Which is what I pointed out…. A very innocuous comment.
And I was blocked by him 
Why feed his ego, as if what he says, matters a shit. Someone that puts it all down to a mythical bearded bloke that lives in a cloud.
3 Likes
Hallelujah!
Agreed 100000%. It’s the design and make up of the midfield that the issue - not a person problem.
It has been a disaster for 5/6 years now. A complete reset is needed, or… play Perry and Earring! Or… play a middle 3 and get a proper holding midfielder in the mould of Ollie Banks who can start attacks by not simply laying off to the full backs.
Our midfield is so dysfunctional, it’s laughable.
Look at Swindon yesterday - they had Payne, Williams, and Reed interchanging positions, picking up the ball , running with the ball, getting into the box, whilst Reed set up everything. Everything we are not.
We have not a single player that could get in the Swindon side, let alone one of our midfielders getting into their side - or any other top 8/9 side.
Which is kinda the point I’ve been making - what we have is (some) average players playing in a poor side.
What we need is very good players in a very good side - if we want to make a ‘real good go’ at promotion. I’d love to know what’s so controversial about that.
6 Likes
Yep, we’re on the same page on this.
Give Kinsella a chance to be brilliant and impactful by owning a bit of the pitch. We question his impact - not his enthusiasm, ethic or commitment. And a big part of that impact is dictated by the role we ask him to play.
I think a sitting (in front of the back four) rather than a marauding Kinsella could have prevented their first two goals yesterday. Especially the second which was an unchallenged run right through Chambers territory.
11 Likes
Agree with this. Kins’ real value is what he does without the ball, the intensity he provides in closing down play and regaining possession, and he has been impactful in that role when played in a suitable position. Some seem concerned by his inability to turn on a sixpence and ping 40 yard defence-splitting passes, but that’s not his game, and we have a host of ‘creative’ players who can’t do that either.
He’s an ideal screen, which is something we need at this level, and he should be used as such. But there’s also a responsibility for other midfielders (present and incoming) to provide creative spark and a commitment to tracking runners, because that has been badly lacking.
5 Likes
There are clear problems with the midfield balance which have been there all season. It just isn’t functional.
Very little creativity, no real goal threat. It doesn’t work defensively either. I can’t pick out specific games right now, it has all begun to blur into one a little for me now. I remember in some of our better performances since Flynn took over and we won they were all playing 5-3-2/3-5-2 and the back 3 were still very exposed and stretched but stood up admirably and defended situations well.
I hope we haven’t drained the life out of Earing by playing him in a role that really doesn’t suit him and stunted his development. Also Perry must feel a little miffed. Surely should have more minutes under his belt, especially over the past month or so.
5 Likes
Kins has played further forward since Flynn arrived. It used to be rare to see him in the 30 yards nearest the opposition goal.
What is odd to me is that the majority on here, plus people that you chat to at the game see it the same way, with respect to our midfield, and the roles the players are being asked to perform, Earing being another example.
2 Likes
I don’t need too. For years now he’s been our only consistent performer to anyone with a set of eyes and without a vendetta.
Agreed.
But the standard the bar was set to wasn’t huge. I don’t think anyone has a vendetta, it is more finding a way for his strengths to be utilised.
1 Like
I haven’t read the entire thread, so this might have been covered, but, has there been a discussion on the Kiernan shot that hit the bar? Should he have shot from that angle, or was the angle so impossible he needed to cross the ball? 
8 Likes
I have a set of eyes and I don’t have a vendetta against Kinsella. Argue against my points.
Il say it again. I can’t fault his attitude, commitment, loyalty and work without the ball. Exceptional. With the ball he’s a very limited footballer though.
Kinsella is superb at breaking down the play in league 2 that has to count for something. Get some better players around him and it will work.
Earing is decent on the ball but let’s be honest he does very little with it. Hopefully a full pre season with Flynn and that will change.
1 Like
Yep, in a middle 3. Not a 2.
2 Likes
Spot on mate their blokes had a free run at the back 4 on multiple occasions and if you give a talented player a free hit he’ll stick it exactly where he did.Kinsella needs to be that shield nothing more nothing less I’d rather him sit than win a ball back on the edge of their box.
2 Likes
Well we’re screwed then, because the club isn’t about to sign the quality of player that you want.
He broke down 5/6 dangerous attacks 2nd half, would have been a cricket score without him.
8 Likes
I’m not sure…. He has the ability to play as a holding midfielder which is why (and I’m guessing here) Clarke, Taylor and Flynn have not really played him there. I don’t think he has the ability to pick a pass in all honesty and play through the lines.
Maybe that’s the answer to this conundrum about where to play him? I feel like it is
I made a post 3/4 years ago about Kinsella in that he’s neither a holding player nor a more advanced player / and that’s a problem.
I think his perfect role for us would be in a midfield 3 as the one with a bit of license to turn over the ball and keep some shape - especially away from home. I think that would be his ideal position and how we would get the best out of him and utilise him properly / and I’d be very happy with that. I think we need a Ollie Banks, Reed, Whelan, Collins/Dieng, Stevenson sort of player, who can really dictate play and transition from the ball - especially as Flynn likes a 352 and a middle 3. A specialist in that holding role is a must for me.
2 Likes
Precisely my point.
Everyone needs to contribute to protecting the defence, too. Build-up to the second goal both Miller and Devine are powderpuff, second goal the midfield two are taken out of the game with a single pass, third goal Earing doesn’t start sprinting until he realises we’re in deep shit.
Doesn’t help that the back line is Keates-level deep, too.
3 Likes
From what I’ve seen this season 9/10 midfielders have been any good tend to be loan players.
And we always miss them!