Can Bodin fill the Eunan role?

[Richinns]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19011089" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Mr Ling thinks he can do it with his eyes shut!

Have to say I am sceptical about this one. Biggest plus to having Bodin is his pace (which the team lacks) so see him more as a winger or forward off Howe. Not sure if I have ever seen anything to suggest his passing and vision could be up to this role? Would be happier trying Craig or Morris before Bodin but Ling obviously knows far more than me!

Regardless - seems the replacement will come from within the squad with Lingy only looking currently looking to strengthen in the CB position.

[JamieE]

This is going to be a tricky situation for Ling. The 4-5-1 was based around getting the best out of a player like Eunan. If he has gone and we aren't going to get a like-for-like replacement then we must facilitate the players we have. If Nathan Craig isn't the nuts then I think, especially at home, we should probably look at going back to 4-4-2. But then players like Lathrope and Stevens, who have improved for the shape we have played, will perhaps find it difficult.

At this moment in time we have Stevens, Bodin, Jarvis and potentially Thompson (Morris wants to play central) to play on the sides of our front three but if we go 4-4-2 I wouldn't want any of them in a four man midfield. But then Howe and Bodin would make a good partnership up front. Dilemna! I believe Ling should try and find a replacement, and I think the loan market could now be the answer.

[AlexGulls]

I think Bodin could do it. But I'd rather Bodin on the wing and Morris in Eunan's role personally.

[PhilGull]

People keep talking about "going back to 4-4-2". It's not going to happen!
The very first thing Mr Ling said when he arrived is that he plays 4-3-3, changing to 4-5-1 when necessary.

Having read what Ling has said I fully anticipate the first choice eleven starting the season to be the same that ended last year but with Bodin in Eunan's place.

[Scott Brehaut]

People keep talking about "going back to 4-4-2". It's not going to happen!
The very first thing Mr Ling said when he arrived is that he plays 4-3-3, changing to 4-5-1 when necessary.

Having read what Ling has said I fully anticipate the first choice eleven starting the season to be the same that ended last year but with Bodin in Eunan's place.

...and, of course, Poke in Bobby's place and Ellis replaced by a.n.other (presumably Downes)

[Gullscorer]

I wouldn't worry. I've no doubt Martin Ling will do the business in sorting out the formation and who plays where, whether or not another signing or two comes in pre-season or during the coming months. But, with all the comings and goings, it may be a few weeks into the season before we get a settled team to attack the top of the table. We need to be patient and to give our full support during this settling-in period. I may be wrong of course; the lads could win their first ten games in a row regardless...!!

[Gulliball]

Personally I would like us to bring in a direct replacement for Eunan. Bodin is terrific, but he was brought in as an attacking wide player and that's where he should be playing. We desperately missed him when he was gone at the end of last season, and in my opinion we should play Stevens - Howe - Bodin as the forward three.

That leaves Lathrope - Mansell - AN Other as the midfield. Easton will cover and challenge for those two spots, which leaves Morris in prime place for the other spot, and he didn't show enough last season to indicate he can step into Eunan's shoes.

If we receive £175k for Eunan, as well as getting his very decent wage off the bill, and don't replace him then we'd be a lot weaker, and I can't think of a bigger hole that needs filling.

Poke, Nico, Oastler, Saah, Downes, Lathrope, Mansell, Stevens, Bodin and Howe are a very good starting 10. Easton, Morris and Jarvis are very good, experienced players to keep them on their toes and cover when needed. Then the developing players like Thompson, Craig, Halpin, Macklin can hopefully offer something exciting off the bench (at least at the start of the season).

If we're going to sign one more player then for me Eunan's replacement is the obvious example. If we desperately need cover in defence then a McDonald type loan deal should be enough.

[Richinns]

Personally I would like us to bring in a direct replacement for Eunan. Bodin is terrific, but he was brought in as an attacking wide player and that's where he should be playing. We desperately missed him when he was gone at the end of last season, and in my opinion we should play Stevens - Howe - Bodin as the forward three.

That leaves Lathrope - Mansell - AN Other as the midfield. Easton will cover and challenge for those two spots, which leaves Morris in prime place for the other spot, and he didn't show enough last season to indicate he can step into Eunan's shoes.

If we receive £175k for Eunan, as well as getting his very decent wage off the bill, and don't replace him then we'd be a lot weaker, and I can't think of a bigger hole that needs filling.

Poke, Nico, Oastler, Saah, Downes, Lathrope, Mansell, Stevens, Bodin and Howe are a very good starting 10. Easton, Morris and Jarvis are very good, experienced players to keep them on their toes and cover when needed. Then the developing players like Thompson, Craig, Halpin, Macklin can hopefully offer something exciting off the bench (at least at the start of the season).

If we're going to sign one more player then for me Eunan's replacement is the obvious example. If we desperately need cover in defence then a McDonald type loan deal should be enough.

Great post - exactly my feelings on it but Lings comments indicates he is thinking otherwise.

[ferrarilover]

We've got Eunan's replacement, he's a young Welsh lad and has already been here for half a season. What is it about Nathan Craig that you people won't believe me about?
As they might say on Eastenders Street, give over duckie, honestly, with the much better option of Bodin over Morris in the starting XI, and NC pulling the strings in midfield, Eunan's departure will be barely noticeable.

Matt.

[nicktufc]

We have to remember that Eunan took time to bring his game up to speed and the level needed to be a first choice. Nathan will be the same, and I don't think we should be expecting a ready made replacement straight away. Morris would be the sensible choice for the first few months, with NC getting his chance as a substitute. As NC becomes more established, experienced and composed within the first XI, then I would expect him to slowly start to grow into the player we all hope he will become.

[Richinns]

We've got Eunan's replacement, he's a young Welsh lad and has already been here for half a season. What is it about Nathan Craig that you people won't believe me about?
As they might say on Eastenders Street, give over duckie, honestly, with the much better option of Bodin over Morris in the starting XI, and NC pulling the strings in midfield, Eunan's departure will be barely noticeable.

Matt.

Sorry Matt - I judge Ling to be a better choice of talent than you and he has given no indercation Craig can and will take over the Eunan role. The only players he has mentioned who can do that is Bodin (with his eyes closed) and Stevens.

Ling is very open and honest and suspect he would have said something by now if this was to be the case.

[Gulliball]

Eunan started off playing out wide, as often as a substitute. As promising as Craig is, I can't see him starting too many games over the first half of the season. It's a very big ask for someone without even a minute of professional domestic football to replace a PFA team of the year player in Eunan O'Kane (who started 47 out of 48 games), and I don't think Ling will put that kind of pressure on him.

ps - anyone seen this before?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_west/3861219.stm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ferrarilover]

He's also mentioned Morris, which makes a total of three suggestions to fill the Eunan role, none of which are quite as appropriate as NC. Now, my argument is that Craig CAN fill that role (with support from Bodin), whether Dinger chooses that route to plug the gap is an entirely different matter.

Matt.

[Jeff]

Although I've never seen him play so have to believe the hype, I agree with Matt and think that Craig is the man lingy has in mind - and that Ling is playing a canny game of not mentioning NC as not to bring undue pressure onto him. It's a big ask for any player to fill the role of the playmaker in the divisional team of the year!

I can believe that NC has got what it takes, don't forget he effectively comes to us with more credential than Eunan did. Eunan was released earlier in his development by Everton, never appeared in the first team in any competition and (not 100% sure on this one) hadn't appeared in the u-21s before he signed for us. NC ticks those boxes - ironically it was he who was subbed to give our very own Billy Bodin his welsh u-21 debut.

I don't see that NC not playing last season as any indicator. When Eunan came over and signed for us, first couple of games he looked small and too weak for l2. We had to play him as Buckle had got rid of most of the rest of our midfield. He still had that glimpse of a special talent, but for me we blooded him too early. Had we had the luxury, he might have benefitted from more gradual first team exposure before making a real impact the following season.

Perhaps Ling protected NC to an extent by not playing him last season, and has allowed him to toughen up in reserve team football, get a full pre season under his belt with a view to unleashing him on L2 next season.

[PhilGull]

...and, of course, Poke in Bobby's place and Ellis replaced by a.n.other (presumably Downes)

:Oops:
Well of course that's a given!