Caldwell or Hartley?

Right, it's pretty obvious to me that WGS has tried out various tactics during the pre-season and one was Caldwell switching to DM as they say especially now Tamas looks to be joining. I'd imagine that this position will be up for grabs in the away CL matches and maybe at Ipox.

Who will do the better job?

I like the idea of having the option and sorry for sitting on that jaggy fence:icon_mrgreen:

 

Dont wanna be jumpin the gun but young Crosas sounds ideal for DM if we get him! However prob need a good amount of time to adjust and settle first!

 

I'd agree Dusty.

 

I get the feeling with the mixed reaction earlier on about debating which position he was either DM or a winger that he would be where Donati or Brown was tonight against Feyenoord being creative.

 

Saying he is in the mold of xavi, so to me that means he is box to box which is ideal. I think he would be class in CL. Ball retention is important and if he is anywhere near as good as the other barca midfielders are we have got a player.

 

Not seen much of him to be honest so not getting that excited at the moment.

We all thaught Jarosik, Gravesen and Donati would be world class signings for us because who they came from....

(not trying to be Mr Negative lol)

 

Leonnaka fan?:icon_mrgreen:

 

I'd say Hartley. If I could choose another club's player for the place, I'd say J.Leko or M.Babić. Both men are fighters, like to play a bit rough, have solid passing and possess howitzer shots.

What can I say? Skeptical about transfers...

 

I think that Hartley is too slow to play the DM role all the time. As he has only started to play the position over the last season he isnt always in the rite position when the opposition has the ball, so his lack of pace gets shown up more. Where as Lennon had played the position for years and was as slow as a week in the big hoose, but because he was aware of where he should be on the park it didnt get shown up nearly as often.

Caldwell is ok in that position. But I would rather just see Brown and Robson there.

 

How can people be this critical of Paul Hartley. Bear in mind that it was him and Robson that won us the league last season. I seriously cannot remember Hartley having a bad game last year and it was not until Strach stopped messing about with the midfield and played Hartley every week that we got a bit of serious form going. Paul Hartley does the same job as Neil Lennon did but he's faster, can attack and creates chances. Caldwell cant play that postition and if he did it better only be in an emergency. Paul Hartley is probably the most under rated player at Parkhead right now

 

Hartley for me.

 

i dont think caldwell will play that role,his performances at end of season were outstanding in defence.

 

Obviously caldwell will be slated here but hey, what can you do.
He's played the DM roll for Scotland and it worked alrite for us - he also done a bit this preseason and wasn't bad iirc?
EVEN when caldwell was at rightback and getting slated every 4 seconds his passing and crossing were never in question- they were just put a side or people refused to accept it so he could be slated.

hartley to start the season (if donati plays against man city aswell as he did last night then him to start)

if it goes badly for him then caldwell will fill the roll untill a suitable replacement is found

 

Caldwell is only gettign played there because of the injuries we have. He should be nowhere near the Celtic or Scotland midfield. Hartley fills that role far better than Caldwell ever could, as he has proved both for Celtic and Scotland.

I would question his passing and crossing LB. I think he gained his reputation as a passer in a Hibs team that was told to pass the ball no matter what. I don't question his honesty but i do question his heading ability. He's a decent, average centreback, not a fullback or defensive midfielder, although it is useful to know that he can temporarily fill these roles during a match if needs be.

 

Not jumping guns here but if the 2 lads come in this wk, i dont think Caldwell or Hartley will get a game!
Ive got nothing against any of them because they've been brilliant for us, but if WGS is bringing them in he must think we need to improve in though areas and therefore play the pair of them!
Whether thats a good thing or not i dont know? Dont know much about Crosas and i seen Tamas at the Euro's and played well. Caldwell and Hartley have proved to WGS that they are more than capable of playing their roles, its up to the 2 lads (IF THEY COME) to prove their worth!

 

as far as i am concerned paul hartley should be the first name on the team sheet when we line up for the first game

imo he has excelled at DM and his selection would be more than justified.

 

Hartley's age is beginning to show

 

I agree Hartley's age is showing but he's still by far the best we've got playing in the hole. Caldwell's not a holding midfielder and never will be so it's unfair to compare him to Hartley, let alone criticise the guy.

I was really (and unfairly) critical of Caldwell middle of last season and that was partly down to being blinkered and not seeing the glaring mistakes our midfield were making and putting undue pressure on the back 4. Once Hartley and Robson got the middle of the park sorted it gave the two CB's far more time to play and wee seen a totally different Caldwell. Also I think that improved his confidence and we seen the result of that in his overall play. He, Hartley, McGeady and Robson were for me anyway, our 4 best players over the last dozen or so games of last season.

 

I would definetly go with hartley dm ahead of caldwell. Lookin forward to man city on wed to see wat strachan goes with in that game.

 

Caldwell deserves a place at CB and if Tamas joins i would rather Mick is put on the bench, though that won't happen.