[Albion] Centre Midfield is the problem

[A1X]

Ultimately, that is where we keep being found out. Slow, lacking adventure, can't make simple passes stick too often. Our best chance when the game was still alive was first half when Bissouma showed a bit of endeavour and got forward, but too often recently those three of Bissouma, Stephens and Propper have been found wanting. Kayal must be wondering what he has to do to get a game right now.

The formation plays a part, the lack of Gross (17/18 Gross anyway) is also playing a part, but that for me is the area we most need to strengthen this summer. We look weak and lightweight at this level in there.

 

[the right footed denilson]

Kayal never does much wrong.

 

[Mackenzie]

Centre midfield and the opposition having much better players than us.

 

[DarrenFreemansPerm]

Midfield and wingers are offering nothing at the moment.

 

[Stat Brother]

Midfield and wingers are offering nothing at the moment.

Neither is the striker or full backs.

 

[maltaseagull]

Ultimately, that is where we keep being found out. Slow, lacking adventure, can't make simple passes stick too often. Our best chance when the game was still alive was first half when Bissouma showed a bit of endeavour and got forward, but too often recently those three of Bissouma, Stephens and Propper have been found wanting. Kayal must be wondering what he has to do to get a game right now.

The formation plays a part, the lack of Gross (17/18 Gross anyway) is also playing a part, but that for me is the area we most need to strengthen this summer. We look weak and lightweight at this level in there.

I think the sheer quality in their squad enables their midfield to ping the ball around and make us look really slow.
As soon as they get the ball they drive forward from their half. We pass along the back hoping for someone to find some space.

Chelsea's speed of thought and execution is way above ours.

 

[BN41Albion]

Neither is the striker or full backs.

Yep. We're struggling all over the park in my eyes. Teams have worked out our limitations and we have had no reply all season

 

[maltaseagull]

Neither is the striker or full backs.

And a 6'6" goalie would have saved at least two of those goals (@Spence )

 

[moggy]

You need bags of pace in the middle of the park.
We have two of the slowest players in those positions.
Both propper and Stephens need to be replaced

 

[DarrenFreemansPerm]

Neither is the striker or full backs.

Strikers do tend to struggle a tad if there’s no midfield.

 

[A1X]

I think the sheer quality in their squad enables their midfield to ping the ball around and make us look really slow.
As soon as they get the ball they drive forward from their half. We pass along the back hoping for someone to find some space.

Chelsea's speed of thought and execution is way above ours.

I agree entirely with regards to Chelsea. But the exact same thing happened against Burnley, Southampton and Fulham in recent weeks. Even Millwall. We shouldn't be losing the midfield battle to those teams quite so easily as we have.

 

[martin tyler]

Seems pretty clear that there are more than 1 problem.
CM we are not agile enough in there. Bissouma could be great but he’s also young and needs guidanc about when to drive forward when to keep it simple e. Stephens struggles against all sides that press not mobile enough and easy to get the ball around especially top 6 sides. Propper has a pass in him and clearly talented but he can’t control a game certainly not alone and never appears to have an out ball.
Wingers also a massive problem not enough coming off the line or ability to beat the man. Jose appears to be the best of them but he’s either still injured or we are resting him for his summer holiday. The other 3 I’m not sure will make an impact at this level on a regular basis. AJ appears to be on another planet to the rest of the squad. Not sure this is a good thing and there is a decent footballer there or he is just not cut out for the PL.
Strikers. Andone good but always seems better off the bench. Locadia seems to show promise in a few games you think he’s going to come and then he does sod all for weeks although to be fair he’s not had a great deal of time at CF.
Murray is Murray will score goals but he’s 36 and not mobile enough to trouble teams unless we get it wide and in the box quickly.
CB we do really need a genuine competition for dunk and Duffy and likewise both Montoya and Bernardo need better quality players giving them competition. Bruno 10 years ago would walk in past Montoya in reality.

It’s going to be a tough few weeks. Back CH this next transfer window but get genuine pace skill and mobility into the team. If we don’t next season will be a long slog

Hopefully the FA cup will provide us with some joy this weekend

 

[Weststander]

Yes.

We haven’t got one of PL standard.

No one who can retain the ball, long passages of play, instinctively create, score.

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

You need bags of pace in the middle of the park.
We have two of the slowest players in those positions.
Both propper and Stephens need to be replaced

Propper has been awful and so slow that last few games.

 

[Pavilionaire]

People are forgetting we bought Alexis McAllister in the January window and loaned him back to Argentinos Juniors, he looks a useful player in the attacking midfield role and could be part of the solution for next season.

 

[dejavuatbtn]

As Hughton himself says, in order to get anything from a top side away from home, they need to play crap and we have to be faultless. It ain’t gonna happen. If it does then it’s a one in a hundred. Occasional win or draw at home maybe.
We have only any real chance of winning if we play a bottom half team at home, and we have a good chance of drawing against a bottom half team away. I make that around your 40 point mark, about par for the course.
We just have to be realistic. Even Spurs admit to having to get a bigger stadium to generate a decent income and compete at t(e highest level - their’s is now twice the size of ours.
We just need to hold on in there and gradually improve the squad to improve our chances and lessen the bedwetting.

 

[Stat Brother]

Strikers do tend to struggle a tad if there’s no midfield.

Playing on pension day appears to be a little distracting as well.

 

[portlock seagull]

We are positively heaving towards safety, like a severe asmathic, only there’s couple of hyenas behind us now taking an interest...

Here’s my idea - a RUTHLESS clear out of the entire midfield close season:
Stephens - don’t care about his break up qualities it’s his creative ones I’m concerned about.
Propper - 1 goal in 2 seasons...enough said
Bisouma - potential yes, but that’s what our development squads for. We need established seasoned pros.
Kayal - never gets picked, not his fault seems, but all the same
Solly - too lightweight to really make a difference and will fade like a dying star next season
Knocky - thanks for the memories but too inconsistent
Izzy - too injured

So, do the above, spend about £250m of Uncle Tony’s money (boosted by CUP FINAL monies!) on replacements and we can all look forward to next season.

 

[Perkino]

We used to play a 4-4-1-1 formation so our wingers would play their part in defending and Gross would get close to the CF and link the play as well as play the ball into space for the wingers to run into.

Now we play a 4-4-3 formation and our wingers have become inside forwards, they no longer help out in defending to the same degree which leaves our defence exposed. We only play 1 DM to break up play. We don't have a creative playmaker to set up or initiate moves. Our wingers now are tasked with beating a fullback rather than running into space and this doesn't play to their strengths.

We need to shore up the side and get back to basics

 

[BensGrandad]

You need bags of pace in the middle of the park.
We have two of the slowest players in those positions.
Both propper and Stephens need to be replaced

Ridiculous suggestion what would it cost to buy 2 as good £50m.