I actually think Barkley adds a much needed bit of physicality to our midfield, plus a natural understanding of how to play the position.

It will be interesting to see what midfield Frank picks when we start up again. The two I think are surplus are Kante and Jorginho (who is admittedly still suspended), but I reckon Frank will see Kante as first name on the team sheet.

I don't think it was any co-incidence that we looked good in the Liverpool/Everton games with a midfield of Gilmour/Barkley/Mount.

I see two out of Loftus-Cheek, Barkley, Mount, Kante playing in the two more advanced midfield roles, and then one out of Kovacic, Jorginho, Gilmour being best suited to the holding role.

I'd probably go with Mount, either RLC or Barkley, and let Billy keep doing his thing as the deep play maker, with Kova, Kante and RLC/Barkley as the midfield bench options (9 subs now, so there is room for 3 midfielders)

With Ruben back and Billy doing so well I think we need to ask the powers at be to allow teams to field 15 players so we can fit all our midfielders in. Definitely not a position we need to strengthen!

8 hours ago, Sexyfootball said:

I actually think Barkley adds a much needed bit of physicality to our midfield, plus a natural understanding of how to play the position.

It will be interesting to see what midfield Frank picks when we start up again. The two I think are surplus are Kante and Jorginho (who is admittedly still suspended), but I reckon Frank will see Kante as first name on the team sheet.

I don't think it was any co-incidence that we looked good in the Liverpool/Everton games with a midfield of Gilmour/Barkley/Mount.

I see two out of Loftus-Cheek, Barkley, Mount, Kante playing in the two more advanced midfield roles, and then one out of Kovacic, Jorginho, Gilmour being best suited to the holding role.

I'd probably go with Mount, either RLC or Barkley, and let Billy keep doing his thing as the deep play maker, with Kova, Kante and RLC/Barkley as the midfield bench options (9 subs now, so there is room for 3 midfielders)

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I think Frank will keep the same team that beat Liverpool 2-0 and Everton 4-0.

13 hours ago, jack_super_class said:

I think Frank will keep the same team that beat Liverpool 2-0 and Everton 4-0.

Those two games may as well have been part of another season. It'll be whoever has trained best and has good fitness after the break.

Not convinced that Billy will start. Every team would have been watching his video intensely over the break to see what his weaknesses are. Those first two games he was a bit of an unknown quality but you can bet the opposition research will have been done now which will make it harder for him.

1 hour ago, Spiller86 said:

Those two games may as well have been part of another season. It'll be whoever has trained best and has good fitness after the break.

Not convinced that Billy will start. Every team would have been watching his video intensely over the break to see what his weaknesses are. Those first two games he was a bit of an unknown quality but you can bet the opposition research will have been done now which will make it harder for him.

I think Gilmour will start. Lampard rewards you if you train well and then play well. Thats why he bought him into the first team and then played him in the first place.

25 minutes ago, jack_super_class said:

I think Gilmour will start. Lampard rewards you if you train well and then play well. Thats why he bought him into the first team and then played him in the first place.

And the fact that we had an injury crisis.

I like Gilmour but can we please not go down the Josh route again and claim he will be the next Xavi after he has played two games. Kid has good skills but he will have to be very special indeed to make it at his size.

2 minutes ago, Spiller86 said:

And the fact that we had an injury crisis.

I like Gilmour but can we please not go down the Josh route again and claim he will be the next Xavi after he has played two games. Kid has good skills but he will have to be very special indeed to make it at his size.

He didnt bring Gimour into the first team because of an injury crisis but yes i get your point it did help in selecting him for our last 2 games. I agree with you, i dont like over reacting when youngsters play a few good games etc. But i do think he will start Vs Villa.

1 minute ago, jack_super_class said:

He didnt bring Gimour into the first team because of an injury crisis but yes i get your point it did help in selecting him for our last 2 games. I agree with you, i dont like over reacting when youngsters play a few good games etc. But i do think he will start Vs Villa.

I think Jorginho is still suspended so it's possible but a fit Kante and Kovacic still get the nod from me.

8 minutes ago, Spiller86 said:

I think Jorginho is still suspended so it's possible but a fit Kante and Kovacic still get the nod from me.

Kovacic deep and Kante/Mount a bit higher? Barkley?

With Jorginho out, I think Gilmour still has a pretty good chance of starting. 

The only one I feel 95% sure on is Kovacic. Then pick 2 from Barkley, Mount, Kovacic, Gilmour

Against a team like Villa, I don't mind seeing Barkley in the team, because he's going to offer a goal threat. 

It's refreshing having these discussions again 😀

2 hours ago, Spiller86 said:

Those two games may as well have been part of another season. It'll be whoever has trained best and has good fitness after the break.

Not convinced that Billy will start. Every team would have been watching his video intensely over the break to see what his weaknesses are. Those first two games he was a bit of an unknown quality but you can bet the opposition research will have been done now which will make it harder for him.

I thought that until I saw the Bundi return, out of all teams in the league only Hertha Berlin (who changed managers) had form/performance levels wildly contrasting to what was seen before it was called off, every one else pretty much carried on where they left off.

And Gilmour will certainly be starting at Villa Park (as Jorginho is suspended) and I'd wager for the foreseeable aswell, he is the main reason we turned a corner before the leagues suspension, would send all the wrong messages if he's dropped.

Only a matter of time until he becomes the starter, there is no way you can stop Ruben.

I struggle with RLC.  Obviously a quality player, but at 24 I can't yet place his best role, position or actual accomplishments.  Feels like a player always living on the hope of promise.  I hope this close season and next year are his turning points of really establishing a permanent place.

1 hour ago, PhilH930 said:

I struggle with RLC.  Obviously a quality player, but at 24 I can't yet place his best role, position or actual accomplishments.  Feels like a player always living on the hope of promise.  I hope this close season and next year are his turning points of really establishing a permanent place.

To be fair to him, he was incredible until that injury in a pointless game. I think he would have come a long way this season if he wasn’t injured. I’m really excited to see him play again! 

1 hour ago, PhilH930 said:

I struggle with RLC.  Obviously a quality player, but at 24 I can't yet place his best role, position or actual accomplishments.  Feels like a player always living on the hope of promise.  I hope this close season and next year are his turning points of really establishing a permanent place.

To be fair to him, he was incredible until that injury in a pointless game. I think he would have come a long way this season if he wasn’t injured. I’m really excited to see him play again! 

On 11/06/2020 at 10:09, Munkworth said:

With Ruben back and Billy doing so well I think we need to ask the powers at be to allow teams to field 15 players so we can fit all our midfielders in. Definitely not a position we need to strengthen!

I agree but the fact we are bidding on Havertz anyway means frank and the board are serious about getting back to the top which as fans can only be good 

Braces for RLC and Billy again QPR 

I dont get him playing out wide, its seems pointless to me.

4 minutes ago, jack_super_class said:

I dont get him playing out wide, its seems pointless to me.

I think it's probably to ease him back in noting that Franks 8s press a lot. Not an easy role to play when you are just getting back to fitness.

Just now, Spiller86 said:

I think it's probably to ease him back in noting that Franks 8s press a lot. Not an easy role to play when you are just getting back to fitness.

Yeah thats a fair point. He has alot of competition to get a place in that midfield three though. 

7 minutes ago, jack_super_class said:

I dont get him playing out wide, its seems pointless to me.

It looked to me more about getting him minutes on the pitch, the position was probably the only one he felt comfortable subbing. 

57 minutes ago, dkw said:

It looked to me more about getting him minutes on the pitch, the position was probably the only one he felt comfortable subbing. 

That was what I thought too. He's been out for a whole year, this process is going to take a while. I don't imagine we'll see him at his best again until next season starts.

3 hours ago, PloKoon13 said:

That was what I thought too. He's been out for a whole year, this process is going to take a while. I don't imagine we'll see him at his best again until next season starts.

Aye very much a work in progress. Most important is he gains match fitness and avoids injuries.

I've forgotten the aerial presence he has on the pitch... Whilst his play on the floor wasn't great, he won a lot of aerial duels which is something our midfield has severely lacked. Can see him scoring from a corner/free kick before the season is out. 

5 hours ago, Shweaves said:

I've forgotten the aerial presence he has on the pitch... Whilst his play on the floor wasn't great, he won a lot of aerial duels which is something our midfield has severely lacked. Can see him scoring from a corner/free kick before the season is out. 

Not if that header against Villa is anything to go by!!

Call it blind optimism then, as that really was an atrocious attempt. Wonder what odds the bookies would give...