When was the last time we had a good centre midfielder?!

[DonnyBazR0ver]

We are very badly missing muscularity and physicality in midfield, the energy and presence to dominate midfield battles for 90 minutes. Lakin was a useful terrier but not what we need. Although what we can get is something different.

I believe he would link up play & get around the opposition far better than what we have. In the short time they played together I thought he & Close developed a decent understanding, the game at Sutton last season springs to mind.

I keep hearing this but what was muscular and physical about how Notts Co, Mansfield and Newport moved the ball with efficiency and accuracy?

Plus all three goals on Saturday were scored, not by big brute centre forwards outmuscling our defenders, but by intelligent play using the space available, getting on the end of inviting crosses.

I would say the biggest factors missing from our game at the moment are iintelligence and guile. 

[BillyStubbsTears]

John Bostock looked like a player on Saturday, with competence around him anyway, didn’t have the luxury in his time here.

I'd like to have seen how he perforned against Sutton on the opening day of the season with a troupe of 6'4" athletes in his face.

The result that day suggests he didn't control the game like he was allowed to on Saturday.

And that's the worry from what we've seen so far this season.

We are million miles off having the Sutton intimidatory approach. And equally far off having the ability to impose our will on the game through sheer ability.

[Lesonthewest]

John Bostock looked like a player on Saturday, with competence around him anyway, didn’t have the luxury in his time here.

I'd like to have seen how he perforned against Sutton on the opening day of the season with a troupe of 6'4" athletes in his face.

The result that day suggests he didn't control the game like he was allowed to on Saturday.

And that's the worry from what we've seen so far this season.

We are million miles off having the Sutton intimidatory approach. And equally far off having the ability to impose our will on the game through sheer ability.

In Bostock you have a player who  likes to play a nice pass, a cross that can hurt, but doesn't like it up him, in his face, strong challenges. We played completely into his hands. Would hav been exactly how he dreamt it, walk on the park for him.

[Branton Rover]

I always thought Stocky was a Rolls Royce midfielder especially before he started with the back injury. He seemed to glide around the centre circle and hardly ever lost possession - he was Captain Fantastic & Sean’s lieutenant on the pitch. He wasn’t as aggressive as Wellens but could dish it out when required ask Robbie Savage. He was a brilliant skipper he lead by example & had the respect of the players. He was also the reason Sean O’Driscoll came to us. Sean threw down the gauntlet to JR he said “go & get Brian Stock & I’ll come”. The rest is history.

[Iberian Red]

Did Wellens respect him when he 'allegedly' chinned him?

[Branton Rover]

The signing of Brian Stock was the most significant midfield signing in our history. Not only was he a great player and captain for us it was Sean O’Driscoll who said to JR “get Brian Stock & I’ll come”. We loaned him from Preston & snapped him up when the next window opened. The rest is history.

[ravenrover]

Did Wellens respect him when he 'allegedly' chinned him?

I can assure you it was not alleged

[pib]

Wellens chinned Stocky? What was the story there then?

[BillyStubbsTears]

I'll bet he didn't chin Rob Jones when the Corporal publicly called him out for dicking about in 2015.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

I always thought Stocky was a Rolls Royce midfielder especially before he started with the back injury. He seemed to glide around the centre circle and hardly ever lost possession - he was Captain Fantastic & Sean’s lieutenant on the pitch. He wasn’t as aggressive as Wellens but could dish it out when required ask Robbie Savage. He was a brilliant skipper he lead by example & had the respect of the players. He was also the reason Sean O’Driscoll came to us. Sean threw down the gauntlet to JR he said “go & get Brian Stock & I’ll come”. The rest is history.

But the partnership with Wellens was such that they complimented each other so well. Both different types of players but we're extremely effective as a pair.

Wellens, very nimble on his feet, quick thinker and competitive. Stocky, as you say, glided across the pitch, a head up player picking the passes, long or short, prepared to have a dig and cool penalty taker.

Neither were known for being physical, more for passing, movement and game management, ideal for playing through the more physical teams we came across in the Championship, although it took sometime for the belief in how we played to pay dividends. What a turn around that was in the first season in the Championship. There weren't many better midfield duo's. Was it Merson who said "I could watch Donny all day!" 

[ravenrover]

Wellens chinned Stocky? What was the story there then?

From an eye witness to the event, a row broke out between Stock  and Wellens in the dressing room at half time, was it the Norwich game? They had a set to in the showers neither appeared for the 2nd half