Spine of the team

One Teddy Maybank · Nov 9, 2014

Was having a discussion yesterday about the spine of our team, and how weak it is in terms of ability and 'leaders'.

Comparing those of years gone by and more recently, I think it is apparent that currently, it is considerably weaker.

Examples:

1979/80 - Moseley - Foster/Rollings - Horton - Ward

Poyet League 1 - Casper - Greer - Kishishev/Bridcutt - Murray

Poyet Play-Off - Kuszczak - Greer - Bridcutt - Ulloa

Garcia Play-Off - Kuszczak - Greer - Andrews/Ince/JFC - Ulloa

Current: Stockdale - Greer - JFC/Holla/Ince - BaldockDi

To me, in comparison we look considerably weaker currently than previous years.

spence · Nov 9, 2014

I would say Stephens will be our key midfielder when fit.

One Teddy Maybank · Nov 9, 2014

spence said:
I would say Stephens will be our key midfielder when fit.

But do you think he'll be central or more right sided? Just thinking about the spine.

spence · Nov 9, 2014

Central. Sitting in front of the back four

One Teddy Maybank · Nov 9, 2014

Fair enough. I think we need him as well, midfield is a real problem.

Deleted member 2719 · Nov 9, 2014

I also have thought we have a weak spine in players ability and leaders. Greer is exposed in this system as he is used to picking up the scraps IMO he is a excellent sweeper but very average at anything else.
Bridcutt and ulloa are massively missed. Having said that I believe jfc and ince will keep improving after all they have only just started shaving. I agree that Stephens is missed and the sooner he gets back the better.

BensGrandad · Nov 9, 2014

Many years ago Brian Clough said about this and said a successful team needs a good keeper centre back and striker. We have 1 of them at the moment with Walton as a potential 2nd.

Deleted member 2719 · Nov 9, 2014

BensGrandad said:
Many years ago Brian Clough said about this and said a successful team needs a good keeper centre back and striker. We have 1 of them at the moment with Walton as a potential 2nd.

Who are you suggesting is the chosen one?

BensGrandad · Nov 9, 2014

Dunk is the centre back of quality that we have. Walton is potentially, if we can keep him, is the keeper. We sadly lack the rest as we have bought inferior playes to replace good players like Ulloa.

Brighton TID · Nov 9, 2014

On paper, yesterdays team looked decent, with the 3 in midfield whose tactical roles should have been: Ince holding, Jake and Gardner ball winners feeding the front 3 and making late runs to the box.
The problem as I saw it was that Jake and gardner were too deep and couldn't make the runs into the box to support the attack. Need to adjust this balance and kick on accordingly.

Pavilionaire · Nov 9, 2014

I agree that it's in the striker department we are lacking but a spine that start Walton - Dunk - Ince looks good to me.

One Teddy Maybank · Nov 9, 2014

BensGrandad said:
Many years ago Brian Clough said about this and said a successful team needs a good keeper centre back and striker. We have 1 of them at the moment with Walton as a potential 2nd.

That's exactly what prompted yesterday's discussion, the Clough Forest team.

Spine of.... Shilton, Lloyd, Gemmill/McGovern, Woodcock/Francis/Withe

Goldstone Rapper · Nov 9, 2014

The core of the team in 1979/80 was very strong:

Defence: Suddaby + Foster

Midfield: Lawrenson + Horton

We don't have that solidity and strength nowadays.

Napier's Knee · Nov 9, 2014

Kuipers - Cullipp - Zamora

Deleted member 2719 · Nov 9, 2014

BensGrandad said:
Dunk is the centre back of quality that we have. Walton is potentially, if we can keep him, is the keeper. We sadly lack the rest as we have bought inferior playes to replace good players like Ulloa.

Ah that's what I was hoping you were suggesting for the strong CB.
Just checking!

Diablo · Nov 9, 2014

Solly March..... will he be back soon...not the total saviour...but he looked good last season.

Deleted member 2719 · Nov 9, 2014

Goldstone Rapper said:
The core of the team in 1979/80 was very strong:

Defence: Suddaby + Foster

Midfield: Lawrenson + Horton

We don't have that solidity and strength nowadays.

That's true you could say spineless!

dazzer6666 · Nov 9, 2014

What's happened to Holla ? He started so well.........

perseus · Nov 9, 2014

We used to have a midfielder who was astute like Brian Horton, Alan Curbishley, Danny Wilson who went on to become Managers in their own right.

I had an inkling we would miss Liam Bridcutt as despite his lack of physical attributes he had the intelligence to make up for it.

I would have thought the nearest we have got now is Gordon Greer.

GT49er · Nov 9, 2014

March and Stephens still predictably getting better and better as long as they're not playing. Another three months on the sidelines and they should be world class.

......until they start playing in this team.

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