ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

Midfield

Over the last couple of weeks I really feel there has been an over reaction to the lack of creativity. As everyone is aware, we have been missing our most creative player in Mikel Arteta and Thomas Gravesen's one and only appearance against Bolton was impressive. Once we have these two players back fit and playing again we will be fine.

The one thing we lack in the midfield is a reliable out and out winger. I know there aren't many around at the moment but Man City found one in Martin Petrov and I think it should be David Moyes's priority to get that sort of player in the next transfer window ? if, and it's a big if, we have money to spend.
John Smith, Ormskirk Posted 30/09/2007 at 09:32:31

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Stefan Tosev
1 Posted 30/09/2007 at 13:44:50

I was trompeting about Petrov during the summer but it wasnt to be. Such kind of player is sorely missed at the moment

Connor Rohrer
2 Posted 30/09/2007 at 14:00:58

I to be honest dont think Moyes is a winger man. He has not used the likes of Van der meyde and Blonqvist and instead opted for the Osman’s, Pienaar’s and Arteta’s outwide.

Wingers are not always necessary. Does Wenger play with wingers? Nope he does not. Us having Osman, Pienaar or Arteta outwide is similar to Arsenal having Hleb and Rosicky outwide. All the players mentioned are central attacking players who are moved out wide because of there physique. Obviously theres are more talented but I think that is the similar approach Moyes is taking.

I still think our problem is in the middle of the park. We have no one who can dictate the play, retain possession and get the ball out early to the likes of Arteta to work there magic. Arteta may not have Petrov’s pace but in terms of wrong footing a fullback there are not many better than Mikel. Fernandes would have made a huge difference but maybe someone like Pienaar or Gravesen can fill in and control our play. Both for me are the best passers at the club including Arteta who although has a great passing range doesnt use it to his adavantage in terms of killer passes and through balls.

So while I would love to see a bit of pace out wide I think our main area is in the middle and retaining the ball. I we can learn to do this better then our wide player will get better aswell as the likes of Baines and Neville who can overlap and make up for our lack of width.

Mark Pendleton
3 Posted 30/09/2007 at 15:04:28

Hmmm, AvdM enough said and Blomqvist hasn’t exactly gone on to greater things. Genuine wingers who contribute enough to the team to warrant being anything other than a luxury are few and far between. Man Utd even largely have Giggs and Ronaldo playing through the middle. Chelsea don’t play Wright-Phillips that much and the Redshite mainly use their full backs. As for Arsenal, they also play through the middle. Moyes isn’t the only manager who doesn’t play wingers, he’s by far in the majority.

david moore
4 Posted 30/09/2007 at 15:38:41

atleast we have arteta back for this week and have actually selected and half attacking outfit pity johnson is out though, had a good feeling about him scoring.
Tim Howard
Tony Hibbert Joleon Lescott Alan Stubbs Leighton Baines
Phil Neville (c) Steven Pienaar Phil Jagielka Mikel Arteta
Ayegbeni Yakubu James McFadden

Gavin Ramejkis
5 Posted 30/09/2007 at 20:26:08

If we haven’t got money in January then where did the Fernandes money go? We desperately need a central midfielder as this is the most important missing link in the squad.