10 Sep 2020 14:41:18
With all of the talk about the continuing push for attacking players,
I still think we are lacking a DM, someone to sit most of the time.

I'd love for one of the youngsters (Levitt, Garner, Galbraith) or McTominay to get a hunger for that rather trying to be the midfield dynamo or box to box player we already seem to have that covered with pogba, fernandes and Van der Beek and then Hannibal coming through as well.

If we don't sort this out there will be clamor next year for it.

I know we can't buy a whole new team each season (we are not Chelsea), and things take time, but there is a huge opportunity for one of the promising Under 23s to slip in and fill that gap.

1.) 10 Sep 2020
10 Sep 2020 17:41:44
Think Ed2 said on the Arsenal page that Partey is available for around £50m. Think he'd be a bargain at that price to rotate with Matic this season, and allow Matic to move on next season and the younger players to progress and learn from.

2.) 10 Sep 2020
10 Sep 2020 17:47:15
I think McTom is being groomed for that role and that is one of the reasons we gave Matic a long contract, so that Scott can learn from him. Matic certainly speaks highly of him. I personally think if he develops the right attributes Scott can be a fantastic DM - good engine, decent on the ball and physically strong. He needs to read the game better which comes with age. VdB is effectively replacing Fred and perriera in the squad while providing a decent back up to Bruno. I think its a very good buy, given the age, type of player and his quality.
I don't think we will see Matic start as many games this season and he may be used more in europe or when we play the top 6- so maybe 25 games, which is about how many his legs will take i think. We may see more of Scott alongside Pogba and Bruno with Vdb / Fred coming in when required.

3.) 10 Sep 2020
10 Sep 2020 18:13:55
Mctominay has always striked me as a more offensive midfielder. In the past he would have been a old school box to box midfielder in a 4-4-2 formation.

Takes too many touches and lack the pass appreciation to play deeper in my opinion.

4.) 10 Sep 2020
10 Sep 2020 18:17:57
McTominay is underrated. i'm not sure whether his best role is a holding midfielder or a box to box midfielder. He is a combination of the two, not sure if would class him as a central midfielder?

Ed001, which position do you think is the best for Mctominay?

{Ed001's Note - right now he is best in central midfield, he has yet to learn to read the game well enough to play the holding role. However, he will learn it best by playing there, so it depends on what the long term role is expected of him at the club as to where it is best to play him.}

5.) 10 Sep 2020
10 Sep 2020 19:09:37
Thanks for the prompt reply ED001.

{Ed001's Note - you are very welcome MH, always a pleasure mate.}

6.) 10 Sep 2020
10 Sep 2020 20:25:14
I really like Mctominy whether as a switch out player or future HM. I think he is clever enough to learn the role given time with not only Matic but Carrick as his coach he certainly has good people to learn from.
Question is whether he will he given the time or whether this is truly where they see him fitting in.

7.) 10 Sep 2020
10 Sep 2020 22:52:43
Agreed on all points here on McT. Very promising player in my opinion but now needs to cement a position and learn it at this level. I think he’s perfect for the holding role if we can play him there regularly as he’s good enough to adapt.

8.) 11 Sep 2020
11 Sep 2020 12:11:39
Looking at the holding role we have Matic, McTominay and Fred who can play that role in the first team. TFM could play that role, both myself and Red Man have said numerous times that he looked like he would become a CDM in the future. While we have Garner who'll likely go out on loan this season, but next season if he has a successful loan spell could come back to challenge for a spot in the team.

Personally I feel McTominay is more suited to playing as a traditional box to box midfielder, he has tremendous running power and endurance, he is physically strong and imposing both in defence and attack, while he has a good shot on him and scores a few goals a season. However, if he works on his reading of the game and his passing technique he could be an excellent CDM.

I would say against 80% of the teams in the league or the domestic cups we don't need a top level CDM. These are games McTominay could start in and play the role to hone his skills. In those games against the best sides in the league or in Europe we can play a fresh Matic who when fit and in peak condition is still a top class CDM.

With the signing of DvdB we have no need and no space in the squad for another CM. We are likely to play with either a double pivot or a single pivot this season. If we play with a single pivot (which is less often I would imagine) then we have Matic, McTominay and Fred all capable of playing the role. If we play with a double pivot then Pogba, Bruno and DvdB are all also capable of playing deeper in a double pivot alongside one of the more defensive minded players. Giving us 6 players who can play there.

That doesn't include players like TFM or Andreas Pereira who might still be at the club, or Garner and Levitt who'll likely be on loan.