Hendrick

[KRBFC]

There's always a negative thread to slag him off when he plays poorly out of position, I thought he was our best player today and I don't see a thread of praise, Discuss

[Bin Ont Turf]

Think we should play him out wide next week.

He can beat a man and can put a great cross in.

[ElectroClaret]

Yes, very good today, probably the only one showing a bit of inventiveness.

Been poor some games, but credit where its due.

[Spiral]

Doesn't look like a proper central attacking midfielder. Jesus, he looks far more comfortable when he finds himself in wide positions. He could do a job on the left of a no-winger, Simeone-style midfield four. Dyche is seeing something in him that we aren't, obviously, but if we're committed to playing an advanced central midfielder I'd at least like us to sign a proper specialist in the summer.

edit-just seen BOT's post. Not sure if you're joking, (tone doesn't come across on the internet) but I genuinely think he's more effective out wide.

[Always a fan]

Looks like the rest done him the world of good. Got his appetite back and was our best player today.well done jeff

[mickleoverclaret]

Saying anyone was our best player today is damning with faint praise, in fairness.

[Long Time Lurker]

I know that some people have directed a little negativity towards Jeff for his offensive midfield role, but I think he deserves a huge amount of praise. We don't currently have anyone suited to that role and he has stepped forward to plug the gap. It might not be his natural role, and that has shown at times, but he has given everything to a difficult task and put in some good performances along the way.

He is improving in the position, moving into pockets of space and playing some good through balls, like the one that nearly found Corky today. He isn't a live wire goal threat, but when he tracks back the contribution he makes to our midfield is solid and I feel this aspect of his overall involvement hasn't received the full credit it deserves.

Stepping up to take a penalty and risking the criticism of others is a brave thing to do, but that pails besides what he has done for us this season. Stepping onto the pitch and playing away from your natural position week in and week out on the Premier League stage, purely because the team needs someone to take on that role, takes a HUGE amount of courage and dedication to the cause.

Unlike a lot of other posters, who want to see a technical no 10 added to the squad in the next window, I don't think that is what we really need. In terms of formations we tend to play 4-4-1-1 with Hendrick contributing to midfield and moving forward to support a loan striker. Alternatively, when we need to be more pro-active in attack, we go with the 4-4-2 and two strikers up front.

If we bring in a player that boosts the attack, while offering little to nothing in midfield, then we will be sacrificing a significant part of the structural play that has been so effective for us this season. It might not lead to a large number of flashy easy to see and praise goals, but it works, and Jeff has played an integral part in that. Sometimes the things that aren't immediately noticeable are just as important as the things that are.

We are very lucky to have Jeff in our team and he has shown improvements in an offensive midfield role under difficult circumstances. He was easily our best player today and he is far more valuable to our team than many people realise.

A lot of fuss has been made about Bens contract ending next year. I could be wrong, but I think the same is true for Jeff and JBG. If that is true then our negotiating team has a lot on their plate, because I will be very happy if Jeff "Big Balls" Hendrick decides to extend his time with us.

[MACCA]

It shows just how bad we have been recently, when In the last 2 games the MOM match award has gone to Long and Hendick, and by some distance.
Both were 6.5/7 IMO.
We can't afford for our best performer to be a 7. We need half a dozen 7's and the rest above to get results in this league.
1 thing I didn't think we would see under Mr Dyche is the eye being taken off the ball, or his team on the beach.

However we haven't yet had a nothing to play for end of season, and it's job done this year so they can be forgiven an early holiday.
Won't be good if we do the same next week, may as well play the fringe players or try something new if we aren't bothered.

[Quickenthetempo]

He was our best player for the hour or so I watched but he's playing for his career as are a few others.
At least 7 players will be coming in this summer.

[mdd2]

7 players coming in? Then who apart from Arfield and Marney is leaving?
If the rest stay 3 or 4 at most apart from youth and development players

[taio]

At least 7 players will be coming in this summer.

Can't see that happening at all.

[MACCA]

7 players coming in? Then who apart from Arfield and Marney is leaving?
If the rest stay 3 or 4 at most apart from youth and development players

2 of Wells Walters and Vokes as well as GKN

That's 5 that need replacing, and you'd imagine we will bring in a 4th choice CB. We've needed 1 for 12 months, even more so if we are playing in Europe.
2 players needed for every position.

None of this square pegs in round holes business.

I can see 6 new arrivals.

We can't keep patching up the squad with calculated risks and "can do a job types, as none have really worked out for us.

[taio]

2 of Wells Walters and Vokes as well as GKN

That's 5 that need replacing

How do you get 5 out of your first point?

[Quickenthetempo]

Can't see that happening at all.

Marney and Arfield have left.
Walters was going to Sunderland on loan but got injured again.
Wells hasn't featured at all.
Vokes will probably want to get his career up and running again.
Hendrick had a poor season needs an upgrade.

Will be 4 leaving out that lot and we need to improve the squad, especially with Europe coming up.

Bringing in 7 is the least we would need.

We have been linked with the free agent Yaya Toure this morning. What a signing he would be.

[taio]

Marney and Arfield have left.
Walters was going to Sunderland on loan but got injured again.
Wells hasn't featured at all.
Vokes will probably want to get his career up and running again.
Hendrick had a poor season needs an upgrade.

Will be 4 leaving out that lot and we need to improve the squad, especially with Europe coming up.

Bringing in 7 is the least we would need.

We have been linked with the free agent Yaya Toure this morning. What a signing he would be.

I don't believe Walters, Wells and Vokes will all leave. I dont think Hendrick will leave either. I don't see the point about Toure in terms of how many players we will sign and I just cant see it in any case - he wasn't linked other than saying he is settled in the NW. Can't see us needing 7 or even more.

[JimmyRobbo]

Toure?

No thanks. Not for our system. Has hardy played all year. His boneheaded agent brings an unwanted presence. I'll happily look elsewhere for hungry players. We have Defour coming back.

I'd chalk the newspaper speculation up to his agent trying to get any attention in his client's direction. Nothing more. We have De

[Quickenthetempo]

Behave yourselves.

Toure never gives the ball away, has great strength and has a great shot on him. Would be brilliant to play off the striker.

At the start of the season it was great to see the midfield all want the ball, passing it amongst themselves freely. Adding Toure would just improve it ten fold.

But I know he's probably out of our range.

[ClaretTony]

We have been linked with the free agent Yaya Toure this morning. What a signing he would be.

We mentioned him ahead of kick off yesterday - that would be a remarkable signing

[taio]

Despite Toure's age I'd be amazed if we could meet his wage demands especially if Man United or Everton are interested.

[MT03ALG]

Yaya is past it and would want far too much money for just strolling round the pitch.

[Longside4evr]

Could be an exodus of players leave us few coming to the end of their careers Arfield already left Marney to leave Walters, Ward only a season left at this level at best will stay though
Mee uncertain could already be a done deal to someone Vokes 50/50 same with Wells could take them to pastures new.
That's quite a few in this thin squad and with Europe on the agenda we need a lot more, 7 players would be about the minimum we need to beef things up if are going to take things seriously
We all know where we need to fill the gaps and their could well be more than we think if we need to prune some of the dead wood.

[wilks_bfc]

Toure?

I thought we wanted pace?

[Quickenthetempo]

Toure?

I thought we wanted pace?

We have pace in the side now but don't really use it as a tactic.

Tour behind a striker would be 12 to 15 goals which is just what we're missing.
Shaquiri (sp) would be another top signing for that position.

[wilks_bfc]

We have pace in the side now but don't really use it as a tactic.

Tour behind a striker would be 12 to 15 goals which is just what we're missing.
Shaquiri (sp) would be another top signing for that position.

I know we don’t use it but every fan seems to be calling out for a pacey player.

If it’s a choice between them, then I’d rather have Shaqiri or even Ndaiyi from Stoke

[Quickenthetempo]

I know we don’t use it but every fan seems to be calling out for a pacey player.

If it’s a choice between them, then I’d rather have Shaqiri or even Ndaiyi from Stoke

Sign both for me.

[Steve1956]

Yaya is past it and would want far too much money for just strolling round the pitch.

[KRBFC]

We mentioned him ahead of kick off yesterday - that would be a remarkable signing

Any reason you mentioned it? Have we actually been linked with him?

Edit: I dug a bit deeper, appears the link was started in the Manchester Evening News.

[MACCA]

How do you get 5 out of your first point?

Marney and Arfield won't be here, so that's instantly 2 down, plus those 3 means 5 out goings minimum.

[ClaretTony]

Any reason you mentioned it? Have we actually been linked with him?

Edit: I dug a bit deeper, appears the link was started in the Manchester Evening News.

We hadn't seen the link or any link - was MDWat I think who said he'd seen a report of Toure's wish to stay in the North West, nothing more than that.

[claretspice]

Good to hear the good reviews of him, although it looked to me on the highlights he might actually have been responsible for letting a couple of players run...

Hendrick has a big role for us next season. I still think that if we can put a team playing 4-5-1/4-3-3 which is set up to the strengths of Defour and Lennon - i.e. Lennon given licence to break the line and get alongside/beyond the striker, and Defour allowed scope to try and find the forward passes to spring Lennon and also JBG on the other side - an athletic midfielder in Hendrick's mould to provide defensive cover, particularly down the right hand side, remains the natural third ingredient in the centre of midfield.

[KRBFC]

Good to hear the good reviews of him, although it looked to me on the highlights he might actually have been responsible for letting a couple of players run...

Hendrick has a big role for us next season. I still think that if we can put a team playing 4-5-1/4-3-3 which is set up to the strengths of Defour and Lennon - i.e. Lennon given licence to break the line and get alongside/beyond the striker, and Defour allowed scope to try and find the forward passes to spring Lennon and also JBG on the other side - an athletic midfielder in Hendrick's mould to provide defensive cover, particularly down the right hand side, remains the natural third ingredient in the centre of midfield.

Yeah Hendrick is perfect is a 433 as a third midfielder, Defour Hendrick Cork would be a nice looking trio we just don't have the front 3 to produce consistently in the final third and a problem with that midfield 3 is the lack of goals which is strange because all 3 of them have shown they can score goals.

[Goobs]

Yeah Hendrick is perfect is a 433 as a third midfielder, Defour Hendrick Cork would be a nice looking trio we just don't have the front 3 to produce consistently in the final third and a problem with that midfield 3 is the lack of goals which is strange because all 3 of them have shown they can score goals.

I prefer Jeff as the 4th midfielder in a 433 behind Cork, Westwood & Detour

[claretspice]

Yeah Hendrick is perfect is a 433 as a third midfielder, Defour Hendrick Cork would be a nice looking trio we just don't have the front 3 to produce consistently in the final third and a problem with that midfield 3 is the lack of goals which is strange because all 3 of them have shown they can score goals.

I would say that first and foremost, the target should be to get more goals from the wide players. I think we've scored 2 or 3 goals in total from amongst our wide players this season, which is one of the few outcomes this season which can be marked as "poor". The players filling those roles next season - and especially Brady, JBG and Lennon - should be expecting/aiming for 15 between them next season.

One thing Hendrick undoubtedly needs to add to his game is a few more goals, particularly if he's going to play as the "runner" in a midfield 3. Again, I think we've got 5 goals from the centre of midfield all season and really we should be aiming to double that next season, especially if we play 4-3-3/4-5-1 reasonably regularly. But its those wide players who need to step up first and foremost and add goals to their games.

[MACCA]

Looks like he'll be starting Sunday.
Let's hope the long rest has done him some good, or we might be in for another slow, 1 dimension game of few chances.

[ontario claret]

OK, I'm sold. He's in my starting 11.