Hughes wasting Ireland

[citoeast]

Decent post, and yes I was crying out for decent strikers last year, but Ireland should be given the free role in midfield, Barry the defensive role.

So Barry can't defend, but you want to give him the defensive role? And you want to give a midfielder a free role bhind TWO strikers?

And you're calling Hughes tactically naive?

Barry can provide highly effective cover for the back four, but he is a liability at corners and free kicks when in the box, thats when he is not good enough defensively.

 

[Bluemoon115]

So Barry can't defend, but you want to give him the defensive role? And you want to give a midfielder a free role bhind TWO strikers?

And you're calling Hughes tactically naive?

Barry can provide highly effective cover for the back four, but he is a liability at corners and free kicks when in the box, thats when he is not good enough defensively.

 

[pee dubya]

So Barry can't defend, but you want to give him the defensive role? And you want to give a midfielder a free role bhind TWO strikers?

And you're calling Hughes tactically naive?

Barry can provide highly effective cover for the back four, but he is a liability at corners and free kicks when in the box, thats when he is not good enough defensively.

I see where you're coming from, but Barry and De Jong have been performing well together since Ireland was out, he'll get back in soon but i'm not sure he's at the level where he's automatic first name on the team sheet just now. Also playing a solid 2 in the middle with 2 wide players and 2 strikers is not a defensive system.

Anyway, i wouldn't worry about Ireland, he'll be back soon and back to his best, i'm pretty sure.

 

[markbmcfc]

I disagree, i think if Ireland cannot fit into a 4-4-2, the most traditional formation in football, then thats HIS problem that he needs to work on. He needs to be able to get back and be creative when going forward, not either or. To blame Hughes for that is knee-jerk and not actually looking at the issue at hand.

He certainly has the engine and the ability for that role, I just think he needs experience. Away to Wigan though, i'd have gone with De Jong and after his performance you can see why.

Stevie needs to adapt his game, he cant be given the free role all the time. This was Elano's problem, he was only effective in a free role and average elsewhere, hence why he didnt get in the team.

The only other way to do it is sacrifice SWP, play three in midfield but then your playing Tevez on the right hand side of a front three, with Bellers or Robbie on the left. Sacrificing your width a bit as they wont get down the wing and cross it in.

 

[OrigamiNinja]

I disagree, i think if Ireland cannot fit into a 4-4-2, the most traditional formation in football, then thats HIS problem that he needs to work on. He needs to be able to get back and be creative when going forward, not either or. To blame Hughes for that is knee-jerk and not actually looking at the issue at hand.

He certainly has the engine and the ability for that role, I just think he needs experience. Away to Wigan though, i'd have gone with De Jong and after his performance you can see why.

Stevie needs to adapt his game, he cant be given the free role all the time. This was Elano's problem, he was only effective in a free role and average elsewhere, hence why he didnt get in the team.

The only other way to do it is sacrifice SWP, play three in midfield but then your playing Tevez on the right hand side of a front three, with Bellers or Robbie on the left. Sacrificing your width a bit as they wont get down the wing and cross it in.

Agree totally with this post.

Ireland struggles in a 4-4-2 and if thats the formation we are going to play then he is a benchwarmer for me. As it stands with SWPs awful form I would be inclined to go 4-3-3 and then Ireland would get in at SWPs expense but unlike the OP I have complete confidence in Hughes and will back him whatever decision he makes!

 

[The Fat el Hombre]

Barry can provide highly effective cover for the back four, but he is a liability at corners and free kicks when in the box, thats when he is not good enough defensively.

LOL!

 

[johnny crossan]

I disagree, i think if Ireland cannot fit into a 4-4-2, the most traditional formation in football, then thats HIS problem that he needs to work on. He needs to be able to get back and be creative when going forward, not either or. To blame Hughes for that is knee-jerk and not actually looking at the issue at hand.

He certainly has the engine and the ability for that role, I just think he needs experience. Away to Wigan though, i'd have gone with De Jong and after his performance you can see why.

Stevie needs to adapt his game, he cant be given the free role all the time. This was Elano's problem, he was only effective in a free role and average elsewhere, hence why he didnt get in the team.

The only other way to do it is sacrifice SWP, play three in midfield but then your playing Tevez on the right hand side of a front three, with Bellers or Robbie on the left. Sacrificing your width a bit as they wont get down the wing and cross it in.

This last option would work if we had a pacy, overlapping full back who could cross, unfortunately we haven't and that's the priority for January - to save Superman.

 

[johnny crossan]

In my humble opinion Superman is about to become a waste by-product of the Hughes factory machine. Put simply, Hughes is wasting his immense talent and goal scoring ability by playing him defensively and out of position.

I fear for Stevie under the Hughes regime, the best midfielder, imho, last year in the Premiership is becoming a shadow of his former self under the Mark Hughes defensive shackles. Other Premiership managers must be looking on in disbelief, relief (when playing us), and weighing up the right time to bid for him.

He is being used as a second fiddle to an inferior Barry, who is a very good class midfielder but cannot defend for love nor money. Ireland can defend and has better attacking qualities than Barry.

What do you guys think?

99% correct, we needed a barry in the side, ireland though is being wasted by hughes and his system.

4-3-3 is the answer with a pacy, overlapping right back, who can cross. (i.e not Micah or Zabaleta) Superman would thrive alongide Barry and de Jong/Kompany in such a system, I guarantee it.

 

[Wrighty Wrexham]

Ireland had a good season last year but tbh started to go off the boil towards the end of the season and has not started this season that great!

Also dont think it has been said but feel he used to go missing in the away matches and against the top teams!

Dont think Hughes is wasting him its called competition for places and lets remember if it wasnt for Hughes Ireland would be palying for Sunderland now!!

 

[markbmcfc]

99% correct, we needed a barry in the side, ireland though is being wasted by hughes and his system.

4-3-3 is the answer with a pacy, overlapping right back, who can cross. (i.e not Micah or Zabaleta) Superman would thrive alongide Barry and de Jong/Kompany in such a system, I guarantee it.

The problem with that JC is it will add extra pressure on the full backs defensively. If you want a player like Maicon who will get forward at every opportunity, with no right side midfielder to cover him, its going to leave us extremely exposed on the counter attack.