We need ElAbd back in the defensive midfield role

[goldstone]

As soon as he is fit he needs to be back in that role he filled so well at the end of last season. Our midfield is just not firing on all cylinders as it is.

Who plays central midfield with him?
Livermore possibly. That's apparently his best position.
Thomson possibly. The two of them did well together last season, but my concern is that he too is a defensive midfielder.
Virgo probably not. I'm not convinced with him in that position, but playing with AEA might work.

 

[Southover Street Seagull]

As soon as he is fit he needs to be back in that role he filled so well at the end of last season. Our midfield is just not firing on all cylinders as it is.

Who plays central midfield with him?
Livermore possibly. That's apparently his best position.
Thomson possibly. The two of them did well together last season, but my concern is that he too is a defensive midfielder.
Virgo probably not. I'm not convinced with him in that position, but playing with AEA might work.

All of the players you mentioned are defensive midfielders except Virgo who isn't a midfielder at all!
We need a ball playing midfielder, and soon.

 

[Skaville]

I agree

 

[Withdean Wanderer]

Great idea, let's play ANOTHER defensive midfielder.

:

We need someone who can get forward and chip in with the odd goal/assist. El-abd (and Fraser) are NOT the answers.

 

[Icy Gull]

All of the players you mentioned are defensive midfielders except Virgo who isn't a midfielder at all!
We need a ball playing midfielder, and soon.

A decent ball winner would be a start

 

[Southover Street Seagull]

I agree

With who?

Now then, now then!

 

[BensGrandad]

When he is fit I would play him as the holding midfielder and release Thomson to go forward and play Virgo in place of Whing or Elphick who have both had a dodgy start to the season.

 

[Southover Street Seagull]

A decent ball winner would be a start

I would say that our priority is a ball playing midfielder who could work alongside either Thomson or Livermore. This would let them concentrate on winning the ball instead of one of them having to be creative, which neither of them are really.

 

[Skaville]

With who?

Now then, now then!

Regretably, Thomson at the moment. That said, Livermore might be better than El Abd there.

 

[Skaville]

Haha I presume this is a wind-up?

We've got no creativity, no passing ability, and no pace. So, with that in mind, I'd say the last thing we need is El Abd.

I rather have you and me there than Adams Virgio and Thomson.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

I would agree with BG, as far as Thomson and El-Abd is concerned. El-Abd provides a bit of grit and a sharp edge. We missed him towards the end of last season and I think he is another player that seems to be underrated. However, Virgo seems to offer a goal threat for our set pieces, so I would be inclined to include him, but where? I don't think Whing should be dropped and Virgo is behind a few at centre back.

We need to up the tempo and we need some steely determination and I think El-Abd offers both.

 

[Napper]

we need x2 CM , thomson clearly not up to it + virgs is lost. Livermore yet to prove. Need 2 x wingers as well. Midfield again looks our problem area.....again

 

[Skaville]

I would agree with BG, as far as Thomson and El-Abd is concerned. El-Abd provides a bit of grit and a sharp edge. We missed him towards the end of last season and I think he is another player that seems to be underrated. However, Virgo seems to offer a goal threat for our set pieces, so I would be inclined to include him, but where? I don't think Whing should be dropped and Virgo is behind a few at centre back.

We need to up the tempo and we need some steely determination and I think El-Abd offers both.

You can't accomodate Adams Virgo just because he is a threat at set pieces. If Joe Gatting had a long throw and was a mean penalty taker would you pick him?

 

[Skaville]

Well yes, so would I, and I don't know about you but I know how out of shape I am

I just don't think El Abd is even close to being the answer. He's got ALL the limitations that Virgo and Thomson have (poor mobility, lack of pace, no control, awful passing, no goal threat, no creative instinct) and more. I'm afraid, as has been proved over the last two seasons and four games, the answer to this huge problem is NOT currently at the club.

Agree with almost all of that, but I do think that, from what I've seen, he is the best ball winner. You have to remember that he was playing so well in that role towards the end of last season that people began to treat his injury as the end of our play off hopes.

You're right though, the answer to the midfield conundrum just isn't at the club (unless Livermore is part of the solution).

 

[BensGrandad]

Micky, Dick, and whoever it may concern, we want/need a new player NOW please

Whay happened about the Paul Iffil and Jamie Peters rumours or were they just that rumours.

 

[1066familyman]

Virgo and Fraser, and to a lesser extent Thomson are just NOTHING players. They don't really contribute anything going forward, but aren't 'ball winners' either. So, if you want to play an out and out ball winner, then maybe give El Abd a go. He won't be any worse, but he also won't be any better, and he won't solve the lack of creativity which is our major issue.

Micky, Dick, and whoever it may concern, we want/need a new player NOW please

Agreed.

 

[Kneon Light]

Virgo and Fraser, and to a lesser extent Thomson are just NOTHING players. They don't really contribute anything going forward, but aren't 'ball winners' either. So, if you want to play an out and out ball winner, then maybe give El Abd a go. He won't be any worse, but he also won't be any better, and he won't solve the lack of creativity which is our major issue.

Micky, Dick, and whoever it may concern, we want/need a new player NOW please

As the ball winning midfielder I think AEA is as good as anyone we have.
However as the more attack minded midfielder Thomson is not producing.
Can Livermore play the more creative passing role from central midfield? If so perhaps him and AEA could play together?
If not the only other attack minded midfielder we seem to have is Loft. I'd be tempted to play him on Tuesday night to be honest. At least it would give us some energy in central midfield.

However I agree that the thing we really need is a new siging in central midfield.