Midfield madness

One of the most interesting things about this summer is how Stale handles a midfield headache.

Currently we have SEVEN first team centre midfielders. When we went into the summer break, you'd have thought that maybe a couple (like Guedioura and Milijas) would have gone by now, but Guedioura is unlikely to go to a Forest side looking set to appoint Mick McCarthy and Milijas is said to be rated by Stale.

O'Hara - too good for this league if fit

We also have Karl Henry, one of the first names on the team sheet over the last few years and Jamie O'Hara, who travels to Ireland with the squad, who is almost back to full fitness. Then there is David Davis and Dave Edwards, both players I felt impressed in a difficult situation towards the end of last season. Finally, poor Eggert Jonsson, bought as 'one for the future', thrown in the deep end and barely seen again. I actually think he's a tidy footballer, who might be a useful Ward-style squad player.

But how does our new boss go about this 'problem' if we call it that?

He is said to be a 4-4-2 man, with two deep centre midfielders, two wide midfielders who tuck inside and a forward who drops off the other. So it's possible that five of the seven mentioned could miss out (or only two!) more if Stale decides to bring his own man in!

Davis Davis - never looked out of his depth for us

Does he play the likes of Dave Edwards or Adlene Guedioura wide? Both have done a job there for us under Mick, and played a part in some important wins but is that enough? Jamie O'Hara is an other option.

The same players have also take turns playing off a striker. Edwards has probably had the most success there, but O'Hara struck a decent partnership with Kevin Doyle before.


In the deeper positions, all of them can play there, to a certain degree. Guedioura starred there for Nottingham Forest last season in the Championship, will Stale have seen that? Karl Henry, David Davis and Nenad Milijas would appear to be the main three battling for that position though.

And Eggy, with his neat haircut? Maybe he can play at the back?

Perhaps we should just leave it to Mr.Solbakken.

What do you think our midfield will look like?