Could our midfield score against Palace?

[Quickenthetempo]

In Palace's last 3 games (since Adam Wharton has gone there) 6 goals against them have come from midfielders.

Can our midfield take advantage of an obvious weakness?

Is Amdouni counted as an attacking midfielder? Is it his time to shine?

[LincsWoldsClaret]

No, No, Yes

[Jamesy]

In response to your second question. I think it’s time for Amdouni to have a prolonged spell on the bench.

[summitclaret]

In response to your second question. I think it’s time for Amdouni to have a prolonged spell on the bench.

And be replaced by Benson, in a front 3, with 3 proper centre midfielders i.e. Berge, Browny and Josh.

[Jamesy]

And be replaced by Benson, in a front 3, with 3 proper centre midfielders i.e. Berge, Browny and Josh.

It would be good. But as we all know, it ain’t gonna happen.
Oops, my second negative post of the day.

[ElectroClaret]

We couldn't score in a f*****g brothel.

[Burnley1989]

I liked Amdouni but its time he was dropped, he’s offering nothing despite his obvious ability.

[ClaretAL]

As much as Tressor wound me up with his lethargic play on the wing, I thought in the pre season friendly we had, he played really well in the 10 position, and the much mentioned assist record could only serve well now with the speed and foresight Forfana seems to have and with the runs he is making. Yes I get it I am going off 1 game as I haven't seen him any others, but he has to be better than Amdouni.

[Joe14]

We could be playing Roughlee United and they wouldn’t score.

One think I can guarantee v Palace. Trafford in nets

[NewClaret]

I’d never dig in to a player the way some have over Trafford and Ramsey, but on the Ramsey point I can’t really see why Kompany has been starting him on RW.

As unpalatable as it is to accept after a big summer spend on left wingers, I think JBG is studs our best option there. He has to come in for me and offers some form of leadership/experience. I’d like to hope it nudges Benson up the pecking order to see more of him off the bench though.

On Amdouni, the sad thing is I wouldn’t have minded seeing Ramsey given a run in his preferred 10 role over Amdouni. Now I think he retains his place. As above, maybe we see Tresor back on the bench to cover for him, although Benson and Tresor coming off the bench is likely the two most lightweight substitutes you could make.

[Vegas Claret]

Palace under 12's ?

[bfcjg]

No, no, and no.

[fidelcastro]

I'd take anyone scoring against Palace, please.

Trouble is, it's how many we might concede at the other end that worries me more.

[Jamesy]

I’d never dig in to a player the way some have over Trafford and Ramsey, but on the Ramsey point I can’t really see why Kompany has been starting him on RW.

As unpalatable as it is to accept after a big summer spend on left wingers, I think JBG is studs our best option there. He has to come in for me and offers some form of leadership/experience. I’d like to hope it nudges Benson up the pecking order to see more of him off the bench though.

On Amdouni, the sad thing is I wouldn’t have minded seeing Ramsey given a run in his preferred 10 role over Amdouni. Now I think he retains his place. As above, maybe we see Tresor back on the bench to cover for him, although Benson and Tresor coming off the bench is likely the two most lightweight substitutes you could make.

I think “lightweight” could be an apt description for most of our squad at present.

[ChorltonCharlie]

Amdouni is playing as a striker as part of a front 2. When it’s Foster or Fofana, they’re expected to run the channels more (down the right), with Amdouni given more of a free role in possession, but still on the left hand side. Out of possession they drop into a rigid 4-4-2 with both expected to drop into the mid-block and rarely engage.

As for Ramsey, it’s been a pragmatic move in two tough games to have an extra midfielder playing. Ramsey tucks in on the side where we have a striker running the channels. On the left Odobert hugs the touchline which is where Amdouni would drift more centrally. You’ve got the attacking full back in Assignon overlapping Ramsey and on the other side where Odobert is much more attacking there’s the more defensive minded Delcroix. It hasn’t worked, whether that’s been down to personnel, quality of opposition or both. There is method in the madness to playing Ramsey there in a tough game where it’s going to be backs against the wall. Off the top of my head I think Ramsey has only played that role in 3 games out of 25, and all against tough opposition.

In answer to the original question. We have the players to take advantage, but we’ve lost sight of what made us so good last season. A return to the box midfield could work wonders with the right players. Cullen would seem integral to that, and moving Berge forward into one of the two advanced midfield roles alongside JBG would in my opinion be a start. That’s clearly what VK had in mind for Berge, but in the early days he looked like a fish out of water and was far too attacking leaving us wide open. You’d hope that after 6 months he could now understand the role better. I think JBG is also key as he naturally seemed to understand that role this time last year and is our one player who seems to be able to pick a forward pass from central midfield. Who plays right wing is tricky. We’d all love to see Benson, but realistically it’s a big ask at this level to have both Odobert and Benson in the same line up away from home. As much as he shouldn’t be anywhere near the right wing with the money we’ve spent, I think Vitinho could be as good for balance as anyone.

[kentonclaret]

I'd take anyone scoring against Palace, please.

Trouble is, it's how many we might concede at the other end that worries me more.

As I have posted on a different thread, you would not expect that a club managed by an ex player who had a distinguished career, at both club and international level, as a central defender to have the second worst record on goals conceded, bettered only by the club sitting bottom. Many of the goals conceded coming from set-pieces showing a lack of organisation.
To hold any chance of beating Palace we will definitely have to score at least twice.

[Claretitus]

Think our best chance is an OG.Just can’t see where a goal comes from at the minute, never mind a win.

[StayingDown4Ever]

Think our best chance is an OG.Just can’t see where a goal comes from at the minute, never mind a win.

Are we THAT pathetic that OG is our best chance of getting a goal!?

[Vim Fuego]

Not sure how their new Gaffer will set up, but Palace might be a game where we get possession. Then it will depend on a) how penetrative we are in their half, and b) how we roll with their counter. Play 3 proper CMs and Berge at the front of that triangle and max out his ability going forward. No Amdouni. Your 442 is not working Vincent. It is not rocket science.

[blatherwickstattoos]

Brownhill hatrick . All direct from 3, whipping , swerving powerful corners

[Wokingclaret]

Urrrr, NO

[Tricky Trevor]

Crystal or Buckingham?
The answer to either is NO.
As above, time for Amdouni to have some sit down time.