Central midfield this season...

apotheosis

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waiting for everyone else to catch up!!
He was out injured for half the year
Granted, but what about the rest of the time? It has to be said there have been more than a few instances where his fitness, attitude and overall lifestyle have been brought into question, which surely must have affected his performances. As it happens his form (even when fit) has still been patchy at best and although he has played the occasional great game, it has imo, been too little, too often for someone of his undoubted talent.

My question is simply why now are we not only persisting with, but actually rewarding consistently under performing players, when in the past the likes of Veron, Kleberson, Forlan and Tosic were given considerably less time despite having obvious talent?
 

Commadus

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We have not replaced Scholes and Giggs its why SAF is still offering them an extra year.

Signing Carrick and Fletcher is to ensure we have some competent performers.

Anderson hasn't progressed as many thought but as he is young he still has time.

Valencia was doing well until his injury whilst Nani has developed brilliantly.

Park is under rated and offers alot in midfield.

Gibson is like Scholes for me - they are best in a 3 man midfield.

I think we have some real talent coming through from the youth team so SAF maybe a little circumspect in signing anyone major.
 

Mainoldo

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We have not replaced Scholes and Giggs its why SAF is still offering them an extra year.

Signing Carrick and Fletcher is to ensure we have some competent performers.

Anderson hasn't progressed as many thought but as he is young he still has time.

Valencia was doing well until his injury whilst Nani has developed brilliantly.

Park is under rated and offers alot in midfield.

Gibson is like Scholes for me - they are best in a 3 man midfield.

I think we have some real talent coming through from the youth team so SAF maybe a little circumspect in signing anyone major.
Well it's time we do.
 

amolbhatia50k

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I think despite all the talk about a playmaker I think we could also do with a real beast in midfield. Someone who gives us a real snap and bite in midfield. Towards the end of the game against Chelsea, and it's happened time and again, Essien was just bullying us. A little like Gattuso a few seasons back.

It's been a long time since we had a midfielder with that sort of aggression and tackling. Would do us wonders IMO. Not many people in the game like that in general I know but would be great.
 

Inigo Montoya

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I think despite all the talk about a playmaker I think we could also do with a real beast in midfield. Someone who gives us a real snap and bite in midfield. Towards the end of the game against Chelsea, and it's happened time and again, Essien was just bullying us. A little like Gattuso a few seasons back.

It's been a long time since we had a midfielder with that sort of aggression and tackling. Would do us wonders IMO. Not many people in the game like that in general I know but would be great.
Ryan Tunnicliffe...... but maybe next season
 
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I think despite all the talk about a playmaker I think we could also do with a real beast in midfield. Someone who gives us a real snap and bite in midfield. Towards the end of the game against Chelsea, and it's happened time and again, Essien was just bullying us. A little like Gattuso a few seasons back.

It's been a long time since we had a midfielder with that sort of aggression and tackling. Would do us wonders IMO. Not many people in the game like that in general I know but would be great.
They are number of good ones available this summer though. Like Mvilla, Sissoko, Mascherano, Rodwell.
Potential great ones like Bender.....

Personally I've always wished we could grab De Rossi from Roma. :(

Hopefully we can get one of Tunnifcliffe, Pogba or James to do it for us:D

It's a long shot I know
 

finneh

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They are number of good ones available this summer though. Like Mvilla, Sissoko, Mascherano, Rodwell.
Potential great ones like Bender.....

Personally I've always wished we could grab De Rossi from Roma. :(

Hopefully we can get one of Tunnifcliffe, Pogba or James to do it for us:D

It's a long shot I know
You might laugh but Tiote has been an absolute monster for the Geordies this year. I've watched him 10-15 times and everytime he has bullied the opposition and kept possession immaculately. Might be a wildcard.
 

MrMarcello

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Wasn't Michael Carrick our only purchase that summer?
Yes, save maybe a few youth picked up on tribunals.

This after other options like Diarra (of Lyon), Gattuso and Ballack elected other options.

There was the Senna transfer that didn't go through for whatever reasons. Shame as well - he'd have been great for United IMO.
 

Inigo Montoya

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Would our midfield stand against Barcelona? A question raised in another thread.
Few midfields could stand up against them when they're on song, mind you I'd back a fully fit Scholes/Keane against anyone
 

MrMarcello

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Few midfields could stand up against them when they're on song, mind you I'd back a fully fit Scholes/Keane against anyone
Would get overran by Barca's three man midfield, especially considering the Scholes of 1998-2004 was horrible defensively and Keane would have to do it all himself. Toss in a fit Nicky Butt or Paul Ince to form a three man midfield, with Ronaldo and Giggs down the wings and Ruud upfront, and now we're talking.
 
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Would our midfield stand against Barcelona? A question raised in another thread.
They wouldn't need to. Against Barca you simply need to utilise your wings, take the few chances you create or down to and defend well enough to keep them out or down to only 1 goal.. Rather than dare to engage in a midfield battle.
 

Sojiro

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Well could not get to grips with the game today. perhaps out manned 3-2 but Anderson couldnt get a look and was very wasteful in possesion and we ended up with Park and Rooney in the middle while needing a goal.

Thought Carrick played his usual tidy game, unlucky to have the shot through his legs but some nice turns out of trouble. Just shows our reliance on Giggsy atm.
 

Mozza

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Well could not get to grips with the game today. perhaps out manned 3-2 but Anderson couldnt get a look and was very wasteful in possesion and we ended up with Park and Rooney in the middle while needing a goal.

Thought Carrick played his usual tidy game, unlucky to have the shot through his legs but some nice turns out of trouble. Just shows our reliance on Giggsy atm.
It was a typical performance away to Arsenal, they had a lot of ball but didn't really threaten, what we lacked was going forward, not enough venom in the counter
 

noodlehair

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We were terrible in possession before the Arsenal goal, but that was because for some reason we sat off, played two front men, but only left up the one who's completely unsuited to holding the ball up. So no counter attacks.

We could have Keane and Scholes in their prime, it would make feck all difference if they spend the game sat on the edge of their own box looking for non existent passing options, and then both get subbed off for people who aren't midfielders.

Fergie's doing my nut this season. He fecks about with things nearly every single away game, even though the few times he hasn't have been the only times we've looked remotely convincing. It's made our midfield look a lot worse than it actually is.