Best Midfield

[eyeothedug]

We have quite a few options now in midfield, with Tankulic and Carreiro being played there from the bench. Since Paul McGowan came back against RC, and Alex Harris played his debut too, we've really started to flow again. From Harkins, Tankulic, McAlister, Ferry, Thomson, Harris, McGowan, Carreiro, McBride I think our best selection is 

Thomson, McGowan, Harkins, Harris in a diamond. You've got bite, passing and holding ability in Thomson and McGowan plus creativity, something a bit special in Harkins and Harris. Stewart can be added in as well if we go for a 5 man midfield. Carreiro, McAlister and Tank as back ups...

With Peaso leaving, Wighton on loan - ideally I'd play him with Stewart up front, think they'd have a great understanding as both very intelligent - plus Tankulic not really proving to be a striker, we're short in the striking department. We only have Clarkson as an out and out finisher. I know PH is looking to bring someone in but hopefully not Kris Boyd...Leigh Griffiths would be better but then he's not an out and out finisher...

[19seventyone]

I would say that Griffiths IS an out and out finisher. He scores goals at every club he's played for.

My team would be

Bain

McGinn

McPake

Either Konrad or Gadzhalov (though I suspect the Bulgarian will end up first pick)

New left back required as neither Dyer or Irvine are good enough IMO

Stewart on the left (Great goal return for a midfielder and I'm not sure he would score much more through the middle)

Harris on the right

Thomson and McGowan in the middle

Harkins number 10 although he needs to contribute more and his lack of movement hinders us sometimes.

I'd persevere with Tank up front until we get a new striker in. Clarkson has done really well for us but I honestly wouldn't give him a longer deal. Our problems over the last few months have stemmed from his lack of mobility amongst other things. The Tank gives us this and I think he will score goals for us. Griffiths up top wouls be brilliant although I cannae see him coming back. Maybe Hartley is sniffing about Hemmings?

[eyeothedug]

Yes meant that LG isn't just a finisher in the same way Clarkson is.

I'd play Stewart further up and wouldn't play Tankulic. Agree with the defence and that a new LB is probably required.

[CC33]

Our best 4 in Mid would be

Thomson and Mcgowan central

2 wide would be Harris and a new winger hopefully

[eyeothedug]

Our best 4 in Mid would be

Thomson and Mcgowan central

2 wide would be Harris and a new winger hopefully

Ok, might be a bit attacking that, wingers on both sides.

[Derry Drummer]

I prefer McGowan to Thomson.

Him, Harris, Stewart and Harkins in a diamond with 2 mobile strikers.

[chomp my root]

We have quite a few options now in midfield, with Tankulic and Carreiro being played there from the bench. Since Paul McGowan came back against RC, and Alex Harris played his debut too, we've really started to flow again. From Harkins, Tankulic, McAlister, Ferry, Thomson, Harris, McGowan, Carreiro, McBride I think our best selection is 

Thomson, McGowan, Harkins, Harris in a diamond. You've got bite, passing and holding ability in Thomson and McGowan plus creativity, something a bit special in Harkins and Harris. Stewart can be added in as well if we go for a 5 man midfield. Carreiro, McAlister and Tank as back ups...

With Peaso leaving, Wighton on loan - ideally I'd play him with Stewart up front, think they'd have a great understanding as both very intelligent - plus Tankulic not really proving to be a striker, we're short in the striking department. We only have Clarkson as an out and out finisher. I know PH is looking to bring someone in but hopefully not Kris Boyd...Leigh Griffiths would be better but then he's not an out and out finisher...

I'm guessing we'll be staying with 1 up front and playing with 2 holding and 3 attacking midfielders, if PH has let Peaso go, even to free up a wage to bring in a 'sexy and expensive' striker then Wighton away still leaves us Clarkson, Stewart and Tankulic. Roberts and even GGH can play there at a push. 

I've got to disagree about Griffiths not being an out and out finisher, I'd say he's pretty nifty at putting the ball in the net and I'd love the wee hand grenade back at Dens although I really can't see it happening.

[eyeothedug]

I'm guessing we'll be staying with 1 up front and playing with 2 holding and 3 attacking midfielders, if PH has let Peaso go, even to free up a wage to bring in a 'sexy and expensive' striker then Wighton away still leaves us Clarkson, Stewart and Tankulic. Roberts and even GGH can play there at a push.

I've got to disagree about Griffiths not being an out and out finisher, I'd say he's pretty nifty at putting the ball in the net and I'd love the wee hand grenade back at Dens although I really can't see it happening.

I don't think Tankulic can play the lone striker. He's more of an attacking mid/no 10 and a bench one at that. Harkuns isn't a striker and Roberts? Words fail me. Stewart and Clarkson are the only realistic options there and Clarkson the only true finisher, so hope we get someone else in soon.

As for LG, I qualified my remarks in the earlier post. He is a finisher but not an out and out finisher in the sense that he can play attacking mid and no 10 as well. Out and out finishers, like Clarkson are more limited.

[chomp my root]

I don't think Tankulic can play the lone striker. He's more of an attacking mid/no 10 and a bench one at that. Harkuns isn't a striker and Roberts? Words fail me. Stewart and Clarkson are the only realistic options there and Clarkson the only true finisher, so hope we get someone else in soon.

As for LG, I qualified my remarks in the earlier post. He is a finisher but not an out and out finisher in the sense that he can play attacking mid and no 10 as well. Out and out finishers, like Clarkson are more limited.

I see Tank as a no. 10 myself, same with Stewart. Roberts is a winger and Harkins is an attacking midfielder but at a push (some more than others) they can 'cover' as a no. 9. I was just pointing out that if we're only going to be playing with 1 up front then we could probably go with what we've got. I still think we're going to get a 'marquee' loan signing, time will tell I s'pose.

[Derry Drummer]

Being an out an out striker and playing as one is a big difference.

[Dayster]

Jim mac and mcgowan always play well together in the middle, like Saturday and Millie away, the energy it gives the team makes a huge difference

[barkblue]

Jim mac and mcgowan always play well together in the middle, like Saturday and Millie away, the energy it gives the team makes a huge difference

Don't say crazy things like Jimmy Mac can play well, you'll be linched!

Next thing you'll be suggesting Irvine has looked decent at LB - even yet, folk are desperate to replace him...

MIdfield for me is what we played on Saturday, Stewart pushed on and not wasted in midfield, Harkins as a great option from the bench, Tank available to add energy later in the game.

So it's

--------------Bain

McGinn McPake Gadzhalov Irvine

-----------Thomson

Harris Jimmy Mac McGowan

------------Stewart

-----------Clarkson

Letheren, Konrad, Dyer, Tank, Harkins, Carreiro, Ferry

Drop Stewart into midfield for games where we want to play more defensively.

I think that's a more solid midfield than dropping Jimmy Mac for Harkins, as it allows McGowan more freedom, as Harkins doesn't track back, or sit in, in the way Jimmy Mac does. Not saying he's a world beater, but he's the best we have for that role, as the options are Ferry or McBride, or, as I say, constricting McGowan, which he doesn't like.