our midfield

[Squazo]

so when all our midfield players are available who starts? cullen, brownhill, hannibal and flemming will all be expecting but surely one or two will have to miss out

[Notsosuperstevedavis]

Think a diamond would be good in Midfield.

Cullen at base, browny and hannibal the more dynamic ones and Flemming at the top.

Chuck two wingers and striker up top and that sounds like a good fit.

But without knowing players preferred options and how it knits together… who knows.

Thats the exciting part SP needs to work out.


We may bought Flemming to be a ‘9’ or a ‘10’. You’d have to assume Foster will remain our number 9 or we’re looking at replacements.

I dont see JRod being capable of anything other than cameos and needs a replacing.

[Roosterbooster]

Cullen at base, browny and hannibal the more dynamic ones and Flemming at the top.
Chuck two wingers and striker up top and that sounds like a good fit.

So 3 at the back?

[whiffa]

I feel like Cullen, Hannibal and Brownhill will be the main 3 in midfield - Laurent certainly impressed so will be challenging them for a place. I see Flemming being more competition for Foster in the forward position.

[MoorTurf]

There’s also Massengo, who needs minutes.

[whiffa]

There’s also Massengo, who needs minutes.

5th choice for me.

[Goliath]

Surely Fleming becomes the number 10. I think Hanniball could miss out if Brownhill keeps his form up. But with so many games it doesn't really matter. The 4 of them will get plenty of football.

I just wish we had Cork as a player still to supplement it. I don't really understand the idea of letting him go and replacing him with an inferior player in Laurent. Doesn't make much sense to me.

[Vegas Claret]

play them all and hope the ref doesn't count

[morninbob]

Cullen brownhill Flemming

[bfcjg]

I think we may well play 3 at the back with a really dynamic midfield set up, Hannibal has such an engine he could really easily drop back as required.

[SouthLondonexile]

Well my mood has lifted since the purchase of two more midfield players, replacing Berge.
I think that Fleming is an inspired buy and I expect him to flourish with us.

[summitclaret]

We'll need goals, so Flemming has to play 10. For me it's Cullen or Laurent and Brownhill or Hannibal. Think we saw on Saturday why Brownhill is a defo starter and Cullen is a must. Get get well in front and Laurent and Hannibal will see the game out in ways we didn't have the Championship last time.

[Blyclaret]

Fantastic having an option of Hannibal and Laurent. Its a long season so we need to be able to rotate … also with injuries.

[watsonsclarets]

Cullen the base Hannibal as a box to box and Flemming as a 10.

Hannibal is an upgrade on Brownhill in terms of everything for me bar maybe when he plays as a 10 and get into the box.

I have watched him over 10/15 times he better both sides of the ball but Brownhill has experience !

Spoilt for choice ! Now we have a few more to throw into the mix

[Blyclaret]

Laurent wasent expensive. But as we saw against Blackburn he can handle it. I think he was a great addition.

[123EasyasBFC]

I can see in some games when Parker wants to be more compact he will play Hannibal wide right instead of one of the wingers. Abit like the Vitinho role against Luton

[LincsWoldsClaret]

Assume Cullen and Laurent will protect the defence
With Fleming, Koleosho and Anthony competing for the wide positions. Brownhill and Hannibal compete for the centre .
Obviously some can play on more than one position
It’s a terrific midfield.

[BFC_Michael]

For me:

Cullen
Brownhill / Hannibal

Koleosho
Flemming
Antony / Sarmiento

Massengo & Laurent off the bench to cover injuries / suspensions / see out games.

Ramsey, Tresor, Benson & Redmond - who knows!

[Newcastleclaret93]

Pretty certain our starting eleven when everyone is fit is the below, feels weird being able to say that for the first time in two years.

Trafford
Roberts, Worrall, Esteve, Pires
Cullen, Brownhill
Koleosho, Flemming, Anthony
Foster

Sarmiento, Benson, Mejbri will all play regular at some point but right now that’s the team

[mybloodisclaret]

Assume Cullen and Laurent will protect the defence
With Fleming, Koleosho and Anthony competing for the wide positions. Brownhill and Hannibal compete for the centre .
Obviously some can play on more than one position
It’s a terrific midfield.

No Sarmiento?

[Fretters]

I just wish we had Cork as a player still to supplement it. I don't really understand the idea of letting him go and replacing him with an inferior player in Laurent. Doesn't make much sense to me.

Me too, but can we assume he's retired now since he's coaching our U21s and seemingly not looking for a club? It's all a bit odd. I'd have him signed as a player-coach in a heartbeat.

[Goliath]

Me too, but can we assume he's retired now since he's coaching our U21s and seemingly not looking for a club? It's all a bit odd. I'd have him signed as a player-coach in a heartbeat.

It seems like it. I'm notnkeen on the player coach role, not sure how he'd maintain fitness to the point where he's ready to play whilst also being able to develop his coaching skills really.
He's plenty good enough at this level, especially to help see out games.

[bumba]

Has anybody heard anything about Cullen's injury?
I honestly think Laurent was signed because he's out longer term. Doesn't make sense otherwise when we also have Massengo still.
Hope I'm wrong but it's the feeling I get

[claretskeith]

Has anybody heard anything about Cullen's injury?
I honestly think Laurent was signed because he's out longer term. Doesn't make sense otherwise when we also have Massengo still.
Hope I'm wrong but it's the feeling I get

Not directly, but someone I know who was at the training ground with her young lad told her that he'd be back after the break. It's never gospel of course as he could get a tweak, but it sounded positive.

[ClaretPete001]

They are all different kinds of players and I think it's a case of who gels best in the formation Scott Parker wants to play.

We don't have a target man so I would guess he would go with a double pivot and an attacking midfielder with two quick wide players and Foster up front.

He has got a few options now....!

[Ric_C]

Has anybody heard anything about Cullen's injury?
I honestly think Laurent was signed because he's out longer term. Doesn't make sense otherwise when we also have Massengo still.
Hope I'm wrong but it's the feeling I get

Think he said to Phil Bird he was aiming to be back for the Leeds game

[Big Vinny K]

Based on Saturdays performance Laurent was signed because he’s a much better player than Massengo.
I realise it’s only one game but if he can perform like that a couple of days after signing in such a massive game it definitely bodes well.

Watched Laurent’s interview when he signed and was really impressed with the way he spoke.

Think he will be a valuable player for us this season.

As for Cullen it sounds like he was not far from making it on Saturday from what SP said before the game so with the break expect him to be back for Leeds. When he is back that will be great for us. He’s absolutely integral to how we play and a massive player for us on and off the field.

As for rest of midfield I expect Flemming to be in the no 10 role and furthest forward of the midfield.

As we saw against Luton and the first 30 minutes on Saturday SP will want to deploy that high intensity press. For us to do that you need players like Hannibal and Koleosho. Don’t think Brownhill nor Cullen could do this…..Laurent not that type of player either and not seen enough of Flemming to know whether he could.

Koleosho and Hannibal pressing on Saturday for that first 30 minutes was fantastic - impossible to keep that up for much longer. Blackburn defence could not cope and it’s a real shame we did not capitalise and score a second as that would have been game over for me.

[Stalbansclaret]

I feel like Cullen, Hannibal and Brownhill will be the main 3 in midfield - Laurent certainly impressed so will be challenging them for a place. I see Flemming being more competition for Foster in the forward position.

Why ? He's not a forward, he's an attack-minded midfield player which is a very different role.

[LincsWoldsClaret]

Why ? He's not a forward, he's an attack-minded midfield player which is a very different role.

Often played wide right for Millwall - got moved centrally sometimes because he had an eye for goal

[ClaretPete001]

Based on Saturdays performance Laurent was signed because he’s a much better player than Massengo.
I realise it’s only one game but if he can perform like that a couple of days after signing in such a massive game it definitely bodes well.

Watched Laurent’s interview when he signed and was really impressed with the way he spoke.

Think he will be a valuable player for us this season.

As for Cullen it sounds like he was not far from making it on Saturday from what SP said before the game so with the break expect him to be back for Leeds. When he is back that will be great for us. He’s absolutely integral to how we play and a massive player for us on and off the field.

As for rest of midfield I expect Flemming to be in the no 10 role and furthest forward of the midfield.

As we saw against Luton and the first 30 minutes on Saturday SP will want to deploy that high intensity press. For us to do that you need players like Hannibal and Koleosho. Don’t think Brownhill nor Cullen could do this…..Laurent not that type of player either and not seen enough of Flemming to know whether he could.

Koleosho and Hannibal pressing on Saturday for that first 30 minutes was fantastic - impossible to keep that up for much longer. Blackburn defence could not cope and it’s a real shame we did not capitalise and score a second as that would have been game over for me.

Agreed...!

Two problems from Saturday - I thought Rovers front line split the central defensive pairing and got down the channels too often for comfort. I think Cullen will help with that...

And although Hannibal was pressing very effectively and was very busy there was not a lot of end product in terms of attacking play. We never really looked like scoring after the first half an hour. Rover's parked the bus and it was far too easy for them...

It will be interesting to see how it pans out.

[Elizabeth]

In central midfield Cullen is likely to be the first choice every time because of his composure, accurate passing and brain. I fully expect Flemming to be the first choice every week but in a more forward role to make the most of his great finishing skills. Hard to see past Hannibal as a regular first choice because of the energy he brings.
The others are too inconsistent to be first team regulars for me but each has good attributes that can help us win games. I expect Massengo to be a squad regular.

[SirBob]

Think people forget what a player Ramsey is at this level, we really will be spoilt for choice when he returns.

Anyone heard of he’s back in training yet?