Stephens
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Machiavelli
Well-known member
Not quite as obvious as how long we continue to avoid defeat.
Blue Valkyrie
Not seen such Bravery!
Well I wasn't being serious, it's just that it is often repeated on NSC that we should sign O'Hara, and Jed Wallace.
aolstudios
Well-known member
I think you might see Holla rather than Once in that line up?
Behind Enemy Lines
Well-known member
If Stephen's is not fit we should play JFC. One of the few players who can pick a pass and in-form. Otherwise very little creativity in the side.
Marshy
Well-known member
If Stephens is not fit I dont mind who we go with as long as its not Crofts.
Ince or JFC have to be ahead of him, what is the point of them being at our club otherwise.
They are already as good as Crofts if not better and will only improve the more games they get.
We have to look forward with our younger players, if Crofts was significantly better I would go with him, but he simply isnt.
Ince or JFC have to be ahead of him, what is the point of them being at our club otherwise.
They are already as good as Crofts if not better and will only improve the more games they get.
We have to look forward with our younger players, if Crofts was significantly better I would go with him, but he simply isnt.
Machiavelli
Well-known member
Ince only starts Once this season then?
I'm not confident JFC can play in a 4-4-2. Do we change our system to accommodate him. Holla & JFC provide the creativity that Ince & Crofts just don't have but both of them need to be in a three man midfield rather than a two I believe.
Withdean11
Well-known member
I think the harsh reality is, we have not got a player who can slot in for Stephens/Kayal without seriously weakening us. Ince/Crofts showed on Saturday that they are just not up to it. It was like watching us last season. I would like to see some movement in this area in January. I know Sam Morsy from Chesterfield was looked at. Could we go back for him?
Sweeney Todd
New member
I would not write off Crofts. It was not long ago that he offered our main goal threat from midfield. It remains to be seen how badly his two injuries have affected his game.
As for JFC, I cannot fathom how or why the dynamic attack-minded midfielder that once he was has been turned into a sideways-passing plodder. Surely, the instinct to attack is still in him. However, if the change in his game is terminal then he can still do a job holding the midfield from a deeper position. Perhaps he and Kayal could interchange, alternately attacking and dropping deep.
As for JFC, I cannot fathom how or why the dynamic attack-minded midfielder that once he was has been turned into a sideways-passing plodder. Surely, the instinct to attack is still in him. However, if the change in his game is terminal then he can still do a job holding the midfield from a deeper position. Perhaps he and Kayal could interchange, alternately attacking and dropping deep.
Judging by the pass to LuaLua leading to the penalty at Fulham, I'd suggest it's not terminal.
This does seem to be the case and you are right about keeping the opposition guessing but it's very frustrating for fans who want to know. I suppose results are what matter though and if secrecy helps......
I think a Crofts playing alongside Kayal will be a very different player to a Crofts playing alongside Ince.
...and when I say different, I mean better. Much better.
Withdean11
Well-known member
I hope you are right but his passing was woeful on Saturday. He has just came back from a long lay off so i suppose we can expect some rust.
durrington gull
Well-known member
It would be a damning indictment if we had to get a midfielder in on loan when we have JFC, Ince, Holla and Crofts!!!
Why ?
Don't you want to see your team have perhaps better players in their line up than all of them are ?
Blue Valkyrie
Not seen such Bravery!
Yes, you are right, but...
Crofts is in the last year of his contract and may not be given another one.
Ince, and JFC are still young and ( hopefully ) will get better.
So the only indictment would really be on Holla, who being 6th choice is halfway out of the door anyway.
I certainly would. I think what durrington gull is getting at is more the, ahem, "quality" in that position that CH inherited. Of those named JFC is getting some much needed game time at the DINS in a position that suits him better than the deep one Sami played him in, Crofts is really an off the bench option since his two injuries. Ince is best at sitting in at CDM and Holla just isn't anywhere near good enough. If we're going to go up then upgrades on as many as possible of these will be needed as Preston showed on Saturday,