The Search for a Midfielder

Ian McGarry saying on the transfer window podcast that he spoke to two high level agents who said the club has been in touch asking if they can suggest available midfielders.

Could this be true? I just don't know anymore.
 
Have to say that Declan Rice seems to have improved a bit on the ball and did his usual impressive destructive work against Sheffield. Noble's legs have gone so he's doing his work too half the time. It's not sexy for the massive fee he'd cost but maybe he's another Casemiro who will be the rock of either the Arsenal, United or Chelsea midfield.
 
NoPace said:
Have to say that Declan Rice seems to have improved a bit on the ball and did his usual impressive destructive work against Sheffield. Noble's legs have gone so he's doing his work too half the time. It's not sexy for the massive fee he'd cost but maybe he's another Casemiro who will be the rock of either the Arsenal, United or Chelsea midfield.
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Instead of spending a crazy fee on Declan Rice we'd be better served trying to convert our once highly rated defensive prospect TFM into midfield in the remainder of the season and see how he does. I have feeling if given time he will do just as well as he has the raw physical attributes and defensive skills but might just need to keep it simple with the ball.
 
AneRu said:
Instead of spending a crazy fee on Declan Rice we'd be better served trying to convert our once highly rated defensive prospect TFM into midfield in the remainder of the season and see how he does. I have feeling if given time he will do just as well as he has the raw physical attributes and defensive skills but might just need to keep it simple with the ball.
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If he can stay fit
 
AneRu said:
Instead of spending a crazy fee on Declan Rice we'd be better served trying to convert our once highly rated defensive prospect TFM into midfield in the remainder of the season and see how he does. I have feeling if given time he will do just as well as he has the raw physical attributes and defensive skills but might just need to keep it simple with the ball.
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Maybe that is the reason we are seemingly looking at controlling CM's rather than natural DM's.
 
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AneRu said:
Instead of spending a crazy fee on Declan Rice we'd be better served trying to convert our once highly rated defensive prospect TFM into midfield in the remainder of the season and see how he does. I have feeling if given time he will do just as well as he has the raw physical attributes and defensive skills but might just need to keep it simple with the ball.
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As TFM played in midfield last night, I would think that is exactly what Ole is going to do. Could be excellent in that DM/destructive midfield player, someone to break up attacks, cover other defensive positions, spot danger before it occurs and be able to pass accurately. I certainly think Tim has the physical attributes to do the first job admirably, he has a defensive instinct, so could cover other positions if they're out of position, but the third point, awareness of danger, I'm not sure has has, yet, that is possibly what he needs to learn the most, and also his passing needs to improve a bit. Could be an excellent addition to the squad, as we've not seen him for three years.
 
red woppit said:
As TFM played in midfield last night, I would think that is exactly what Ole is going to do. Could be excellent in that DM/destructive midfield player, someone to break up attacks, cover other defensive positions, spot danger before it occurs and be able to pass accurately. I certainly think Tim has the physical attributes to do the first job admirably, he has a defensive instinct, so could cover other positions if they're out of position, but the third point, awareness of danger, I'm not sure has has, yet, that is possibly what he needs to learn the most, and also his passing needs to improve a bit. Could be an excellent addition to the squad, as we've not seen him for three years.
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How did he play last night. My mate says he was good. Anyone see the game.
 
AneRu said:
Instead of spending a crazy fee on Declan Rice we'd be better served trying to convert our once highly rated defensive prospect TFM into midfield in the remainder of the season and see how he does. I have feeling if given time he will do just as well as he has the raw physical attributes and defensive skills but might just need to keep it simple with the ball.
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I wasn't saying we should spend 70M or whatever on Rice, just noting that he does look to have improved on the ball from last season to my eyes (or I've caught him having a good month).

TFM looked years away from being useful last season at any position, think he probably needs a proper move somewhere they'll develop him for a few seasons and as you say, his position is anyone's guess, needs the right manager to see it. Presumably back in Netherlands or the Championship would make sense.
 
NoPace said:
Have to say that Declan Rice seems to have improved a bit on the ball and did his usual impressive destructive work against Sheffield. Noble's legs have gone so he's doing his work too half the time. It's not sexy for the massive fee he'd cost but maybe he's another Casemiro who will be the rock of either the Arsenal, United or Chelsea midfield.
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Declan Rice seems to get a lot of criticism on Red Cafe, but I work with a lot of match going West Ham supporters and they absolutely rave about Rice.
They could be biased, but it also seems that rival supporters of Palace, Chelsea & Spurs etc also rave about him after watching him play against their teams.
 
Ikon said:
Declan Rice seems to get a lot of criticism on Red Cafe, but I work with a lot of match going West Ham supporters and they absolutely rave about Rice.
They could be biased, but it also seems that rival supporters of Palace, Chelsea & Spurs etc also rave about him after watching him play against their teams.
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They also rave about Mark Noble, don't take much notice of them, still evolving. Rice's problem is IMO he doesn't quite know what kind of midfielder he is.
 
InLevyITrust said:
They also rave about Mark Noble, don't take much notice of them, still evolving. Rice's problem is IMO he doesn't quite know what kind of midfielder he is.
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Sorry mate, but I've not heard those Palace, Spurs & Chelsea supporters that rave about Mark Noble...?!?
 
Ikon said:
Declan Rice seems to get a lot of criticism on Red Cafe, but I work with a lot of match going West Ham supporters and they absolutely rave about Rice.
They could be biased, but it also seems that rival supporters of Palace, Chelsea & Spurs etc also rave about him after watching him play against their teams.
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I thought he looked like a CB on the ball last season and I do generally prefer a #6 who's a bit more eager to get on the ball and stitch play together, but he does look more confident with his passing (incredible left-footed 40-50 yard pass the other weak) and I have been shocked that Mark Noble wasn't dropped 2 months ago (he goes 15 minutes without being involved in play because he's just too old now considering he was never an average Prem level athlete) so he has been doing more work than a normal CM.

I think he's the type that good rival team supporters will often be impressed by because his skill is at breaking up play rather than creating it, but if Palace fans are impressed that's a good sign.

Like with Fabinho when he was at Monaco and could have solved one of our problems at RB/DM even if we weren't sure which, it seems we maybe actually should have just thrown the 80 we spent on Maguire at West Ham even if we weren't sure if that was getting us a 20 year old Casemiro/Jens Jeremies or a 20 year old John Terry, since the former types may not be fashionable but you'd certainly be happy to have one around for a decade.
 
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