Archie Gray

[El Dante]

just cannot understand the allergy Ange has to playing him in midfield. you know, his actual position.

baffling.

Had all players been fit enough to play the roles then last night I would have had a midfield of Gray, Bentancur and Bergvall. I think that those three are comfortable in possession. Will work to get the ball back and when conditions are right then they have good energy.

Yesterday Bentancur was poor but I do think some of that was due to playing in that midfield. I would sell Bissouma and not convinced by Sarr. Sarr is someone that I want to see succeed but he remains a Jack of all instead of being someone with an identified skill set.

 

[sirharolddove]

Had all players been fit enough to play the roles then last night I would have had a midfield of Gray, Bentancur and Bergvall. I think that those three are comfortable in possession. Will work to get the ball back and when conditions are right then they have good energy.

Yesterday Bentancur was poor but I do think some of that was due to playing in that midfield. I would sell Bissouma and not convinced by Sarr. Sarr is someone that I want to see succeed but he remains a Jack of all instead of being someone with an identified skill set.

I've said elsewhere, I think a lot of CMs will look poor in this system - are so open through the middle they're just lambs to the slaughter.

Sarr is best as an impact sub if the game opens up, nothing more.

there's serious (terminal) structural issues in Ange's setup which mean it's not possible to get the best our of many of our squad.

 

[El Dante]

I've said elsewhere, I think a lot of CMs will look poor in this system - are so open through the middle they're just lambs to the slaughter.

Sarr is best as an impact sub if the game opens up, nothing more.

there's serious (terminal) structural issues in Ange's setup which mean it's not possible to get the best our of many of our squad.

The system requires energy, the players need to be pressing constantly but also able to go box to box as required. The players need to be at least decent passers of the ball but also need to be composed on the ball and to be able to play through the press. Bissouma showed signs that he could do that at the start of last season but something has happened since then and his passing can be sloppy even when not pressured.

It’s the area of the pitch that requires the greatest amount of rotation due to the high demands of the role and yet, we don’t have sufficient numbers of players who are suited for what’s required. So the players tire and then are less effective as a consequence. Will be physically tired and mentally drained and that’s going to lead to mistakes at this high a level.

 

[parklane1]

Me too, although I wonder what will happen on here if he finally gets a game in CM and isn't instantly the greatest thing since sliced bread!

You know the answer to that.

 

[parklane1]

Our CM is without a doubt [IMO] our weakest part of the team its so wide open to opposing players. Been banging on all season that we BADLY need a proper DM player in there to hold it together and untill we solve that problem nothing will change.