the fuck have you got him playing almost as a striker in that line-up? I don't care what you say that team is batshit mental.

What team do you know that plays 2 wingers and 2 attacking midfielders in the same team? The strain that line-up places on Guthrie/Barton is absolutely insane man

Jesus Christ. Do you understand that Jonas and Routledge are both out and out wingers while KPB and Ben Arfa in that formation would basically be in the same position as each other. That formation in reality is basically 4-1-5.

You would be happier with smith and nolan then? No. That team has one central midfielder and a set of wingers and second strikers/strikers. There is absolutely no balance and we'd get ripped to shreads.

It's the fact you're relying on one of Guthrie or Barton to cover the defence for that array of attack minded players.

He certainly does lack mobility, and he's basically a ponderous midfield player now. Still got good ability, but like I said, definitely not what we need.

That's a suicidal team.

I'd rather have the other Ghanaian midfielder. The one that Norwegian journo linked us to.

Nah. Classy player but really not what we need right now.

Boateng's got tattoos and looks a bit mean though, could see him fighting with Ben Arfa on their first training session. [/Taylor27]

Do you realise that both Wes Brown and Paul Robinson are older than Shearer was when he retired from international football? Yes. Areet then. Was glad Shearer retired at 30 personally. Didn't do us any harm. Of course, it benefited us greatly. Doesn't change my personal opinion of Shearer in that instance though, in principle it still winds me up hugely that a player is willing to quit playing for their country. Beckham has the right idea, never moaned when McClaren fobbed him off and says he'll be available for selection until the day he retires. Whether he or any player is up to it is in the hands of the manager. so you think players should be forced to play international football, cos quite simply club football is far far important for players nowadays Forced? Jesus Christ man, nearly every Englishman in the country would see it as a f***ing honour to pull on an international shirt. Same shouldn't be any different for the players actually in contention. Whatever they prioritise is up to them but turning your back on your country completely is arrogance defined. No other country in the world is the same, can you imagine the Brazilian players turning down the chance to play for their country? Fat chance.

What the f***? I think I'll announce my retirement from international duty then, since that c*** Fabio didn't think I was good enough. Whether the manager chooses to pick you or not should be out of the question, all players should be ready and available for selection - playing for your country is an honour not something you should just excpect and then throw the toys out of the pram when it doesn't happen. capello has burned a lot of bridges with players with his world cup selection, and now he's totally paying the price! the fact that he gave scholes 2 hours to make his mind up about coming out of retirement, and couldn't be bothered to speak to him personally show's you everything about the man! You know him personally like? Scholes is another one who retired like a cunt. The players have far too high an opinion of themselves as far as I'm concerned. Not a humble one amongst them.

Do you realise that both Wes Brown and Paul Robinson are older than Shearer was when he retired from international football? Yes. Areet then. Was glad Shearer retired at 30 personally. Didn't do us any harm. Of course, it benefited us greatly. Doesn't change my personal opinion of Shearer in that instance though, in principle it still winds me up hugely that a player is willing to quit playing for their country. Beckham has the right idea, never moaned when McClaren fobbed him off and says he'll be available for selection until the day he retires. Whether he or any player is up to it is in the hands of the manager.