hogesar 9,503 Posted September 10, 2016 Just think we actually look like we can keep the ball for more than 3 passes with him in the side, even though it was a bit of a lacklustre performance.I don''t like Howson being that far out on the right - he''s better in the middle of the park for me but thought Dorrans deserved a mention as he also broke up play quite a bit - and like I say, distributed it sensibly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GJP 79 Posted September 10, 2016 Good player. No idea why he isn''t overly popular with the crowd. Gets stuck in and can play, what more do you want? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hoola Han Solo 448 Posted September 10, 2016 Agree, he was one of my players of the match. Used the ball very well. I think even Tettey could be given a day off every so often and Howson and Dorrans in the middle. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted September 10, 2016 Totally agree, we had more control of the midfield with Dorrans in there. Underrated player. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hogesar 9,503 Posted September 10, 2016 [quote user="GJP"]Good player. No idea why he isn''t overly popular with the crowd. Gets stuck in and can play, what more do you want?[/quote]No idea about the crowd in general but when the team was announced social media was strife with "What does AN see with Dorrans?" "How can we win with Dorrans in the side" etc etc.Like you say, it''s probably his ability to win a ball / run with it / play that AN see''s in him...His number 4 suggests now he''s over his injury he''ll be a regular. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tetteys Jig 830 Posted September 10, 2016 I like him but he''s best in the same place where Howson is best so it''s hard to choose. I could see him in a midfield 3 to be fair with him the focal point and howson getting forward more while Tettey sheilds but then that would require 2 out and out wingers really. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cantiaci Canary 556 Posted September 10, 2016 Yep another vote for Dorrans here too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thirsty Lizard 3,085 Posted September 10, 2016 Yep - thought Dorrans was good today. Although as others have said I would prefer to see Howson in middle rather than out on the right. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
If wed only kept Howie.. 3 Posted September 10, 2016 So..... the big question is: can we play both Dorrans and Howson in the middle? (with Tettey dropping out - would that leave us short of tackling power?) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yorkshire Canary 118 Posted September 10, 2016 A good player at this level and put in a good shift despite just coming back from injury Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AJ 1,218 Posted September 10, 2016 A fair question, can our best XI host Dorrans, Howson AND Tettey? I''m not convinced. I always think Howson is wasted out wide but then you can''t play him and Dorrans as well as Tettey in the middle. Good questions for AN to have to answer though! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yorkshire Canary 118 Posted September 10, 2016 I think you can play all 3 but not wes as well. Howson is best behind the striker and he has hardly ever been played there due to the need to play wes Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andyc24_uk 58 Posted September 10, 2016 It''s good to have the option though, and we''re going to need it in some matches. Wes, great as he still is, isn''t going to have the legs to play every game this season and there are some teams who will set up specifically to keep him out of the game - Maybe that''s the time to unleash the Murphys and/or Canos on the wings and let Howson push on from deeper with Tettey breaking up play and Dorrans creating options in the middle. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rogue Baboon 0 Posted September 10, 2016 Wes is 34 now? I''m guessing that playing 46 games may be a bit too much.However, giving the money invested, surely Pritchard has been brought in to be his successor? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fiery Zac 1,065 Posted September 11, 2016 [quote user="Yorkshire Canary"]I think you can play all 3 but not wes as well. Howson is best behind the striker and he has hardly ever been played there due to the need to play wes[/quote]No can''t agree, Howson is not best behind the striker. Has been tried there and never looked comfortable. His most effective position has been as a box to box midfielder. Good engine, will get up and down all game, solid in a tackle but got a good finish on him.Dorrans was excellent today and as said, a good problem to have as it''s hard to pick 2 out of the 3 to play as the central pair. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Katie Borkins 1 Posted September 11, 2016 I was critical of Dorrans''s selection but to be fair it was a composed performance and he controlled the centre the way O''Neil was capable of (still missing his influence, I think)So yeah, hands up and I will have a slice of humble pie. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr Greenthumb 742 Posted September 11, 2016 Dorrans, Tettey and Howson can be utilised in the team if we play a 4-1-4-1 like man city did yesterday Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZLF 261 Posted September 11, 2016 I am in the only 2 of the 3 of dorrans tettey and howson camp. I don''t think any of them is head and shoulders above the others as an overall playerAll good footballers but remain unconvinced that they provide enough energy or pace as a triumvirate and end up making us a dull side.If we can find a way to accommodate them and increase our goal threat then great,. If not one should be sacrificed, dependent on form. My view is that the side with just dorrans and howson is likely to be the least successful base of the three combinations.A quandary but for me dorrans did add something missing from the last couple of games so should start again come Tuesday. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
If wed only kept Howie.. 3 Posted September 12, 2016 its an age old problem - do you select the best player in each position, or select the best players and find a position for them** obviously within reason Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lake district canary 4,520 Posted September 12, 2016 Tettey at his best is undroppable imo. Howson at hs best is undroppable. If Dorrans wants to be a regular he has to be at his best too - and then he will make himself undroppable. It''s a great dilemna for the manager, but having all three in the team at the same time is hard to imagine when you ahve all the creative players to fit in too. It''s all a question of balance, but I have always liked Dorrans as a player and at his best - which is the key thing - he is every bit as effective as tettey and Howson. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZLF 261 Posted September 12, 2016 And when do we drop tettey and howson when not playing at their best,. As they have not been yet this season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jools 584 Posted September 12, 2016 [quote user="ZLF"]And when do we drop tettey and howson when not playing at their best,. As they have not been yet this season.[/quote][url]http://services.pinkun.com/forums/pinkun-forums/cs/forums/3407703/ShowPost.aspx[/url] [:|] Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thirsty Lizard 3,085 Posted September 17, 2016 Excellent performance by Dorrans today by all accounts and a cracking winner too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Katie Borkins 1 Posted September 17, 2016 He certainly cracked one off into the corner.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spirit of Lambo 0 Posted September 17, 2016 Good professional and team player. Probably the best all round midfielder we have. Covers the ground, box to box, has a bit of steel, and the best range of passing in the side. Hoping that from today he adds more goals as he can be a threat. Very pleased for him today. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zippy23255 0 Posted September 17, 2016 Not a great fan of Dorrans but had a good game today. I was going to put Forest down for a 2-1 win today but changed it to 2-1 to Norwich when I remembered Tettey was out. Our midfield always seem to keep hold of and pass the ball better when he''s not in the team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vos 155 Posted September 17, 2016 I would actually question if we need a defensive Tettey in the Championship. Howson/Dorrans far from lightweight and look more comfortable on the ball. Certainly more mobility. Tettey is not a great passer and rarely gets forward. Did not seem to be missed today. As an aside, Newcastle today looked very vulnerable to pace. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SwindonCanary 455 Posted September 17, 2016 IMO Howson and Dorrans should have got joint players of the match. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hogesar 9,503 Posted September 18, 2016 Big fan of Dorrans but it''s always a case of can we him and Tettey and Howson in the same team and still have enough cutting edge up front.Wasn''t the issue yesterday with Tettey being out but I just think you''ve got to try and accomodate your best players into the team as much as possible, and in my opinions Dorrans'' is one of them when he''s in form. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AJ 1,218 Posted September 18, 2016 Great finish, nice technique. Thought he played well against Wigan too tbh and think he''ll get a good run in the team now Share this post Link to post Share on other sites