Midfield Dilemma

[Cobby]

After Curtis Thompson's man of the match performance against Peterborough yesterday, does Derry now have a difficult decision for the centre of the park?

 

Before Curtis' performance I would have said Noble and Jones in the middle were our best choices, with Smith at least decent cover for them.

 

Has Curtis done enough to get in the starting XI as a CM? Who would he replace?

 

It's good in the long run though, as while Gary shows no sign of aging at the moment, it must catch up with him at some point, surely?

[PTID1862]

I think the pairing of noble and thompson is the way forward for the club...great to have others with experience as back up or mentors

[Feral Fox]

we need the energy in the middle. With Thompson and Noble we have that. We then have two experienced hands plus Drizzie to come on when needed.

Hopefully yesterday was just a blip, but Stone and Hayhurst need to get on their game and quickly.

Same for Daniels really.

Get Jack Grealish back to run the left wing.

Send Santos home immediately. Couldn't even stand up yesterday, never mind run the wing!

Waste of a shirt there and to replace Gary Thompson was questionable to say the least.

[upthepies]

I think the pairing of noble and thompson is the way forward for the club...great to have others with experience as back up or mentors

Exactly how I view it! upthepies!!!

[Chris]

It's exactly what any good manager wants.

Curtis did fine yesterday, if he's to be dropped then I would be annoyed. He deserves that start, so only fitness or an injury should prevent that. I don't think Liam Noble is the answer to all of our problems but I like the idea of having them to partnership with the central parts of midfield. That said, i would wonder if tall/physical sides would bully them but I do think Thompson would cope.

He shown yesterday he isn't afraid of taller/stronger players.

[PTID1862]

Noble isnt afraid to get stuck in... he needs a calming influence and an older head

[Northants Pie]

Noble isnt afraid to get stuck in... he needs a calming influence and an older head

 

 

Do you reckon though that if he had someone else in there doing the running & tackling then he wouldn't get so wound up? The energy alone of that paring would win most battles and Curtis Thompson is a far better passer of the ball then a lot give him credit for

[Dripsey3]

Do we really need a midfield? The ball seems to be flying over their heads most of the time! Hoooooooooof!!!!! Only joking (partially). 

 

Noble is needed in midfield but his discipline needs to improve. If it doesn't, then we need to replace him in the Summer. There are plenty of players of equal quality out there. 

 

Thompson is inconsistent but if he is to progress then he needs a run of games. I'd keep him in there because let's be honest, we won't be anywhere near a playoff place. We may as well start preparing for next season now. 

[PTID1862]

They are the way forward, another set of willing legs would help noble, you are right @Northants Pie. The two of them would only ever benefit from joint game time IMO

Let Gary Jones be the one that helps them, guides them into how to prolong their careers, mentors them into becoming the best they can be for us at Notts.

 

Like @Dripsey3 says if the pairing doesn't work, either personality wise or discipline wise, then we have the summer.

 

But I would go with them now, until the end of the season (availability pending)

[Chris]

Gary Jones could be saved as a backup/sub if we kept giving Thompson a try.

I do feel it's harsh of the Traore that hasn't really been given a consistent run, although I do feel that Derry shouldn't change many. The only player I'd remove is white. I'd give Curtis Thompson the nod to start on Saturday, he's deserves it!

[liampie]

Thompson is inconsistent but if he is to progress then he needs a run of games. I'd keep him in there because let's be honest, we won't be anywhere near a playoff place. We may as well start preparing for next season now. 

a lot of players are inconsistent, yet thompson seems to be a spell. you never know we may get back up, it all depends on if we can get some good results. the new lads need time before we start planning for next season.

otherwise we might as well start releasing players now.

[Super_Danny_Allsopp]

Thompson needs to start. Is Noble available again? 

Smith can take a rest, Jones on the bench for me (if Noble available)

[lambleypie]

@Super_Danny_Allsopp yes he is back on saturday.

I would ask questions of derry if he left Thompson out. See if it works after a few games, at least we have options.