Physicality problem, especially midfield

The midfield we have is fine for the SPL but I think the games against Rangers in particular highlight that there are problems with it.

The balance in it seems a bit off. Its not effective enough at winning the ball back and defensively its not robust enough when questions are asked of it off the ball. It doesnt provide enough control of the game in possession.

Some of it is down the the system I think but against better opponents I also think its needs more of a presence in there.

 

I can't see Rodgers being content with that.

 

Think the two biggest things the team lacks is strength and threat from corners. That said we have enough of everything else to be far ahead of the rest domestically

 

Idk, he said himself something along the lines of "Truth is it's easier for us to get in another top class winger than a top class striker" when talking about Maeda being upfront longer term.

Kinda hinted that we might not go for a striker. We'll see though.

 

He's already said it maybe a * of a lot easier for us to replace maeda at left wing than it would be to replace him as a striker now.

Strange thing is despite him playing left wing for majority of his time here you can now notice a difference when he plays there in terms of effectiveness compared to when played through the middle.

It's why I think Idah will not start the cup final either

 

It was also 15 years ago. Football has moved on.

 

Think Martin O’Neill got the mixture of skill and physical presence spot on. Cost a lot of money though.

 

Agree.
And not only the physical side, also the mental, do what's nevessary to win toughness, strong leadership etc.

We had minimum of 6 captains in that team but outside of Bobo not one of them a clugger

Current squad are generally all technically excellent but relatively weak in every other regard.

 

Barcelona could hold 70% possession again any team in the world and would limit the amount of possession other teams had and the amount of chances they could create by dominating the ball and controlling the game.

We can do that against the average SPL teams with the midfield we have. The problem is when the level goes up a notch or two I think our midfield balance looks off and gets exposed.

Even a Rangers midfield of Raskin, Barron and Diomande has more than held it own against ours in the last few fixtures. Raskin in particular has caused us a lot of problems. If you have a lightweight midfield but they are brilliant at dominating the ball, dictating the tempo of games, creating chances etc then the trade off can be ok but I dont really see it with our midfield trio against better than run of the mill SPL teams. Thats where I think we probably need more presence in there.

 

The balance of our midfield isn't working for me..

Maybe 4-2-3-1 will suit better..

Sign a DM and rotate Engels, Bernardo, McGregor and the new DM..

Hatate, McCowan and sign a 10..

Should suit KT too

 

The midfield does need something different but not physicality for me. I think McGregor and Engels will be first picks next season. We need a playmaker in the Matt O'Riley mould. He has been a huge miss although we still should win the Treble, we qualifying out of the CL League stage and almost beat Bayern away from home. So that shows how we might not need all that much.

 

I doubt we will get any strikers, unless Kenny goes out on loan and we find a content benchwarmer.

 

I totally agree with this down to the letter.

 

Physicality is one thing we lack but to me we have too few options in midfield and on the wings/ centre forward that are happy receiving the ball back to goal and having to get turned.

- Engels and Bernardo, it is probably both of their worst attributes.
- Maeda whether wide or centre forward doesn’t want the ball to feet back to goal.
- Kuhn can take the ball
But much prefers to be playing in transition.
- McGregor can do this but give he is playing deepest in midfield he is often ultra safe in just dropping the ball off to a centre back.
- Idah’s touch isn’t the best but he can try this and be effective.
- Hatate and Jota can do this.

In the past we have tried to invert a full back in Taylor but when Tierney comes in I want to see more of a 4-2-3-1 as to allow Johnston and Tierney forward you need more midfield cover.

 

We need someone who can do the dirty work, break up plays move the ball quickly.

someone who is strong, fast and has an engine. We are missing that, regardless of height we need that in the middle of the park.

 

I genuinely don't see Maeda being here next season. I hope I'm wrong.

 

Johan Cruyff (arguably football's greatest ever genius) transformed Barcelona's academy by prioritizing technical ability over physical attributes (among other changes). Up until Cruyff, the academy was rejecting young prospects who were unlikely to grow beyond 1,80 meters in height. Barca is dominating world football by relying on undersized players. Look no further than Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol, Alba, Pedri, Gavi, Fermin, Balde, Casado, Cubarsi (undersized for a centre half), etc. At the same time, Andy Robertson was rejected by Celtic cause he was too short.

BR's system relies on ball possession. We need technically gifted players who can receive and distribute the ball accurately and create/exploit open spaces. No need for physically imposing players. We play football, not basketball for crying out loud. There's a reason BR insists on CalMac at CDM. If he really wanted a physically imposing CDM, he would have signed one by now. The most striking example is Hatate. I'd argue he's one of our best players, yet people regularly claim we can easily do better than him. Go figure.

 

That wee Maradona laddie. He played in the 80s for Barcelona. He must have been a good player that young fella though cause no way was he over 1.80 metres standing on a phonebook.

 

I think he'll be away as usual if a £20 mil plus offer comes in. It's the business plan I'm afraid.

Tavernier will be thinking about paying him a decent back hander to encourage him to go aswell. Cause he's finished in Scotland if Maeda stays here. England's highest scoring full back of all time, living his life in fear. He's going about Asda scared shitless in case Maeda sneaks up on him and steals his trolley.
He needs therapy. PTSD he's got Taverneir, Maeda is ruining his life right now