Yorkie Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 7 minutes ago, ponsaelius said: I must be one of few who is actually not really bothered about signing a designated defensive midfielder. I thought we probably needed one in the summer but I think if you can set up a team to play without one then that is far preferable. If you get the requisite energy, workrate and quality on the ball from a midfield 3 you don't need somebody who is exclusively there to enforce. Adding more quality and depth to the midfield area - sure. Agree entirely. Off the ball our strategy is to win possession as high up the pitch as possible in spaces where a traditional CDM doesn't operate; meanwhile relying on the physicality and stamina of our midfielders and wingers to get back and defend as a collective when it's in our half. The most recent examples of that 'destroyer' player we've had - Tiote, Diame, Hayden (to a far less effective extent) - would be completely redundant in Howe's current system. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Butcher Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 Most top teams have a great DM mind. Rodri, Fabinho, Casemiro, Kimmich and Busquets and the likes have all been instrumental in their clubs' success over the last few years. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groundhog63 Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 Just now, The Butcher said: Most top teams have a great DM mind. Rodri, Fabinho, Casemiro, Kimmich and Busquets and the likes have all been instrumental in their clubs' success over the last few years. Eh? ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AyeDubbleYoo Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 They just have to be really good on the ball and capable of reading the game really well. It's not their job to just sit in front of the back four purely defensively, but it's an important area of the pitch to occupy and provide a bit of security - either a passing option or someone to nip in and tidy up if the ball if loose. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobody Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 Joelinton is pretty much our DM, just that he does it from an ALM position. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbandit Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 Just now, Nobody said: Joelinton is pretty much our DM, just that he does it from an ALM position. Aye, most of his defensive contribution comes from absolutely pacing it back twenty yards and sticking a foot out to flick the ball back to us. It's amazing how delicate his touch is when he nabs the ball away given how he juggernauts his way back Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledGeordie Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 Just now, gbandit said: Aye, most of his defensive contribution comes from absolutely pacing it back twenty yards and sticking a foot out to flick the ball back to us. It's amazing how delicate his touch is when he nabs the ball away given how he juggernauts his way back I think we’ll bring in a new number 6 next summer Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitley mag Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 I can see the appeal of a Merino, Bruno and big Joe midfield. I’ve been impressed with Longstaff and Willock massively this season though and would be more than happy to get to next summer with our current options. However, the signing of a Merino type midfielder would insure us against any injury to Bruno, which would dramatically downgrade our current ball retention capability. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobody Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 The argument for signing a "proper" DM is to release Bruno and a more productive attacking midfielder over Joelinton. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Memphis Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 We have a number of players who can play as a 6 in a pinch but none for whom that's their best position. Even Bruno is best as an 8 but he plays incredibly as a 6. Howe's system demands everyone press and harry but it does mean that we are probably less capable of changing tactics. A top-class 6 unlocks Bruno at his absolute best, unlocks more running into channels, and gives us even more ability to maintain control of matches via the midfield. It's not a necessity per se but I think it would be a position worth targeting. Edson Alvarez would be perfect. Not sure we can get him. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
midds Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 Given the complete change in playing style I don't think we actually need a 'destroyer' in the middle now as essentially we've got the front 6 playing so high that they're all destroyers. During the summer I was totally in favour of it and playing Bruno higher but I've changed my mind. Someone like Merino would be perfect, technically sound, can run all day, tackles/intercepts and also bring the ball forward and pick a pass too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanj Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 Think our #6 needs to have athleticism, good reading of the game, and be a good passer. Merino could fit that role perfectly, or he could play the left sided 8 role. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeyt Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 If Wolves continue to honk the place out would Ruben Neves be realistic? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanj Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 Neves would be the perfect 6 for us tbh. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bonk Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 Just now, joeyt said: If Wolves continue to honk the place out would Ruben Neves be realistic? Think he fancies himself at Barca. How realistic that is remains the question. Damn good player, though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanj Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 LCM: Joelinton/Willock CM: Neves/Shelvey RCM: Bruno/Longstaff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponsaelius Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 Dont want him, greasy prick. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallowgate Toon Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 We need a DM for the squad but not the first team, imo. Bruno is wasted against the better sides as the deepest mid a lot of the time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Duper Branko Strupar Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 I'd have Neves and Neto, like. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 Neves is off to Barca. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbandit Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 Did Barca sort out their finances in order to pay people their wages? What happened to Frenkie? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 Seems like he's getting peddled to make way for Neves. Could all be bollocks, of course, but I saw quotes from Neves discussing Barca's interest. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheInfiniteOdyssey Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 I don’t think he’s ever likely to leave Chelsea, but would love to see Loftus-Cheek under Howe. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AyeDubbleYoo Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 37 minutes ago, Gallowgate Toon said: We need a DM for the squad but not the first team, imo. Bruno is wasted against the better sides as the deepest mid a lot of the time. So how do we solve that for the first team? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikky Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 23 minutes ago, gbandit said: Did Barca sort out their finances in order to pay people their wages? What happened to Frenkie? Yeah basically sold off their future TV Income Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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