Gary Thomas Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 The midfield is our weak area but not sure we should write it off yet. Jedinak looked much better second half against Reading and for first time he looked the business Tshibola hasn't played enough, but is arguably our most talented player in there. Powerful, bags of energy, decent in attack Gardner - much better Tuesday. Local lad, works hard, showing signs of improvement under Bruce. Lets back him! Bacuna - been pretty good all season and was MOM for me Tuesday. When I look at them I think they could do a job for us until January and one or two might come good in a more organized Bruce team Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodders0223 Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 22 hours ago, villanwesty88 said: I think we should look to the academy first. How many talents have we let slip in recent years? I mean even Hogg would be a solid player in our XI and Daniel Johnson. They are lower championship players. We are/were a PL club. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villanwesty88 Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 1 hour ago, rodders0223 said: They are lower championship players. We are/were a PL club. True, but I wish we'd keep them on our books for longer and loan them out. We always seem to release them when they are getting to a good standard. Like Robinson this summer (I know not midfield but just an example) he's playing in the Championship and whilst he wouldn't be first choice here now, why didn't we keep him on and loan him? Worst case we sell with a little bit of income or best case he plays for the first team. Letting them go for free when we cannot be sure how they will turn out bugs me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dont_do_it_doug. Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 (edited) Gardner > Westwood. I actually suggested this a while back and was laughed out of dodge. I have a suspicion Bruce may not fancy Westwood. Edited October 20, 2016 by dont_do_it_doug. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulC Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 1 minute ago, dont_do_it_doug. said: Gardner > Westwood. I actually suggested this a while back and was laughed out of dodge. I have a suspicious Bruce may not fancy Westwood. I think Gardner will get a few goals as well. Maybe the best striker of a football we have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maqroll Posted October 23, 2016 Share Posted October 23, 2016 Cheeky punt on Stevie G.? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wazzap24 Posted October 23, 2016 Share Posted October 23, 2016 On 16 October 2016 at 14:11, wazzap24 said: It's not just about the midfield for me, it's the whole team not moving up and down the pitch as a unit. We have the quality to be brave and play a high line in this league, which in turn would get the relevant departments closer together. ^^^ This guy knows what he's on about Seriously though, playing that higher defensive line and pressing them in their half made a huge difference to our midfield yesterday. Jedi was in touch with the centre halfs and held his ground well, Gardner got amongst them alongside him and Shape-wise it worked well having Bacuna in front, but he lacks the game for the role. Much better 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozvillafan Posted October 23, 2016 VT Supporter Share Posted October 23, 2016 Can McCormack fill the role Bacuna was asked to play? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntrimBlack Posted October 23, 2016 Share Posted October 23, 2016 7 hours ago, maqroll said: Cheeky punt on Stevie G.? I would be more inclined to put him in a punt and give it a good shove. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SidSidSidSid Posted October 23, 2016 Share Posted October 23, 2016 I still think Tshibola's our best midfielder. I'm a little concerned he's not getting any game time under Bruce. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wazzap24 Posted October 23, 2016 Share Posted October 23, 2016 14 minutes ago, ozvillafan said: Can McCormack fill the role Bacuna was asked to play? Personally, my choice would be Grealish. McCormack could, but Jack's younger legs would be an advantage IMO. I think we would play our best football with Jack at the top of a three, with Ayew and McCormack just behind JK, but that would make us very narrow and we'd need the full backs to provide width. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guyavfc Posted October 23, 2016 Share Posted October 23, 2016 1 hour ago, SidSidSidSid said: I still think Tshibola's our best midfielder. I'm a little concerned he's not getting any game time under Bruce. But we're winning. There should be no concerns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dont_do_it_doug. Posted October 23, 2016 Share Posted October 23, 2016 2 hours ago, ozvillafan said: Can McCormack fill the role Bacuna was asked to play? No. He would happily admit he can't defend for toffee, he doesn't have anywhere near the same energy levels. Square peg in a round hole. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillanousOne Posted October 23, 2016 Share Posted October 23, 2016 I think I would play Gardener in the forward midfield role and replace Bacuna with Tish. Or even Jed with Tish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SidSidSidSid Posted October 23, 2016 Share Posted October 23, 2016 6 hours ago, guyavfc said: But we're winning. There should be no concerns. I'm concerned that Bruce seems to prefer Westwood, Gardner and Jedinak over Tish because, as I said, he's our best midfielder imo, and being overlooked for lesser players. We're winning because we've got a proper manager and our luck has turned. That's irrelevant to the point I made. I want Tish in the team. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaChris Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 Yes I think Tish could play that advanced pressing role Bacuna seems to be doing so bit surprised he's being benched. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulC Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 13 hours ago, SidSidSidSid said: I'm concerned that Bruce seems to prefer Westwood, Gardner and Jedinak over Tish because, as I said, he's our best midfielder imo, and being overlooked for lesser players. We're winning because we've got a proper manager and our luck has turned. That's irrelevant to the point I made. I want Tish in the team. When he played the midfield really struggled like the Wolves game. We have been better since he's been left out. His time will come but for now he has to take a back seat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidcow Posted October 24, 2016 VT Supporter Share Posted October 24, 2016 Games come thick and fast in this league, there will be injuries and suspensions. Tish will get his chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeMcKenna Posted October 24, 2016 VT Supporter Share Posted October 24, 2016 On 20/10/2016 at 19:36, dont_do_it_doug. said: Gardner > Westwood. I actually suggested this a while back and was laughed out of dodge. I have a suspicion Bruce may not fancy Westwood. Agree. Gardner, still hasn't got massive confidence but he is growing all the time. He is prepared to run with the ball, something Westwood hates doing. Gardner still looks a shadow of the player he was as a kid but can come good. Westwood has had his time and never did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 On 23/10/2016 at 06:07, maqroll said: Cheeky punt on Stevie G.? we do not need error prone midfielders.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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