btw, whoever edited it needs a slap

Will be interesting to see if he starts now Cullen is fit. I get the feeling he will.

Pearcey wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 20, 2024 10:04 pm

Will be interesting to see if he starts now Cullen is fit. I get the feeling he will.

Nobody should start in front of a fully fit Cullen in this league imho

He shouldn’t start ahead of Cullen but he might take Brownhill’s place !!

IWOODLOVETT wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 20, 2024 10:24 pm

He shouldn’t start ahead of Cullen but he might take Brownhill’s place !!

Unfortunately if JB doesn't want to sign a new deal, that should be the case imo, obviously, providing he's good enough.

Vegas Claret wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 20, 2024 10:19 pm

Nobody should start in front of a fully fit Cullen in this league imho

Completely agree. It’s the way Parker was talking about him in his presser that made me think.

IWOODLOVETT wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 20, 2024 10:24 pm

He shouldn’t start ahead of Cullen but he might take Brownhill’s place !!

I had Hannibal pencilled in for that….

Burnley1989 wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 21, 2024 7:08 am

Unfortunately if JB doesn't want to sign a new deal, that should be the case imo, obviously, providing he's good enough.

A week or two on the bench may help focus Brownhills mind. It wont help his marketability when he's looking for a new club at xmas.

My preferred central three would be Cullen, Brownhill and Hannibal.

If Hannibal doesn’t play then Brownhill plays the attacking midfielder role with Laurent taking his place in the deeper role.

BurnleyFC wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 21, 2024 8:53 am

My preferred central three would be Cullen, Brownhill and Hannibal.

If Hannibal doesn’t play then Brownhill plays the attacking midfielder role with Laurent taking his place in the deeper role.

Me too, but then you struggle to fit flemming in. I think at home against teams like Portsmouth we might look at Cullen plus Brownhill/Hannibal or Laurent. Then flemming behind Foster. Flemming looks fit and presses intelligently so defensively we don't lose out too much.

Away from home I think the three you suggest are the best ability wise, but at 21 and with a hot head Hannibal might switch out for Laurent. Hannibal will settle into the side over the next season or two for sure but no rush.

I get the feeling Laurent has the right credentials to be unpopular on here.

1) he was signed from Stoke
2) a poster on the Oatcake msg said he was rubbish
3) he’s not Josh Cullen

Won’t be long before Laurent’s performances are over analysed.

NL Claret wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 21, 2024 9:43 am

I get the feeling Laurent has the right credentials to be unpopular on here.

1) he was signed from Stoke
2) a poster on the Oatcake msg said he was rubbish
3) he’s not Josh Cullen

Won’t be long before Laurent’s performances are over analysed.

You clearly spend too much time trawling other teams forums. Nobody cares where he's signed from.

Goliath wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 21, 2024 9:48 am

You clearly spend too much time trawling other teams forums. Nobody cares where he's signed from.

Incorrect, it’s bad enough reading this forum but I can’t help myself.

I read the oatcake comment either on here or twitter.

Cullen got to start if fit. Laurent should be a rotation option IMO. He lost the ball a number of times vs Leeds and put us back under pressure. On his day, Cullen is the best midfielder in the league.

colne-claret wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 21, 2024 9:59 am

Cullen got to start if fit. Laurent should be a rotation option IMO. He lost the ball a number of times vs Leeds and put us back under pressure. On his day, Cullen is the best midfielder in the league.

You could probably say that about 5-6 players (losing the ball) why single Laurent out?

If Roberts isn't fit maybe JL will play right back today. Cullin is one of the first names on the teamsheet.

Over the five games I though Pires had a good game at Luton but to me has been our weakest in the defence and going forward loses the ball to easily

Was watching brief highlights, Pires gone awol 2nd half, who came across to cover and put a crunching tackle on the Leeds winger?

NL Claret wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 21, 2024 10:12 am

You could probably say that about 5-6 players (losing the ball) why single Laurent out?

Because I’m saying Cullen is better. I’ve no problem with Laurent and been relatively happy with what I’ve seen so far but IMO he is not a starter long term. It’s not about singling him out. The thread is about Laurent. He will be a great squad player this season.

NL Claret wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 21, 2024 9:43 am

I get the feeling Laurent has the right credentials to be unpopular on here.

1) he was signed from Stoke
2) a poster on the Oatcake msg said he was rubbish
3) he’s not Josh Cullen

Won’t be long before Laurent’s performances are over analysed.

Or maybe it’s because Josh Cullen is one of our best midfielders who won both players and fans player of the year when we were at this level? Why on earth does it matter that he’s signed from Stoke? I doubt most on here know what ‘the Oatcake’ is.

Cullen has to start, but I sense that Laurent is really fancied by Parker.

I’m not sure we need 2 holding midfielders in this division so for me it’s Brownhill and Hannibal alongside him.

I’ve been impressed with Laurent. He’s been very disciplined and looks to be a great option in our tougher games to pair up with Cullen, but not a regular starter when all three are fit in my view.

I think Laurent is cover for Cullen rather than a starter. One of my best friends is a Stoke ST holder and because of his adverse view of Laurent's ability, which was mirrored by many on the Oatcake message board when he signed for us, I need to be convinced about him. So far he's looked OK ..not a world-beater by any means but reasonably steady. Cullen, Brownhill, Flemming for me as our first choice central 3 behind Foster and with Koleosho and Anthony on the wings. Hannibal as cover for Brownhill/Flemming and Laurent for Cullen.

Laurent is brilliant off the ball. He's always in the right place to intercept an opponent or the ball.

He's got an understanding of the game that we've been lacking since Cork stopped playing.

He's going to a keystone for us in a quiet and no-nonsense manner.

On the bench then! Certainly a great option to sure us up if need be.

He was good when he came on today other than an errant pass. His energy lifted the crowd too.

He has started well and I would put him in front of Cullen just for his size and breaking up of play and his disruption great addition

Superb when he came on. Added strength, steel and energy to midfield. Probably our best player off the ball.

One dodgy pass but gave us some drive and some much needed forward impetus.

I think far too many have decided that Laurent is nothing but a squad player and back up for Cullen, disingenuous and an insult to the lad imo!. The whole midfield was lacking something today and only looked better when he was introduced.

louieollie wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 21, 2024 7:26 pm

I think far too many have decided that Laurent is nothing but a squad player and back up for Cullen, disingenuous and an insult to the lad imo!. The whole midfield was lacking something today and only looked better when he was introduced.

Don't agree. Our best spell in possession was between the double substitution and Cullen coming off.

Laurent broke a couple of things up nicely and ran well off the ball, but more than once his pass wasn't good enough (most obviously when he made a mess of squaring it having beaten the covering defender).

He looks a good player to me but I suspect he might be viewed as a long term replacement for Brownhill. Certainly he looks more in Brownhill's mould than Cullen's. He doesn't drop into space to act as a pivot like Cullen does so well.

Josh Laurent is Class !

Fantastic off the bench today, can’t believe he didn’t shoot when he beat his man though!

louieollie wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 21, 2024 7:26 pm

I think far too many have decided that Laurent is nothing but a squad player and back up for Cullen, disingenuous and an insult to the lad imo!. The whole midfield was lacking something today and only looked better when he was introduced.

He doesn’t touch Cullens place IMO. Cullen is the first name on the team sheet for me. If Laurent starts, it’s over Brownhill or Hannibal for me. He’s a great option to have in the squad though and had a good impact off the bench today.

I've come around to him a bit.

I would have played him over Cullen today and if I'm honest he'd possibly start in the middle depending on who we are playing.

I'm not convinced that Brownhill, Hannibal and Cullen are a three that are well suited to playing together.

123EasyasBFC wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 21, 2024 8:06 pm

Fantastic off the bench today, can’t believe he didn’t shoot when he beat his man though!

Had to double take when he skinned their defender! Made it look easier than kolo or Anthony did all game

boyyanno wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 21, 2024 8:25 pm

I've come around to him a bit.

I would have played him over Cullen today and if I'm honest he'd possibly start in the middle depending on who we are playing.

I'm not convinced that Brownhill, Hannibal and Cullen are a three that are well suited to playing together.

Me too. I wanted to see the three Parker picked today, but have to say I thought Laurent looked good when he came on.

He also looked good in the last two games so I’m coming around. Not sure who I’d drop though!!!

NewClaret wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 21, 2024 8:36 pm

Me too. I wanted to see the three Parker picked today, but have to say I thought Laurent looked good when he came on.

He also looked good in the last two games so I’m coming around. Not sure who I’d drop though!!!

I think it all depends on how we want to attack a team. Cullen is great when we are moving the ball quickly but I thought he was rendered a bit useless today by the way we played.

I think Brownhill and Cullen are the two I'd struggle to drop when fit. Hannibal needs to do a bit more for me at the moment but it's a good problem to have.

boyyanno wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 21, 2024 8:59 pm

I think it all depends on how we want to attack a team. Cullen is great when we are moving the ball quickly but I thought he was rendered a bit useless today by the way we played.

I think Brownhill and Cullen are the two I'd struggle to drop when fit. Hannibal needs to do a bit more for me at the moment but it's a good problem to have.

They sat on Cullen today to prevent him dictating the game and allowed our centre backs to have the ball. They weren't able to exploit the space Cullen should've created. But even heavily marked, Cullen got on the ball more, and passed the ball more effectively, than Laurent did. Brownhill and Laurent is a partnership of two very similar players, and neither are natural pass and move footballers.

You're mental if you aren't thinking that it should be Cullen, Brownhill and Flemming as the three.

Please get used to the fact that having three midfielders all playing well in games that we don't win, or win well, will not happen. So hindsight will see the critics having a go at team selection, as there will always be an alternative sat on the bench. Players will have good days and bad days, doesn't make them bad players. I think if you have Laurent and any two others there will be a better balance but Laurent will still have games where he is below his best as did some players today.

Bin Ont Turf wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 21, 2024 9:08 pm

You're mental if you aren't thinking that it should be Cullen, Brownhill and Flemming as the three.

Personally I thought we looked loads better with Flemming on for Hannibal. He didn't do loads individually but because he was willing to come short he gave a different focal point to our play which suited everyone. If you've got 2 central midfielders who want to break into space, and 3 forwards wanting to do the same, it's a bit predictable. You need at least one player able to come away.

Let's not forget how well Portsmouth played. They had a plan, played it well and were unlucky not to take something from the game.

claretspice wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 21, 2024 9:11 pm

Personally I thought we looked loads better with Flemming on for Hannibal. He didn't do loads individually but because he was willing to come short he gave a different focal point to our play which suited everyone. If you've got 2 central midfielders who want to break into space, and 3 forwards wanting to do the same, it's a bit predictable. You need at least one player able to come away.

Really like Flemming, he's a grafter, but mainly because he gives us something different like you've said.

It's not the midfield where we're potentially going to have a problem with, that's going to be up front.

claretspice wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 21, 2024 9:05 pm

They sat on Cullen today to prevent him dictating the game and allowed our centre backs to have the ball. They weren't able to exploit the space Cullen should've created. But even heavily marked, Cullen got on the ball more, and passed the ball more effectively, than Laurent did. Brownhill and Laurent is a partnership of two very similar players, and neither are natural pass and move footballers.

I disagree to be honest.

I think Cullen likely got on the ball more than Laurent yes, obviously he would. I wouldn't be surprised if he had a higher pass percentage either- and?

He wasn't the problem, the problem was that we struggled to break through them because we moved the ball slowly and they wanted to sit in deep. Passing it round at the back and in our half is very useful against some teams, it did very little for us today- in the games when it won't work as well for us we will need to consider alternate options, different locks require different keys- Laurent, Hannibal and Brownhill further forward perhaps. Hannibal is actually the one I'd probably drop right now.

I also think Laurent and Brownhill have some similar weaknesses, but I think they have different strengths. I certainly wouldn't describe them as similar players.

Laurent could be a real gem for us ,someone in midfield that is over 5’10 and 10 stone and knows how to get stuck in.Cant remember when we had a player like that.

We looked a far better side with him on the pitch today.

boyyanno wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 21, 2024 8:25 pm

I've come around to him a bit.

I would have played him over Cullen today and if I'm honest he'd possibly start in the middle depending on who we are playing.

I'm not convinced that Brownhill, Hannibal and Cullen are a three that are well suited to playing together.

Come round? Don’t you think he played well against Rovers, the day after signing?

People wrote him off after the Leeds game which is ridiculous.

I honestly don't think Laurent deserved to be dropped for a (very) evidently below par Cullen who looked like he needs a couple more weeks to get up to speed. Laurent offers us some real physicality and he's a real leader.

helmclaret wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 21, 2024 10:11 pm

Come round? Don’t you think he played well against Rovers, the day after signing?

People wrote him off after the Leeds game which is ridiculous.

I thought Laurent was good against Leeds, sure he gave away the ball a few times but defensively he was top notch.