I know this sounds crazy

[Bergen]

but, is there any chance that Marvin Ekpiteta can play as holding midfielder?

I was thinking in a 4-1-3-2 formation as a defensive midfielder in front of the back four. He is a good tackler, strong in the air, a decent passer of the ball and has a good engine as well. It will also give us some much needed physical presence in midfield.

Don`t dismiss it straight away! Take some time to think about it. It might work.

[jamespevans]

Nah

[kmcken]

Maybe years ago Peter Bennet a midfielder played as a stricker and done well.

[Fellowo]

Been thinking the exact same thing, Marv has decent pace, reads the game fairly well, will put a foot in (even if he gets it wrong) and doesn't mind bringing the ball out from defence.

Would love to see him given a few games to see how he gets on, though the trouble is that Marv is probably the quickest out of the 4 centre backs so might be a problem when teams play through balls.

[redintheface]

Maybe years ago Peter Bennet a midfielder played as a stricker and done well.

Peter Bennett did indeed play midfield and as an occasional striker but originally came to the O’s as the replacement for Tommy Taylor and started off as a centre back alongside Terry Mancini ( and later Paul Harris). Very rare for players to have that degree of versatility! As for Ekpiteta, personally I think we will get the best out of him in his current role.

[Howling Mad Murdock]

Maybe years ago Peter Bennet a midfielder played as a stricker and done well.

Don't think he'd want to come back now but we could always ask.

[Clive Evans]

Peter Bonetti could play as a striker and indeed filled this role in an England Exhibition team

[Disoriented]

but, is there any chance that Marvin Ekpiteta can play as holding midfielder?

I was thinking in a 4-1-3-2 formation as a defensive midfielder in front of the back four. He is a good tackler, strong in the air, a decent passer of the ball and has a good engine as well. It will also give us some much needed physical presence in midfield.

Don`t dismiss it straight away! Take some time to think about it. It might work.

No

[Smendrick Feaselberg]

His poor distribution, particularly under pressure, will be exposed even more in midfield.

[bobo66]

This sounds crazy.

[Fisch]

When I saw how the Crewe players, all of them, were so quick to control, keep and distribute the ball with either foot, it occurred to me that they have it about right. Marvin wouldn't be so good doing that in my view. Trouble is - who would be?

[Ronnie Hotdogs]

but, is there any chance that Marvin Ekpiteta can play as holding midfielder?

I was thinking in a 4-1-3-2 formation as a defensive midfielder in front of the back four. He is a good tackler, strong in the air, a decent passer of the ball and has a good engine as well. It will also give us some much needed physical presence in midfield.

Don`t dismiss it straight away! Take some time to think about it. It might work.

Not sure why someone hasn't suggested this idea before.

What about Turley? Maybe we could play him out of position in there as well?

[Rich Tea Wellin]

I get where you're coming from but this sort of argument comes around every 2-3 years, whenever we get a defender who looks half decent on the ball. Same was said, and tried, with Leacock and Baudry and both were f*cking awful there.

I think he could do it in an emergency but i think its underestimated how hard it is to learn a new position, and as others have said, be good on the ball when you have less time and more pressure on you.

[Rich Tea Wellin]

Think Mkandarire did it a few times and was ok but cant remember many others doing it well.

[Ronnie Hotdogs]

I get where you're coming from but this sort of argument comes around every 2-3 years, whenever we get a defender who looks half decent on the ball. Same was said, and tried, with Leacock and Baudry and both were f*cking awful there.

I think he could do it in an emergency but i think its underestimated how hard it is to learn a new position, and as others have said, be good on the ball when you have less time and more pressure on you.

Exactly.

There's no comparison between receiving the ball as a defender, knowing the whole field of play is visible in front of you and playing in the middle and having to know what's around you the full 360 degrees. It's not even just your touch, which obviously has to be better, it's that constant positional awareness.

[Red_Army]

He did play in midfield a couple of times last season later on in a couple of games when we were trying to see out a result.

[Real Al]

If we wanted a defender in midfield, I'd make it Happe.