I'm probably going to get pelters for this post from the Tarky in midfield crew, but for a while now I've been thinking Matt Lowton could be used as a centre mid.

It actually started way back when we played Rochdale in the cup. He played the last 15 minutes as a centre midfielder and did really well. Yes it was towards the end of the game, yes it was much lower opposition, but I thought there were some encouraging signs.

He could essentially play the Grezza role (minus the toe-bung penalties!!), just sitting, breaking up play and allowing Brownhill to get forward. He loves getting in players faces and winding them up, he's got a good engine and knows 'the framework' as good as anyone.

Given Dyche's reluctance to play Cork (god knows why after 7 points in a week!), we need to try something a little out of the box.

*Tin hat firmly on*

I am hoping Lowton plays the next game at right back.

Should not have been dropped and certainly shouldn't have been kept out with the recent performances by Roberts

claretonthecoast1882 wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 15, 2022 8:50 am

I am hoping Lowton plays the next game at right back.

Should not have been dropped and certainly shouldn't have been kept out with the recent performances by Roberts

There will be divided opinions on this.I am not sure myself, as we probably have not seen the best of Roberts. He has generally played well. Certainly not our worst player since he came in to a side that was playing badly

warksclaret wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 15, 2022 8:56 am

There will be divided opinions on this.I am not sure myself, as we probably have not seen the best of Roberts. He has generally played well. Certainly not our worst player since he came in to a side that was playing badly

He has had the odd good moment, he looks rushed whenever he has the ball, his crossing is 9 times out of 10 poor and his famous long throws are just about the worst long throws I have seen. His constant backing off also doesn't help.

I think he needs a proper full pre season with us to settle in properly.

So far it’s looked like Roberts is more athletic and gets further forward but Lowton is a far better defender and has the better cross. Roberts’ throw-ins would swing it in his favour if our coaches had a clue how to use them.

It’s certainly close but I’m surprised SD hasn’t gone for Lowton’s experience

I honestly think it’s time to bring him back in to the side, he has plenty of experience and has a calmness about his game that Roberts’s has yet to develop.

I`d be tempted to play them both, Roberts as the forward attacking player due to him being for quicker and skilful than Lowts but not as good in defending as Lowts is.

For City the team should be:

Pope
Lowton
Tarks
Mee (Depending on injury)
Pieters
Lennon
Cork
Brownhill
Cornet
Rodriguez
Weghorst

claretburns wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 15, 2022 9:47 am

For City the team should be:

Pope
Lowton
Tarks
Mee (Depending on injury)
Pieters
Lennon
Cork
Brownhill
Cornet
Rodriguez
Weghorst

Which City? let's be realistic it won't matter who we select against Man City, the next key game is Norwich.

On balance I'd agree that XI is our strongest available when all fit, and if we can I'd hope that would be what Sean selects, as that line-up will give us a chance of survival however slim.

We looked more solid defensively with Roberts and Pieters at full back.

Steve-Harpers-perm wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 15, 2022 12:05 pm

We looked more solid defensively with Roberts and Pieters at full back.

Definitely Pieters

Lowts in for Roberts at RB for the reasons explained above. Roberts definitely NOT pushed forward as that means the excellent Lennon misses out.

I’m not for square pegs in round holes so Lowts at RB for me, along with pieters at LB.

I suppose I’m still a bit like SD, as I’m unsure what to do with Max, other than dropping McNeil and playing him out left, but if you suggest that round here it’s tantamount to bullying.

I am still a Lowton man.

I'd be amazed if Lowton didn't come into the side for our next game. But it will be at right back rather than central midfield, because that would just be mental.

That’s funny….

Roberts is more athletic than Lowton , touch quicker . Though his long throw is gash , surely 2/3 other players could throw it further if really needed . I was hoping for a little more classic wingback but he doesn’t seem to take his man on at all and his crossing is bang average at best

Not sure what Lowton did that warranted him being dropped in the first place, tbh.

Roberts isn't an upgrade.

Rileybobs wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 15, 2022 12:48 pm

I'd be amazed if Lowton didn't come into the side for our next game. But it will be at right back rather than central midfield, because that would just be mental.

Steve-Harpers-perm wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 15, 2022 12:05 pm

We looked more solid defensively with Roberts and Pieters at full back.

It's the way Roberts turns his back towards the crosser and ducks that bothers me, we have conceded 2 or 3 goals in the same fashion these last 3 games. Lowton back in for me....he was having a good season.
Pieters for sure if he's fit......Taylor always heads backward & slows things down.....IMO.

the fact there is even a discussion about this is embarrassing for a PL club of 7 years. (Embarrassing for the state of the club not the post)

Vegas Claret wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 15, 2022 3:31 pm

the fact there is even a discussion about this is embarrassing for a PL club of 7 years. (Embarrassing for the state of the club not the post)

Yeah there is definitely no other club in the division with 2 players fighting it out for a full back position

claretonthecoast1882 wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 15, 2022 3:37 pm

Yeah there is definitely no other club in the division with 2 players fighting it out for a full back position

Lowton in Midfield was the topic, would be good if you bothered reading the OP

Vegas Claret wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 15, 2022 3:43 pm

Lowton in Midfield was the topic, would be good if you bothered reading the OP

For 1 post yeah then quickly became about Lowton v Roberts, given the amount of whining you do though on match threads at least you were given another opportunity to be embarrassed.

claretonthecoast1882 wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 15, 2022 3:48 pm

For 1 post yeah then quickly became about Lowton v Roberts, given the amount of whining you do though on match threads at least you were given another opportunity to be embarrassed.

are you on drugs ? https://www.supportline.org.uk/problems/drugs/

ElectroClaret wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 15, 2022 1:59 pm

Not sure what Lowton did that warranted him being dropped in the first place, tbh.

Roberts isn't an upgrade.

Agreed. I suspect the change was to just shake it up a little and see what happened.

Lowton was scoring!