Best midfield option

[Joes Sweet Left Foot]

Given the fact we seem to be well-endowed with midfielders, at least nine spring to mind;- Grimes, McGuchan, JJOT, Foley, Kasim, Bowditch, Poole, McWilliams, and Crooks, I wonder what most folks see as our best balanced midfield.

Imagine for a minute that JH decides to play 4-3-3 and has to choose just 3 midfielders from that lot, so as to play for sake of argument Richards, Long and Hoskins/Powell up front, which combination gives us the best balance.

For me the best combination of energy, strength, tenacity and creativity would be McWilliams, JJOT and Grimes.  Poole, Crooks and McGuchan would all be 2nd choice, and Bowditch, Kasim and Foley 3rd choice.

Which midfield combination would other people choose?

[Moocher]

I'd try the 3 you suggest in midfield.
Poole centre half with Taylor
Mcguchan and Crooks behind the centre forward (probably Richards)

[everbrite]

Given the fact we seem to be well-endowed with midfielders, at least nine spring to mind;- Grimes, McGuchan, JJOT, Foley, Kasim, Bowditch, Poole, McWilliams, and Crooks, I wonder what most folks see as our best balanced midfield.

Imagine for a minute that JH decides to play 4-3-3 and has to choose just 3 midfielders from that lot, so as to play for sake of argument Richards, Long and Hoskins/Powell up front, which combination gives us the best balance.

For me the best combination of energy, strength, tenacity and creativity would be McWilliams, JJOT and Grimes.  Poole, Crooks and McGuchan would all be 2nd choice, and Bowditch, Kasim and Foley 3rd choice.

Which midfield combination would other people choose?

I agree with your selection , but where I find it difficult to assess the capabilities of above trio is that the trio selected v Skun Cup second half did ok! In fact better than the midfield on Tuesday and part last Saturday. Perhaps the trio selected for the Cup are more effective as a unit than their more illustrious team mates? No wonder JFH tinkers around.

[threeinabed]

Given the fact we seem to be well-endowed with midfielders, at least nine spring to mind;- Grimes, McGuchan, JJOT, Foley, Kasim, Bowditch, Poole, McWilliams, and Crooks, I wonder what most folks see as our best balanced midfield.

Imagine for a minute that JH decides to play 4-3-3 and has to choose just 3 midfielders from that lot, so as to play for sake of argument Richards, Long and Hoskins/Powell up front, which combination gives us the best balance.

For me the best combination of energy, strength, tenacity and creativity would be McWilliams, JJOT and Grimes.  Poole, Crooks and McGuchan would all be 2nd choice, and Bowditch, Kasim and Foley 3rd choice.

Which midfield combination would other people choose?

i'd be more concerned with that terrible front 3

[everbrite]

i'd be more concerned with that terrible front 3

Who wouldn't be!

For me _:

l to r
Ingram

Smith - Poole - Taylor - Mahoney
   Grimes   - JJOT -  McWilliams

             McCugan or Crooks

             Powell      Long
 
 

[Wolvo]

i'd be more concerned with that terrible front 3

That's the thing. We will not see the best from our talented central midfielders until we sort out our forwards. I really hope our recruitment team pull a full gems out in (early) January. We need two wingers and a striker at a minimum.

[everbrite]

That's the thing. We will not see the best from our talented central midfielders until we sort out our forwards. I really hope our recruitment team pull a full gems out in (early) January. We need two wingers and a striker at a minimum.

Possibly only one winger as Powell appears to be coming good. We may need another midfielder!! a la JJOT.

[guest3063]

I agree with your selection , but where I find it difficult to assess the capabilities of above trio is that the trio selected v Skun Cup second half did ok! In fact better than the midfield on Tuesday and part last Saturday. Perhaps the trio selected for the Cup are more effective as a unit than their more illustrious team mates? No wonder JFH tinkers around.

Don't you dare suggest he tinkers!

[guest2487]

I'd probably agree with the midfield of McWilliams, JJOT and Grimes.

[Coolcat]

That's the thing. We will not see the best from our talented central midfielders until we sort out our forwards. I really hope our recruitment team pull a full gems out in (early) January. We need two wingers and a striker at a minimum.

Maybe, but just a short time ago, the very opposite was being said - that the forwards are not getting any service from our midfield...thus no goals!
Still would prefer Crooks there, and does have the ability to push up...kinda seen at Plymouth on Tue.

[guest2677]

I'd try the 3 you suggest in midfield.
Poole centre half with Taylor
Mcguchan and Crooks behind the centre forward (probably Richards)

I like your thinking.

[606 Parklands_Cobbler]

Anybody want to put a bet on how long it will take for someone to spell Lewis' name right?

[guest2677]

McMeister?

[guest2677]

That's not right is it?
We already have Shaun senior and Cameron junior Mcmeister.
Lewmeister then.

[guest2995]

I think each one of us has picked a different combination and each one has failed .
Oxford was a one off because of how they set up at home .
We need a combination of pace , guile and legs .
The main thing is , those that are selected have to perform .

[WadeyCobbler]

We've got too many central midfielders and not enough wide players or strikers ( except the two out on loan who clearly aren't going to get a look in) to come up with a combination that will work effectively and consistently. JFH changes it so often because he can. If we had a smaller pool to choose from it might be more consistent.

[threeinabed]

ingram

poole
taylor
pierre

mcwilliams
crooks
JJOT
Smith

grimes
mcgugan

long

[Gaston]

I would like it to be Crooks, JJOT & McWilliams. I would use Poole whilst JJOT is injured. We have no natural width at the moment. Play to our strengths.

[guest3103]

I wouldn't consider Poole or Crooks for my centre midfield, just McWilliams, Grimes and JJOT if everyone's fit. Try and get rid of Kasim and Foley in the window and bring a ballwinner in. I'm not sure about McGugan, maybe back up for Grimes or a false nine role.

It pains me to say but perhaps Jimmy should have a go at playing the 3-5-2 until the transfer window and try to get more out of them than Edinburgh did with wing backs.

                                     Ingram
           
                      Taylor    Poole      Barnett

Moloney                                                    Smith

                  McWilliams    JJOT    Grimes   


                           Long          Waters
               

[guest2995]

I think we learnt a few things yesterday .
Only Grimes ( always wants the ball ) and Crooks ( when he can be bothered ) show any movement at all .
Playing McWilliams wide doesn’t work unless we are protecting a lead , Bowditch offers very little and Poole isn’t as good as McWilliams in the middle in my opinion .
It might be time to play Crooks centrally but further forward .
How many times can this pack be shuffled ?