Scowen or Mass

[nasser95]

Mass was average at best today but I've never seen a player like Scowen who always Always turns his back to goal when recieving the ball, as though he always plans on playing backwards. Luongo in general is the better tackler, better passer and he manages to get in the box for headers and chances. if he doesn't improve soon, then absolutely drop him as no one should be undroppable, but the reaction people have to one game at the start of a season after he's gone to a World Cup expecting to play (and with most fans expecting him to play) and then not playing, before going on a holiday and coming back a few weeks later than everyone else in the squad... of course he's not going to be at 100% yet, but he needs game time to reach that.

[norfolk ranger]

if we are going to play with 2 deep lying midfielders,then I would drop Luongo at the moment,that position doesn't suit his game as he carries more of a threat when further forwards. would give Goss a go once he is fit,seems to have a good range of passing and would help us retain the ball for a change.

[West Acton]

Nasser we picked up on this too about Scowen no matter what position he gets the ball his first instinct is to turn back towards his goal

[Stanley]

Two players who do the same holding role.

SM wants to play 4-2-3-1 which has two holding players. Can't see him changing that system as we're only two games into the season mate.

Saying that, they're not identical roles as they alternate between one playing deeper as another moves forward.

Do we have players in the squad who could play the same role? Yes. Goss, Hall, Cousins, Manning, for example.

[West Acton]

When I say sane role I mean they think defensively first before attacking and it shows mate. Often there are huge holes they could run into but they don’t have that instinct to gamble

[Shania]

Good players individually, but doesnt work well enough together . Another observation I made yesterday is that.we still lack a midfeilder with real physical presence. Manning, Hall, Goss, Cousins doesn`t fill that bracket imo. They are too leightweight when we meet teams like Preston and Sheffield Utd.

[Alanwycombe]

Good players individually, but doesnt work well enough together . Another observation I made yesterday is that.we still lack a midfeilder with real physical presence. Manning, Hall, Goss, Cousins doesn`t fill that bracket imo. They are too leightweight when we meet teams like Preston and Sheffield Utd.

We have filled the squad with midfielders but still have no midfield general on the pitch.

[1973 ranger]

Give Cousins a run of games as a central midfielder as he will give us legs in the middle of the pitch. Scowen at times is so deep he could play in goal and when he gets it short it is always a side pass to the right back and back again. Luongo needs to lose the weight he clearly has put on as looks off the pace and sluggish.

[Shania]

We have filled the squad with midfielders but still have no midfield general on the pitch.

Spot on.

[Shania]

Give Cousins a run of games as a central midfielder as he will give us legs in the middle of the pitch. Scowen at times is so deep he could play in goal and when he gets it short it is always a side pass to the right back and back again. Luongo needs to lose the weight he clearly has put on as looks off the pace and sluggish.

Not sure he is the answer, but he is worth a try.

[1973 ranger]

He is our player as is Pawel and Goss so should be given a chance.

[stanistheman]

I would like to see Panel given a role in the side but as a poster said we have Sylla or Smith upfront with no crosses to get on the end of.
neither of them are particularly mobile so if playing someone needs to get crosses into the box. For me the pace of the game is too slow when playing with 2 holding midfielders and no real width.

If he is to stick with his preferred 4231 then of the 3 two have to be quick and get out wide to put in crosses and the other getting into the box to help the forward. The 3 could be Freeman Pawel and Eze.

[West Acton]

Good post Stanis. So many areas of team, such as pace, have been unaddressed for few seasons

wjen did we last have a side/midfield with an intimidating physical presence

[stanistheman]

Mbia was supposed to do that job when Hughes signed him. Other than him probably Joey Barton.

[1973 ranger]

Fulham away last season and Pawel looked good down the middle so give him a go there with smyth wide which will give us pace up top and both are willing runners. Goss, Cousins and all the fringe guys need to be given a chance as the golden midfield trio are just not doing it and are nowhere the level some like to believe they are at.