BensGrandad
New member
The answer to the OP question is yes with an obvious reason why which doesnt need me to explain.
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[Albion] Has our midfield gone AWOL?
- Thread starter Doc Lynam
- Start date
Lifelong Supporter
Well-known member
Playing two wingers is too much of a luxury, certainly away from home. We should have an extra midfielder and expect our full backs to get forward more. Unfortunately they are rather limited. If say we had a quality player like Wayne Bridge in action things could be different.
Weststander
Well-known member
It was madness to release Rohan Ince.
BensGrandad
New member
The same one who was not signed by a league club even in Div 2./
portslade seagull
Well-known member
Just to have one attacking midfielder would be great. Operation defence puts paid to that
Weststander
Well-known member
I was only being silly.
BensGrandad
New member
So was I as many still rave about him, mainly in Bury.
Weststander
Well-known member
He looked really good for us for a short while, but then lost it all.
BensGrandad
New member
I would suggest that the number of games that he played well in you could count on 1 hand but I dont wish to get involved in an argument about him as I believe that we have bigger problems until Gross Propper and Stephens are all back playing to their best level and together.
Cowfold Seagull
Fan of the 17 bus
Lololol. Sorry l dont mean to laught at all, in fact l'm inclined to agree with what you say. It's simply that the vast majority of posters on here, seem to be of the view that we aren't nearly ambitious enough away from home.
If Bruno was a few years younger things might be very different, in the old days I seem to recall we were forever on his back for venturing too far forward and not able to recover in time when the opposing team attacked. Quite the reverse now his career is almost over..
Billy the Fish
Technocrat
Agree with all the comments about Propper and Groß. It shows that we need more depth in those positions. The last couple of seasons I've heard Bloom, Barber and Hughton all mention incremental improvements. I think next summer the midfield is due an incremental improvement, they need to find someone who does what Stephens does to break up play but is quicker and better on the ball.
Weststander
Well-known member
Agree with most of your post, except Stephens is fine. He does the Matic/Makelele/Kante DM role very well. We simply need the more advanced CM's, to possess greater creativity, speed of thought and ball retention. Clubs like Watford and Bmuff have cracked that, and even awful Hudd have Pritchard.
We're not that desperate or bad.
We just haven’t had a midfield the last few games, it’s a major problem. Hopefully now people are starting to appreciate just how good Propper is.
A number of times last season Propper had to cover for for Stephens and without Propper there now, Stephens, who has had a terrible season generally, looks even more exposed. Kayal is good but not in Propper’s class.
He’ll still be a good squad player but we do really need to find a replacement for Stephens in the starting 11 if we’re going to progress and not be in a relegation battle each season.
Gross has obviously also been a massive miss. He and Propper are comfortably our best players so it’s always going to be difficult without them.
A number of times last season Propper had to cover for for Stephens and without Propper there now, Stephens, who has had a terrible season generally, looks even more exposed. Kayal is good but not in Propper’s class.
He’ll still be a good squad player but we do really need to find a replacement for Stephens in the starting 11 if we’re going to progress and not be in a relegation battle each season.
Gross has obviously also been a massive miss. He and Propper are comfortably our best players so it’s always going to be difficult without them.
Cowfold Seagull
Fan of the 17 bus
Totally agree re Dale Stephens, does an unglamourous role really well. I'm not so sure about not having enough good attacking midfielders, I suspect he ones we have a re fine, but it's more about the way they are being asked to play.
Cowfold Seagull
Fan of the 17 bus
Sorry we will have to agree to disagree, I think Dale Stephens is the man who really makes us tick in midfield. Having a terrible season? hardly.
Well, Gross and Propper out injured, and Stephens suspended.
That would make the answer a 'yes', wouldn't it?
Cowfold Seagull
Fan of the 17 bus
Kayal the last man standing.
Step up Sanders then - NOT Bernardo, Balogun or Bruno shoe-horned into an inappropriate position, eh?