Midfield and Tactical Traditions.

[Bape]

He's the same size as Modric who gets on just fine in a midfield two. His drifting wide is limited to creating space for his team mates and himself. He's no winger.

It's quality that is the over riding factor of whether a player can play in the centre, not size. His movement and technical ability leads me to believe he could play there, his size has nothing to do with it. Leon Britton is smaller and thanks to technical ability again, gets on just fine.

You are missing the point though. Kagawa's qualities are clearly at best in the final third, his role is similar to a second striker at Dortmund. Moving him back will simply nullify what he's best at. On top of that, theres nothing to suggest he can play deeper either, his long passing is not his best attribute, he works hard but is not exactly known for his defensive work, it just doesn't make much sense to play him there. Playing him out wide does makes more sense, not as a winger but as a David Silva type wide attacker, where he will be moving infield more often than not. He has played a similar role for his national team, he has never played as a centre midfielder for club or country.

 

[peterstorey]

Its about attitude and know how to. Modric had played a deeper role in most his career, he knows how to play there and more importantly wants to, it's where he's developed his game. The likes of silva, sneijder etc all have the ability to play centre mid but they don't know how to play there, in terms of when to go, how to drop in etc, the discipline required. Gerrard has done it loads and still is a liability there. Not to me to mention they'd be directly changing how they play and their impact on the game. Would they be happy doing this? Would kagawa?

It's a different game in CM in a 4231 v AM.

 

[Ekeke]

He's the same size as Modric who gets on just fine in a midfield two. His drifting wide is limited to creating space for his team mates and himself. He's no winger.

It's quality that is the over riding factor of whether a player can play in the centre, not size. His movement and technical ability leads me to believe he could play there, his size has nothing to do with it. Leon Britton is smaller and thanks to technical ability again, gets on just fine.

Its not just size, or even that he's not as strong as someone like Silva. Its the fact he's never played there, unlike Modric who was playing in internationals against England for example before he even signed for Spurs.

And Kagawa likes to receive the ball to feet in advanced areas so he can suck players in with a quick turn and get away. He's not someone who plays behind the ball, setting the tempo and keeping the ball. He's the one who flies off on the attack and can be a bit reckless with his choices. He more than makes up for it with his impact in the final third, but if you take him out of the final third he's unlikely to do so.

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

I'd play Cleverley/Anderson next to Carrick and Kagawa ahead of them

 

[Ash_G]

It's a different game in CM in a 4231 v AM.

Sort or sounds like you're disagreeing with me but that's pretty much what I said.

I'd play Cleverley/Anderson next to Carrick and Kagawa ahead of them

In general I think that could work but I think against better teams it would be an issue because I don't think clev or ando defend well. For me they'd be more suited to being the extra man. Though I suppose the more they play there, the better they should get. Still have the problem though that if we don't sign anyone we're gambling on their fitness and that carrick stays fit.

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

Sort or sounds like you're disagreeing with me but that's pretty much what I said.



In general I think that could work but I think against better teams it would be an issue because I don't think clev or ando defend well. For me they'd be more suited to being the extra man. Though I suppose the more they play there, the better they should get. Still have the problem though that if we don't sign anyone we're gambling on their fitness and that carrick stays fit.

For me what Cleverley and Anderson lack in defensive awareness they make up with work rate. As they mature their defening will get better. That is why an on form Carrick is the perfect partner for either of them.


When it comes to signings, I'd only be worried if we fail to add proper cover/comeption for Carrikc. We risked spending the whole of last season with only one player capable of doing Carrick's job. We wont be that lucky this time a round.

 

[Ash_G]

For me what Cleverley and Anderson lack in defensive awareness they make up with work rate. As they mature their defening will get better. That is why an on form Carrick is the perfect partner for either of them.


When it comes to signings, I'd only be worried if we fail to add proper cover/comeption for Carrikc. We risked spending the whole of last season with only one player capable of doing Carrick's job. We wont be that lucky this time a round.

Work rate is fine but at the top it'll only get you so far. I'd never accuse gerrard of being lazy but I still don't trust him in a deeper role because he just hasn't developed that as aspect of his game. Likewise ando and clev for me will
both try to get the ball but from what I've seen lack the tactical awareness of playing there and often look to go to the ball rather than recognising the other dangers.

Still as you said they should get better with experience, we might have a few bumpy games though. Getting someone who can come in for/alongside carrick though is a must. Otherwise as you said we're taking a gamble.

 

[peterstorey]

Sort or sounds like you're disagreeing with me but that's pretty much what I said..

I could have put 'This'.

 

[Ash_G]

I could have put 'This'.

Lol sorry, interpreted it wrong