McGree as a no 10?

parmoboy

Well-known member
We know it's likely that Chuba will leave this summer.

If it happens, how would you feel about McGree potentially taking his place and playing in the no 10 role next season?

I seem to remember he was looking really good playing in that role pre-season under Wilder. I do wonder whether he could really flourish playing as a 10 under Carrick.
 
If Akpom goes and we still play with a number 10 role then he’s worth a shot. Depends who comes and goes. I am not sold on the idea Carrick will play the same formation if we lose Chuba though.
 
Good, but not good enough I think, not compared to Chuba anyway.

If for example, we had Ramsay on the left, McGree as 10 and Archer up front I don't think that would be enough for an auto-promotion spot, which is where we would be aiming hopefully.

But also then consider we would be unlikely to get both Archer and Ramsay, and it would be a very tall order replacing them with better, without significant outlay. Chuba would bring in cash though, but can we spend it well, that's a big question.

Then another thing to consider is what happens if for example Archer, McGree or Ramsay got injured, we would basically be replacing them with something worse than McGree.

I wouldn't cry about it, but I wouldn't be supremely confident.

McGree was ok last year and we were all quite happy with him on the left, but Ramsay was next level, and that's what we need to be aiming for.
 
Good, but not good enough I think, not compared to Chuba anyway.

If for example, we had Ramsay on the left, McGree as 10 and Archer up front I don't think that would be enough for an auto-promotion spot, which is where we would be aiming hopefully.

But also then consider we would be unlikely to get both Archer and Ramsay, and it would be a very tall order replacing them with better, without significant outlay. Chuba would bring in cash though, but can we spend it well, that's a big question.

Then another thing to consider is what happens if for example Archer, McGree or Ramsay got injured, we would basically be replacing them with something worse than McGree.

I wouldn't cry about it, but I wouldn't be supremely confident.

McGree was ok last year and we were all quite happy with him on the left, but Ramsay was next level, and that's what we need to be aiming for.
I think Ramsey mcgree and archer would be good enough if we improved the defence.
The forward line karanka had was worse than the one he had first year. We just got even stingier in defence.
But yeah chuba would be a big big miss and as near to irreplaceable as you can get. We've waited 50 years for a striker to score as many as he did, and they're not like busses.
 
If we sell Akpom I don’t think we will play the same system as last season. I think our system will evolve to more unpredictable involving mobile, fluid midfielders off a striker to pull the opposition about more.
 
I was thinking Ramsey on the left, McGree in the middle and Diallo on the right.
I would have agreed that that looks ok were it not for what we have seen Chuba do from the No10. I like McGree, probably more than many others, but, he would not deliver the goals Chuba has, I am not sure he is disciplined enough he likes to roam whereas Chuba‘s positional sense and timing of his runs was sublime and he is highly unlikely to be as clinical or instinctive enough as Chuba has proved to be this season, his shooting is a little wayward.

Chuba leaving would leave a huge chasm to fill. Chuba is not a traditional number 10, he has the skill, the guile and ball control, but also has the build, nous and timing and finishing of a number 9. He is more like a ‘championship Cantona type’ than a ‘Ramirez type’ of number 10. I actually don’t think what he brought to the style of play last year is replaceable as such, certainly in terms of goals.
 
Not a 10 ne same way Chuba played it. One of his biggest assets was how strong he was in holding onto possession under pressure, just can't see McGree doing that even close to well enough. Got attributes to pay as a different kind of 10 though.
 
McGree is a very different player to Akpom.
Akpom has been a revelation in the role Carrick has played him. I so want him to stay and continue.
But if he does go, the only remotely similar player is Piroe at Swansea and he is likely to be PL bound.

I don't see Carrick going to a straight front 2, so if Akpom goes then there will be a change to our play.
McGree has vision to play behind the striker and move either side. I don't think he has the passing or finishing ability to be what we need. He is also weak in the air.
He could be a back up for the wide left and a modified No10 position.

I'm confident MFC have the who in mind, it is a case of whether they can persuade the players and their current clubs.
 
Lacks any kind of strength to play that role in the way Chuba does. Not a back to the play type player who can do the half turn with a defender on your back. As others have said, nigh no impossible to replace Chuba, so would be a slightly modified style of play. No doubt Carrick has his ideas.
 
He's too weak for it, Akpom was really strong in the number 10 spot holding off players and linking play, a strong breeze would knock McGree off the ball
 
Agree with the above.

Number 10s need to be able to hold off players, that doesn’t necessarily mean they have to be 6ft 4 and built like an ox, but be a bit more like Archer who could stay on his feet when challenged and come away with the ball, despite his small frame.
 
No way will Ramsey return, alas. Same with Archer. Ramsey will be in Villa's squad this season imo, but if they decide to loan him out it'll be to a low Prem club - like Burnley
 
Number 10s don't need physical strength

Juninho was a number 10, Baggio etc etc

You just play a different way if McCree was used as a 10

of course he can play in a 10, but he will never sore as many as Akpom because he does not have have the explosive mobilty akpom has in that role
 
If we wanted a more straight replacement for Chuba, you're talking Breel Embolo, which clearly isn't going to happen.

Which in some ways emphasises what a serindipitous series of events there's been for us to have such an asset.
 
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