Yes, Bubbles , I'm inclined to agree , but I admit I am a little one eyed when it comes to Noble .I have seen him play the DM role Diop is playing , and do it well , once . Away at Pompey2 years ago .I think Diop gets the nod due to his height in that role .bubbles1966 wrote: - but at the heart of the team we are having to play three in central midfield because to take any one of them out of the team leaves us wholly inadequate.
Diop - will stop attacks - control, passing and scoring pretty mediocre
Nolan - can score goals - passing, athleticism pretty mediocre
Noble - can pass - defending and goalscoring mediocre...
We may well need a completely new central midfield next season in the PL if people envisage flying wingers and 4-4-2 because the 3 individuals in midfield all have one major strength each but a number of other inadequacies.
FWIW, I'd get rid of Nolan , and play Noble deep, focussing on attacking the opposition rather than worrying too much about defending .We would of course need 2 decent fullbacks and 2 players wide midfield with pace and energy .In short I would build the team around Noble , Sam has built it around Nolan .
A 4-2-3-1 shape with Diop and Noble ( or, as I would prefer , Noble and De Jong :lol: ), with Faubert one side , Baldock the other, Cole up top might work with Hall as the middle of the three .
I just cannot see a place for Kevin Nolan ,can't move, tackle or pass ..... as for all the stuff on Captaincy and leadership ......well it's a long way from Bonds or Martin is all I'll say .