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The Deep 2 in Midfield

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Papercut

Jermaine Jenas
Sooo...

We've had a fair number of combinations. Admittedly we've had a change of formation so the previously successful partnership of Dembele and Sandro might not be relevant now (particularly as the latter is running around a bit).

In Poch's system; who do you think will complement each other the most? Let's generalise as I know each match may need a different combo.

Tried briefly:
Dembele - Capoue
Capoue - Bentalab
Bentaleb - Stambouli

Very briefly:
Mason - Bentaleb


I may have missed another combo as it's late.

Personally, I'd like to see Dembele and Stambouli - I think they could compliment eachother in the way Dembele and Sandro did but with the Frenchman having a bit more technical nous.

This may also allow us to push someone like Bentaleb/Mason forward (between Eriksen and Lamela).

Thoughts dudes...
 
Stambouli and Modric pls :(

Honestly though, I'd rather see a three of Stambouli, Dembele and Mason with Eriksen and Lamela being given free roles. Right now we are lacking the balance back there to be both defensively stable and progressive with our play. Bentaleb is a decent passer but seems to have gone back into his shell and doesn't seem to want to pass forward, Dembele slows things down but is a great physical presence and defensively does a shift whilst Mason looks to be creative and a goal threat but a bit on the light side. I'd love to see a deep two work but without Schneiderlin or a player of his calibre in that mix, I think we will have to wait until January to see it work.
 
I think Stambouli, Capoue and Mason should be first choice. Rotate as needed and have Bentaleb as the backup. He still has a lot to learn, so shouldn't be starting too often. If Mason doesn't keep up his so far very promising form we might have to rethink.
 
I have to say I think Capoue should be the primary pivot (best simple passer, also most imposing) with Stambouli foraging around alongside him. Bentaleb and Dembele could probably perform either of those roles when required or play ahead of them, but having shipped Sandro out I believe we're still really lacking a real destroyer.

Sandro--------Stambouli

-------Dembele---------

Would have worked well, in my mind.
 
Sandro and Modric for me. Then put VdV just in front with Bale and Lennon providing the width
 
Eriksen and Bentaleb/Stambouli/Capoue/Mason.
Whichever of them works best in a partnership with him.
Dembele slows the game down so I wouldnt even consider him.
 
Stambouli and Dembele for me.
Capoue seems to lack any urgency.
Stambouli seems to press and tackle well and not many players can get past Dembele so think those two would make us more solid.
At the moment there seems to be very little protection in front of the back four, that's what worries me most about Saturday's NLD.
 
I think its way too early to be putting Mason in there,how many times have we got over excited over a couple of cameo players from young players?

It was less than a year ago Bentaleb came on the scene and raving about him, now some want this guy ahead of him? No thanks.

Was a good performance, but for me Im not prepared to put him ahead of Capoue,Stambouli, Dembele or Bentaleb yet. Stambouli - Dembele certainly intrigues me, but I do like Capoue too maybe instead of Dembele. I think Stambouli is going to be a big hit....
 
Any two that don't involve Dembele the suffocator for me.

I'd probably try Capoue-Mason next,.

But I think Capoue-Stambouli will evolve as our primary partnership, with Bentaleb coming in against weaker opposition.
 
I love how Mason had a good 30 minutes and suddenly he's in "good form". Does a good 30 minute cameo really constitute as him being in good form?
 
Gutter Boy said:
Any two that don't involve Dembele the suffocator for me.

I'd probably try Capoue-Mason next,.

But I think Capoue-Stambouli will evolve as our primary partnership, with Bentaleb coming in against weaker opposition.
Click to expand...

Tbh it's clear as day now we actually need a "suffocator".
 
Kingdawson said:
I love how Mason had a good 30 minutes and suddenly he's in "good form". Does a good 30 minute cameo really constitute as him being in good form?
Click to expand...

yeah its easy to get carried away on that, but he certainly deserves more game time. especially with the way our midfield has (not) been going latetly.
 
Kingdawson said:
I love how Mason had a good 30 minutes and suddenly he's in "good form". Does a good 30 minute cameo really constitute as him being in good form?
Click to expand...

Apparently he was good in pre-season (though I hate pre-season matches and avoid them like the plague).

It was more in the context of Bentaleb being really out of form, Stambouli still looking off the pace, and Dembele being very Dembele against West Brom.


Kingdawson said:
Tbh it's clear as day now we actually need a "suffocator".
Click to expand...

Not when we are in possession and level/behind. I'd definitely use Dembele as a defensive sub if we are a goal or two up.

But suffocating our transitions between DM and AM has been our biggest problem for more than 2 years now.
 
harr1984 said:
I think its way too early to be putting Mason in there,how many times have we got over excited over a couple of cameo players from young players?

It was less than a year ago Bentaleb came on the scene and raving about him, now some want this guy ahead of him? No thanks.

Was a good performance, but for me Im not prepared to put him ahead of Capoue,Stambouli, Dembele or Bentaleb yet. Stambouli - Dembele certainly intrigues me, but I do like Capoue too maybe instead of Dembele. I think Stambouli is going to be a big hit....
Click to expand...

19 year old bentaleb has 17 appearances for us and no goals.
23 year old mason has 28/19/18 appearances for yeovil/doncaster/swindon and 6/0/5 goals, before scoring for us on his debut.
Looks like Mason deserves to be in the mix and I guess that's how Poch saw it too.
 
metalgear said:
19 year old bentaleb has 17 appearances for us and no goals.
23 year old mason has 28/19/18 appearances for yeovil/doncaster/swindon and 6/0/5 goals, before scoring for us on his debut.
Looks like Mason deserves to be in the mix and I guess that's how Poch saw it too.
Click to expand...

Sorry but Im not sure what that stats comparison is meant to tell me, Mason 4 years older has played more games in lower leagues than Bentaleb and scored a few.

Maybe Poch thinks he deserves to be in the mix, but lets not forget he hasnt been involved before a League Cup 3rd round v a Championship side and even then he's on the bench.

I'd like to see more of him, primarily in cup games but I think some are reading a bit too much into one half hour performance. How good did Dean Marney look on his debut...
 
harr1984 said:
Sorry but Im not sure what that stats comparison is meant to tell me, Mason 4 years older has played more games in lower leagues than Bentaleb and scored a few.

Maybe Poch thinks he deserves to be in the mix, but lets not forget he hasnt been involved before a League Cup 3rd round v a Championship side and even then he's on the bench.

I'd like to see more of him, primarily in cup games but I think some are reading a bit too much into one half hour performance. How good did Dean Marney look on his debut...
Click to expand...

not that good. looked good against Everton though.
 
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