18 Apr 2017 14:09:15
When will Monk realise that Bridcutts positioning is leaving the midfield exposed and ultimately is the root of our inconstancy? Yes, Philips was poor for the most part yesterday as he tends to be when paired with Bridcutt, the two do not gel. But how much did improve when Bridcutt left the field?

Did we not batter and look a different team against Preston? The reason is we had a central midfield playing central midfield, not one playing center midfield and one on Bartley's toes. It was Philips and Viera that day, it worked and is an option to use again. However, as we saw yesterday we are in a pressure cauldron, we need some experience for the run in and playoffs.

O'Kane must start. Then it is Philips or Viera, the stats with O'Kane and Phillips and with O'Kane and Viera are both very good far better that Bridcut with anybody. My personal choice would be Philips he has created more chances than any of the other 3, in fact he has created more by a total of about 15 than the other 3 combined.

We need chances, we need goals. The notion some people are banding about, of us going 3 at the back is ridiculas at this stage of the season, we haven't played it barely tried it, why risk the season on the unkown. Just get back to the personal that work and have worked the best. This does not include Bridcutt.


1.) 18 Apr 2017
18 Apr 2017 16:51:18
Mighty post MIGHTY. Totally agree. O'Kane has to start as he looks to play forward. Interesting stats on Philips. I've been saying for ages Bridcutt is next to useless in a team needing to attack. He did well last season when we needed to grind out results but at this stage he is a liability. He plays way way too deep.


2.) 18 Apr 2017
18 Apr 2017 16:56:23
I agree MIGHTYwhites. I've been to every game this season and yesterday was the worst we've played. To echo your point, Bridcutt drops too deep and is effectively playing as an additional CB which in turn, invites pressure.

We lost the ball each time we tried to break (whether that was short or long ball) and Wolves executed their high press perfectly IMO. I'd also be tempted to play O'Kane with Vieira and at least have a bit more of an attacking impetus.

People criticising Phillips seem to have a short memory too as he wasn't the only player to play poorly yesterday and he was excellent vs Preston. He has been a bit hit and miss at times and I think it's when he's being crowded he struggles.

However, when he has a bit of time on the ball his range of passing is as good as anyone at LUFC so I think it's a mental thing (composure) rather than a technical issue.


3.) 18 Apr 2017
18 Apr 2017 19:47:43
Is Viera still injured though? does anybody know what he has injured and when he might return?


4.) 19 Apr 2017
19 Apr 2017 09:44:41
So, ok, if we are going stats (because if you throw that word around and think nobody will check then, well here i am. the pedantic SOB) then O'Kane and Bridcutt are a mile ahead in terms of points per game. If memory serves Bridcutt and Viera are second.

Bridcutt is defensively minded (he plays DM so what do people expect?) and may very well need to pick himself up, but he is a solid part of our best available midfield. Also as a note, Bridcutt does drop into the back four, as a result he works better when we have Taylor and Ayling on as they provide attacking prowess and he covers, dude is kinda surplus when Berardi plays.


5.) 19 Apr 2017
19 Apr 2017 11:04:23
I think that's a fair comment Gummie. It's just frustrating that when it's glaringly obvious for him to push up, his natural instincts kick in and he sits deeper inviting pressure. I'm not saying he's a bad player but when we play a certain way (and you're right that he plays better with different players) it's a shame that he's unable to adapt accordingly.


6.) 19 Apr 2017
19 Apr 2017 18:51:00
Who ever we play I still think we are lacking that bit of creativity in the middle of the park, its the second thing that needs addressing for me in the summer window Garry monks contract being first, we rely too much on Pablo, if he ticks Leeds tick and for the last 6 weeks he's been well below his best.


7.) 20 Apr 2017
20 Apr 2017 15:53:04
Bridcutt is defensive n he does a good job at it, you take him out n the midfield would crumble, we have no one who can tackle like bridcutt, for me I'd put o'kane n bridcutt in as Phillips ain't good enough n Ronny has a lot to learn still. Bridcutt is by far our best midfielder


8.) 20 Apr 2017
20 Apr 2017 19:41:44
i like bridcutt but ahev to agree we seem to play worse and get poorer results when he is in the team (recently anyway) our big wins I believe have all come without him? as much as I like him I would say drop him epsically agasinst the weaker teams. while on the note of monk having a blind spot and positioning ect. has anyone mentioned beradri on the left, as I am pretty sure he is a right back