Back from the Game - Brighton (H)

[Hoop Blah]

How many good creative midfielders do you see in this division? I don't see many and someone has to do the dirty work.

I think the good teams have the right balance of a creative (for me that sometimes means a goalscoring threat not just a luxury passer) and workman-like players. When we've been mis-firing it's been because we've lacked a bit of the former either outwide or in the middle of the park.

Playing in the Championship at the moment there's Llalana, Nolan, Whittingham, Koran, Howson all playing key roles for some of the top teams. You can add the likes of Tomlin and Boyd at Peterborough, or Bullard and Norris at Ipswich, or King (a player I'd love us to sign as he's not always playing) at Leicester.

[Snowball]

Or get Karacan and ledge to score a few

[LoyalRoyalFan]

We had a creative midfielder but we let him go

If Howard is no good, why not give D'Ath, Obita or Jake Taylor a try?

[Archie's penalty]

We had a creative midfielder but we let him go

If Howard is no good, why not give D'Ath, Obita or Jake Taylor a try?

Because Karacan and Ledge are basically working in the centre. However we need Kebe and Mcanuff to provide the creativity. If they don't then we're a bit screwed.

[Snowball]

Thing is, in terms of stopping the opposition, and feeding the wingers
this midfield is doing very well.

But for years now the way to stop RFC is to stop the wingers
(or find them both having an off day)

I think, if this run gets better (and but for an unlucky day at Blackpool we might be on 6 wins from 6)
we'll see Karacan and Ledge picking up some goals.

The more McAnuff and Kebe come into form, the more extra defenders will be pulled wide.

If the form continues/improves I expect to see K+E scoring (certainly shooting more)
and maybe the two FBs having pops, or Pearce/Gorks.

[Hoop Blah]

Or get Karacan and ledge to score a few

Neither of them are, or ever have been, players who score that often. It's just not really in their game.

Generally speaking we should be asking players to do what they're good at, not trying to get them to do things that aren't part of their games as that usually doesn't work. Some things can be worked on and addressed through training and a bit of focus/encouragment/tactics but sometimes you have to accept that players have limitations, strengths and weaknesses.

[Snowball]

Or get Karacan and ledge to score a few

Neither of them are, or ever have been, players who score that often. It's just not really in their game.

Generally speaking we should be asking players to do what they're good at, not trying to get them to do things that aren't part of their games as that usually doesn't work. Some things can be worked on and addressed through training and a bit of focus/encouragment/tactics but sometimes you have to accept that players have limitations, strengths and weaknesses.

I predict that Karacan will start scoring more goals, hopefully for us.

And will routinely get 6+ per season

[Hoop Blah]

He may well add a few more goals to his game, but not enough to be a real goal scoring midfielder (or be the creative passing force) which is what we're really alluding to. I can't see him ever really threatening to break into double figures which is probably the bench mark I'm thinking of.

Worth noting that Sidwell, who was a real scoring threat, only had a couple of seasons of scoring lots of goals for us. He always looked like scoring more though (and that's part of the problem for me, the opposition don't really have to worry about the current central midfielders scoring so many).

6+ would be an improvement, but not really in the ball park of what I'd like to see.

[RoyalBlue]

One thought from after the game (& in my dreams): Craig McKail Smith is so quick! Surely he's wasted in that Brighton team. Just think what he could have done if he'd joined Reading.

It’s all about the money, money, money
We ain’t got the money, money, money
We just want to take a long chance
It’s all about the price tag

Kerching, Kerching!

[Ian Royal]

One thought from after the game (& in my dreams): Craig McKail Smith is so quick! Surely he's wasted in that Brighton team. Just think what he could have done if he'd joined Reading.

It’s all about the money, money, money
We ain’t got the money, money, money
We just want to take a long chance
It’s all about the price tag

Kerching, Kerching!

Quite right too. I bet Brighton are wishing they'd been able to sign Gorkss or Leigertwood.

[Snowball]

I'm glad we got ALF, but CMS would have been close to a like for like replacement for Shane

We play a little differently now, but I would REALLY fancy us with CMS-ALF as the top two
and letting go one of the other three strikers (altho I think Churchy might yet become a good un)

[melonhead]

One thought from after the game (& in my dreams): Craig McKail Smith is so quick! Surely he's wasted in that Brighton team. Just think what he could have done if he'd joined Reading.

It’s all about the money, money, money
We ain’t got the money, money, money
We just want to take a long chance
It’s all about the price tag

Kerching, Kerching!

genius

[FiNeRaIn]

lol ^

[RoyalJames101]

Am I the only one who thinks CMS is massively overrated?

[Snowball]

Am I the only one who thinks CMS is massively overrated?

Probably, altho' I haven't checked in with Ian Royal...

[SCIAG]

Am I the only one who thinks CMS is massively overrated?

I think he's quite overrated (half our fans can't spell his name simplistic but think he is brilliant), but he is very similar to long, quick, brave and hard working. He'd have suited us well. Le Fondre is a better player though.

[RoyalJames101]

Am I the only one who thinks CMS is massively overrated?

I think he's quite overrated (half our fans can't spell his name simplistic but think he is brilliant), but he is very similar to long, quick, brave and hard working. He'd have suited us well. Le Fondre is a better player though.

Scored plenty of goals in League 1 but doesn't seem able to step up to the plate to me. Great work rate though tbf to him.

[melonhead]

hes been great this season imo

[NR_Royal]

Have we tried this yet? Seeing as HRK looks a much improved player with strength, pace and a good left foot, and McAnuff likes to dribble and attack defenders and can shoot. I know Church on his own isn't fantastic but he IS scoring at the moment and with support from Kebe, McAnuff and HRK, it could work.

---------------------------------------Federici------------------------------------------

------Cummings----------Pearce------------------Gorkks---------------Harte------

---------------------Karacan-------------------------Leigertwood--------------------

------Kebe-------------------------McAnuff---------------------Robson-Kanu------

--------------------------------------Church------------------------------------------

[Sarah Star]

One thought from after the game (& in my dreams): Craig McKail Smith is so quick! Surely he's wasted in that Brighton team. Just think what he could have done if he'd joined Reading.

It’s all about the money, money, money
We ain’t got the money, money, money
We just want to take a long chance
It’s all about the price tag

Kerching, Kerching!

CMS's loss.