Closing Down

We gave Harry Arter far too much space for his goal. Whittingham was so deep that Arter had all the time in the world to find the back of the net. We must replace Whittingham in central midfield, we need somebody who is going to be full of energy, a battler, someone who will close the opposition down quicker. This is the one position and the one player that is going to be a problem for us every single game. Whittingham in this position, has cost us games before and will cost us in future games. In my opinion the time of player that should be playing alongside Gunnar in central midfield, is Tom Adeyemi. He is a much better option, as his work rate is very good. He also gets stuck in, he isn't scared to put his foot in, he's a good mover on and off the ball and he is full of energy. Changes still need to be made and this is the biggest problem area for us. I have nothing against Whittingham and in his defence he is not that type of midfielder and he should not be playing in that position whatsoever. So the manager should find him a position for which he thrives in. If there isn't a position for him in the first eleven, then in my opinion he has to be on the bench. We cannot keep playing him just because of what he has done for us in the past. He should only play regularly, if he is doing well enough to warrant a place in the team week in and week out. But he certainly is not doing that at the moment. Yet, somehow his name always seems to be one of the first to appear on the starting eleven team sheet.

Bloooooobirds.

Can't put all blaim on him? There was 8 players in the penalty area so anyone of them could have and should have closed him down!

We gave Harry Arter far too much space for his goal. Whittingham was so deep that Arter had all the time in the world to find the back of the net. We must replace Whittingham in central midfield, we need somebody who is going to be full of energy, a battler, someone who will close the opposition down quicker. This is the one position and the one player that is going to be a problem for us every single game. Whittingham in this position, has cost us games before and will cost us in future games. In my opinion the time of player that should be playing alongside Gunnar in central midfield, is Tom Adeyemi. He is a much better option, as his work rate is very good. He also gets stuck in, he isn't scared to put his foot in, he's a good mover on and off the ball and he is full of energy. Changes still need to be made and this is the biggest problem area for us. I have nothing against Whittingham and in his defence he is not that type of midfielder and he should not be playing in that position whatsoever. So the manager should find him a position for which he thrives in. If there isn't a position for him in the first eleven, then in my opinion he has to be on the bench. We cannot keep playing him just because of what he has done for us in the past. He should only play regularly, if he is doing well enough to warrant a place in the team week in and week out. But he certainly is not doing that at the moment. Yet, somehow his name always seems to be one of the first to appear on the starting eleven team sheet.

Bloooooobirds.

It happens week in week out but hes Teflon Pete. Remember, "he does what he wants" Hell never be dropped while Pep Guardiola is here!

Can't put all blaim on him? There was 8 players in the penalty area so anyone of them could have and should have closed him down!

I know there were others at fault too, but Whitts was in that situation the first line of defence. Teams are going to love playing us all the time, cause they know that they will be up against Whittingham in central midfield and they know what type of player that he is - non-combative, lazy, poor workrate, etc - which then gives the opposition more confidence and more importantly they know for a fact that they will win the midfield battles. I bet you every game that the manager of every single team that we come up against, highlight that central midfield position that Whittingham plays in, as a position that they can cause us the most damage. They would be fools not to target that area. Until a boba fire defensive midfielder - or when Dickagcoi gets fully fit, as he is exactly the type of defensive midfielder that needs to play in Whittinghams place - is brought in, then we will always be a problem area for us.

I'll probably get slated now as Whittingham had an assist last night. But, my answer to that is, about bloody time that he did something of any use, cause he certainly hasn't been pulling up any trees as of late, or all season to be honest, or to be even more honest, the last few years. We'll definitely since his 25 goals season anyway.

Bloooooobirds.

Who got the assist last night?

The goal they scored was awesome and sometimes you have to just leave it there.

Can't put all blaim on him? There was 8 players in the penalty area so anyone of them could have and should have closed him down!

I agree with you but no goalkeeper would have saved that goal but he should have been closed down

Always the same players get the backlash . Whitts is the most composed player on the field anyone who understands football and watches closely would of seen the amount of bad passed hit to Whitts and how he uses his deft 1st touch and composure to make sure we kept possession. This is the type of player he is not a battling midfielder. Gunnar is the battling midfielder and Whitts is the passer and possession keeper.

1980's tactics with 1980's fans !!!!

Getting stuck in pressing and retaining possession is the modern game.Tackling is not allowed any more.

Whitts isn't the answer long term, but Adeyemi and Digachoi are much further away than we need to be.

Did their midfield have an enforcer- No

I do however like adeyemi. Also like whitts gunnar and ralls i believe they all have different qualities that makes up a squad

Who got the assist last night?

The goal they scored was awesome and sometimes you have to just leave it there.

It was a belter of a goal

We want a battler but we want to keep the ball too. Can't see any alternatives that can keep the ball like whitts