Will the last fit midfielder please stand up

[Jezybee]

After the Wolves game looks like Damsgaard (went off with a knee? injury & heavily strapped for last month) and Jensen (repeatedly flexing his groin / hip in the last 5mins) could join Janelt in the treatment room.

Leaves Henderson and Yarmoliuk as the midfield options. Tough time to be picking up a number of injuries and hard to see how we line up at Leeds if both the Danes are out.

Lewis-Potter into midfield and Ajer at left back? 4-2-4 all out attack? Other?

Hoping can get a few back after the international break

 

[Poolieboydave]

Definitely needed its own thread….

 

[Gee Bee]

After the Wolves game looks like Damsgaard (went off with a knee? injury & heavily strapped for last month) and Jensen (repeatedly flexing his groin / hip in the last 5mins) could join Janelt in the treatment room.

Leaves Henderson and Yarmoliuk as the midfield options. Tough time to be picking up a number of injuries and hard to see how we line up at Leeds if both the Danes are out.

Lewis-Potter into midfield and Ajer at left back? 4-2-4 all out attack? Other?

Hoping can get a few back after the international break

With such limited options it’ll have to be 3 4 3

 

[middlesexbee]

Paying the price for a thin January window..

 

[rebus]

Paying the price for a thin January window..

We’re overloaded with midfielders. Can’t buy just in case of an injury crisis.

 

[condorman]

I don’t think we are overloaded given we play three minimum every game and have sometimes played 4 in the 4-2–2 (and we know Milambo is out for season)

It only took an injury to Janelt to mean Hendo, Yarm, Jensen and Dams were having to play 3x90 minute or more between them every fixture, and Dams has been carrying a knock.

Letting Konak, Paris and Tank all go out in Jan was a body too far. All for different reasons reasons, all understandable individually but collectively one too many. (Brierly already out on loan too)

And we certainly don’t want to be rushing JDS into anything

 

[seanrs]

I don’t think we are overloaded given we play three minimum every game and have sometimes played 4 in the 4-2–2 (and we know Milambo is out for season)

It only took an injury to Janelt to mean Hendo, Yarm, Jensen and Dams were having to play 3x90 minute or more between them every fixture, and Dams has been carrying a knock.

Letting Konak, Paris and Tank all go out in Jan was a body too far. All for different reasons reasons, all understandable individually but collectively one too many. (Brierly already out on loan too)

And we certainly don’t want to be rushing JDS into anything

Hindsight is a fine thing but we probably did let one too many midfielders go out in January. Even if the 3 players you mention aren’t in our long term plans or aren’t ready, it has left us short. Hopefully the international break will assist with recoveries

 

[rebus]

I don’t think we are overloaded given we play three minimum every game and have sometimes played 4 in the 4-2–2 (and we know Milambo is out for season)

It only took an injury to Janelt to mean Hendo, Yarm, Jensen and Dams were having to play 3x90 minute or more between them every fixture, and Dams has been carrying a knock.

Letting Konak, Paris and Tank all go out in Jan was a body too far. All for different reasons reasons, all understandable individually but collectively one too many. (Brierly already out on loan too)

And we certainly don’t want to be rushing JDS into anything

Harry hindsight is always correct. None of the three you mention that left are good enough.

 

[Untouchable]

We’re overloaded with midfielders. Can’t buy just in case of an injury crisis.

I’m honestly struggling to see this.

Another quality midfielder would have been my one big hope for the January window.

 

[rebus]

I’m honestly struggling to see this.

Another quality midfielder would have been my one big hope for the January window.

Janelt was our midfielder signing.

 

[GABS]

Another quality midfielder would have been my one big hope for the January window.

Then he would have got injured, then we should have bought more midfielders, then... etc etc

 

[aslan]

I’m honestly struggling to see this.

Another quality midfielder would have been my one big hope for the January window.

Milambo, Carvalho, JDS, Janelt all out. A 6 to fill the gap between Janelt and Konak would've been nice, mind

 

[Rob-BEE]

It does feel like we've been a bit complacent. I suppose it's a challenge for every club: getting the balance right between squad depth and ensuring players get minutes and young players develop. At least we only have 1 game between now and 11th April, so hopefully we'll have more players fit by then!

 

[CattedownBee]

Didn’t we try to go for veerman in the summer? That would suggest we thought we might need one more in the door

 

[seanrs]

It does feel like we've been a bit complacent. I suppose it's a challenge for every club: getting the balance right between squad depth and ensuring players get minutes and young players develop. At least we only have 1 game between now and 11th April, so hopefully we'll have more players fit by then!

I think you’ve hit the nail on the head re getting the balance right between squad depth and ensuring players get minutes/develop and there is a fine line between the two. You can’t eradicate the risk of injuries but we do now have a midfield issue.

Personally, I was surprised we loaned Konak out as I thought he had some impressive cameos last season. Whether an injury at the start of this season pushed back his progress, maybe? I know he hasn’t set the world alight at Oxford but often young players play better with better players alongside them.

Not sure how far off being ‘ready’ Luka Bentt is but if injuries grow, maybe we are about to find out

 

[JANORAK]

‘Old skool Managers’ always banged on about ‘fresh legs in midfield’, and ‘having a reset’ when making weird selections (to us mere punters) in the spring. It seems we currently don’t have the available personnel to do either, at the start, or during games.
The International Break can’t come soon enough for our midfield. Will they ‘cry off’ though? More games if they’re trying to cement a place in their country’s squad…

 

[Gawain]

The International Break can’t come soon enough for our midfield. Will they ‘cry off’ though? More games if they’re trying to cement a place in their country’s squad…

Denmark play North Macedonia at home on 26 March in a competitive WCQ, then either Czechia or ROI on 31 March (competitive if they beat NM, friendly if they don't).

If Damsgaard is fit, I expect he'll start, but if not, probably Jensen.

 

[Gee Bee]

Denmark play North Macedonia at home on 26 March in a competitive WCQ, then either Czechia or ROI on 31 March (competitive if they beat NM, friendly if they don't).

If Damsgaard is fit, I expect he'll start, but if not, probably Jensen.

Is Jensen ever in squad these days

 

[shepperton bee]

Time to press the emergency button in a big fanfare of ‘we’re signing an experienced Premier league midfielder’…..send for Bob Booker

 

[Gawain]

Is Jensen ever in squad these days

Now you mention it, while Damsgaard is a regular starter these days, Jensen hasn't even been making the bench. Which considering his form this season, seems bloody strange to me and all the more so when Matt O'Riley gets a squad place. (O'Riley was sent out to Marseilles on loan in the summer, but was sent back to BHA in February, where he's struggling to get game time.)

 

[Wouldbee]

There is no club that can legislate for multiple injuries in one on field position whilst still remaining at their tip top best as a team.
Thats football.
And how do you entice a possible no6 to join as a first team contender when you've already got Dams, Hendo, Janelt , Yarms......etc etc.
The answer to that is you can but they have to be Konak shaped ie still too fresh to jump into the first team.
Thats our model.

 

[condorman]

Harry hindsight is always correct. None of the three you mention that left are good enough.

Good enough to allow some squad rotation.

 

[bexleybee]

If you're asking them to stand up, can you ask them to do it slowly and carefully please

 

[nick logan]

Any news on Matty ?

 

[maddogging]

Any news on Matty ?

Admin got him coming into training this morning

 

[bexleybee]

Did nobody see Thiago's goal this week? Route one. We don't need a midfield

 

[Boston Bee]

Did nobody see Thiago's goal this week? Route one. We don't need a midfield

The old WM formation? On his head, Nigel! Small boys in the park...jumpers for goalposts. Marvelous.

 

[bexleybee]

Can Zanka play midfield?

 

[magicbees]

Collins has played Midfield for Ireland, YY for Dams and Ajer for Collins. Injuries have sudderly hit us. Maybe in hindsight we should have bought in a midfielder or not let Frank leave for Coventry. However much I would love Brentford to get into Europe, I dont want it to affect our status in the Premier league next season.

 

[sacbfc]

I think you’ve hit the nail on the head re getting the balance right between squad depth and ensuring players get minutes/develop and there is a fine line between the two. You can’t eradicate the risk of injuries but we do now have a midfield issue.

Personally, I was surprised we loaned Konak out as I thought he had some impressive cameos last season. Whether an injury at the start of this season pushed back his progress, maybe? I know he hasn’t set the world alight at Oxford but often young players play better with better players alongside them.

Not sure how far off being ‘ready’ Luka Bentt is but if injuries grow, maybe we are about to find out

I thoroughly agree!! In January, it was obvious that we should have kept Konak as cover for injuries.

 

[jlove]

I thoroughly agree!! In January, it was obvious that we should have kept Konak as cover for injuries.

Well observed, Captain Hindsight…

 

[middlesexbee]

We’re overloaded with midfielders. Can’t buy just in case of an injury crisis.

You still standing by this, mate? You do speak a lot (more than some) of sense on here but I think youre miles off the mark on this. It has been coming for weeks and I think injuries in our best XI compounding was inevitable once we lost Vitalty. It is just unacceptable that we didnt provision for this in January and have maybe three reliable first team 'quality' options on the bench tonight and the rest are B team. In a European push. It feels as if we are scraping it through to the intl break.

 

[middlesexbee]

^ and mind this is about general squad depth, not just midfielders.

 

[seanrs]

I thoroughly agree!! In January, it was obvious that we should have kept Konak as cover for injuries.

I know that it’s my post you agreed with but I would caveat what I said with hindsight is a fine thing on the injury front. Also very rare for us to make the mistake of ‘over loaning out’

 

[rebus]

You still standing by this, mate? You do speak a lot (more than some) of sense on here but I think youre miles off the mark on this. It has been coming for weeks and I think injuries in our best XI compounding was inevitable once we lost Vitalty. It is just unacceptable that we didnt provision for this in January and have maybe three reliable first team 'quality' options on the bench tonight and the rest are B team. In a European push. It feels as if we are scraping it through to the intl break.

Yes.

 

[aslan]

You still standing by this, mate? You do speak a lot (more than some) of sense on here but I think youre miles off the mark on this. It has been coming for weeks and I think injuries in our best XI compounding was inevitable once we lost Vitalty. It is just unacceptable that we didnt provision for this in January and have maybe three reliable first team 'quality' options on the bench tonight and the rest are B team. In a European push. It feels as if we are scraping it through to the intl break.

Another week, another point gained on Liverpool and Chelsea

 

[CTBee]

Squad depth is non existent right now, hopefully get some players back after the 3 week break.

 

[ruislip bee]

Squad depth is non existent right now, hopefully get some players back after the 3 week break.

Hope to get a couple our of the repair shop.

 

[badgerbee]

Trouble is, aren't we only realistically just hoping for Damsgaard to be added for the next game??

 

[Les Beeavinu]

Trouble is, aren't we only realistically just hoping for Damsgaard to be added for the next game??

Vitaly will be close.

 

[badgerbee]

Vitaly will be close.

Thought VJ was gonna be longer than that? But
And that we don't lose any others.....

 

[wokinghambee]

Another week, another point gained on Liverpool and Chelsea

Not unrealistic to have expected 4 points out of 6 over the past two games.

 

[aslan]

Not unrealistic to have expected 4 points out of 6 over the past two games.

Maybe, maybe not. It definitely is pessimistic to be downbeat about us getting closer to Liverpool and Chelsea though

 

[wokinghambee]

Maybe, maybe not. It definitely is pessimistic to be downbeat about us getting closer to Liverpool and Chelsea though

I am not downbeat at all. To be in 7th place with seven games to go is fantastic. Especially after all the relegation talk in the media and from opposition supporters last summer.
However, we could and should be closer to Liverpool and Chelsea now had we taken 3 points from the Wolves game. Overall very happy but still bloody frustrated with last Monday.

 

[badgerbee]

I am not downbeat at all. To be in 7th place with seven games to go is fantastic. Especially after all the relegation talk in the media and from opposition supporters last summer.
However, we could and should be closer to Liverpool and Chelsea now had we taken 3 points from the Wolves game. Overall very happy but still bloody frustrated with last Monday.

Understand what you're saying, but if you bemoan recent "dropped points", youve gotta balance that up against the (surprising?) 6 points we took off Villa and Newcastle away havent you??

 

[Baubaul]

This break couldn’t come at a better time for some injuries recovery.

Everton and Fulham games are massive

 

[Hippobee]

Understand what you're saying, but if you bemoan recent "dropped points", youve gotta balance that up against the (surprising?) 6 points we took off Villa and Newcastle away havent you??

Absolutely true.

But given recent Liverpool and Chelsea results, I think a few weeks ago, we would have expected to have caught them given recent games against Bournemouth, Wolves and Leeds. We got 3 points. I reckon we'd have been optimistic of 6 or 7.

Despite the gap just being 3-4 points now, the more 'winnable' games on paper are getting fewer and fewer. The 'form table' for the last 10 games puts us in the bottom half of the table.

There's no doubt we need Damsgaard and Janelt back for the majority of those games. If we could create nothing against Leeds, the away games against Man C, Man U and Liverpool won't result in points. Everton now bang in form. That and Fulham are a must win now if we want to be in with a shout if 5th.

5th. Unbelievable isn't it? But there will never be a better chance.

 

[Untouchable]

The 'form table' for the last 10 games puts us in the bottom half of the table.

Over the last 10 matches, only 1 point separates Liverpool, Brighton, Fulham, Bees and Newcastle in the form table.

Everything we want to achieve is in our own hands.

 

[BURFORD BEE]

Not unrealistic to have expected 4 points out of 6 over the past two games.

It is when you look at how many players are actually available. Take a look at the bench last night.

 

[rebus]

Not unrealistic to have expected 4 points out of 6 over the past two games.

I don’t think you can expect that in the premier league. We have been truly spoilt in the past five years.