Sheff Weds Vs QPR - 14 Sept

The midfield has been an issue for Marti since the start of the season and the loss of both Willock and Chair has been a problem because both could play either on the right or the left. With both Willock and Chair being comfortable playing on either flank they could also double up and overload in those wide areas.

Currently, the wide  left role has been a major issue, and it doesn't matter who Marti has tried there it hasn't really worked. Against WBA it was Kolli, against Sheff Utd it was Lloyd,  against Plymouth it was Saito, against Luton it was back to Lloyd and against Sheff Wed it was Madsen. I'd suggest that until Chair returns Saito is the most natural in that role but he can get out muscled and he's still building his match fitness.

In central midfield I'd imagine that Marti had always intended to play either Madsen or Andersen because both are more comfortable in that role. However, IMO some of our best play has been when Dembele has been given that role because he's had more freedom to roam around the pitch and run at the central defenders. 

The wide right role should be a little bit easier because currently its a straight choice between Smyth or Dembele. Dembele has shown he has plenty of skill but as I've mentioned he looks better when given a free role to go left or right or wherever he wants. However, the thing with Dembele is that he's our only player who looks comfortable in any of the attacking midfield roles.

I'd like to see Marti start with Dembele on the left and allow him to do his own thing a bit like the role Chair is given,  Madsen would then play in the centre and Smyth on the right. Whatever Marti does he needs to get Dembele on the ball because he's our best attacking midfielder and our biggest threat.

There are lots of options and Marti might end up having to try a few square pegs in round holes before he gets it right but I trust him to find the solution.

It was great to get the point but overall it wasn't a good performance and we were naive in allowing Bannan to have loads of time and space to control the game. IMO Bannan was the games MotM and Nardi was our MotM.