Josh Cullen

[deanothedino]

Isn’t good enough in this league. Change my mind

[123EasyasBFC]

Not good enough in a 2

[ClaretsPadiham]

Not just Cullen not one player is good enough.

[ervi34]

He's struggling and I thought he will need less time to adapt but everyone would have problems when playing with only 1 midfielder beside him who is not really a good holding midfielder in the first place.

[RVclaret]

Not good enough in a 2

Didn’t play in a 2 today. Can we try and understand the system.

It’s a clear 4-3-3. Cullen central with two 8s alongside. It’s been like this all season. Issue is Berge and Amdouni aren’t defensively minded and it leaves Cullen (a single pivot) exposed.

[Vegas Claret]

Isn’t good enough in this league. Change my mind

One man midfield today, can't play a Premier League game on your own. Not sure what you or anyone expect him to do when Berge, Tresor, Oderbert were all playing it like a pre-season friendly

[bumba]

1 man midfield and 2 man defence perfect formula to stop the rot

[Blatherwickstattoo]

Weakest midfield 2 in the league by a mile

[jedi_master]

Berge far worse today and for majority of the season.

Cullen is a 3 man midfielder - he needs Cork or an equivelant next to him, and Berge is not that man. Hilariously when we have about 600 wingers, I think id play Berge as a narrow right sided midfielder and run with a three man midfield of Cullen, Cork and Brownhill at the moment.

[123EasyasBFC]

Didn’t play in a 2 today. Can we try and understand the system.

It’s a clear 4-3-3. Cullen central with two 8s alongside. It’s been like this all season. Issue is Berge and Amdouni aren’t defensively minded and it leaves Cullen (a single pivot) exposed.

Amdouni certainly isn’t an 8 but it’s more of a Cullen and berge 2 with Amdouni in front and it’s not worked

[Murger]

Cullen needs Cork next to him.

[expoultryboy]

Can't blame Cullen when he's totally isolated . Berge jogged around making no effort to get back and help defend .

[RVclaret]

Amdouni certainly isn’t an 8 but it’s more of a Cullen and berge 2 with Amdouni in front and it’s not worked

We’ve not played that once this season. I’ve just showed you the average player positions and it’s the clearest midfield 3 you’ll see. Whether Amdouni is an 8 (ability wise) or not is another thing. But the system is definitely not a Berge Cullen double pivot.

[123EasyasBFC]

We’ve not played that once this season. I’ve just showed you the average player positions and it’s the clearest midfield 3 you’ll see. Whether Amdouni is an 8 (ability wise) or not is another thing. But the system is definitely not a Berge Cullen double pivot.

It’s not a clear midfield 3 imo

[NewClaret]

Isn’t good enough in this league. Change my mind

Completely agree. Massive misty by Kompany in the context of our summer spending to not sign a more competent CDM.

[fungus_the_bogeyman]

Rodri would struggle in our midfield.

[Jacob Rees Dogg]

Very good Championship player.
Like Roberts.
And Taylor.

Cullen is too small, too slow and too weak for the Prem. Doesn’t help that he is completely exposed every week because he gets no help from the rest of the midfield.

[deanothedino]

Completely agree. Massive misty by Kompany in the context of our summer spending to not sign a more competent CDM.

I'd go as far as to say I still don't think he's better than Cork. VK clearly has an emotional attachment to Cullen that clouds his judgement.

[warksclaret]

Would disagree-Josh is one of the few players in the team up to PL standards. There is no one other than Cork in the present squad that can help him, and sadly Jack is in his twilight years. Therefore we always need to play Bownhill alongside him, but Berge more advance. Berge is very talented moving forwards. I think VK needs to give these 3 an extended run, by which time our centre back worries have been resolved. Josh more than anyone else is always there for the pass, rarely gets injured and gets stuck in to defending when required

[123EasyasBFC]

Didn’t play in a 2 today. Can we try and understand the system.

It’s a clear 4-3-3. Cullen central with two 8s alongside. It’s been like this all season. Issue is Berge and Amdouni aren’t defensively minded and it leaves Cullen (a single pivot) exposed.

You can’t base Amdouni’s position from this graphic, this has tresor playing further forward than foster which is simply not the case

[JohnDearyMe]

Did he play at all in any of our pre season friendlies? He's looked well off the pace so far

[Colburn_Claret]

He'll never be a world beater, but he is good enough in the right system, and with the right partner.
WE have all seen since the Citeh game, that Sander Berge is hopeless as a defensive midfielder. Not his fault that VK keeps playing him there, but he is better suited to that forward role.
Cullen needs either Brownhill or Cork alongside him. Preferably a.n.other come January.

I'm very confused as to why VK seems to be the only person that doesn't see it. Is he stubborn ala SD, or just naive to what the Prem requires. I can't see him being naive, he played at this level for so long.
What is noticeable in just 18 months since we left it, the players at this level are bigger, stronger and faster than ever. We all presumed we were going back to the Premier League that we left, but that isn't the case.

[Elizabeth]

I read a stat ( yes I sometimes do) before the Brentford game that Cullen was in the top 5 for most fouled players in the PL.
I don’t know if this has any significance to the way he is playing

[deanothedino]

Would disagree-Josh is one of the few players in the team up to PL standards. There is no one other than Cork in the present squad that can help him, and sadly Jack is in his twilight years. Therefore we always need to play Bownhill alongside him, but Berge more advance. Berge is very talented moving forwards. I think VK needs to give these 3 an extended run, by which time our centre back worries have been resolved. Josh more than anyone else is always there for the pass, rarely gets injured and gets stuck in to defending when required

I’d say there’s a reason this is his first season in the PL as a regular at age 27 after predominately playing in the Championship, League One and Belgium while having spent 15 years at West Ham only playing 3 times in the league…

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

Cullen was left all on his own yesterday. Berge was constantly caught on the wrong side of their players and Tresor, Oddebert and Koleosho when he came on offered absolutely nothing defensively.

[ksrclaret]

Quite. Of all the players to come in for stick, Cullen is at the bottom of my list.

I can see he’s giving it his all and trying his best to hold a midfield together on his own. At one point, he looked absolutely exasperated with VK. Not sure why, but it shows the lad cares at least.

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

Quite. Of all the players to come in for stick, Cullen is at the bottom of my list.

I can see he’s giving it his all and trying his best to hold a midfield together on his own. At one point, he looked absolutely exasperated with VK. Not sure why, but it shows the lad cares at least.

Yes agree quite a few looked like they couldn’t care less in the closing stages yesterday.

[Jamesy]

Cullen needs Cork next to him.

100% Correct. Cork is ageing now and will probably get more bookings, however we need to shore up midfield. I know Vincent wants to play sexy football but it’s time to get the basics right first.

[deanothedino]

Quite. Of all the players to come in for stick, Cullen is at the bottom of my list.

I can see he’s giving it his all and trying his best to hold a midfield together on his own. At one point, he looked absolutely exasperated with VK. Not sure why, but it shows the lad cares at least.

Unfortunately though giving it your all isn't enough to make you PL quality otherwise half of us would play.

[DCWat]

What it shows is just how good Cork and Westwood were for us as a two. Yes, we had ‘wingers’ that dropped inside to support, which eased their burden, but it was rare that they looked overrun as we have done this season.

We have made a massive error or judgement by no adequately reinforcing our midfield to allow our forward players the freedom to perform their roles.

Massengo may prove to be that player, down the line. Right now though he appears to be another player that we are hoping to come good in a year or two.

We have too many prospects and not enough of sufficient quality for the here and now. We are weak and lack leadership and that simply down to poor recruitment.

[ksrclaret]

Unfortunately though giving it your all isn't enough to make you PL quality otherwise half of us would play.

True, but none of us have also been the Championship’s best midfielder.

I believe Cullen can make the step up, providing he isn’t hung out to dry by the manager playing in a midfield of one. With another DM next to him, and that will have to be Cork for now owing to the summer balls up, he’ll be fine playing in a more compact unit. Sadly, I can’t see either happening.

[deanothedino]

True, but none of us have also been the Championship’s best midfielder.

I believe Cullen can make the step up, providing he isn’t hung out to dry by the manager playing in a midfield of one. With another DM next to him, and that will have to be Cork for now owing to the summer balls up, he’ll be fine playing in a more compact unit. Sadly, I can’t see either happening.

Neither has Cullen imo. It's probably much easier to look good as a DM in a side that's dominating possession all season though.

We still scored more points per game when Cork started - it's not much more, but I don't think it's a coincidence that we've scored more points when Cork starts in our last 2 full seasons than when he doesn't. He may be aging but he still brings a quality no one else does, and we haven't replaced him.

[BleedingClaret]

Not good enough in a 2

No team in the bottom half of the Prem has players good enough to dominate in a two and especially if the other man in the two isn’t a defensive midfielder

[randomclaret2]

I find it hard to criticise Cullen because he gives 100% every week, barely misses a game and is the very epitome of steady and reliable, but there was nothing in his CV when we signed him, at the age of 26, that suggested he was a Premier League player. Maybe proof that our promotion came earlier than the club were expecting ?

[warksclaret]

100% Correct. Cork is ageing now and will probably get more bookings, however we need to shore up midfield. I know Vincent wants to play sexy football but it’s time to get the basics right first.

The "sexy football" line always reminds me of Ruud Gullit at Newcastle-the creator of this expression.think he survived 12 months

[JohnDearyMe]

What it shows is just how good Cork and Westwood were for us as a two. Yes, we had ‘wingers’ that dropped inside to support, which eased their burden, but it was rare that they looked overrun as we have done this season.

We have made a massive error or judgement by no adequately reinforcing our midfield to allow our forward players the freedom to perform their roles.

Massengo may prove to be that player, down the line. Right now though he appears to be another player that we are hoping to come good in a year or two.

We have too many prospects and not enough of sufficient quality for the here and now. We are weak and lack leadership and that simply down to poor recruitment.

I had completely forgotten about Massengo. Was he signed soley for the youth set up? I saw he has played a few games for the youth team but wasn't sure if he'd be considered for the 1st team squad this season

[123EasyasBFC]

Plenty of people laughed on here and on twitter at us being linked with Dier and Evans in the summer.
Evans at cb and dier at cdm would instantly make us a better team

[deanothedino]

Plenty of people laughed on here and on twitter at us being linked with Dier and Evans in the summer.
Evans at cb and dier at cdm would instantly make us a better team

Bit of experience from someone like Dier would do us a world of good

[randomclaret2]

I had completely forgotten about Massengo. Was he signed soley for the youth set up? I saw he has played a few games for the youth team but wasn't sure if he'd be considered for the 1st team squad this season

Massengo is 22 and has over 100 games in the Championship and French 1st Division

[Newcastleclaret93]

Plenty of people laughed on here and on twitter at us being linked with Dier and Evans in the summer.
Evans at cb and dier at cdm would instantly make us a better team

Could not agree more

[aggi]

It's not that surprising he's struggling when you look at the line-up. Like, I suspect, most people we looked at that line-up in the pub before the match on Saturday and spent a while discussing how lightweight we were in midfield.

Didn’t play in a 2 today. Can we try and understand the system.

It’s a clear 4-3-3. Cullen central with two 8s alongside. It’s been like this all season. Issue is Berge and Amdouni aren’t defensively minded and it leaves Cullen (a single pivot) exposed.

You've posted these a few times, where are they from? What is the position based on?

[warksclaret]

We were sadly exposed on Saturday in midfield. If Brentford got the ball they constantly slipped it through as Berge was knackered after two international games, plus has yet to show any fight or challenge defensively, and Amdouini is no way defensively minded. It was a poor set up by VK. I like both Berge and Amdouini, but only in their right advanced roles. We were very, very lucky we were not playing one of the top sides yet to face us ie Liverpool or Arsenal. Brentford have a decent team, but 7 were missing on Saturday and I would not expect them to finish higher than 14/15th this season. First lesson for Bournemouth is to start with the 11 fit and available 11 who can make a difference at both ends of the pitch. The right 11 v Brentford would have had a better chance

[Big Vinny K]

Didn’t play in a 2 today. Can we try and understand the system.

It’s a clear 4-3-3. Cullen central with two 8s alongside. It’s been like this all season. Issue is Berge and Amdouni aren’t defensively minded and it leaves Cullen (a single pivot) exposed.

Why do you keep on posting stuff suggesting you are the only one who understands the system ?

Have you every thought it’s you who might be the one who is not seeing this correctly ?

Berge has not played in the same position all year. He’s played further forward at times and the times Cullen is exposed is either because Brownhill is not playing and Berge does not track back or he’s exposed as he was in the Spurs game which was due to Trafford and Al Dakhill playing ridiculous passes and Maddison anticipating that we were going to lose the ball.

As for Amdouni I think you are watching a different game to the rest of us if you think he has any defensive duties. Just because he is coming deep sometimes to pick up the ball does not mean he is going to help out Cullen or pick up a man. Of course if the ball is there to be won he will try and win it just like Foster does when he comes back.

The difference is when Brownhill plays he knows that he has a player to pick up and he his more capable of understanding what he needs to do to help Cullen and our defence. The balance is that we lose something going forward but it’s up to VK to find that - and this season that’s been very difficult to achieve (in no small part because of the opposition we are playing and how tactically astute the likes of Emre, and most of the managers are)

[CoolClaret]

Why do you keep on posting stuff suggesting you are the only one who understands the system ?

Have you every thought it’s you who might be the one who is not seeing this correctly ?

Berge has not played in the same position all year. He’s played further forward at times and the times Cullen is exposed is either because Brownhill is not playing and Berge does not track back or he’s exposed as he was in the Spurs game which was due to Trafford and Al Dakhill playing ridiculous passes and Maddison anticipating that we were going to lose the ball.

As for Amdouni I think you are watching a different game to the rest of us if you think he has any defensive duties. Just because he is coming deep sometimes to pick up the ball does not mean he is going to help out Cullen or pick up a man. Of course if the ball is there to be won he will try and win it just like Foster does when he comes back.

The difference is when Brownhill plays he knows that he has a player to pick up and he his more capable of understanding what he needs to do to help Cullen and our defence. The balance is that we lose something going forward but it’s up to VK to find that - and this season that’s been very difficult to achieve (in no small part because of the opposition we are playing and how tactically astute the likes of Emre, and most of the managers are)

Yeah Berge is definitely meant to have more defensive responsibilities;

The problem with SofaScore is that yes it shows the average positions, but it doesn't show the players out of posession in our defensive shape, which I think is where we'd see Berge meant to be taking up a more defensive position.

I mean - if you look at some of the games from last season (when we changed shape) on SofaScore (rotherham away, reading etc) Cullen and Lyle Foster were basically beside one another on their average positions - but no one would say that Foster was playing CM/holding mid with Cullen!

In posession we are deffo a 4-3-3 / 4-1-4-1 though with Cullen sitting

[RVclaret]

Why do you keep on posting stuff suggesting you are the only one who understands the system ?

Have you every thought it’s you who might be the one who is not seeing this correctly ?

Berge has not played in the same position all year. He’s played further forward at times and the times Cullen is exposed is either because Brownhill is not playing and Berge does not track back or he’s exposed as he was in the Spurs game which was due to Trafford and Al Dakhill playing ridiculous passes and Maddison anticipating that we were going to lose the ball.

As for Amdouni I think you are watching a different game to the rest of us if you think he has any defensive duties. Just because he is coming deep sometimes to pick up the ball does not mean he is going to help out Cullen or pick up a man. Of course if the ball is there to be won he will try and win it just like Foster does when he comes back.

The difference is when Brownhill plays he knows that he has a player to pick up and he his more capable of understanding what he needs to do to help Cullen and our defence. The balance is that we lose something going forward but it’s up to VK to find that - and this season that’s been very difficult to achieve (in no small part because of the opposition we are playing and how tactically astute the likes of Emre, and most of the managers are)

I’m saying the shape is a 4–1-4-1 / 4-3-3, that’s it. Cullen single pivot, two other alongside him further forward.

Berge has not played as a central ‘10’ once all season. On Saturday he was that left sided 8. Amdouni for the most part has been a right sided advanced 8 in the midfield 3 (aside from Luton away, City home and then the games he had to replace Foster). Regarding defensive responsibilities that was kinda the issue on Saturday, with Amdouni and Berge playing as those two 8s you lose the extra defensive awareness of Brownhill, using your example. Amdouni actually played really well in that role at Forest.

To illustrate my point here is the same shape in that game, Brownhill ending up even more advanced than him as the left sided 8 here. What we miss from that night is the positioning, nous and experience of JBG in that tucked inside right midfield role.

[Big Vinny K]

Yeah Berge is definitely meant to have more defensive responsibilities;

The problem with SofaScore is that yes it shows the average positions, but it doesn't show the players out of posession in our defensive shape, which I think is where we'd see Berge meant to be taking up a more defensive position.

I mean - if you look at some of the games from last season (when we changed shape) on SofaScore (rotherham away, reading etc) Cullen and Lyle Foster were basically beside one another on their average positions - but no one would say that Foster was playing CM/holding mid with Cullen!

In posession we are deffo a 4-3-3 / 4-1-4-1 though with Cullen sitting

I agree.
And those who have played football know there’s a difference between where you are supposed to be on the pitch and where you end up being !!

In terms of Berge in the times I have seen him flourish for Sheff United and for us is when he is going forward and playing higher up. Before he joined us I never thought for one minute he was anything but an attacking midfielder.
If he has to try and protect Cullen or pick up the oppositions attacking midfielders he’s going to pick up a lot of bookings and we will also (and already have) concede goals from him losing his man. He does not have the defensive awareness, ability, mindset or speed to do that job. But as is often the case with certain players if he is the one who is attacking he is a pretty powerful runner, got good feet, can find space and pick a pass or weigh in with goals. For whatever reason some players switch off when they have to try and combat that type of player.
But if you were very good at both of these aspects of the game then you are unlikely to be playing for Sheff United and Burnley (for long !!)

[JR1882]

It was obvious to everyone that in the summer we needed a “cork upgrade” energetic athletic box to box midfielder.

We got Berge, not sure what he is but he isn’t that.

You can lay 99% of this seasons issues at the door of our transfer business.

Cullens fine in a double pivot or with a water carrier. Berge/Amdouni can then play further up as 8/10

[CoolClaret]

I’m saying the shape is a 4–1-4-1 / 4-3-3, that’s it. Cullen single pivot, two other alongside him further forward.

Berge has not played as a central ‘10’ once all season. On Saturday he was that left sided 8. Amdouni for the most part has been a right sided advanced 8 in the midfield 3 (aside from Luton away, City home and then the games he had to replace Foster). Regarding defensive responsibilities that was kinda the issue on Saturday, with Amdouni and Berge playing as those two 8s you lose the extra defensive awareness of Brownhill, using your example. Amdouni actually played really well in that role at Forest.

To illustrate my point here is the same shape in that game, Brownhill ending up even more advanced than him as the left sided 8 here. What we miss from that night is the positioning, nous and experience of JBG in that tucked inside right midfield role.

Like I said the only thing is we can't differentiate with in/out of posession shape's with SofaScore; more over, I don't think we can get away with playing Berge and Amdouni in those roles together.

We aren't good enough - Cullen sadly isn't Declan Rice (though is better than being given credit for) and Berge and Amdouni aren't Odegaard/Viera/Havertz etc

[RVclaret]

Like I said the only thing is we can't differentiate with in/out of posession shape's with SofaScore; more over, I don't think we can get away with playing Berge and Amdouni in those roles together.

We aren't good enough - Cullen sadly isn't Declan Rice (though is better than being given credit for) and Berge and Amdouni aren't Odegaard/Viera/Havertz etc

Yeah I completely agree. The midfield was feeling more structured with Brownhill in there, not sure why it needed to change again.

[jojomk1]

Don't forget we have also paid out a substantial amount of money for Ramsey and he is never going to be a holding midfielder
Said it on another thread, Pace and Co are not going to be happy if we have spent a lot of money on Berge and Ramsey and then Cork is played in front of them
Baring injuries just can't see that happening
Cullen will be left as our single holding cm and, for us, that key area is too weak