Our next evolution as a team will be getting a midfielder who can help us progress the ball. Gailbraith would likely have been a true transformational signing in that sense - and he didn't cost the earth, either.
I am pretty cool on our current midfield pairing and I recognise that goes against the tide. They both work hard and they want to win football matches, which does go a long way. It's just a matter of what else you want from your midfield at this level.
Docherty looks better in the Championship because we have less of the ball. Last year he was expected to do more in possession against teams that sat back, and that's not really in his game. For Coventry, he plays a simple game very well. But in this division, while his duel stats are improving, he's still only won 25% of his tackles, which is one of the lowest rates in the league. Still a long way to go, so hopefully that can improve. He could also work on improving his passing range.
At Luton, NJ had Dewsbury-Hall, who is a progressive player, alongside Ruddock-Mpanzu, who was much more physical than Coventry. I'd expect NJ to look to upgrade in terms of ability and power in the medium term.
Galbraith would have been brilliant, but he was also far too good a player for us to be able to sign him as a newly promoted team.
Stay up comfortably this season and we will be seen as a safer bet and be able to compete for that level of player
All I think is imagine how good we could look if we had a central midfield that had an engine, could contain the ball and pick a pass.
If you play a pressing game then the midfield can get bypassed in an instant by one long forward pass or crossball. Expecting them to be everywhere at all times is delusional so apart from QPR we’ve kept it pretty tight at the back which always had to be the priority and we’ve created lots of chances upfront which is where everyone needs to be just a bit more clinical. Suggesting our midfield doesn’t have an engine is laughable
I haven't said our midfield don't have an engine/stamina, just that they don't along with being quality on the ball. We chase shadows in the midfield mostly currently.
All I think is imagine how good we could look if we had a central midfield that had an engine, could contain the ball and pick a pass.
If you play a pressing game then the midfield can get bypassed in an instant by one long forward pass or crossball. Expecting them to be everywhere at all times is delusional so apart from QPR we’ve kept it pretty tight at the back which always had to be the priority and we’ve created lots of chances upfront which is where everyone needs to be just a bit more clinical. Suggesting our midfield doesn’t have an engine is laughable
That’s not what he’s saying, he’s saying how good the midfield would be if they were also good in possession, in addition to the engine and defensive strengths we currently have there.
But why is that only an issue for Docherty but not Coventry?
I am not excluding Coventry, I just think Coventry is the better of the two in terms of longevity and ceiling.
Coventry hasn't really impressed at all so far. Isn't anywhere near as successful in his defensive work, and barely see him with the ball. I know we aren't really a passing team, but you'd expect us to look a bit more measured in midfield.
All I think is imagine how good we could look if we had a central midfield that had an engine, could contain the ball and pick a pass.
If you play a pressing game then the midfield can get bypassed in an instant by one long forward pass or crossball. Expecting them to be everywhere at all times is delusional so apart from QPR we’ve kept it pretty tight at the back which always had to be the priority and we’ve created lots of chances upfront which is where everyone needs to be just a bit more clinical. Suggesting our midfield doesn’t have an engine is laughable
That’s not what he’s saying, he’s saying how good the midfield would be if they were also good in possession, in addition to the engine and defensive strengths we currently have there.
Like a Steven Gerrard or Scott Parker type, easy to find for 2 or 3 million quid aren't they? Consolidate this year and build again in the summer .
Quite an extreme example bringing up two of the best box to box English central midfielders in the last two decades.
Joe Aribo could do it all and he was with us and been a Championship player, same as Josh Cullen.
There are plenty of midfielders who can run about a lot but also show a bit of quality.
I'll never criticise Docherty for his workrates, he is a proper athlete and the fittest player in the squad. Just think he lacks a lot in quality, but that isn't just him, no one has showed much assertiveness in midfield for me so far this season. Definitely an area in the pitch we need to improve on in the near future.
All I think is imagine how good we could look if we had a central midfield that had an engine, could contain the ball and pick a pass.
If you play a pressing game then the midfield can get bypassed in an instant by one long forward pass or crossball. Expecting them to be everywhere at all times is delusional so apart from QPR we’ve kept it pretty tight at the back which always had to be the priority and we’ve created lots of chances upfront which is where everyone needs to be just a bit more clinical. Suggesting our midfield doesn’t have an engine is laughable
I haven't said our midfield don't have an engine/stamina, just that they don't along with being quality on the ball. We chase shadows in the midfield mostly currently.
All I think is imagine how good we could look if we had a central midfield that had an engine, could contain the ball and pick a pass.
If you play a pressing game then the midfield can get bypassed in an instant by one long forward pass or crossball. Expecting them to be everywhere at all times is delusional so apart from QPR we’ve kept it pretty tight at the back which always had to be the priority and we’ve created lots of chances upfront which is where everyone needs to be just a bit more clinical. Suggesting our midfield doesn’t have an engine is laughable
That’s not what he’s saying, he’s saying how good the midfield would be if they were also good in possession, in addition to the engine and defensive strengths we currently have there.
But why is that only an issue for Docherty but not Coventry?
I am not excluding Coventry, I just think Coventry is the better of the two in terms of longevity and ceiling.
Coventry hasn't really impressed at all so far. Isn't anywhere near as successful in his defensive work, and barely see him with the ball. I know we aren't really a passing team, but you'd expect us to look a bit more measured in midfield.
Coventry got man of the match against Leicester didn't he?
All I think is imagine how good we could look if we had a central midfield that had an engine, could contain the ball and pick a pass.
If you play a pressing game then the midfield can get bypassed in an instant by one long forward pass or crossball. Expecting them to be everywhere at all times is delusional so apart from QPR we’ve kept it pretty tight at the back which always had to be the priority and we’ve created lots of chances upfront which is where everyone needs to be just a bit more clinical. Suggesting our midfield doesn’t have an engine is laughable
That’s not what he’s saying, he’s saying how good the midfield would be if they were also good in possession, in addition to the engine and defensive strengths we currently have there.
Like a Steven Gerrard or Scott Parker type, easy to find for 2 or 3 million quid aren't they? Consolidate this year and build again in the summer .
Quite an extreme example bringing up two of the best box to box English central midfielders in the last two decades.
Joe Aribo could do it all and he was with us and been a Championship player, same as Josh Cullen.
There are plenty of midfielders who can run about a lot but also show a bit of quality.
I'll never criticise Docherty for his workrates, he is a proper athlete and the fittest player in the squad. Just think he lacks a lot in quality, but that isn't just him, no one has showed much assertiveness in midfield for me so far this season. Definitely an area in the pitch we need to improve on in the near future.
Maybe did go to extremes of type there. As you say with Aribo and Cullen, they can be found but still can be hard to unearth a diamond.
Comments
I am not excluding Coventry, I just think Coventry is the better of the two in terms of longevity and ceiling.
Coventry hasn't really impressed at all so far. Isn't anywhere near as successful in his defensive work, and barely see him with the ball. I know we aren't really a passing team, but you'd expect us to look a bit more measured in midfield.
Joe Aribo could do it all and he was with us and been a Championship player, same as Josh Cullen.
There are plenty of midfielders who can run about a lot but also show a bit of quality.
I'll never criticise Docherty for his workrates, he is a proper athlete and the fittest player in the squad. Just think he lacks a lot in quality, but that isn't just him, no one has showed much assertiveness in midfield for me so far this season. Definitely an area in the pitch we need to improve on in the near future.
Maybe did go to extremes of type there. As you say with Aribo and Cullen, they can be found but still can be hard to unearth a diamond.