I think we need a centre mid
I think we need a centre mid
I can see us reverting to 4-4-2 too. So, my line up would be;
Allsopp
Clarke (RB as he is highly rated by SP but can't see him keeping two natural CB's out of the team) Webster Johnson Pugh
Swanson Thomas (can't see him not starting) Fleck OBrien
Tudgay Miller
So is Thomas this seasons whipping boy then?
So is Thomas this seasons whipping boy then?
No, I mean saying things like " anyone but Thomas " before a ball has been kicked in anger.By whipping boy do you mean weak link?
No, I mean saying things like " anyone but Thomas " before a ball has been kicked in anger.
No, I mean saying things like " anyone but Thomas " before a ball has been kicked in anger.
In at least 2 posts in this thread, new season, clean slate !Where was that said? People might be judging from the tail end of last season also?
Surely doing nothing wrong is doing something right.But last year he played nearly every game and didn't stand out once. He's a vanilla player. Does nothing wrong but nothing right. Pointless
Surely doing nothing wrong is doing something right.
How has Thomas been in all the games you have seen?
If Pressley picks him he must want a crab in his team. Each to there own but I will give it a few games before I slate him. There's a lot to be said for not giving the ball away.Probably should rephrase that. He doesn't do anything. He makes 5 yard passes to either side if him like a crab. He's Sammy Clingan without the free kick ability.
Thomas's other strength is reading and intercepting second balls. Let's not forget that he's only 20, and last season was his first real full season since being dropped in the deep end far too young in our championship relegation season.
I thought Thomas was great in the first half of last season, him and Fleck compliment each other nicely. Fleck is the creative one, spraying the passes, and Thomas does the grunt work. Several times last year (Walsall away particularly springs to mind) he actually led the pressing late in games when everyone else's legs had gone. As stu says, he's only 20, I think it would be a massive (and I mean massive) mistake to write him off. He's probably got 5-6 (at least) years of development left in him as well.
Fleck and Thomas both suffered last year from there not being an adequate replacement, so they got burnt out and performance levels dropped. It's vital that we get a reliable back-up in for the midfield position.
Thomas is like a lot of modern footballers coming through the English system, he's a great athlete, looks at ease on the ball when in unchallenged possession and can get up and down the pitch for 90 minutes. I agree that at 20 he still has time to develop as a footballer, but for me he hasn't showed anything to suggest that he will progress above the level he is at now.
He's a 'defensive' midfielder, and yet he struggles to impose himself on opposition midfielders, can't really tackle and rarely breaks up the play. We had a poor defensive record last season and with him as the defensive one of the two midfielders this isn't surprising. How many times did teams run through our midfield, leaving Webster and co horribly exposed. For me he always looks scared when going in for 50/50 balls, and is far too lightweight to do the donkey work to supplement Fleck's creativity.
As for his attacking qualities, they're non-existent. We scored bucket loads last season and surprise surprise Thomas didn't even get one goal. I'd again link this to his weak mentality, (like being scared of battling in the midfield) when he has space to go forward he lacks the confidence to attack, play an incisive pass or shoot (I remember against Sheffield United away the season before last, when 2-1 up towards the end of the game he was played through with the whole goal to aim at and sent a feeble shot straight at the keeper).
All the lad does (atm) is pass the ball sideways and backwards (and not over long distances). When we are winning/dominating games his ability to pass the ball calmly over short distances can be mildly effective, but when teams compete against us (which most do) he goes missing.
Perhaps he needs to be taken out of the firing line to regroup and develop. Personally the only time I've ever thought 'oh this boy looks like a bit of a player' was when he played in an actual defensive role (either in a 4-1-2-1-2 or a 4-2-3-1) where he can act like a Leon Britton type of player and get away with it.
Bottom line is we need a midfielder who can either
A) Play (example: David Fox, currently on trial with Rochdale/ Brian Stock)
B) Get stuck in (example: Nathan Doyle/Anton Robinson)
I must say, I disagree a lot of what you say here. For me he isn't a defensive midfielder, he's mo
re of a box to box player, and although he didn't get in the oppositions box much last season, he was the one pressing high and often further forward than fleck who played deepest.
You blame him for the defensive frailties in midfield yet, fail to acknowledge that his 3 midfielder partners are all as weak as dishwasher defensively, and actually there were a large number of goals that were the result of fleck losing the ball in the midfield.
You also bemoan him not scoring one goal, yet his 'creative' central midfielder partner fleck managed just 1 all season, so you can hardly let him off the hook.
You also say he needs to be taken out of the firing line, yet the season's not even started, does he not deserve at 20 years old to have the slate wiped clean?
As sutty said, he played well with Fleck in the first half of last season.
I must say, I disagree a lot of what you say here. For me he isn't a defensive midfielder, he's more of a box to box player, and although he didn't get in the oppositions box much last season, he was the one pressing high and often further forward than fleck who played deepest.
You blame him for the defensive frailties in midfield yet, fail to acknowledge that his 3 midfielder partners are all as weak as dishwasher defensively, and actually there were a large number of goals that were the result of fleck losing the ball in the midfield.
You also bemoan him not scoring one goal, yet his 'creative' central midfielder partner fleck managed just 1 all season, so you can hardly let him off the hook.
You also say he needs to be taken out of the firing line, yet the season's not even started, does he not deserve at 20 years old to have the slate wiped clean?
As sutty said, he played well with Fleck in the first half of last season.
Looks a very weak squad to me, woefully short of quality.
In a couple of months time, the effect of SISU's lack of investment in this season's squad could easily make last season's 10 point deduction look insignificant.
Ben Turner. Cyrus Christie. Jordan Clarke. Callum Wilson. All slated in their first season or two in the first team.
When will City fans learn that kids make mistakes and this is part of their learning process.
You want fully finished players, don't look to the academy. The first couple of seasons is their finishing school. Too many are far too harsh on our kids IMO. Thomas has pushed himself into the first team well ahead of his peers (e.g. Daniels/Willis) so his mistakes at that age have been far more public.
Compare it with the rest of league one and we'll be fine
Conor Thomas obviously kissed LJC_CCFC and didn't call him back.
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