Jack Cork

[warksclaret]

Remember coming to see the Burnley v Leicester game 2 years ago, and Cork got bundled off the ball at the half way mark,and Leicester scored. I thought then he was nearing the end and yet he has managed to stay in or around the starting 11 for a further two years. Sadly no succession planning in the club.

[Bordeauxclaret]

I use the term set up to fail because, by now, Dyche knows very well what Cork's strengths are and what his weaknesses are. When he's being swamped by Leeds his decision making is going to become very rushed and panicked, because our rigid 442 doesn't allow for the sort of movement of his team mates that would allow him options. When you press our players in this system, it almost always results in an immediate turnover of possession, or a big hoof downfield.

I don't think any of that above is new information or things that were difficult to foresee happening. So I'm struggling to come to terms with why Dyche did it anyway.

I still disagree.

I think we all know Cork’s strengths and weaknesses.
Generally speaking I’d have no real problems with him playing in a two against Leeds, a second string Leeds midfield at that.
A poor performance was the issue.

[ksrclaret]

I still disagree.

I think we all know Cork’s strengths and weaknesses.
Generally speaking I’d have no real problems with him playing in a two against Leeds, a second string Leeds midfield at that.
A poor performance was the issue.

Yes of course it was a poor performance, but it was never going to be anything other.

I do have a huge problem with him, or anyone else for that matter, playing in a midfield two. We can't do it effectively anymore and haven't been able to for a year plus.

[warksclaret]

We have lost the art of recruitment-even in 2012 we got Heaton, Jones and Arfield on free transfers, and have been abysmal in the loan market. Man City, Man Utd, Chelsea and Spurs have put many very god youngsters out on loan and we have totally ruled out this option. The players are out there, and they dont necessarily cost a fortune. If clubs like Barnsley, Swansea, Wigan to mention a few can attract these loan players, so should we

[Newcastleclaret93]

Yes of course it was a poor performance, but it was never going to be anything other.

I do have a huge problem with him, or anyone else for that matter, playing in a midfield two. We can't do it effectively anymore and haven't been able to for a year plus.

I think you have nailed it.

It doesn’t matter who we play in the middle, none of them are good enough to play in a 2 anymore.

They lack the physicality and the technical ability

[Bordeauxclaret]

Yes of course it was a poor performance, but it was never going to be anything other.

I do have a huge problem with him, or anyone else for that matter, playing in a midfield two. We can't do it effectively anymore and haven't been able to for a year plus.

The first bit is the issue for me.
It didn’t have to be.

Leeds are not that good, especially with the injuries they have which forced them to play two second string midfielders in there.

I’m not having that they had simply no chance against two guys who are usually subs and a guy that’s played full back for most of his Premier League career.

[ksrclaret]

The first bit is the issue for me.
It didn’t have to be.

Leeds are not that good, especially with the injuries they have which forced them to play two second string midfielders in there.

I’m not having that they had simply no chance against two guys who are usually subs and a guy that’s played full back for most of his Premier League career.

That's fine but statistically, going off the past year, we had the slimmest chance of success today having decided to go yet again with the 442. It's not just about the midfield two, although as you point out they're outnumbered again before we've even kicked the ball which doesn't help no matter who is playing, it's about the total lack of pace and willingness to move throughout the side, meaning they are swamped as soon as they touch the ball.

I don't think we'll agree at this point so I'll leave it there as I think I've made my feelings on moving away from 442 pretty clear at this point, which is the real issue I've been trying to communicate and you've said that you're open to a change.

[Bordeauxclaret]

That's fine but statistically, going off the past year, we had the slimmest chance of success today having decided to go yet again with the 442. It's not just about the midfield two, although as you point out they're outnumbered again before we've even kicked the ball which doesn't help no matter who is playing, it's about the total lack of pace and willingness to move throughout the side, meaning they are swamped as soon as they touch the ball.

I don't think we'll agree at this point so I'll leave it there as I think I've made my feelings on moving away from 442 pretty clear at this point, which is the real issue I've been trying to communicate and you've said that you're open to a change.

Absolutely.
To be honest I’m unsure which formation is the best for us now but 4-4-2 just doesn’t seem the answer based on results.
I’ll still maintain that if our middle two were anywhere near it we’d at least equal their line up today. My issue is they were nowhere near it.

I don’t know where we go from here, especially without Cornet this month.
Our hopes seem to reside on incomings.

[bodge]

Lennon for the most part wasn't playing alongside Wood today as per Old Trafford, so there was no rigid 442.

[Papabendi]

I’ll make it simple - gone as a player at this level.

[Vegas Claret]

Corky has been superb for us, the season we finished 7th and the beginning of the Europa league season he was at his peak and earned an England call up. The unfortunate truth is he no longer has the legs or speed of thought for most games at this level. I genuinely believe if Dyche had been given proper financial backing the likes of Jack would no longer be at the club.

[ksrclaret]

Lennon for the most part wasn't playing alongside Wood today as per Old Trafford, so there was no rigid 442.

We always have a striker playing slightly off Wood. Lennon was filling that role today and then Cornet for a brief spell, followed by Jay. Feel free to read rigid 4411 though if you like.

[KRBFC]

I’ll make it simple - gone as a player at this level.

at any level imo, his legs have gone and he hasn't got the technical game to sit and spray the ball with any effectiveness. He doesn't score or create goals, he can't pass the football, if he can't get around the pitch, he's done for, its his only real asset. He cannot stand up, his legs are jelly, I've never seen a player fall over so much.

[DCWat]

at any level imo, his legs have gone and he hasn't got the technical game to sit and spray the ball with any effectiveness. He doesn't score or create goals, he can't pass the football, if he can't get around the pitch, he's done for, its his only real asset. He cannot stand up, his legs are jelly, I've never seen a player fall over so much.

You’re nullifying your argument by being overly critical. If his legs have gone, at this level, there’s nothing to say that he couldn’t play at a lower level for a good few more years.

Plenty have done it before and plenty will do it again in the future and you suggest that his career was based on the singular asset of getting around the pitch us quite frankly, ********.

[KRBFC]

You’re nullifying your argument by being overly critical. If his legs have gone, at this level, there’s nothing to say that he couldn’t play at a lower level for a good few more years.

Plenty have done it before and plenty will do it again in the future and you suggest that his career was based on the singular asset of getting around the pitch us quite frankly, ********.

I don't see him as a playmaker type to sit deep and dictate a game. He doesn't score goals or create them and is weak in physical battle. I'm not sure what he'd offer to a lower league side apart from experience and leadership? What does he do? I'd have said box to box midfielder previously.

[Bordeauxclaret]

So to be clear Cork is not good enough for League Two sides now?
National League?

[Bin Ont Turf]

Blaming the centre midfield or individual centre midfielders in a Sean Dyche team, is like blaming the clouds for getting wet when it's raining.

We're asking a couple of 30 plus year old midfielders to do a job which Gerrard and Vieira would struggle to do in their prime, in our team..

Cork may be past it, but the other options are Brownhill and Stephens. May as well just toss a coin for who starts.

[DCWat]

I don't see him as a playmaker type to sit deep and dictate a game. He doesn't score goals or create them and is weak in physical battle. I'm not sure what he'd offer to a lower league side apart from experience and leadership? What does he do? I'd have said box to box midfielder previously.

I’d argue that he’s the most intelligent midfielder we have - possibly the most intelligent footballer that we have. He may be on the wain but that intelligence will serve him as well at a lower level, if or when he chooses / time dictates it’s his time to play at those lower levels.

I’ve always been a big fan of Cork, from his first loan spell with us. Not wishing to dig Brownhill out, but by way of a comparison, Im yet to see anything, anywhere near as impressive from Brownhill as I did from Cork, at a much younger age.

Whilst I’m defending Cork - I’ve also been consistent in my view that our midfield has needed a significant upgrade for a number of years; our previous relegations have been on the back of poor midfield options - we’re in a similar position now.

[KRBFC]

I’d argue that he’s the most intelligent midfielder we have - possibly the most intelligent footballer that we have. He may be on the wain but that intelligence will serve him as well at a lower level, if or when he chooses / time dictates it’s his time to play at those lower levels.

I’ve always been a big fan of Cork, from his first loan spell with us. Not wishing to dig Brownhill out, but by way of a comparison, Im yet to see anything, anywhere near as impressive from Brownhill as I did from Cork, at a much younger age.

Whilst I’m defending Cork - I’ve also been consistent in my view that our midfield has needed a significant upgrade for a number of years; our previous relegations have been on the back of poor midfield options - we’re in a similar position now.

Cork was excellent on loan, looked a really classy player, was gutted we didn't get him. He's been good in his 2nd spell especially when he got the England call up, scored a few in Europa League qualifiers and has been largely ineffective/injured ever since. I like Brownhill's bravery driving with the ball, doesn't score/create much mind.

[DCWat]

Cork was excellent on loan, looked a really classy player, was gutted we didn't get him. He's been good in his 2nd spell especially when he got the England call up, scored a few in Europa League qualifiers and has been largely ineffective/injured ever since. I like Brownhill's bravery driving with the ball, doesn't score/create much mind.

I think that there could be a player in Brownhill - he needs to show far, far more than he has done though.

[KRBFC]

I think that there could be a player in Brownhill - he needs to show far, far more than he has done though.

I think the structure has completely gone in the side, was incredible how easily caught on the counter we were, absolutely wide open through the middle of the pitch. The 442 formation isn't getting the best out of our incredibly average midfield options, it's highlighting how poor they are if anything.