Gary Irvine In The Middle?

[harry94]

Just had a thought when I was posting about Aaron Taylor-Sinclair's possible availability in the transfer section that maybe Gary Irvine in the middle could tighten things up.

Irvine has done a great job covering on that side but he's a bit slower distributing the ball forward on his weaker foot and that's not ideal. I remember that he has played in defensive midfield before and this might be a good option to help the back four a bit.

Thomson has not shown himself to be a good enough ball winner and doesn't control the midfield area well enough.

I think a team like this could potentially be defensively sound:

                 Bain

McGinn McPake Konrad Dyer

          Irvine Thomson

Harkins McGowan Stewart (roaming)

            Clarkson

or if we were wanting to be more attacking then Harris can come in for Thomson:

                     Bain

McGinn McPake Konrad Dyer

          Irvine McGowan

Harris Harkins Stewart (roaming)

            Clarkson

Obviously that wouldn't be fixed so guys like Clarkson or Konrad having a bad run in the team would be dropped but my main point is that I think it would help out the back four.

Dyer hasn't really had a chance for a proper run in the team this season so that'd be a risk unless someone else come in but could be worth a try if things don't improve soon.

[Attilio]

It's certainly worth discussion Harry but to quote an Ivanism - Square Pegs Round Holes.  Central Midfielders is not something we're short of.

[harry94]

It's certainly worth discussion Harry but to quote an Ivanism - Square Pegs Round Holes.  Central Midfielders is not something we're short of.

Yeah, it's not an easy thing to test certainly. It feels like we need a bit of leadership and bite in the middle of the park though and I'm not sure who really gives us that.

McAllister - Plenty of effort but a bit headless and doesn't really contribute much apart from his running.

McGowan - He could maybe play deeper but it looks like Hartley considers his best position up the park.

Thomson - Retains possession well and passes it around fine but I don't think he's good at the dirty work.

Ferry - Not seen enough of to evaluate but he doesn't look like that sort of player.

Hopefully, the next game will show that the midfield is actually working OK and not needing a drastic change. We've had issues all over the park recently.

[chomp my root]

Not keen on this one Harry, he has played in midfield before and I seem to mind that he was alright and didn't disgrace himself but wasn't outstanding. Midfield is the one area we have plenty of cover so we should have a few options there. If we take Irvine out of defence then it gives us even less options there. A solid 4 4 2 with Peaso and Tank starting up front with the option of Clarkson on the bench will do for me.

[Ivan Drago]

It's certainly worth discussion Harry but to quote an Ivanism - Square Pegs Round Holes. Central Midfielders is not something we're short of.

An Ivanism 😀😀😀😀

Love it 💙💙💙💙💙

[McDee]

100% no. Ever.

[deefly78]

Any formation with Dyer in the team is a no for me so Irvine at left back all day long with the squad we have

[Edin_Dee]

If you bring Irvine out of full back you are weakening the defence given that his replacements aren't the best defencively. I actually think that Irvine has been looking better and better in recent weeks as an attacking threat. Seems to have had at least one decent chance to score in every game recently. I would keep him there as I think he is improving every week.

One of the main problems with the midfield I think is that we change who is in the middle every week recently. You're never going to play your best football if you're not playing every week so if we can get a bit of consistency to the team in the central midfield that could be the key. Doubt that will be possible though given Thomsons injury record! 

[Ludo*1]

Irvine's adequate at DM in the Championship, 100% definite no for this league though.

If we're going down that route, re-sign Matt Lockwood and stick him as DM. Would be able to do all the things Irvine could do at DM, but simply better.

Definite no-no for me.

[BigG]

^{Irvine does not have any required attributes to play CM. He has played his best football of recent times at LB, However, I don't think this helps the balance of the team.}

[Boba Fett]

Agree that we need more "bite" and leadership in the middle of the park but Irvine has been our most consistent performer of late at left back. He's made that position his own for the time being I would say. I would rather look at improving and using our current (and plentiful) batch of midfielders to get the best out of them. They were performing well at the start of the season... They need to step up and get back to that level.

[blythswood]

Irvine was a central midfielder before going to St. Johnstone, they played him at full back but he struggled there in the SPL.

His crossing and passing isn't ideal for a full back the modern game. Likewise McGinn. Big improvement needed in that area and it's something that they could easily work on.