LDN Blue 7,903 Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 ala lDN, about his form at the start of the season but too many average performances have made my mind up about him I'm afraid. It's just my opinion of course.Fair do's mate. Hopefully Mikel will keep his consistency when he's called up, and will sway your mind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismada9 1,948 Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 Fair do's mate. Hopefully Mikel will keep his consistency when he's called up, and will sway your mind Mikel should play as a holding midfield player because I feel that he's good there. I think apart from his consistent untentional challenges, he's a pretty solid player. I think the only reason why Mikel didn't play so well against Liverpool, is because he got booked in the first few seconds of the game, and had to be careful. If you think about it, a holding midfielder is renowned to go in for tackles to win the ball, a wrong move could get you a second yellow and get you sent off. Essien and Ramires should play off Mikel as two central midfield players. I'm starting to believe that Ramires is getting a grip in the midfield finally, and he's able to win the ball easier than he did when he started. Essien has gotten better, but he is still making sloppy passes in the middle, which really needs to be worked on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDN Blue 7,903 Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 I think the only reason why Mikel didn't play so well against Liverpool, is because he got booked in the first few seconds of the game, and had to be careful. If you think about it, a holding midfielder is renowned to go in for tackles to win the ball, a wrong move could get you a second yellow and get you sent off.Exactly! My words exact after that game Mikel has been our most improved player in the last few years. From constant red cards, to a vital member of the squad. Brilliant! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GodZola 630 Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 Essien was. Until Mikel came along.Essien has so much more attacking flare. He's wasted at DM. That's what "everybody" said, so we asked, and received. He's much better going forward and staying there, and going back to help out Mikel, than he is starting there. This is because we rely on our full-backs for the width. This means we need our DM to stay back and cover. Essien likes to go forward and if we keep him at DM we'll lose so much drive in midfield. Mikel there is a better option for both parties. I totally agree that Essiens talent should be utilized in a more offensive position but because Lampard has been so successful as the attacking midfielder he hasn't got a look in, he is still better than Mikel at the DM position for reasons that I have already given. I seem to be the minority on here but its strange that when I listen to pundits, Steve Claridge the latest one on 606 to back up my argument, It's a little difficult to see the masses point of view on here,That said LDN, i would rather Ancelotti dumped the role when we play frustrating defensively minded teams in favour of a more offensive, attacking formation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismada9 1,948 Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 Mikel has been our most improved player in the last few years. From constant red cards, to a vital member of the squad. Brilliant!Couldn't agree more! He needs to play more often. He's the closest we have to a Makelele-esque player in a sense that he's almost as robust as him when he has the ball. Sometimes his tackles aren't perfect, but I feel he has that strength and willingness in him to win the ball back and get play going again. Essien isn't a Makelele player because he's much quicker and gets forward. His jobs are much different to him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GodZola 630 Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 Fair do's mate. Hopefully Mikel will keep his consistency when he's called up, and will sway your mind What consistentcy?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDN Blue 7,903 Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 What consistentcy?! Well if you haven't recognised it by now, I don't think you will.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Styles 9,790 Posted February 16, 2011 Author Share Posted February 16, 2011 I totally agree that Essiens talent should be utilized in a more offensive position but because Lampard has been so successful as the attacking midfielder he hasn't got a look in, he is still better than Mikel at the DM position for reasons that I have already given. I seem to be the minority on here but its strange that when I listen to pundits, Steve Claridge the latest one on 606 to back up my argument, It's a little difficult to see the masses point of view on here,That said LDN, i would rather Ancelotti dumped the role when we play frustrating defensively minded teams in favour of a more offensive, attacking formation.Just LOL at the idea of Essien in a more offensive position. He can barely make progressive passes under no pressure, he would be completely out of his depth having mainly offensive duties. Essien's best qualities are fast becoming redundant to the style of play Ancelotti wants, that much is clear. You seem unwilling to accept that Mikel is a better DM because of his distribution. He is technically superior to Essien; first touch, technique, vision and passing ability both long and short. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest justin_3d Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 Just LOL at the idea of Essien in a more offensive position. He can barely make progressive passes under no pressure, he would be completely out of his depth having mainly offensive duties. Essien's best qualities are fast becoming redundant to the style of play Ancelotti wants, that much is clear. You seem unwilling to accept that Mikel is a better DM because of his distribution. He is technically superior to Essien; first touch, technique, vision and passing ability both long and short.Agreed I see Mikle more gifted technicall. But just that Essien is like the general of the game.For now Essien is better, because of the system and players we have.I think when Josh gets more playing time, it might be better to pair him up with Mikel. But with Lampard, and Ramirez, Essien is better. Or Lampard, Essien Mikel. Now that we have Torres and David Luiz it might change, but not straight of the bat. Maybe by next season Mikel will have a bigger role then Essien. You have to remember he is only 23, and hes best is yet to come. By 25 is when this boy should start really hitting his game. And by then hopefully Josh is better cememted into the team, and what ever other players we acquire will help with this system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GodZola 630 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 Just LOL at the idea of Essien in a more offensive position. He can barely make progressive passes under no pressure, he would be completely out of his depth having mainly offensive duties. Essien's best qualities are fast becoming redundant to the style of play Ancelotti wants, that much is clear. You seem unwilling to accept that Mikel is a better DM because of his distribution. He is technically superior to Essien; first touch, technique, vision and passing ability both long and short.For goodness sake man, before his injuries Essien was lauded as the best DM in the world - without question & these words were coming from pro' s, pundits & managers alike but what the fuck do I know! Ancelotti style? Yeah, he can't even get the poxy formation right let alone a style of football but its apt that Mikel has been benched by Ancelotti & not Essien but as I stated, he should of been. The end of the day l don't rate Mikel, you & the masses on here do, when Essien gets back to hid best then you & the clones come back & tell me who is the better player. Oh & by the way its not just me who thinks Essien should be pushed further up the pitch but if its given you a laugh them I'm glad i've done something for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve5221 91 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 Can see both sides of the argument here, but it comes down to who is the more valuble player to the side?. I think Essiens ability to cover the pitch better gives him the nod for me, but he seriously needs to concentrate on what he is doing more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GodZola 630 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 Well if you haven't recognised it by now, I don't think you will..Well we won our first 2 titles without him &-played some of the best football for some time by winning our last title and it was no coincidence that Mikel was injured for that period, where Ballack was just majestic in that role.5 seasons, how many goals? How many assists? He is not top class, whereas when Essien is fully fit, is.If we go onto win the CL with Mikel being instrumental, I wil gladly eat humble pie but I very much doubt it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milllz 43 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 its the front three that are under performing, not the midfield Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GodZola 630 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 its the front three that are under performing, not the midfieldThat's true, but that's for another debate fella. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GodZola 630 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 its the front three that are under performing, not the midfieldThat's true, but that's for another debate fella. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clevemayer 764 Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 That's true, but that's for another debate fella.godzola calm down and get you're facts right, most passes, most accurate passes, most passes forward as DM, most interceptions of the leage thats what we're talking about for a DEFENSIVE midfielder.... turn off you're troll modus and get real...as you state by you're self, Essien WAS Probably the best defensive minded central midfielder on this planet, but he has lost it, as hard as it sounds... and Ess was one of MY favourites so don't come here and talk about pundits what so ever... Mikel was alongside Cech player of the year for this club get real... two damages of you're crucial ligaments aren't easy its a wonder he's playing... so don't expect him to be the same he was any time...greetings... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve5221 91 Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 When will Carlo have the balls to drop him? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krypt 241 Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 When will Carlo have the balls to drop him?He wont , he seem to wait until they start playing well again. its like he crosses his fingers and hope somthing works rather than changing things. but if we where honestly in his position would we do half the things we say he should do ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve5221 91 Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 He wont , he seem to wait until they start playing well again. its like he crosses his fingers and hope somthing works rather than changing things. but if we where honestly in his position would we do half the things we say he should do ?I would have more respect for the man if he at least tried something different. I think he has an agreement in place with Roman to leave at the end of the year anyway unless he wins the CL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EskWeston 696 Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 He wont , he seem to wait until they start playing well again. its like he crosses his fingers and hope somthing works rather than changing things. but if we where honestly in his position would we do half the things we say he should do ?The refusal to drop out of form players is frustrating, the players have the mentality now of playing no matter how poor their form. A lot of the players need a good kick up the backside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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