Worst Midfield

[Cleveleys_claret]

Is our midfield the worst in Premier League history? Serious question

They dont protect the back four, they dont support the strikers, they cant pass. Its criminal that we have not improved in this area for at least the last 2 years.

[BOYSIE31]

Is our midfield the worst in Premier League history? Serious question

They dont protect the back four, they dont support the strikers, they cant pass. Its criminal that we have not improved in this area for at least the last 2 years.

Yep

[BurnleyFC]

Got to be up (or down?) with the worst of them.

[CrosspoolClarets]

No, our best midfield isn’t the worst in PL history.

Trouble is, it is on the bench.

[thelaughingclaret]

Westwood is a league one player now. Had his day a long time ago.
And I don’t think Cornet is all he is cracked up to be. I know a lot will shoot me down and try to tell me how he should be playing for city but he is not good enough for the premier league and I will be very surprised should any prem side come in for him in the summer. His shooting is poor, he can’f cross or pass and his control is poor.
There is only 1 player in our side who is good enough for this league, Tarks. Maybe Pope as well. Today was embarrassing. After that win on Wednesday I really thought the players would all be up for today.

[Teamofthe70s]

Yes without doubt and has been for a long time - sadly the 3 potato heads on the line don’t have the intelligence to recognise it

[bumba]

How Westwood hasn't been dropped is beyond belief, terrible for weeks now. Absolute embarrassment

[BabylonClaret]

Yet this awful midfield has managed to put in sone great performances to win points against top sides.

We've been wanting mentally this season. We have played decent against better sides but up against the sides around us we have been awful. Like we freeze. That's why we are going down.

And losing Mee which effectively weakens both cente half positions we rarely keep clean sheets without him

[BurnleyFC]

How Westwood hasn't been dropped is beyond belief, terrible for weeks now. Absolute embarrassment

Sheer stubbornness from the manager. He has a history of it.

[bumba]

The stubbornness sending us down is the stubbornness that cost Wenger at Arsenal and Mourinho at several clubs. How can't fans see it he has to go now

[Stayingup]

Westwood is a league one player now. Had his day a long time ago.
And I don’t think Cornet is all he is cracked up to be. I know a lot will shoot me down and try to tell me how he should be playing for city but he is not good enough for the premier league and I will be very surprised should any prem side come in for him in the summer. His shooting is poor, he can’f cross or pass and his control is poor.
There is only 1 player in our side who is good enough for this league, Tarks. Maybe Pope as well. Today was embarrassing. After that win on Wednesday I really thought the players would all be up for today.

Maybe Pope? Come on.

[expoultryboy]

I've said it all season , because our midfield is so poor and slow we have to play 4-5-1 or 4-2-3-1.

[NickBFC]

Really feel, with two quality central midfielders we'd be mid table comfortably. They put so much pressure on the back four, and create practically nothing for our front players. Weghorst looks absolutely shot of any confidence.

[Spiral]

Think there's a good (not great, but solid) player in Brownhill if he has the right foil alongside him, but the partnership is horrible. That's not to say Brownhill needs his hand held, it's just we're asking him to play too defensively to support Westwood and that just isn't his strongest game.

[DCWat]

Think there's a good (not great, but solid) player in Brownhill if he has the right foil alongside him, but the partnership is horrible. That's not to say Brownhill needs his hand held, it's just we're asking him to play too defensively to support Westwood and that just isn't his strongest game.

It’s certainly not his shooting or passing, so I don’t know quite what else is left to say he’s OK offensively. He’d be OK as a back up but in a starting eleven, no thanks. Delivers occasionally but nothing like enough.

[MACCA]

How Westwood hasn't been dropped is beyond belief, terrible for weeks now. Absolute embarrassment

Correct

[Spiral]

It’s certainly not his shooting or passing, so I don’t know quite what else is left to say he’s OK offensively. He’d be OK as a back up but in a starting eleven, no thanks. Delivers occasionally but nothing like enough.

For me it's his pressing intensity. This forces mistakes when done right, but he's asked to sit too deep for it to be of any use.

[Spijed]

Really feel, with two quality central midfielders we'd be mid table comfortably. They put so much pressure on the back four, and create practically nothing for our front players. Weghorst looks absolutely shot of any confidence.

The issue is probably money. When we acquired Westwood & Cork in their prime the cost was a lot less than it would most likely be nowadays. I suppose you can only keep only getting good quality players at the required level cheaply for so long before the well runs dry.

[NickBFC]

The issue is probably money. When we acquired Westwood & Cork in their prime the cost was a lot less than it would most likely be nowadays. I suppose you can only keep only getting good quality players at the required level cheaply for so long before the well runs dry.

Probably, but we've had window after window to fix a glaring issue. We managed to sign Keane, then Collins to succeed various defenders. A young, up coming midfielder signed 3-4 years ago could have been the difference. I just think Dyche likes a 'good pro'.

[BabylonClaret]

Probably, but we've had window after window to fix a glaring issue. We managed to sign Keane, then Collins to succeed various defenders. A young, up coming midfielder signed 3-4 years ago could have been the difference. I just think Dyche likes a 'good pro'.

Well he expects a certain type of mentality to fit the group but the issue isn't that. We have brought in good midfielders before. You need the money to back up what you want though

[Herts Clarets]

I have said it for years but none of our central midfield options gets in any other Premier League squad, never mind starting every game. 19 other managers can't be wrong and Sean's reluctance to accept this has now more than likely cost us our Premier League position for next season.

Westwood, Cork, Brownhill and Stephens all need to leave and be replaced.

[RVclaret]

The issue is probably money. When we acquired Westwood & Cork in their prime the cost was a lot less than it would most likely be nowadays. I suppose you can only keep only getting good quality players at the required level cheaply for so long before the well runs dry.

Rubbish, been plenty of good midfielders move in recent years for affordable prices. That’s without mentioning loans. Garner at Forest on loan from United would be our best midfielder. We’ve just been abysmal at spotting them.

[boatshed bill]

I have said it for years but none of our central midfield options gets in any other Premier League squad, never mind starting every game. 19 other managers can't be wrong and Sean's reluctance to accept this has now more than likely cost us our Premier League position for next season.

Westwood, Cork, Brownhill and Stephens all need to leave and be replaced.

I have time for Brownhill, he will be outstanding in the Championship.
Time's run out for Cork and Westwood.
And it's closing time for Stephens.

[Superjohnnyfrancis]

The wheels have fallen off for Stephens

[boatshed bill]

The wheels have fallen off for Stephens

it won't matter for about a year

[ksrclaret]

Definitely the worst midfield in the PL, and I'd say it's worse than a fair few in the Championship too. Very little athleticism and even less technical ability. So naturally, Dyche always chooses to pair 2 of them against near enough every other side's 3. No wonder we're so, so bad.

Westwood - been good for us but his use of the ball these days is utterly abject and we play our very worst football when he plays. Those hopeful (hopeless) punts are the stuff of the non league.
Cork - very intelligent footballer but his legs went a couple of years ago. Would still be good at this level in a 3.
Brownhill - my judgement now after 50+ games is that he's just not good enough for PL level. He does have athleticism but, again, his use of the ball is just not good enough.
Stephens - laughable signing that totally sums up the approach to recruitment at the club. Absolutely atrocious signing on and off the field.

[DCWat]

I have time for Brownhill, he will be outstanding in the Championship.
Time's run out for Cork and Westwood.
And it's closing time for Stephens.

He’ll be better in the championship, no doubt, but outstanding!? I’d expect there to be plenty better midfielders than Brownhill in the championship.

[tiger76]

I have said it for years but none of our central midfield options gets in any other Premier League squad, never mind starting every game. 19 other managers can't be wrong and Sean's reluctance to accept this has now more than likely cost us our Premier League position for next season.

Westwood, Cork, Brownhill and Stephens all need to leave and be replaced.

Cork & Stephens might leave, but I'll be surprised if Brownhill and Westwood aren't here next season.

I do agree we need to freshen up in this area, but that's been the case for at least a couple of seasons, since Defour & Hendrick departed.

[DCWat]

Cork & Stephens might leave, but I'll be surprised if Brownhill and Westwood aren't here next season.

I do agree we need to freshen up in this area, but that's been the case for at least a couple of seasons, since Defour & Hendrick departed.

I’d argue it was the case when Hendrick was here

To be fair to him though, it was never this bad when he was playing.

[Spiral]

I honestly think Stephens has turned out to be an even worse signing that Gibson. Yes, Gibson was about fifteen times more expensive, but his excuse for not getting game time, struggling to displace the imperious partnership of Mee and Tarkowski, is understandable. It's damning that Stephens can't get in this team.

It's just perplexing that Cork can't get a run of games. We know what he can do, we know his attitude and professionalism. Not that we'd get one, of course, but I'd love to hear an honest, unfiltered, non-cliche, non-gibberish buzzword answer to why he's kept on the bench.

[Superjohnnyfrancis]

it won't matter for about a year

Taxi for Dale !

[boatshed bill]

I’d argue it was the case when Hendrick was here

To be fair to him though, it was never this bad when he was playing.

We played some decent football with Hendrick in.

[Superjohnnyfrancis]

I honestly think Stephens has turned out to be an even worse signing that Gibson. Yes, Gibson was about fifteen times more expensive, but his excuse for not getting game time, struggling to displace the imperious partnership of Mee and Tarkowski, is understandable. It's damning that Stephens can't get in this team.

It's just perplexing that Cork can't get a run of games. We know what he can do, we know his attitude and professionalism. Not that we'd get one, of course, but I'd love to hear an honest, unfiltered, non-cliche, non-gibberish buzzword answer to why he's kept on the bench.

He’s probably called someone on the staff a see you next Tuesday

[DCWat]

We played some decent football with Hendrick in.

It was a hell of a lot better than it is now.

[boatshed bill]

It was a hell of a lot better than it is now.

Indeed it was.
And we should have sold him rather than let him run down his contract.
Assuming, of course, that we could have found a buyer at the time.

[Burnley1989]

Is our midfield the worst in Premier League history? Serious question

They dont protect the back four, they dont support the strikers, they cant pass. Its criminal that we have not improved in this area for at least the last 2 years.

How old? 12?

[Swizzlestick]

Think there's a good (not great, but solid) player in Brownhill if he has the right foil alongside him, but the partnership is horrible. That's not to say Brownhill needs his hand held, it's just we're asking him to play too defensively to support Westwood and that just isn't his strongest game.

The difference in Brownhill when he played alongside Cork in the wins against Spurs and Brighton was noticeable. So Dyche of course dropped Cork and reverted to type with Westwood and we’ve had this mess since.

[Burnley1989]

Arguably the worst I’ve read, Sunday drinking.

[bfcjg]

I can hardly see any redeeming features in our current midfield it really is gash,Norwich just cut through it and took the ball of them at will,well apart from when we passed it to them. They haven't been coached to pass and move as we just try to win second balls cleared by the opposition centre halves, it really is neanderthal basic football and in order for the midfield to be effective to play like this they have to be fast,aggressive tall and have the ability to do a quick pass when the ball is won,sadly our midfielders don't have these attributes.
Every midfield we come across have the ability to drop deep to take the ball from the defence they can travel with pace forward with the ball, Norwich did it numerous times, it's to late now with this shower and coaching team.

[bumba]

For me it's his pressing intensity. This forces mistakes when done right, but he's asked to sit too deep for it to be of any use.

He looks like he's asked not to play football

[brexit]

MOTM votes would appear to indicate that our midfield was outstanding today

[Steddyman]

And I don’t think Cornet is all he is cracked up to be. I know a lot will shoot me down and try to tell me how he should be playing for city but he is not good enough for the premier league and I will be very surprised should any prem side come in for him in the summer. His shooting is poor, he can’f cross or pass and his control is poor.

Massive overreaction. Cornet was perfectly good enough for this league for the first month, until the Dyche effect took hold.

[BabylonClaret]

Massive overreaction. Cornet was perfectly good enough for this league for the first month, until the Dyche effect took hold.

His best game has been 2nd half against Everton. Other than that he's had a fee decent touches and scored a few worldies. Without those goals we would be saying he was a poor signing.

I'm beginning to wonder if our new owners actually know anything about the Premier League

[bobinho]

And if Alan shearer hadn’t scored so many goals he would’ve been a terrible striker.

Cornet HAS scored those goals.

[BabylonClaret]

And if Alan shearer hadn’t scored so many goals he would’ve been a terrible striker.

Cornet HAS scored those goals.

I'm not arguing that but without the goals his performances have been meh. The goals skew how people see him. He was a new thing I Autumn. He gets less space now and as a result often struggles.

[Swizzlestick]

I'm not arguing that but without the goals his performances have been meh. The goals skew how people see him. He was a new thing I Autumn. He gets less space now and as a result often struggles.

He was very good against Everton (notably being played in the position he should have been played, not shoved up front as Dyche tried previously for some reason) lively and dynamic, even aside from the goal. Struggled today but hardly the only one. Throw in the injury he had, I think you’re being a little harsh.

[Elizabeth]

Cornet is the one player I would exempt from any criticism however bad the midfield have been.
Westwood , Brownhill and McNeill have been more or less permanent fixtures and to a player been awful all season.

[Newcastleclaret93]

It’s certainly not his shooting or passing, so I don’t know quite what else is left to say he’s OK offensively. He’d be OK as a back up but in a starting eleven, no thanks. Delivers occasionally but nothing like enough.

100% Brownhill at best is a back CM in this league. The fact he’s played nearly every game tells you how bad the rest are.

Mid table championship midfield at best.

Mowatt and Livermore are the same level as our CMs and they are mid table champ

[Vegas Claret]

not sure about the worst in PL history, that's a little unrealistic, but for the last 20 months or so they've been nothing short of dreadful.

[Taffy on the wing]

The difference in Brownhill when he played alongside Cork in the wins against Spurs and Brighton was noticeable. So Dyche of course dropped Cork and reverted to type with Westwood and we’ve had this mess since.

This is the thing that puzzles me the most......mind-boggling!