Naby Keita

[Assassin]

This is the bit we do not know yet. Will be good business in football terms if we use the money to bring in some real quality to the first team.


Don't think he vanished more than some of our other players in physical games though. Would argue that larger more robust players like Henderson did far better jobs of hiding in physical games than Coutinho did.

The Hendo reference is true. In physical midfield battles we miss out, coutinho was the main offender but he was deffo not alone

[Assassin]

Yeah I did caveat that I was boring myself. The good business as has been pointed out only something we'll know in a year or so. If we don't end up with fourth expect more tiresome posts on Phil.

[Assassin]

I've banned myself from swearing until we sign an attacker.

Not sure you could hold out that long

[Chris]

Not sure you could hold out that long

Would be a nightmare if that lasted till the summer! I don't fancy my chances if we get screwed over by a bent ref later either.

[Doc_Piptorious]

The Hendo reference is true. In physical midfield battles we miss out, coutinho was the main offender but he was deffo not alone

To be fair, I would not be expecting a small attacking player to be able to match the bigger central midfielders when games got physical but Coutinho's defensive stats for us this season in the league are only slightly behind those of Henderson despite Henderson often playing in the deeper more defensive role.


Not that Henderson is alone amongst our midfielders when it comes to poor defensive stats.


Coutinho averaged 1.2 tackles per game and 0.7 interceptions.


Henderson averages 1.8 tackles and 0.9 interceptions.


Wijnaldum is the worst of the lot in defensive terms with 0.7 tackles and 0.8 interceptions.



Can is the only one that comes close to being able to handle the physical side of things with an average of 2.7 tackles per game and 1.3 interceptions.




But unlike the others, Coutinho could turn a physical game with a moment of attacking magic whereas you would be waiting a long time between such moments from the other three.


Thankfully Keita offers the best of both worlds with great defensive output and good attacking output.

[labourRed]

That midfield is going to make for grim watching if it isn't added to in the next month.

[Doc_Piptorious]

That midfield is going to make for grim watching if it isn't added to in the next month.

Will be grim to watch at times, but still expect us to grind out results with it.


Would be fantastic if we added some real quality in the next couple of weeks, but even without that addition or additions there still should be no excuses for our squad as it is to not be pushing for a CL slot and a cup.


Our midfielders should have it made clear to them that they are now playing to show that they can step up or else they can look forward to being squad players for us or first teamers for the West Hams and Stokes of the league next season

[SB]

That midfield is going to make for grim watching if it isn't added to in the next month.

Not so grim today though was it. Long may it last like this.

[baitman]

Not so grim today though was it. Long may it last like this.

hard to see milner or lallana making much of an impact as subs. we really need someone in the middle.

[SB]

hard to see milner or lallana making much of an impact as subs. we really need someone in the middle.

I agree about Milner in a tough match like this but Lallana will be fine if he’s over the injuries. He looked lively when he came on , which is what you’d hope for.

[Kenneth]

[Rigadon]

That midfield is going to make for grim watching if it isn't added to in the next month.

Midfield has been a problem for a long time. We have players capable of one good game in five, but it’s not good enough

[Fierce]

That midfield is going to make for grim watching if it isn't added to in the next month.

[Rich]

Dear lord! Unbeaten in what 18?! With a **** keeper and **** midfield. How do we do it

[dom9]

Midfield has been a problem for a long time. We have players capable of one good game in five, but it’s not good enough

The midfield has been a problem for a long time.

The defence has been a problem for a long time.

The goalkeepers have been a problem for a long time.

The strength of the subs bench has been a problem for a long time.

And yet we're joint second place (until this evening).

Start of the season was pretty frustrating. Since then we've basically been flying.