ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

Midfield Woes!

I just watched Fulham v Man City (an entertaining game by the way) and I took a close look at City. They are a similar side to who we were much better than last season but appear to have made greater strides than us so far this term. Our back 5 is better as a whole and our strikers (despite penalty misses) are also better; however, the midfield isn't even close.

I would go as far as to say that Elano, Hamann, Johnson, Petrov and even Ireland are better (in terms of technical ability and effectiveness) than anything we put out bar Arteta. How did we get in to this state? Our midfield can't pass wind and it is going to cost us big time!
Richard Williams, Danbury Posted 22/09/2007 at 22:37:00

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Morne van der Merwe
1 Posted 23/09/2007 at 05:06:03

This is excactly what I have been saying in my previous post. Our backline is fine, our strikers can do a job, with proper service, but as long as we don’t buy an influential central midfielder who can pass the ball accurately further than 5 yards we will struggle. A midfield picked out of Carsley, Neville and Jags will never give service to the front men. As I don’t live in the UK I can never see the reserves don’t we have anybody in there who can come in and do a job? Even a youngster? Gravesen might work as a stop gap measure but I don’t think he is the long term answer. What about playing a 5 man midfield? With Carsley in the holding role and Osman on the left, Tommy G and Arteta in the middle with Pienaar on the right? Wouldn’t that help our cause? Playing our two best players where they could make the biggest difference?

Derek Thomas
2 Posted 23/09/2007 at 05:22:32

Exactly: the game is won and lost in the midfield. Citeh (and Fulham to an extent) showed what can be done with a little bit less of the old hoofball. It was there when required, but even Richard Dunne played a short ball out to feet when it was on!

But thats the whole point, the bit the apologitas and Moyes don’t, can’t get.

I also watched the Arsenal game, they still seem, at times, to over egg the pudding. But at 5-0 and top of the league you can’t argue much.

Even Derby, on the odd occasion they actually got the ball, knew to pass it about and even tried but just wern’t up to it, they might, for all I know, have passed them to death last season in the Championship. Surely we have the potential to be nearer to City than Derby.

MARTIN BERRY
3 Posted 23/09/2007 at 06:20:18

Neville off the field by all accounts is a great ambassador for the club, but on it in the midfield he is woeful, clueless as to direct operations or complete a pass.Having made him captain was a mistake by Moyes, not easy to drop him unless he is played at right back. As to solve the problem, i dont think you can unless Tommy stays fit, i dont want to accept it but any more threads on this subject will not solve the situation. I think Jags, and Tommy in front of him will work well, its still early yet and lets see how the midfield works when all are available. The good news is that we have the money to buy quality but its not always available in the January sales

jimmy hoffa
4 Posted 23/09/2007 at 07:52:17

I think we should not blame Neville so much.

He has never been a attacking midfielder before.

We are putting two defensive midfielder and that’s what we’re getting, a defensive game.

But, given the injury list, i don’t think Moyes has any option.

I would like to try Neville back in Right Back though, cause that’s where he is utmostly effective.

Maybe, Moyes should try Pinnear and Osman both in the left and middle?

What do u think?

Incidently, Beattie scored again today.

Stefan Tosev
5 Posted 23/09/2007 at 09:26:51

When Petrov was signed for City I sggested that he would have great impact on City season due to his pace, aggresivness and skills. He needed time to settle but he has found his stride and scored two yesterday. Meanwhile without Arteta we are so toothless - its frightening. I am tired of excusing Moyes, our shortage in midfield was there to be seen, instead of buying quality midfielder or winger we ended with another forward.

terry.hayes
6 Posted 23/09/2007 at 11:33:49

come on lads is there only me who can see the resemblance between phil neville and zidane ,

Mick Mc
7 Posted 23/09/2007 at 11:57:33

Haven t we got any one in the reserves/youth teams who can pass a ball more than five yards, I still think though with Graveson and Arteta in the midfield we do have enough craft, it is the wide positions that worry me, no natural width and full backs not getting forward enough.

Connor Rohrer
8 Posted 23/09/2007 at 12:10:34

I think we have a few technically gifted players its just that they are all not played. Osman is very similar to Ireland. Quick feet but lightweight. Arteta is more skillful than Elano and is a better player. Pienaar and Van der Meyde didnt come through the Ajax academy for nothing. You need to be technically ahead of the rest if you are to and they are the only problem is Van der Meyde has messed up and Pienaar hasnt been given a chance. Mcfadden is a skillful technical footballer but his touch and decision making are terrible. Gravesen is a different kind of ball player. He is someone who gets the ball, shields it and makes a sweet pass. He ability does not depend on dribbling or skills it depends on his brain, upper body strength and passing ability. Even Yakubu has showed in flashes that he is a clever player. The amount of times he turned Ferdiand and Vidic was nice to see aswell as the 60 yard pass to Pienaar against Bolton.

So I think we do have the players its just Moyes has his reasons for not using more than two of them. If Arteta is injured today I would love to see Pienaar and Osman on the flanks with Jagielka and Carsley in the middle.

Blue Shaun Cook
9 Posted 23/09/2007 at 13:26:52

Just seen our team for Aston Villa game. It includes Neville in mid and Hibbert on the pitch.....we will lose for sure mark my words.