Could the answer to our centre midfield problem be...

[Lord Large]

... Mr Dean Cox.

Always hungry for the ball and would certainly take the ball off the back four more readily than anyone who has played there so far.

He may be small but operating as an attacking player this wouldn't really matter and he does work hard.

We now have a winger in on loan and McLeod meaning we would not miss him from the wing (I say miss in the sense we had no other wingers - not in that he was amazing there...)

I say give that man a go in the middle alongside a more physical player. He can't do any worse.

I would love to see Fraser and Cox tried out together and some time although cannot see it happening.

 

[Mendoza]

Cox has played enough bad games in a row to warrant being dropped for a couple of games and coming back stronger.

Cox hides on the wings sometimes, and there is no where to hide in the middle of the park.

I dont think he is the answer long term, but maybe a stop gap, like we did with Virgo.

Loft is the answer!!

 

[Withdean Wanderer]

 

[Lord Large]

Cox has played enough bad games in a row to warrant being dropped for a couple of games and coming back stronger.

Cox hides on the wings sometimes, and there is no where to hide in the middle of the park.

I dont think he is the answer long term, but maybe a stop gap, like we did with Virgo.

Loft is the answer!!

Im not so much sure it is Cox who is hiding - more our players who are not capable of getting a quick ball out to the wing. McLeod suffered from a lack of ball in the Scunthorpe game.

I think the more involved Cox is the more he will improve. He often carries the creative burden of our team and I think he would be better placed to pull the strings so to speak from the centre of the park.

If there is nowhere to hide in the middle than Thomson and Virgo must be experts at it cos they seem to manage it...

I would say Loft deserves a go. However, I would also say that there is no way Doug Loft would get anywhere near the starting teams of any of the other top eight teams in this league...

 

[Titanic]

...I would say Loft deserves a go. However, I would also say that there is no way Doug Loft would get anywhere near the starting teams of any of the other top eight teams in this league...

If those are the criteria... I don't think Cox or Fraser would make it either as a central midfielder.

Thomson, Virgo and Livermore are the best players for the role... but they need to sort out exactly what is expected of them, and develop a PATTERN of play that everyone can contribute to - it all seems too rushed and random at present.

 

[Elder for England]

Absolutely not. I don't think he should be in the side at all judging by his performences - he was alright against Scunthorpe admitedly - he should be dropped I think.

 

[Jimmy Grimble]

No.

 

[Dr Bandler]

If those are the criteria... I don't think Cox or Fraser would make it either as a central midfielder.

Thomson, Virgo and Livermore are the best players for the role... but they need to sort out exactly what is expected of them, and develop a PATTERN of play that everyone can contribute to - it all seems too rushed and random at present.

Good call.

Although not universally rated playing there, we only lost when Virgo left midfield, so maybe he takes pressure of the defence. But, oh for some creativity alongside him.

If we cant get that how about playing 5 at the back, including Lynch as sweeper - allowing the full backs to help the midfield more?

 

[SULLY COULDNT SHOOT]

I think Loft deserves a chance but will he get one? Would rather have in the middle than Cox or Fraser. If no one comes in this week at centre midfield he MUST be given a chance.

 

[SNOOBS]

Have you seen Cox in recent weeks, he shouldn't be anywhere near the team!!

 

[Jimmy Grimble]

Have you seen Cox in recent weeks, he shouldn't be anywhere near the team!!

College?

 

[Alex Alex Dawson oo! oo!]

Absolutely not. I don't think he should be in the side at all judging by his performences - he was alright against Scunthorpe admitedly - he should be dropped I think.

And alright at Crewe, Northampton and Southend (apparently - as I didn't go to Root's Hall this year); also created our only chance (for Forster) from open play against Bristol Rovers before the hoofing started.
More seriously, I don't think the generally poor, unimaginative and ponderously slow distribution from our defence at Withdean helps a midfield that's clearly struggling anyway and our wide players in particular.

 

[backson]

Are people actually suggesting we drop the guy who set up the only goal we did manage to score against Scunthorpe?

Just checking.

 

[Storer68]

Yes, he gives the ball away FAR TOO OFTEN for my liking.

You might think that was a defence splitting pass Mr Cox, but it would help if you can place it at the feet of Mr Forster rather than ten yards in front of him............

 

[Elder for England]

And alright at Crewe, Northampton and Southend (apparently - as I didn't go to Root's Hall this year); also created our only chance (for Forster) from open play against Bristol Rovers before the hoofing started.
More seriously, I don't think the generally poor, unimaginative and ponderously slow distribution from our defence at Withdean helps a midfield that's clearly struggling anyway and our wide players in particular.

No I don't think he was particularly great in any of those games (cannot comment on the Northampton game), I'm not denying he may do a couple of things, but for most of the game he disapears and doesn't have much of an impact.

 

[Elder for England]

Are people actually suggesting we drop the guy who set up the only goal we did manage to score against Scunthorpe?

Just checking.

Yes. Because setting up one goal = fantastic player that doesn't deserve to be dropped.

 

[Withdean Wanderer]

Are people actually suggesting we drop the guy who set up the only goal we did manage to score against Scunthorpe?

Just checking.

The ONLY thing he's done this season.


It must be Loft, Loft Loft...

 

[Braders]

not many people are going to agree BUT he has done alright when he has played so far this season , he could well be the answer

 

[Alex Alex Dawson oo! oo!]

Yes, he gives the ball away FAR TOO OFTEN for my liking.

You might think that was a defence splitting pass Mr Cox, but it would help if you can place it at the feet of Mr Forster rather than ten yards in front of him............

1) Isn't that an observation that could be made about most of the team in the league at Withdean? Our ball retention is poor.
2) Bristol Rovers - 5 minutes into the first half springs to mind.

 

[Mendoza]

If there is nowhere to hide in the middle than Thomson and Virgo must be experts at it cos they seem to manage it...

its not hiding, it is standing out as playing RUBBISH. The game passes them by and they look like awful players.

At least Loft goes looking for the ball off other players, and makes them play short passes to him, instead of them humping it forward