Time to play Craig in the Eunan role

[Richinns]

With Easton now fit and Lathrope only a couple of weeks away I think it is now time for Craig to be given his chance to fill the void which is becoming increasingly evident since Eunan departed.

No disrespect to Morris - but for me he has not quite been good enough to hold on to this spot. From the little I have seen of Craig he looks more natural to fill this position and his vision and confidence on the ball seems to be of greater quality than Morris.

For me we start either Danny/Niall or Lloyd on the wing with Bodin tuther side and drop Morris for Craig. Morris then has to respond by fighting for a place back in the starting 11 - challenging for a spot with either Craig or Manse (whose form is not at its best at the moment).

Ling has talked about a better squad but not a better team and has indicated the loss of Eunan as key factor in this. Therefore he himself has identified Morris has not stepped up enough, so time to look at another option in the squad and if this does not work than utilise the loan market.

[PhilGull]

I agree with putting Craig in the 'Eunan' role but I have a slightly more controversial idea on who to drop.

I know this is going to cause uproar but giving Manse the chance to rest his buttocks on the bench? I would like to see a cultured attacking midfield with Morris dropping deeper in to the Manse position with Craig playing the more advanced role.
Then theres Bodin, who arguably has had worse form for longer (than Manse) who would perhaps benefit from a spell on the sidelines. The question would be who to put in and I would be tempted to go with two from Stevens, Macklin and Thompson.

Generally I think things are going 'okay' but we aren't improving and are in danger of going backwards. I think the above would be enough to re-juvinate the team without bringing in a new faces.

[Chris B]

The one point where I disagree with you both is the idea Craig is suited to replace Eunan/Morris in the advanced central position. For me, Nathan's an exceptional talent, but a midfielder more suited to picking the ball up deep and dictating the play with his passing.

It was a joy to watch the way he did this against Argyle - sweeping the ball from left to right, occasionally pinging one across the pitch to pick out a winger. To put him near Rene would negate his ability to do this. In essence, I see Craig as a player more like Alex Russell than Eunan O'Kane.

The problem is we could then see a central midfield with three players (Craig, Lathrope, Mansell) more naturally inclined to play behind the ball, leaving Rene with little support.

[ferrarilover]

Nathan prefers playing further forward, from midfield onwards. Think Paul Scholes. Would like to point out that I've been saying this for months now...

Matt.

[Chris B]

I think your Scholes-comparison is apt, Matt. Scholes is the CM who drops deep and collects the ball from the defence, and will always make himself available for one-twos or in passing triangles after playing the ball forward or out wide as the team moves up the pitch. I think Craig can dominate the possession for us in this way.

I don't think he'd be best used occupying a position in the final third, facing his own goal, waiting for the pass to come into him. He did, though, show his quality can be utilised in several positions when he made that excellent first-time assist for Rene against Burton in what must be an unfavoured left-wing role. Now we just need to keep him fit!

[ferrarilover]

Regards the left wing role, Chris, I genuinely believe that he is good enough that he could play in any of the 6 forward positions on the pitch (not in goal or the back 4) and add to our overall quality.

I am properly excited about watching him develop and being given a chance to play in his preferred position in our fully fit first team.

Matt.

[AustrianAndyGull]

Regards the left wing role, Chris, I genuinely believe that he is good enough that he could play in any of the 6 forward positions on the pitch (not in goal or the back 4) and add to our overall quality.

I am properly excited about watching him develop and being given a chance to play in his preferred position in our fully fit first team.

Matt.

[cambgull]

CALL A LAWYER! Oh wait...

At least Matt will have an understanding of the court room doll used by Nathan Craig to describe where Matt helped him 'develop'.