Matejovsky ahead of schedule

[Royalee]

--------------------------------USA------------------------------------

-------------Pearce--------Ingi------------Doobs--------------------

---Rosenior------------------------------------------------Convey---

-------------------Cisse---------------Bikey--------------------------

-----------------------------Marek------------------------------------

----------------------Lita---------------Doyle------------------------

done.

For pace at the back, yes.

Ingimarsson and Duberry have loads of experience and are very good readers of the game. Things happen a lot slower in the CCC than the PL and I think they will be fine as a pairing.

Slower yes, although that doesn't mean that there are no players with pace. Any team with any pace going forward would rip holes in that defence.

[Southbank Old Boy]

If you play three centre backs then they have to be mobile.

I'm not sure we have the players to do it to be honest.

When England played it successfully Venables used Neville and Pearce alongside Tony Adams.

Hoddle was pretty similar with usually something like Campbell, Adams and Neville, and Robson the same when he had Mark Wright, Des Walker and Paul Parker.

[Ian Royal]

I've been saying for a couple of months that 3 in the middle with Marek, Harper and a hard nut would be a fantastic combination.

I really can't see Marek coping out on the right, even not as a winger. I feel you just have to cover too much ground constantly there and his fitness levels aren't anywhere near Harper's for example and his pace and acceleration really isn't too hot either.

Did you never see Little play for Reading?

Yes I did. Plenty thanks. They guy was a wizard. Doesn't compare to Matejovski though. He is about passing and movement. Little was about bamboozling defenders with great control and shifts of weight before delivering pin point crosses.

about the only thing they have in common is not being very quick and I think Little had better acceleration

[Southbank Old Boy]

I've been saying for a couple of months that 3 in the middle with Marek, Harper and a hard nut would be a fantastic combination.

I really can't see Marek coping out on the right, even not as a winger. I feel you just have to cover too much ground constantly there and his fitness levels aren't anywhere near Harper's for example and his pace and acceleration really isn't too hot either.

Did you never see Little play for Reading?

Yes I did. Plenty thanks. They guy was a wizard. Doesn't compare to Matejovski though. He is about passing and movement. Little was about bamboozling defenders with great control and shifts of weight before delivering pin point crosses.

about the only thing they have in common is not being very quick and I think Little had better acceleration

But both lack the attributes you think Matejovsky would need to cope on the wing.

I think you've been quite harsh on Matejovsky's defensive capabilities by the way. When he first joined he showed an awful lot of willingness to run, harry, cover and make tackles whilst playing in the middle. I don't think his stamina ever looked that much worse than anyone elses (bar perhaps Harper and Hunt) and he was far more capable at the ugly side of things than Oster. He does need to learn how to tackle though.

[winchester_royal]

FWIW I think people are well off by saying Harps and MM cannot work together in midfield.

They dominated the midfield against Derby, and some will say they lack strength, but they both have tremendous talent, and that is more important than just sheer athletiscism.

[Archie's penalty]

But both lack the attributes you think Matejovsky would need to cope on the wing.

I think you've been quite harsh on Matejovsky's defensive capabilities by the way. When he first joined he showed an awful lot of willingness to run, harry, cover and make tackles whilst playing in the middle. I don't think his stamina ever looked that much worse than anyone elses (bar perhaps Harper and Hunt) and he was far more capable at the ugly side of things than Oster. He does need to learn how to tackle though.

Quite difficult to teach a 26 year old how to tackle. Look at Scholes. He has never learned how to do it...

[Ian Royal]

Did you never see Little play for Reading?

Yes I did. Plenty thanks. They guy was a wizard. Doesn't compare to Matejovski though. He is about passing and movement. Little was about bamboozling defenders with great control and shifts of weight before delivering pin point crosses.

about the only thing they have in common is not being very quick and I think Little had better acceleration

But both lack the attributes you think Matejovsky would need to cope on the wing.

I think you've been quite harsh on Matejovsky's defensive capabilities by the way. When he first joined he showed an awful lot of willingness to run, harry, cover and make tackles whilst playing in the middle. I don't think his stamina ever looked that much worse than anyone elses (bar perhaps Harper and Hunt) and he was far more capable at the ugly side of things than Oster. He does need to learn how to tackle though.

See I see him as a great player to sit in the middle and create, even drive through the middle with a good run and a through ball, but he isn't a tackler and I don't think it's because he can't tackle. I think it's because he couldn't keep up with players in the prem. He was always late in the tackle and gave away needless freekicks. IMO Harper is far superior defensively. He may not make many tackles, but he rarely gives away freekicks and very effectively holds up opposition attacks. Unless of course we play like last season in which case there is always a pass on to the other team because we no defensive presence on the right and not a lot in the middle with him.

I certainly think Harps and Marek can work at Chump level, but probably not at Prem level.

Oh and I don't think that style of play suits the wing at all. Especially if we don't have a pacey left winger who'll stay out wide and deliver good crosses. Unless of course Convey has now got 2 working legs and is fully recovered. Even then. Me no like Marek on wing.

[Southbank Old Boy]

FWIW I think people are well off by saying Harps and MM cannot work together in midfield.

They dominated the midfield against Derby, and some will say they lack strength, but they both have tremendous talent, and that is more important than just sheer athletiscism.

Depends who it's against though doesn't it?

I agree in terms of the way they play they could suit each other very well, but you do need some physical presence throughout the spine of the team. With those two playing together we just don't have it and leave ourselves far too prone to being bullied out of games, especially in this league.

Quite difficult to teach a 26 year old how to tackle. Look at Scholes. He has never learned how to do it...

Exactly, damn near impossible.

He is willing though, but much like Scholes he just see's an opportunity to get the ball that doesn't really exist. Interestingly, there was an interview with, I think, Ryan Giggs, where he said Scholes knew exactly what he was doing when he was tackling. If he was getting there late or putting in "a forwards tackle" it was because he meant to.

[winchester_royal]

See I see him as a great player to sit in the middle and create, even drive through the middle with a good run and a through ball, but he isn't a tackler and I don't think it's because he can't tackle. I think it's because he couldn't keep up with players in the prem. He was always late in the tackle and gave away needless freekicks. IMO Harper is far superior defensively. He may not make many tackles, but he rarely gives away freekicks and very effectively holds up opposition attacks. Unless of course we play like last season in which case there is always a pass on to the other team because we no defensive presence on the right and not a lot in the middle with him.

I certainly think Harps and Marek can work at Chump level, but probably not at Prem level.

Well when we get promoted again this year, we can flog Harper, and go buy a strong CM (unless Cisse or Karacan comes through this year).

[Ian Royal]

Or keep him as quality cover and to fight for his place.

[Archie's penalty]

FWIW I think people are well off by saying Harps and MM cannot work together in midfield.

They dominated the midfield against Derby, and some will say they lack strength, but they both have tremendous talent, and that is more important than just sheer athletiscism.

Depends who it's against though doesn't it?

I agree in terms of the way they play they could suit each other very well, but you do need some physical presence throughout the spine of the team. With those two playing together we just don't have it and leave ourselves far too prone to being bullied out of games, especially in this league.

Quite difficult to teach a 26 year old how to tackle. Look at Scholes. He has never learned how to do it...

Exactly, damn near impossible.

He is willing though, but much like Scholes he just see's an opportunity to get the ball that doesn't really exist. Interestingly, there was an interview with, I think, Ryan Giggs, where he said Scholes knew exactly what he was doing when he was tackling. If he was getting there late or putting in "a forwards tackle" it was because he meant to.

If that's right then Scholes is a dirty bast*rd.

[Southbank Old Boy]

See I see him as a great player to sit in the middle and create, even drive through the middle with a good run and a through ball, but he isn't a tackler and I don't think it's because he can't tackle. I think it's because he couldn't keep up with players in the prem. He was always late in the tackle and gave away needless freekicks. IMO Harper is far superior defensively. He may not make many tackles, but he rarely gives away freekicks and very effectively holds up opposition attacks. Unless of course we play like last season in which case there is always a pass on to the other team because we no defensive presence on the right and not a lot in the middle with him.

I certainly think Harps and Marek can work at Chump level, but probably not at Prem level.

Oh and I don't think that style of play suits the wing at all. Especially if we don't have a pacey left winger who'll stay out wide and deliver good crosses. Unless of course Convey has now got 2 working legs and is fully recovered. Even then. Me no like Marek on wing.

Agree with all of that until the last paragraph. Did you see Seb Larsson at all last season?

Pretty lightweight, not a runner but a great manipulator of the ball and a great technical player with an eye for a pass.

He tore the Championship apart when Brum went up. I can understand you not wanting to play Matejovksy on the right, but your reasoning just doesn't make a lot of sense to me I'm afraid.

[winchester_royal]

FWIW I think people are well off by saying Harps and MM cannot work together in midfield.

They dominated the midfield against Derby, and some will say they lack strength, but they both have tremendous talent, and that is more important than just sheer athletiscism.

Depends who it's against though doesn't it?

I agree in terms of the way they play they could suit each other very well, but you do need some physical presence throughout the spine of the team. With those two playing together we just don't have it and leave ourselves far too prone to being bullied out of games, especially in this league.

Quite difficult to teach a 26 year old how to tackle. Look at Scholes. He has never learned how to do it...

Exactly, damn near impossible.

He is willing though, but much like Scholes he just see's an opportunity to get the ball that doesn't really exist. Interestingly, there was an interview with, I think, Ryan Giggs, where he said Scholes knew exactly what he was doing when he was tackling. If he was getting there late or putting in "a forwards tackle" it was because he meant to.

We would have BK at the back, and Kits upfront...tbh this is the problem with English football atm....the emphasis is on strength rather than technical ability.

[Ian Royal]

hands up to not seeing much of Larsson, though I heard very good things.

I see the primary job of a winger being to go round/past people and deliver a good cross through a) pace, b) skill, c) prefereably both.

If you are Beckham or to a certain extent Little you can probably ditch the going past or round bit and just put in the cross.

I also think passing and crossing are quite different things and being good at one doesn't mean the other as well. I'm basing most of this on what I've seen of Marek and gut instinct. Maybe I'm talking balls. But I just can't see him as a right sider. Especially under Coppell.

I'd also question the sanity of putting him there even if he would be great as it leaves a fairly big hole in central midfield. I'd be happy with Bikey in a 3 man midfield, but less so in a 2. Cisse I'm unconvinced on in midfield. Harper and Karacan I guess would be a possibility assuming Harper stays. I wouldn't want Hunt out on the left in that midfield. A fit and in form Convey would be alright... But that leaves us with very little suitable cover without completely rejigging the whole style again. IMO obviously.

One thing I'm confident about, is your system won't be used and neither will mine.

[Southbank Old Boy]

I also think passing and crossing are quite different things and being good at one doesn't mean the other as well. I'm basing most of this on what I've seen of Marek and gut instinct. Maybe I'm talking balls. But I just can't see him as a right sider. Especially under Coppell.

I remember that what sparked the idea in my head was a couple of good balls he put in from the right in one of his early games, but you're right, passing and crossing are two totally different skills, but I think there have been glimpses of Matejovsky being pretty good at both.

I'd also question the sanity of putting him there even if he would be great as it leaves a fairly big hole in central midfield. I'd be happy with Bikey in a 3 man midfield, but less so in a 2. Cisse I'm unconvinced on in midfield. Harper and Karacan I guess would be a possibility assuming Harper stays. I wouldn't want Hunt out on the left in that midfield. A fit and in form Convey would be alright... But that leaves us with very little suitable cover without completely rejigging the whole style again. IMO obviously.

One thing I'm confident about, is your system won't be used and neither will mine.

The lack of options in the middle is the obvious reason not to play him on the right at the moment and I totally agree. Last season, when we had a big void on the right wing and Matejovsky wasn't getting in the team and we had to see the likes of Oster on the right, I thought it was worth a go.

Vision's idea early bought that back, and if we want to be a bit more solid in the middle, I could see the logic behind giving it a go.

I just hope that Bikey isn't played in the midfield though.

[Royal Rother]

MM often seemed to be wide right in Euro 2008 IIRC.

[Ian Royal]

I thought he seemed fairly central tbh, maybe right hand side of the midfield 3...

Which is where I' have him in a 3.

[Royal Rother]

Sure but MM did drift out there on occasions linking with Sionko and seemed perfectly comfortable when doing so.

Still, I'm not suggesting that's where he should play, he is definitely our creator and should stay very central, get fed the ball, move forward and spray the passes.

[winchester_royal]

Now confirmed that Gunnarsson is out for two moths at least.

On the bright side MM will be back for Nottm Forrest.

[PEARCEY]

Now confirmed that Gunnarsson is out for two moths at least.

On the bright side MM will be back for Nottm Forrest.

He must be in moth balls then