The Hotel End

It’s struck me over the course of this season that we are completely missing a midfield general in the middle of the pitch, someone who can take charge and actually shout orders and get people into position.

Never was that more evident than last night’s woeful first half display and I was left wondering whether that type of player is just getting harder and harder to find or whether JFH  just doesn’t want a player like that in his side when he can instead wave his arms around on the side to get players to do what he wants them to do.

I wonder if McWilliams might evolve into someone like this but if he’s not playing then it’ll obviously be impossible to say! JFH seems to be from the Arsene Wenger school of thought in recent years – buying individuals for midfield positions rather than thinking of how they will actually work as a unit.

We need that unsung hero, scrappy, bruiser, especially for the relegation battle we’re in (though from last night you’d never tell we were in one based on some performances)
So, is it a dying art or is Jimmy just not interested in that type?

We have absolutely got to get McWilliams in the centre of midfield. We can't rely on Grimes being a centre midfielder as he doesn't offer enough battling work. Yes he can pick a pass and has a bit of skill but he needs to be freed up and allowed to play.

Last time we were in a relegation scrap in L2 we signed players like Ravenhill, Robertson, Diamond etc. Jason Taylor followed when we were struggling in 14/15. These are unglamourous but gritty players who know how to do the dirty/ugly side of the game.

JFH has recruited some excellent footballers, and we have a highly talented squad. However we've got very little spine and real edge to us.

   page got rid of Jason Taylor and Creswel  these  have never been replaced. very poor move

And both have been non league ever since. Don't think either would have performed particularly well at all in this league.

Quite right.

I was citing those players as examples of "horses for courses" for the circumstances we found ourselves in at the time. Neither are anywhere near L1 standard.

Can he ??  I can’t remember the last incisive pass he made .. he has a genuine vision when kicking for touch however

Did you miss last night? If so, he picked out Taylor for our only goal of the game.

Ok fair play I would argue he didn’t pick him out more miss the first man for the first time in an eternity.  Nothing McWilliams or Foley couldn’t do and they can tackle

Grimes is a really good player in my opinion, just needs a bit more confidence and benefits from having someone with more physicality alongside him to break up play/drive the team forwards.

He's also on 9 yellow cards.

O’Toole played next to him last night he’s the best in the business at both of these things yet Grimes was still mining

That's simply not true Stag. Grimes' set pieces have inmproved considerably recently. Re McWilliams and  Foley I've never seen either take a free kick (or any other set piece for that matter) and I dare say you haven't either, so I don't think you can compare.

I think you are being generous frankly Stag. it was no more than a wedge towards the penalty spot from about thirty yards. Something that I'd hope every player in the squad would be able to execute.