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Mikel
Oct 6, 2020 11:05:04 GMT
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Post by gingerninja on Oct 6, 2020 11:05:04 GMT
Really can't see what he offers, with 3 centre back you don't really need protection there, with Clucas struggling & offering nothing creativity wise we really struggle, especially at home..TOB is a great prospect but will have ups and downs, I really think Thompson could be a real gem moving forward..
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Post by somersetstokie on Oct 6, 2020 11:13:29 GMT
You could argue that there is a plan in place. It seems apparent that the defence is being rebuilt, and whilst we are integrating Collins and Souttar into the team, the defence are being given extra protection and time to develop by the presence of Mikel. Once Souttar has put together a run of games to build up his confidence, then perhaps Mikel will be considered less important, and the defence will be left to establish themselves and the team can become more adventurous, without always needing Mikel.
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Mikel
Oct 6, 2020 11:16:14 GMT
Post by cheekymatt71 on Oct 6, 2020 11:16:14 GMT
His tackling and shielding of the defence has not been as good as I expected.
However when he is on the ball he looks to be positive and looks for a forward pass if its on. I think he will soon be starting our attacks off, hes very comfortable at receiving the ball in congested spaces.
He is looking better and better for me.
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Oct 6, 2020 11:33:59 GMT
Considering Mikal hadn't had a game since leaving Turkey in March, I think he has looked fine. He'll get sharper, I think, and his passing is mostly a cut above what we normally get from a defensive midfielder. People who can't see what he brings to the party should look at the number of clean sheets we are getting - Mikel is part of the reason.
As the op says, I think Thompson is also starting to show great promise and we may reach a point where he rather than Mikel is MON's regular starter. But, given that we need 2 players for each position (especially in this congested season) Mikel will still be a valuable player to have on the bench and he must also be a great player to have on the training pitch.
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Post by mrcoke on Oct 6, 2020 11:35:34 GMT
8 games played, 6 clean sheets, just 3 goals conceded speaks volumes to me.
When Mikel is fully fit and able to start getting forward and back more, things will improve. The fact he has played 3 games in a week shows he is getting there.
He took Middlesbrough to the final of the play-offs and he could do the same for us. We have a former Champions league quality player, who hasn't played for 6 months, give him time.
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Post by femark on Oct 6, 2020 11:41:39 GMT
You do need the protection there, otherwise one of the three CB's will always be pulled out of position. But he's not just sitting in and shielding, he is trying to link the play and move us forward.
Currently he looks rusty and a yard or two off the pace but he will only improve by playing more games and MO'N knows that.
I've been mildly impressed so far and if he pushes on then he could be the difference between a good or bad season.
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Post by clarkeda on Oct 6, 2020 11:47:39 GMT
Really can't see what he offers, with 3 centre back you don't really need protection there, with Clucas struggling & offering nothing creativity wise we really struggle, especially at home..TOB is a great prospect but will have ups and downs, I really think Thompson could be a real gem moving forward.. I mean, even with a back 3 you still need to protect them. Chelsea under Conte had a back 3 and Kante infront of them.
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Post by Olgrligm on Oct 6, 2020 11:54:24 GMT
It's difficult, because TV is no way to watch a game, and certainly no way to watch a player like Mikel. You can see, at best, a quarter of the pitch at a time on the TV, whereas in person you can take in the entire game.
I note with interest that Mikel's appearance in the team has mysteriously prevented teams from marching down the middle of the pitch at our ailing defence without so much as a challenge from our midfield.
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Post by The Toxic Avenger on Oct 6, 2020 11:56:19 GMT
His positioning is good and his eye for a pass and ability to play forward are a cut above the other alternatives for the role.
The issue with him is that he's shagged after an hour and chasing shadows from that point, but hopefully once his fitness is up he'll be slightly more mobile.
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Mikel
Oct 6, 2020 12:01:50 GMT
Post by jimmygscfc1234 on Oct 6, 2020 12:01:50 GMT
Playing with a back four and then the return of Joe Allen will see things shaken up further. The trick is to win games while we are a work in progress.
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Mikel
Oct 6, 2020 12:02:29 GMT
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Post by pottersrule on Oct 6, 2020 12:02:29 GMT
His positioning is good and his eye for a pass and ability to play forward are a cut above the other alternatives for the role. The issue with him is that he's shagged after an hour and chasing shadows from that point, but hopefully once his fitness is up he'll be slightly more mobile. Yes he was blowing out of his arse on 70 mins,but his class is obvious to the discerning amongst us.Some of the flak he has received is ridiculous.
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Mikel
Oct 6, 2020 12:06:39 GMT
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nott1 likes this
Post by pottersrule on Oct 6, 2020 12:06:39 GMT
Really can't see what he offers, with 3 centre back you don't really need protection there, with Clucas struggling & offering nothing creativity wise we really struggle, especially at home..TOB is a great prospect but will have ups and downs, I really think Thompson could be a real gem moving forward.. How the hell can you say that after the debacle of last season pre O’neil.Also he has made some fantastic offensive passes in both of our last two league matches.
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Post by ethers26 on Oct 6, 2020 12:07:47 GMT
Yeah agreed, get Jordan Cousins back in
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Mikel
Oct 6, 2020 12:15:02 GMT
Post by somersetstokie on Oct 6, 2020 12:15:02 GMT
He just doesn't currently look like a defensive mid to me, obviously I know that's where he's played for the majority of his career but he just doesn't seem to fit there in our team. He looks much better when he gets further forward so his passes are making an impact in the final third. [/b] I'm beginning to believe that this "final third" is a very nebulous and ill defined area, that has almost mythical connotations. At Stoke we treat any aspirations to be effective "in the final third", in the same hypothetical way as we might view possible progress to "the next level". Everything revolves around theory and vague concepts.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2020 12:23:03 GMT
Really can't see what he offers, with 3 centre back you don't really need protection there, with Clucas struggling & offering nothing creativity wise we really struggle, especially at home..TOB is a great prospect but will have ups and downs, I really think Thompson could be a real gem moving forward.. On the contrary. When you play with defenders such as Chester, Batth, and BMI you totally need extra protection, as evidenced by conceding so many silly goals last season, because none of Cousins, Allen, nor Clucas were able to protect us. It's good to see someone finally appreciating O'Neill's first proper purchases, but are they fully ready. I think they might just need another season of learning, with the ups and downs you signify.
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Mikel
Oct 6, 2020 14:23:25 GMT
Post by Jimm on Oct 6, 2020 14:23:25 GMT
His legs have gone! He's offered nothing apart from 1 assist that he'll live off for a few months. He does nothing Cousins couldn't do
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Mikel
Oct 6, 2020 14:29:52 GMT
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Post by Gods on Oct 6, 2020 14:29:52 GMT
His positioning is good and his eye for a pass and ability to play forward are a cut above the other alternatives for the role. The issue with him is that he's shagged after an hour and chasing shadows from that point, but hopefully once his fitness is up he'll be slightly more mobile. Do you think he will really get any fitter, he's been at it for a couple of months now? I suppose he could find another 1 or 2 % but no more than that. I think what we are seeing is basically what we are getting take it or leave it !
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Mikel
Oct 6, 2020 14:33:19 GMT
Gods likes this
Post by The Toxic Avenger on Oct 6, 2020 14:33:19 GMT
His positioning is good and his eye for a pass and ability to play forward are a cut above the other alternatives for the role. The issue with him is that he's shagged after an hour and chasing shadows from that point, but hopefully once his fitness is up he'll be slightly more mobile. Do you think he will really get any fitter, he's been at it for a couple of months now? I suppose he could find another 1 or 2 % but no more than that. I think what we are seeing is basically what we are getting take it or leave it ! It's a valid question Gods! Don't know...
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Post by stokie1 on Oct 6, 2020 14:37:40 GMT
His legs have gone! He's offered nothing apart from 1 assist that he'll live off for a few months. He does nothing Cousins couldn't do Thank you for joining us Jordan!
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Mikel
Oct 6, 2020 17:37:15 GMT
Post by nottsover60 on Oct 6, 2020 17:37:15 GMT
I was thinking on Sunday how nice it was that he often ended the games of head tennis that were going on by cushioning the ball and bringing it down onto his feet to pass along the ground to a team mate. We need to work out how to play round him as there's no doubt we miss some of the energy and athleticism Cousins had but once we do that he'll be great. I'm not sure Clucas is the right man to partner him but I'm sure we'll find a way. I thought Thomson looked good with him. As for not shielding the defence you've not been watching if you think that. He is so often there to intercept and pick up the second ball. At one point on Sunday he moved back a yard as two players went to head the ball and it just landed at his feet. He has class but at the moment his passing is a bit off and he is caught on the ball giving the it away too often but so did Cousins.
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Mikel
Oct 6, 2020 17:53:09 GMT
Post by stokesupporter on Oct 6, 2020 17:53:09 GMT
Mikel currently slows us down. I was watching him on Sunday and he mainly just walked, with or without the ball. I wonder how many miles he covered, not many I suppose.
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Mikel
Oct 6, 2020 18:20:00 GMT
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Post by wearestoke80 on Oct 6, 2020 18:20:00 GMT
Too fucking old
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Post by Praetorian on Oct 6, 2020 18:44:53 GMT
Anyone who can’t see what Mikel offers is just a bit dim, good passer and team performances have improved since he’s come in. The clean sheets being a result of this.
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Post by greystokie on Oct 6, 2020 19:13:46 GMT
He creates a lot of space for himself as well which gives him time to look for a team mate and make the pass instead of simply hoofing it. It may look slow but it's good football, really.
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Post by bgreen13 on Oct 6, 2020 19:14:55 GMT
Stoke fans hate DM's when we have them then cry when we don't have one.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2020 19:34:32 GMT
I can't believe anyone who has watched us this last 4 years would fail to see what Mikkel gives us.
He's a class act
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Mikel
Oct 9, 2020 19:38:31 GMT
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Post by silverdollar on Oct 9, 2020 19:38:31 GMT
I have read some stupid comments on this site since I first joined the forum but negative comments about Mikel just take the biscuit. The mere presence of this superb football athlete on the training pitch, in the dressing room and on the pitch has made an enormous difference to our club. We all should be proud and pleased that a player of this stature and ability has chosen to sign for us.
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Mikel
Oct 9, 2020 19:53:41 GMT
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Post by benjaminbiscuit on Oct 9, 2020 19:53:41 GMT
I have read some stupid comments on this site since I first joined the forum but negative comments about Mikel just take the biscuit. The mere presence of this superb football athlete on the training pitch, in the dressing room and on the pitch has made an enormous difference to our club. We all should be proud and pleased that a player of this stature and ability has chosen to sign for us. So far we’ve not won a home game he’s played in , I’m not saying he’s not a decent player but he’s part a system that’s proving a failure , to be first to him it didn’t work against blackpool either but right now I can’t see any evidence Of a difference he’s made , Indeed at home we’ve refreshed since he’s been in the team again it’s the system but some are going to have to be sacrificed to make us more of a threat at home
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Mikel
Oct 9, 2020 20:00:34 GMT
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Post by wearestoke80 on Oct 9, 2020 20:00:34 GMT
I have read some stupid comments on this site since I first joined the forum but negative comments about Mikel just take the biscuit. The mere presence of this superb football athlete on the training pitch, in the dressing room and on the pitch has made an enormous difference to our club. We all should be proud and pleased that a player of this stature and ability has chosen to sign for us. Well he didn’t have much choice did he ? No fucker else wanted him
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Post by bridgnorthstokie on Oct 9, 2020 20:16:54 GMT
Stoke fans hate DM's when we have them then cry when we don't have one. Agreed. Look at the stick Glenn Whelan used to get...then look how we cried out for a whelan type once he left
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