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Post by rushy on Nov 24, 2022 13:16:07 GMT
It's a key area for us and I think Ampadu is better suited to playing as a CM , he has the physical side and his workrate is excellent, if we can put someone more creative alongside him that would be the future, not sure who that is currently as they are just potential or average players. As I mentioned in another thread we ideally need another Joe Allen. Someone able to cover a lot of ground, positionally disciplined and can progress the ball from deep. Shouldn't be too difficult! I expect Joe will stick around for a couple of years yet unless the legs go completely, which may give time for someone to emerge. |
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Post by cogancoronation31 on Nov 24, 2022 13:19:33 GMT
Still think that Dylan Levitt and Joe Morrell may both have parts to play in this current tournament - not sure about Matt Smith, who for me has never quite cut the mustard.
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Post by vaulksthrowfanclub on Nov 24, 2022 14:26:42 GMT
I’d chuck Terry Taylor into the mix too. Having a great individual season apparently. And more defensively minded.
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Post by allezlesrouges on Nov 24, 2022 21:25:59 GMT
To compliment Ampadu we need someone like Levitt to kick on. Savage has a good passing range too, and hopefully he gets a loan and senior minutes under his belt. Jordan James is another hopeful
An outside the box shout is Tom Lowery. Starts for Pompey ahead of Morrell, is eligible. More of a midfield progresser type player. If Pompey go up he could be a Championship midfielder by next year
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Post by jimexotic on Feb 17, 2023 18:56:51 GMT
Without doubt this position is now a problem, the lack of depth is rather worrying, players who we were hoping three or four years ago would be ready now are not ready, some are getting worse.
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Post by talyfan on Feb 17, 2023 19:36:47 GMT
It's so weird not mentioning Joe Allen in those line ups and squad selections we all predict.
Always finding myself having to backspace his name out the sentence before posting as I keep forgetting he's retired.
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Post by manulike on Feb 17, 2023 20:15:40 GMT
emmmmmmm...
Robbie Burton - only just turned 23 last month ;-)
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Post by manulike on Feb 17, 2023 20:18:46 GMT
I was speaking to a Burnley fan the other day - and he said that rather than running up and down the right all day, Roberts does a lot of filling in in midfield (inverted fullback maybe the term?). Probably doesn't suit the system we play perhaps... but good to here he is adapting his game. The man is a powerhouse of running energy and I'd love to see him doing the box to box stuff Rambo used to do so well. |
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Post by allezlesrouges on Feb 17, 2023 23:11:18 GMT
I'd like to see us give MJ Williams a go. It's such a shame Terry Taylor and Tom Lowery are injured as I'd be giving them both a go
Realistically it will be Ampadu-Morrell starting against Croatia, and Levitt will be the backup. If we need anyone beyond that Ramsey will be asked to drop back first before throwing anyone else in, so I don't think it really matters who else is called up. A good opportunity to look at someone like MJ Williams tho!
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Post by welshwhite on Feb 18, 2023 12:08:41 GMT
I'd like to see us give MJ Williams a go. It's such a shame Terry Taylor and Tom Lowery are injured as I'd be giving them both a go Just had knee surgery, out till at least March, and might struggle to get a game with the form the current Bolton midfield are in, and with Shoretire having arrived from Manchester Utd on loan. |
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Post by welwyn on Feb 18, 2023 14:42:03 GMT
Might be Sheehan then.
If we are that desperate, I'd be tempted to put Joniesta deeper!!
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Post by surge on Feb 19, 2023 10:28:51 GMT
Morrell's been fine for most games at international football, although he's been one of those more exposed when coming up against top 10 nations.
Levitt's looked tidy, despite having rough season in Scotland, and I wouldn't count him out yet. So many years in him still to develop and he's looked good at times in international circuit.
I still prefer Ampadu as CB longer term (though he did well in World Cup and has been CM several times for club this season) but it might be the case that we have to get through next qualifying tournament with Ampadu as CM before reassessing his best position for us.
We've got some players to be hopeful about in younger age pools but no way near ready for international football at senior level yet.
Biq question to answer for Page really. Latvia (h), Armenia (h) and Turkey (a) all before September so do we go with same formation as World Cup even though we're weaker in midfield now (and it was area of weakness going into that tournament) or do we switch to midfield 3 to give us better chance at competing in middle third despite it being formation we've not used for some time? Or do we start with 2 because midgame injury would probably see need for formation change rather than just personal?
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Post by allezlesrouges on Feb 19, 2023 12:22:33 GMT
Morrell's been fine for most games at international football, although he's been one of those more exposed when coming up against top 10 nations. Levitt's looked tidy, despite having rough season in Scotland, and I wouldn't count him out yet. So many years in him still to develop and he's looked good at times in international circuit. I still prefer Ampadu as CB longer term (though he did well in World Cup and has been CM several times for club this season) but it might be the case that we have to get through next qualifying tournament with Ampadu as CM before reassessing his best position for us. We've got some players to be hopeful about in younger age pools but no way near ready for international football at senior level yet. Biq question to answer for Page really. Latvia (h), Armenia (h) and Turkey (a) all before September so do we go with same formation as World Cup even though we're weaker in midfield now (and it was area of weakness going into that tournament) or do we switch to midfield 3 to give us better chance at competing in middle third despite it being formation we've not used for some time? Or do we start with 2 because midgame injury would probably see need for formation change rather than just personal? I'd be amazed if there wasn't a formation change. The 3-5-2 has been figured out in my opinion. I think we need a reset, back to basics, fit orthodox players in positions they know well, in a formation they understand. Get everyone working hard with the focus on defending well, not conceding and being the soft touch we have become. A 0-0 in Croatia is a great start to the campaign, and that's what we should be aiming for imo 4-2-3-1, or however you want to brand it, is the best way forwards I think. Once we've re-built some confidence and optimism then we can explore tactical deviations |
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Post by cadno on Feb 19, 2023 15:10:11 GMT
Morrell's been fine for most games at international football, although he's been one of those more exposed when coming up against top 10 nations. Levitt's looked tidy, despite having rough season in Scotland, and I wouldn't count him out yet. So many years in him still to develop and he's looked good at times in international circuit. I still prefer Ampadu as CB longer term (though he did well in World Cup and has been CM several times for club this season) but it might be the case that we have to get through next qualifying tournament with Ampadu as CM before reassessing his best position for us. We've got some players to be hopeful about in younger age pools but no way near ready for international football at senior level yet. Biq question to answer for Page really. Latvia (h), Armenia (h) and Turkey (a) all before September so do we go with same formation as World Cup even though we're weaker in midfield now (and it was area of weakness going into that tournament) or do we switch to midfield 3 to give us better chance at competing in middle third despite it being formation we've not used for some time? Or do we start with 2 because midgame injury would probably see need for formation change rather than just personal? I'd be amazed if there wasn't a formation change. The 3-5-2 has been figured out in my opinion. I think we need a reset, back to basics, fit orthodox players in positions they know well, in a formation they understand. Get everyone working hard with the focus on defending well, not conceding and being the soft touch we have become. A 0-0 in Croatia is a great start to the campaign, and that's what we should be aiming for imo 4-2-3-1, or however you want to brand it, is the best way forwards I think. Once we've re-built some confidence and optimism then we can explore tactical deviations Hennessey Connor Mepham Rodon Davies Ampadu Brennan Rambo Morrell Wilson Moore I feel like left wing is a bit of an issue, Dan James out of form and no genuine left footed winger that can trouble opposition with pace/dribbling … hedges and t. Lawrence outside shouts? RND or Wes burns both direct /pacey & decent delivery… how far off is brooks? Woodburn or Broadhead? Anyone else? |
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Post by vaulksthrowfanclub on Feb 19, 2023 16:27:19 GMT
I'd be amazed if there wasn't a formation change. The 3-5-2 has been figured out in my opinion. I think we need a reset, back to basics, fit orthodox players in positions they know well, in a formation they understand. Get everyone working hard with the focus on defending well, not conceding and being the soft touch we have become. A 0-0 in Croatia is a great start to the campaign, and that's what we should be aiming for imo 4-2-3-1, or however you want to brand it, is the best way forwards I think. Once we've re-built some confidence and optimism then we can explore tactical deviations Hennessey Connor Mepham Rodon Davies Ampadu Brennan Rambo Morrell Wilson Moore I feel like left wing is a bit of an issue, Dan James out of form and no genuine left footed winger that can trouble opposition with pace/dribbling … hedges and t. Lawrence outside shouts? RND or Wes burns both direct /pacey & decent delivery… how far off is brooks? Woodburn or Broadhead? Anyone else? DJ just shading Broadhead for the LW spot for me still. Based purely on work-rate. Broadhead superb finisher so I’d be tempted to bring him on in place of DJ when defenders tire |
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Post by talyfan on Feb 19, 2023 18:40:58 GMT
Worrying that between Smith and Levitt who we had really high hopes for after playing for top academy sides that their careers are stalling slightly.
One could be playing League Two football next season and the other in the Scottish Championship.
I still back the pair of them. I think Levitt is a really tidy player just been unfortunate with the clubs he's moved. I've watched Levitt enough to see what he's capable of there is a player there in my opinion not a world beater destined for dizzying heights but it's difficult to get into a good vein of form when the team you player for are a complete shower of shit.
Smith always looked positive and energetic playing for us too.
I think between the pair of them they could be at least Championship level players. Levitt could push a bit further maybe.
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Post by manulike on Feb 19, 2023 22:03:43 GMT
Sadly, Lawrence is out for another few weeks and although Hedges was totally on fire late last year, he has hardly featured in the last four weeks. I love Woodburn, and actually saw him play yesterday in an unconventional holding mid-field position - but he really looked wasteful in possesion and a bit off the boil. Still, he played 75' in a position that we desprately need to fill.
I will be over the moon if Brooks can play for us in September.
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Post by jimexotic on Feb 19, 2023 22:54:04 GMT
It's looking a bit Toshack period for central midfield at the moment, we really need some players to step up and fast. No disrespect to the league but it's looking very likely that the bulk of our central midfielders will playing in the third tier of English football and one would argue that the overall standard of the SPL, which Levitt plays in, is about on par with League One. It's worrying because you can get away with one or two at international level but just say Ampadu is unfit, suspended or needed at the back, we've got these to choose from to fill the two holding roles in midfield that will allow Ramsey to do his thing
J James - Championship sub
Levitt - SPL
Morrell - League One
Smith - League One sub
Taylor - League One
Lowery - League One
Sheehan - League One
MJ Williams - League One
Thompson - League One
Williams - League Two
Lawrence isn't getting picked and is an attacking midfielder anyway, Savage is way too green at the moment, I'm not sure Jonny can really play there for us but I've included him in the list anyway. I don't think that's really good enough to get us to tournaments if I'm honest, not at present. Ampadu has to stay fit and watch himself because he's going to be a vital part of this transition.
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Post by marsvolta on Feb 19, 2023 23:02:59 GMT
Unfortunately we’ve all been aware of this for a while but I wonder if the armchair supporters,who suddenly became experts during the World Cup ,had seen this list when they posted about ‘needing to get rid of Ramsey’ all over Facebook.
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Post by cadno on Feb 19, 2023 23:16:23 GMT
A shame Allen has retired now. I’d like to at least try Neco out as a cm in a friendly again, he looked decent there vs France so it could be an option for us. Hopefully someone like Sheehan can show the same bravery as Morrell and get stuck in on the intl stage.
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Post by jimexotic on Feb 20, 2023 0:49:45 GMT
We've got to hope that a few of them get a move in the summer. Pompey aren't going up, Burton could be going down, I'm really not sure about Bolton, I think they'll struggle in the play offs if they finish in them. If Dundee Utd go down Levitt has to get himself out of there, even if it's to a decent League One side, playing in the Scottish Championship just isn't going to cut it in terms of his development.
We all knew this was coming and we knew for quite some time, I just didn't expect it to look so bleak as, three years ago, I was certain that two or three of the lads mentioned would have really pushed on. I just wonder if Harry Wilson could do a job alongside Ampadu, if they can both be disciplined enough that could be quite a tidy pairing and one that could keep us ticking over. It's time for Page to earn his corn now.
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Post by talyfan on Feb 20, 2023 5:30:25 GMT
The outside shout and at the time I said it ironically in his own thread was Isaac Christie Davies.
Central midfielder or utility player that's playing regularly enough for Eupen in the Belgian Pro League. Only really playing now to be honest and again not really a true midfielder who can play in a two more of that #8/#10/wide player Woodburn and Harry Wilson are. But he has played there quite a bit. I'll try and watch a game when I can.
Very unlikely to be honest. Just thought it's another name on that list.
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Post by allezlesrouges on Feb 20, 2023 11:45:29 GMT
Luckily I think Terry Taylor will be a Championship player come the summer. He's the saving grace for me, as if he does step up to the Championship well, then him Ampadu & Morrell are good enough as a group for me
If two of them are unavailable Ramsey has to drop back and play a restricted role imo, so actually we have 4 options there I would personally be happy playing
We know Levitt can be okay, so at a push I would use him as the 5th option. Beyond that is when I'd really be worried - however, I think it would take a lot for us to get to that point in reality
I also think that Lowery could do a job for us at some point too, obviously I'm being a bit speculative of Taylor & Lowery, however I feel the fact they've played 180 & 120 senior games respectively stands them in good stead for international football
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Post by allezlesrouges on Feb 20, 2023 13:55:17 GMT
Worrying that between Smith and Levitt who we had really high hopes for after playing for top academy sides that their careers are stalling slightly. One could be playing League Two football next season and the other in the Scottish Championship. I still back the pair of them. I think Levitt is a really tidy player just been unfortunate with the clubs he's moved. I've watched Levitt enough to see what he's capable of there is a player there in my opinion not a world beater destined for dizzying heights but it's difficult to get into a good vein of form when the team you player for are a complete shower of shit. Smith always looked positive and energetic playing for us too. I think between the pair of them they could be at least Championship level players. Levitt could push a bit further maybe. As someone who has watched Levitt more than me, do you think either Celtic or Rangers would look at him? |
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Post by iot on Feb 20, 2023 14:34:41 GMT
I think you're way too optimistic about Taylor. He's still an unknown quantity at a decent level. I've seen him play quite a few times for the u21s and he never stood out. He was also completely overwhelmed in some of the games we've played against top nations - the Swiss and Dutch for example.
That was last year so I completely accept that he may have kicked on a fair bit this season. In fact, I think he started quite a few league games last season without doing much, but there's been lots of good reports about him this season so he must have kicked on over the last year. Having said that, he's only just started to show that he can have an influence on games at L1 level. You can't assume, on that basis, that he will inevitably become a good Championship midfielder - there's just way too much optimism bias involved in that. We should all have learnt by now that the progression of young players is not linear in any sense - just look at Matty Smith. As I say, for me he's someone who's shown good progress and that he can perform in the rough and tumble of L1, but we have no idea whether he can step up at this stage or ever will. The performances I saw from him against his more technically accomplished u21 peers makes me slightly skeptical that he is going to be the answer to all our problems, but he's definitely someone we need to keep an eye on and test out at some point.
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Post by talyfan on Feb 20, 2023 15:11:54 GMT
allezlesrougesCeltic out of the question. They're absolutely stacked in central midfield. Between McGregor, Mooy, Turnbull, O'Riley, Iwata and Hatate don't think Levitt would get much of a sniff other than the odd cameo. Rangers are too, to be fair with Cantwell, Jack, Lundstram, Raskin, Arfield and Kamara. Maybe Tillman too if they make it permanent. I think personally if he can stay up great and kick on with Dundee Utd hopefully. But needs to leave asap if they go down. Would love to see him get a run out against Latvia. Technically absolute joy to watch has some really good touches and given license to get forward is where he's more dangerous in my opinion as opposed to playing deep.
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Post by allezlesrouges on Feb 20, 2023 16:12:25 GMT
I think you're way too optimistic about Taylor. He's still an unknown quantity at a decent level. I've seen him play quite a few times for the u21s and he never stood out. He was also completely overwhelmed in some of the games we've played against top nations - the Swiss and Dutch for example. That was last year so I completely accept that he may have kicked on a fair bit this season. In fact, I think he started quite a few league games last season without doing much, but there's been lots of good reports about him this season so he must have kicked on over the last year. Having said that, he's only just started to show that he can have an influence on games at L1 level. You can't assume, on that basis, that he will inevitably become a good Championship midfielder - there's just way too much optimism bias involved in that. We should all have learnt by now that the progression of young players is not linear in any sense - just look at Matty Smith. As I say, for me he's someone who's shown good progress and that he can perform in the rough and tumble of L1, but we have no idea whether he can step up at this stage or ever will. The performances I saw from him against his more technically accomplished u21 peers makes me slightly skeptical that he is going to be the answer to all our problems, but he's definitely someone we need to keep an eye on and test out at some point. Yeah everything you've said is fair, can't argue against it. It could be he turns out not to be all that My optimism stems from the fact that he was at a good academy AND he's gone and got the senior minutes under his belt at a decent level. Last season I wouldn't have advocated calling him up, but it sounds like he's a guarantee to land in the Championship next season based on reports and the fact that he'll cost nothing in the summer I also don't think players need to stand out at U21 level to be good enough for the seniors. Dan James didn't, Joe Rodon didn't, Levitt didn't, Brennan didn't and RND didn't either. All have done well enough with the seniors tho Maybe I am being too optimistic, however, I have a bit of a gut feeling with him that he will make a big difference over the next 18 months - could be wrong but time will tell |
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Post by cadno on Feb 20, 2023 19:05:37 GMT
I wonder if there’ll be a situation where if a couple of our midfielders aren’t available, Allen will come back and do a job for us, if he’s still got plenty left in the tank and can play another 100 games for the Swans I can’t see why he’d step away completely.
Such a shame given our midfield situation, qualifiers only run for 8 months from March. And only 8 games. Surely he could play the big games such as Croatia or Turkey away, ffs
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Post by fiveattheback on Feb 20, 2023 19:21:32 GMT
You reckon he's got another 2 or 3 years left in him? I saw on Twitter that his contract's up next summer, I can't see him going on past then
It is a little puzzling that he's retired from Wales completely though, especially with the potential for a major tournament in 18 months, I don't think many of the Euro 16 lot officially retired, just drifted out of the picture
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Post by cadno on Feb 20, 2023 19:32:16 GMT
I’m not sure, Owain Tudur Jones is a close mate of his, on his podcast he was saying Allen’s got plenty left in the tank and he believes he’s still got plenty to give wales with nobody of JA’s quality able to step in atm. Russel Martin said he can still play another 100 games for the Swans. I guess Joe Allen knows his body better than anyone and he needs the rest, and maybe he’s planning on retiring completely soon, so fair enough in a way and we have to respect that. But was it Joe Ledley that said he would never retire from intl duty and always make himself available if there was an injury crisis? I feel like it’s been a rash decision by Allen, it took Page by surprise, but there we go
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