Morsy

[Charnwood]

Liz I think your being overly kind to Morsy. Everything didn’t go through him at all yesterday and his touches on the ball were absolutely minimal. If I’m honest I think he’s found it extremely difficult to make the step up from the Champiobship to the Premier League and he doesn’t have age on his side. Jack Clarke aside I think Morsy was our poorest player on the pitch yesterday and this wasn’t the first time which in my opinion is why he wasn’t selected on Thursday v Brighton because yesterday it wouldn’t have mattered who played.

I think everyone has found the step up hard Andy, including McKenna

I think he’s eluded to that himself Mike, in a post match interview with Gary Lineker on MOTD he referred to the fact that everyone at the club was learning including himself.

[Charnwood]

The team does look a little rudderless without Morsy that’s true Liz, and part of the reason for this is because he’s been so pivotal throughout our two double promotion seasons, but that was when everyone knew what was expected of them and each knew what to expect of others around them.
The problem we have now with so many new players in the squad is that situation no longer applies, and Morsy has struggled so much with his own game he’s no longer able to apply his influence on others and the captaincy is a responsibility thats not helping his personal struggle with his own game.
If I were McKenna I’d leave Morsy as club captain but give him a break and leave him on the bench for a spell and give the team captaincy to another player which would be one of either Burgess, who you see driving those around him every time he plays, O’Shea, Greaves or Tuanzebe who has a great influence with everyone in the dressing room and would be my first choice if I thought he would play regularly.
In my opinion it’s time to make the tough decision and I think the team would benefit from it.
We really need to find a settled midfield and for me it can’t be built around Morsy as he just isn’t good enough, and putting his name on the team sheet first limits McKennas options. This has nothing to do with last nights performance, I’ve felt this way for weeks now but get challenged every time I mention it and maybe I will again tonight. After all we all see things differently.
Dreading what Bluemike will make of this

[mendipblue]

Both Morsy and Cajuste were very poor against City. And to be honest Morsy has been found wanting in the last few games. Giving a needless penalty away at Fulham and silly freekick against Brighton for their 2nd goal? I think a run of games with Phillips and Cajuste or Luongo would not go a miss? Also I think Davis should be dropped for Townsend.

[Bluemike]

The team does look a little rudderless without Morsy that’s true Liz, and part of the reason for this is because he’s been so pivotal throughout our two double promotion seasons, but that was when everyone knew what was expected of them and each knew what to expect of others around them.
The problem we have now with so many new players in the squad is that situation no longer applies, and Morsy has struggled so much with his own game he’s no longer able to apply his influence on others and the captaincy is a responsibility thats not helping his personal struggle with his own game.
If I were McKenna I’d leave Morsy as club captain but give him a break and leave him on the bench for a spell and give the team captaincy to another player which would be one of either Burgess, who you see driving those around him every time he plays, O’Shea, Greaves or Tuanzebe who has a great influence with everyone in the dressing room and would be my first choice if I thought he would play regularly.
In my opinion it’s time to make the tough decision and I think the team would benefit from it.
We really need to find a settled midfield and for me it can’t be built around Morsy as he just isn’t good enough, and putting his name on the team sheet first limits McKennas options. This has nothing to do with last nights performance, I’ve felt this way for weeks now but get challenged every time I mention it and maybe I will again tonight. After all we all see things differently.
Dreading what Bluemike will make of this

The thing is Andy, I don't make anything of it because there are Two or Three people saying this about Morsy now and you have to respect that angle on things. Whether I agree or otherwise doesn't matter, as I said previously as it stands we have nobody to fill his boots and we do look lost without him. Only a month or so ago KM was saying how important Sam is as a player, captain and influence around the club so I'd be surprised if he sees it that way.

When all is said and done it will happen sooner rather than later and a new face will be at the helm, I agree Sam has had a few quiet games of late but his level of consistency over Two and a half years has been unrivalled at the club and it's just impossible to maintain that year on year. I don't see him going anywhere just yet if I'm honest but time will tell.

[Charnwood]

The team does look a little rudderless without Morsy that’s true Liz, and part of the reason for this is because he’s been so pivotal throughout our two double promotion seasons, but that was when everyone knew what was expected of them and each knew what to expect of others around them.
The problem we have now with so many new players in the squad is that situation no longer applies, and Morsy has struggled so much with his own game he’s no longer able to apply his influence on others and the captaincy is a responsibility thats not helping his personal struggle with his own game.
If I were McKenna I’d leave Morsy as club captain but give him a break and leave him on the bench for a spell and give the team captaincy to another player which would be one of either Burgess, who you see driving those around him every time he plays, O’Shea, Greaves or Tuanzebe who has a great influence with everyone in the dressing room and would be my first choice if I thought he would play regularly.
In my opinion it’s time to make the tough decision and I think the team would benefit from it.
We really need to find a settled midfield and for me it can’t be built around Morsy as he just isn’t good enough, and putting his name on the team sheet first limits McKennas options. This has nothing to do with last nights performance, I’ve felt this way for weeks now but get challenged every time I mention it and maybe I will again tonight. After all we all see things differently.
Dreading what Bluemike will make of this

The thing is Andy, I don't make anything of it because there are Two or Three people saying this about Morsy now and you have to respect that angle on things. Whether I agree or otherwise doesn't matter, as I said previously as it stands we have nobody to fill his boots and we do look lost without him. Only a month or so ago KM was saying how important Sam is as a player, captain and influence around the club so I'd be surprised if he sees it that way.

When all is said and done it will happen sooner rather than later and a new face will be at the helm, I agree Sam has had a few quiet games of late but his level of consistency over Two and a half years has been unrivalled at the club and it's just impossible to maintain that year on year. I don't see him going anywhere just yet if I'm honest but time will tell.

Had we not been promoted I think his level of performance would have continued for another season or two. Unfortunately he’s not been able to make the step up this late in his career, had it come sooner maybe he would have. This does however create Kieran with an added problem he could have done without.
Maybe Kieran does what Klopp did with Henderson in his final year as Liverpool captain and that was to recognise his value to the team and either play him from the start first for a maximum 60 mins (in their case usually when the game was already won or Liverpool were leading) or, bring him on at circa 60 mins to see the game out.
If we did this or something similar I think Sam would still have something to offer as I’m sure most of his errors and bookings come when he starts to struggle with the pace of the game.

[Ricco]

If I were McKenna I’d leave Morsy as club captain but give him a break and leave him on the bench for a spell

That would be a straight swap for Phillips?

youve obviously never met Mike

To me it looks like Mike goes through the 7 stages of grief before kick-off

[Bluemike]

Not to mention 7 pints of Estrella lol, well not quite 7

[Ricco]

Not to mention 7 pints of Estrella lol, well not quite 7

I have just one stage of grief... avoidance

[hallamblue]

Not to mention 7 pints of Estrella lol, well not quite 7

I have just one stage of grief... avoidance

he told me he'd only y had 5 pints !!!

[Bluemike]

And a couple of shorts

[hallamblue]

Ive never known you get plastered b4 a game before...was there a celebration or something ?

[Bluemike]

No i just had 4 hours to kill, just a one off

[hallamblue]

I do wonder if McK brought Phillips in with the view of honing him to eventually replace Morsy ?... as of yet, for whatever reason , Phillips still appears to be below his previous best . He's not old , so why has he lost this form that made him an England international ?

[Bluemike]

So far I've seen nothing to even suggest he's worth keeping tbh.

[Charnwood]

Not to mention 7 pints of Estrella lol, well not quite 7

Estrella is my favorite Spanish beer Mike most especially Estrella Galicia but I’m not sure I could manage 7 pints these days. I think 4 pints these days and I’m on my limit.

[Charnwood]

I do wonder if McK brought Phillips in with the view of honing him to eventually replace Morsy ?... as of yet, for whatever reason , Phillips still appears to be below his previous best . He's not old , so why has he lost this form that made him an England international ?

It may have been in his thinking Liz but apart from odd glimpses of his former self I’ve been quite disappointed with Phillips. I’ve also not seen much evidence of any strong leadership skills and think there maybe better captain candidates within the club.

[Bluemike]

Not to mention 7 pints of Estrella lol, well not quite 7

Estrella is my favorite Spanish beer Mike most especially Estrella Galicia but I’m not sure I could manage 7 pints these days. I think 4 pints these days and I’m on my limit.

It's a great pint, and no i didn't have 7 lol

[hallamblue]

Reckon my limit is 1 pint lol

[Bluemike]

Unless it's Black Stump

[Charnwood]

Maybe nothing in it but just read this ;

Why Ipswich should sign Glen Kamara

Ipswich should push to win the race for Kamara before the window officially slams shut at the end of next month because he could come in as an upgrade on Morsy in the middle of the park.

The Finland international may be more suited to what the Tractor Boys need in midfield as they attempt to avoid relegation from the Premier League, due to his strength in duels and his security in possession.

[mendipblue]

Unless it's Black Stump

Is that a drink or an Aficans middle wicket

[Bluemike]

Unless it's Black Stump

Is that a drink or an Aficans middle wicket

thankfully a drink