Midfield

[MKYid]

I disagree mate. Parker has been a stalwart for us in previous seasons. I don't think anyone expected him to struggle like he has since coming back. If he was playing to his previous level, we wouldn't be having this conversation... Who can predict form?

I don't think Parker is showing a huge lack of form (though he has dipped), I just don't think he's suited to 'possession football'. Parker is still great at tracking, harrying players and breaking up play, but previously his remit was simply, 'win it and pass to Modric'. When we play against teams who sit back, he's now expected to play forward balls and create something, but he's just not that kind of player. His pirouettes are him trying to turn while shielding the ball, because that's his mentality, to protect.

Parker has his skillz, but he's not a massively technical player and therefore isn't so creative with the ball, whereas Sandro can tackle as well as Parker, his vision and passing is better too. Don't get me wrong, Parker has been massive for us, and there will be times we need Parker in there, but when teams like Lyon concede the midfield, there is no battle for Parker to win.

 

[Stanners]

 

[MKYid]

Sandro being out has highlighted the lack of quality in depth in our midfield.

It was a big mistake not breaking the bank for Moutinho.

 

[Aleksic]

Parker's pirouettes slow everything down. It's almost like an affliction for him, his first instinct is to stop and turn 360 before playing it backwards. It's a habit he needs to kick.

 

[HarryHotspur]

The thing that really gets to me with Parker is that rather than playing a 25 yard pass to someones feet as soon as he gets it, he instead chooses to run the ball to that person, taking away or making smaller the space the player he is giving the ball to has and also adding an extra one or two defenders.

 

[Stanners]

100% record under him as captain :balelol:

 

[WookieD]

Sandro being out has highlighted the lack of quality in depth in our midfield.

It was a big mistake not breaking the bank for Moutinho.

I disagree mate. Parker has been a stalwart for us in previous seasons. I don't think anyone expected him to struggle like he has since coming back. If he was playing to his previous level, we wouldn't be having this conversation... Who can predict form?

 

[Tucker]

Parker is definitely struggling, his passing is at times a little erratic, but am I the only one who quite likes his little pirouettes?

I'm not sure I would alter the team too much at this stage of the season, as I'm not really sure making big changes to the spine of our side will be very good for us to be honest.

Parker isn't playing great but he isn't playing bad enough to drop, and neither is Dembele.

 

[munter]

Agreed. Dembele and Holtby with Siggy in front of them for me. Siggy is a genuine goal threat, just needs one to go in and a proper go in a game instead of 10 minutes and I think he could be on his way.

 

[1882]

I think Parker SHOULD play on Monday for one good reason:

THE CURSE OF THE 'EX'

...and seeing as Defoe won't be available, even more reason to stickwith Cptn. Parker!

 

[starmagsi]

That pissed me off immensely. Bale was in on goal, one on one. I could've played that pass.

Bale was livid when Dembele didn't pass.

Mousa should have played the pass for sure, could have been a great chance. That said, I didn't really like Bale's reaction though.

 

[SanDiegoYiddo]

.
Oh and yes I think Sandro's a tremendous player. Though all this 'beast' stuff makes me cringe as much as the 'cool' stuff does about BAE, maybe cos I's is a miserable old git

When Sandro went off against QPR he was first in the league in tackles, and second in interceptions. He is a fuckin beast. Benny does post match interviews with a toothpick in.

 

[Mr_H]

I dont think we have really lacked anything in midfield since Sandro's injury. Bringing Parker in for Sandro isn't as bad as its being made out to be.

Yes Sandro is better but to have but Parker as back up, to slot into his spot that he played so well in last year is ok with me. Hopefully his fitness will improve as he gets more games and just like any player, once you get a rhythm going performances will improve.

Hopefully Sigurdsson will get his chance soon. It's a shame the majority of our new signings are fighting for similar positions,it will test his character wether he can stay motivated to get in to the starting line up on a more consistent basis.

But don't get me wrong Dembele Holtby and Dempsey have all performed well which has kept Sigurdsson out, but maybe some players just take more time to settle at a new club than others.

 

[BrooklynYid]

Not to turn this into a transfer thread, but I'd love to see us sign Wanyama. Parker, for me, doesn't seem to be in the same page tempo-wise with the rest of the squad. Parker is still capable of that fantastic through ball (See Bales goal in the FA cup semifinal), but I'd love to see us get goals from everyone in the midfield.

 

[Mr_H]

Not to turn this into a transfer thread, but I'd love to see us sign Wanyama. Parker, for me, doesn't seem to be in the same page tempo-wise with the rest of the squad. Parker is still capable of that fantastic through ball (See Bales goal in the FA cup semifinal), but I'd love to see us get goals from everyone in the midfield.

I agree. When the time comes for transfers, then yes we do need some one to fit in with the rest of the squad tempo-wise but for now having Parker as cover is ok at the moment. Yes we compensate when he is there but were compensating for someone who is proven in our squad, who can do a good job.

We have enough quality with the rest of the midfield to attack the opposition. It's up to them to make it happen. Not necessarily Parker or Sandro

 

[Lister]

The thing that really gets to me with Parker is that rather than playing a 25 yard pass to someones feet as soon as he gets it, he instead chooses to run the ball to that person, taking away or making smaller the space the player he is giving the ball to has and also adding an extra one or two defenders.

And then having run straight at the player and passed to them, he continues to run straight at them and demand the ball back, effectively taking his own team mate out of the team while giving the opposition all day to adopt their defensive stance...

 

[Raitei]

Fair comments, but you can only beat what's in front of you. We lost to Toon and only drew with West Brom and AFAIK Sandro played in both of those games, so there's a like for like comparison. We also drew with Norwich both with and without Sandro, IIRC. Again seems like and even playing field to me.

We got five points from the 4 teams with Sandro playing and eight points from the same 4 teams without him, so on 'even playing field' we did considerably worse with Sandro.

I think Parker and Dembele are being way over-criticised, though may change my mind in 3 hours time

As with you, I don't think Parker is as bad as made out, but I do just think Sandro is better, stats aside.

Those first three games you mentioned, I think was the result of us not knowing the system too well. They were also the games without Dembele or Lloris, and where Vertonghen wasn't a starter.

I think the sort of thing we miss without Sandro is his ability to win the ball back and push it on quickly, starting counters. Prime examples being our second at Old Trafford, and second at Villa.

 

[Dannyboy]

It is, I think, quite apparent that we have lacked something in midfield, I don't know, someone like The Beast. Parker hasn't returned the player he was and is taking too long to get back to his former self. I am tempted to think the game against West Ham we should drop Parker, put Dembele in the holding role, drop Holtby deeper and put either of Dempsey or Sigurdsson behind Adebayor. I'm tempted to go with Sigurdsson as I just don't have faith in Dempsey.

Either way, we need Dembele and Holtby in the deeper roles so we an get the transition from defence to attack with precision and speed, I love Parker for what he helped us do last season but he is a hindrance currently.

 

[Dannyboy]

Not good enough.

 

[ArcspacE]

r.e. Dembele

For a playmaker / central mid - I'd like to see more incisive passes towards the goal/opposition box as opposed to countless dribble runs and side-ways 'Parker-style' lay offs. He needs to improve that aspect of his game, imv - the final ball through the defence, etc. - other than that - great player all-round.

There was a classic example yesterday where he had the opportunity to release Bale early (first half) but chose to driblle instead and lost it