Igor Thiago

[jbee]

We have decent midfielders but too often they go missing.

We totally dominated Spurs and Leeds in midfield? We had one bad half. Sangare is totally new to the league and Yarmo coming back from injury.

 

[Les Beeavinu]

We have decent midfielders but too often they go missing.

So Sangare, Yarmo, Jensen, Damsgaard no good then? You just want three big units. Even Arsenal, the most physically impressive side in the EPL know they need someone like Odegaard.

 

[brooks]

So Sangare, Yarmo, Jensen, Damsgaard no good then? You just want three big units.

No. I'm saying I would like a midfield that is consistent and holds their ground. We have excellent players in their positions but so often they don't work well as a unit.

 

[Les Beeavinu]

No. I'm saying I would like a midfield that is consistent and holds their ground. We have excellent players in their positions but so often they don't work well as a unit.

Sorry, I'm not seeing that.

 

[brooks]

Sorry, I'm not seeing that.

We all see games differently. For me the problem is midfield.

 

[Les Beeavinu]

We all see games differently. For me the problem is midfield.

I wasn't aware we had a problem tbh.

 

[andyrew]

Exactly this. Hard to score when your wide men are providing the square root of f*** all

Nevermind, Malick Diouf service should be started soon.

 

[King Bee]

No. I'm saying I would like a midfield that is consistent and holds their ground. We have excellent players in their positions but so often they don't work well as a unit.

Hmm, the same midfield that dominated Eintracht and Spurs, and had Brum chasing shadows? The problem on Saturday came down our RHS, which is where Sunderland had most of their success in the first half. Sangare was covering for the gaps being exploited by Sunderland on that RHS but had to come off because he was a red card waiting to happen. Hickey, Yarmo and Anthony steadied the ship second half and we were the much better team.

 

[jlove]

No. I'm saying I would like a midfield that is consistent and holds their ground. We have excellent players in their positions but so often they don't work well as a unit.

Considering Sangaré, who you'd expect to be a regular member of the midfield, has only played 2½ games, I don't think any judgement can be made about the midfield right now. Midfielders often cover the furthest distance during a game and it's entirely reasonable to expect a significant amount of rotation.

 

[brooks]

Considering Sangaré, who you'd expect to be a regular member of the midfield, has only played 2½ games, I don't think any judgement can be made about the midfield right now. Midfielders often cover the furthest distance during a game and it's entirely reasonable to expect a significant amount of rotation.

Fair enough. Let's see what happens at Bournemouth.

 

[Edmundo]

We all see games differently. For me the problem is midfield.

The problem that has us sitting in 5th place, undefeated? That problem?

 

[BmthBee]

We all see games differently. For me the problem is midfield.

There's no pleasing some people is there, what do you expect?

 

[kingwood bee]

Every confidence the big man gets on the score sheet Saturday, he’s work rate has been bang on

 

[brentfordfc4ever]

Has f*** all service from anyone so far. I can't remember the last time igor had a through ball to run onto? Either not making the runs or there been no service.

Seems his role has slightly changed to holding the ball up and waiting for the runners either side of him?

 

[VitaminBee]

Has f*** all service from anyone so far. I can't remember the last time igor had a through ball to run onto? Either not making the runs or there been no service.

Seems his role has slightly changed to holding the ball up and waiting for the runners either side of him?

Definitely agree. We're evidently changing up our tactics slightly this season and it hasn't necessarily been to IT's benefit so far (in terms of goalscoring).

The rest of the league (well, besides Spuds...) are now well aware that KA is no mug and we continue to be just as dangerous on the counter as we've always been, so are treating us with more respect by sitting deeper, meaning less opportunity for through balls to IT.

And we also seem to be putting a HEAVY focus on crosses this season, but as you say, Igor's role in that appears to be receiving the ball from deep, holding it up and then playing it out wide to the crossers, rather than prowling around the box and waiting to be the one on the end of the crosses as we'd probably expect.

His role in the team is still absolutely vital though, and I think his pressing and work rate is still just as elite as last season, so I can't say I'm worried about him at all.