Who would you pick to partner Palacios next season?

[$hoguN]

Modric will probably get moved across into the middle when we get a left winger, failing that Jenas will probably play in the middle along side Palacios next season...

Would love for us to sign a great player to fit in there but just can't see it happening... Nigel Reo-Coker would be a good buy for us to, as he works hard in the middle of the park

 

[mil1lion]

Next season...

Palacios....Inler
Lennon...................Modric
Defoe....Keane​

= Good football.

 

[ginol@14]

Next season...

Palacios....Inler
Lennon...................Modric
Defoe....Keane​

= Good football.

now that looks good

 

[$hoguN]

hasn't Inler been shit this season?

 

[mil1lion]

hasn't Inler been shit this season?

I haven't seen much serie a this season, but from what IOMLS (who is the best person to ask on here for anything Serie a related) has said, he hasn't been playing in his best position. Last season when i saw him he looked great, but that was because he was playing in the holding midfield role, where he was able to show his quality passing ability. But this season has seen Udinese change his role somewhat and ask him to play further upfield, where he's being asked to do more in an attacking sense. But he is much better suited to holding midfield.

Thats what i think we need really. Palacios is a hard worker who gets himself about. But he also likes to get forward on occassion too. And although he hasn't scored in England yet, if he's given chance to get forward more, he can score goals. He's certainly had some great efforts so far for us. So if we can get a holding midfield player who can string the passes together (ala Carrick) then i think we'll have the perfect balanced midfield. And with 2 solid centre midfielders like Inler and Palacios, Modric would be given license to come infield like he does now.

 

[Pallyali]

nice thread. for me its a question i'v e been asking myself for a while. i wanted it to be modric but fear he is too lightweight. i too like the idea of felliani. someone of his ilk would be great but then i worry what would happen to modric as i cant help but feel a left winger will be on his way in the summer. if we stay up i cant see harry standing for any players playing out of position anymore.

 

[THOWIG]

Mathieu Bodmer is the answer. Could even deputise for Palacios. He's a top class player

 

[Dan Ashcroft]

Next season...

Palacios....Inler
Lennon...................Modric
Defoe....Keane​

= Good football.

Agree Inler is our man. A ball playing holding DM - the nearest thing to a Carrick replacement we'll get.

Defoe and Keane though no thanks - we've all seen how ineffective and pathetic a partnership that is.

Make it:

Lennon - Inler - Palacios - Modric

Keane - New 9/Pav

and that looks superb.

 

[Dan Ashcroft]

hasn't Inler been shit this season?

According to InOffMeLeftShin (our resident Serie A expert), he's not been as affective because they've changed their system and have been playing him as an engine room pressing player, rather than a holding DM, which isn't what he does.

 

[guy]

on current form the question should be: who to partner Jenas in CM

JJ outplayed Palacios again today i thought, the 2 of them are a very good combo in CM, really dont think it needs changing tbh, especially considering your Inlers and Carlos kickaballs will take a season to settle

 

[mil1lion]

it should be Palacios or Jenas to partner a holding midfielder for me. Again today, we've seen how good Palacios and Jenas can be without the ball (although Palacios wasn't great today). Its when we have the ball, neither one are great in possession. And thats a problem in centre midfield. Its ok to have 1 player like that, but not 2. You can also add Zokora to that too. I dont think 2 of those 3 will keep the ball well enough for me.

I also think today was a great example of why Modric should play on the left. Ekotto has been solid, and Modric works hard enough when we dont have the ball. But theres no chance of playing Modric in the middle of a 4-4-2 in a game like todays. So we really need a player in the Carrick mould alongside Jenas or Palacios next season.

 

[mil1lion]

Defoe and Keane though no thanks - we've all seen how ineffective and pathetic a partnership that is.

Depends largely on the opposition and whteher we'll be able to play it along the ground. Against an effective midfield i agree that those 2 together wont work though. So Pavyluchenko would have to partner one of those 2. But between those 3 strikers, and preferably a fourth (big) striker, we'll be set up for any oppostion.

 

[bergsuk]

Roy Keane

 

[raf18]

think palacios and jenas are great for those games where we need legs in midfield. not sure who could be a possible partner.

btw, palacios was a bit poor today when with the ball

 

[Kendall]

errr JENAS


He consistently gets the very clumsy Palacios out of trouble.

I think Palacios has brought grit and steel to our midfield and his excellent at that but he needs someone like Jenas to help him out.

I can't believe people still think a Modric/Palacios midfield is a great idea.

 

[Kendall]

Modric will probably get moved across into the middle when we get a left winger, failing that Jenas will probably play in the middle along side Palacios next season...

Would love for us to sign a great player to fit in there but just can't see it happening... Nigel Reo-Coker would be a good buy for us to, as he works hard in the middle of the park

Reo-Coker is just a poor mans Jenas. :razz:

 

[ILS]

Do people actually watch football. Reo-Coker's technical ability on the ball makes Zokora look like Messi for god sake.

NRC is an athlete and if he wasn't he would be nowhere near good enough to play for a top half premiership team,

 

[Marty]

Jepp, definitely happy with our current midfield. Jenas was excellent today.

 

[Rackybear]

Yeah. Just further highlighting my points I made earlier.

Unbeaten still, and an away win against Villa.

JJ and Palacios are more then fine in the middle. We have a great balance and actually look like a footballing team once again, or have done since we played with Modric - JJ - Palacios - Lennon.

 

[StockSpur]

jenas