Olivier Ntcham

A few people must be on their dabs on this forum today

 

In CM terms I'm the Ten-a lady.

 

Just saying “centre mid” means little. A centre mid in a 343 would likely have a very different role to a centre mid in a 541.

With the evolution of tactics and influence of foreign coaches and concepts, it’s completely natural for new terms to become commonly used here. It’s not hipster or using PlayStation terms. It’s just modern day football.

If using 6, 8 and 10 is going too far then you’re in for a world of confusion when regista, mezzala, trequartista, enganche and segundo volante become as common as a box to box midfielder.

 

I cannot give you an exact date, Paul, no.

You know that it is a perfectly reasonable means of differentiating between central midfield roles.

You sneer at it because it is the kind of nomenclature that someone who knows more about football than you might use, and that makes you, the quintessential know-it-all, insecure.

 

There I thought he was a no. 21.

Thought he was getting sold there.

 

How are they not performing that function for us at the moment?

 

All terminology has its pros and cons TBH. The number system is more about functions and roles in a team than about players (witness BBJ and WGS arguing about Edouard the other day). To be fair to Paul, I think Ntcham is another one capable of multiple roles and so difficult to describe using the number system.

I'm not denying that the number system is often a very useful shorthand.

 

One of the amazing things about Broony in his prime was that he combined a 6 and an 8 in one, which really allowed us a lot of flexibility.

 

There's no myth about it though, Broony is the lower-lying midfielder and McGregor slighly more advanced. Broony is our ball-winner who moves on the ball to others.

McGregor might not have the same engine as Armstrong but he still plays a box-to-box role for us in our present team and shape. He's able to play deeper when required (he did it when Broony was out in the 18/19 season, to great effect) and he has the guile and goals to do the 10 also. It's that versatility that makes him so important for us.

Other players are only able to perform a single function for us eg. Rogic couldn't play in the 6 or 8, he doesn't have the legs or dig to do it.

 

Silliest of silly arguments this one!

 

I prefer him as a mezzalla with attacking duties set to drift wide and take more risks but we need Brown as a ball winning midfielder with hold position instructions and an advance playmaker who moves into channels

 

Yes, all with equally stunning levels of mediocrity.

 

We are polar opposites, Paul. I might be an *, but I like fancy words.

See?

 

I think the operative word is "capable". He definitely is. You are right that he often (usually?) doesn't realise his capabilities.

 

Needs to stop trying to score worldies all the time because about 3 have went in over the years. Feckn 2 mins to go about 20 bodies in the way not even facing the goal and try’s pinging them ffs!

 

Thought he was very good second half..