Could Hayden Hackney play as a no.10?

The Card Cheat

The Card Cheat

Well-known member
After Barlaser was very good in his last two games, it might give us a bit of a three into two conundrum in the centre of midfield. So I was thinking could we play Howson and Barlaser as the two central midfielders and Hackney in the no.10 role? I think he's got all the qualities to play there.
 
I've thought this a few times and I don't think he would look out of place at all.

It would take a bit of the defensive responsibilities off him as well, which for me is the only real key flaw in his game.
 
TheYorkshireTerrier said:
I've thought this a few times and I don't think he would look out of place at all.

It would take a bit of the defensive responsibilities off him as well, which for me is the only real key flaw in his game.
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But he's the best of the 3 defensively. Barlaser brings nothing defensively. Howson not as quick as he used to be. Hackney covers far more ground than the other 2.

Yes Hackney could play there, but we'd miss him out of the mid-field so I wouldn't do it.
 
He could, but you are taking away having someone so good in possession in tight areas under pressure from a key area in the Pitch. Howson/barlaser/obrien etc could play in the two in midfield but cant replicate the qualities Hackney has.

Moving Hackney from there would lessen our ability to beat the press and create overloads elsewhere. Would be like putting Glover in goal instead of Dieng. Perfectly capable just not the requisite quality of a key attribute
 
B_G said:
But he's the best of the 3 defensively. Barlaser brings nothing defensively. Howson not as quick as he used to be. Hackney covers far more ground than the other 2.

Yes Hackney could play there, but we'd miss him out of the mid-field so I wouldn't do it.
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I wouldn't play him there now to be fair. It was earlier in the season when we seemed to be giving everyone a chance in the 'Akpom' role before it finally clicked against Southamapton.

I remember when we he played further up in McGree's role last season due to injuries and he looked more than useful, think it was the Norwich game.
 
He definitely could as he is great at taking the ball on the half term and keeping possession.

Thankfully we have started to click now going forward so we can leave hayden where he is and he can use that ability to build attacks a phase or two earlier.
 
TheYorkshireTerrier said:
I wouldn't play him there now to be fair. It was earlier in the season when we seemed to be giving everyone a chance in the 'Akpom' role before it finally clicked against Southamapton.

I remember when we he played further up in McGree's role last season due to injuries and he looked more than useful, think it was the Norwich game.
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I wasnt disagreeing with your post at all. What you said is right. He's absolutely capable of of playing there. He's a great footballer. He could play anywhere across the 3 behind the strikers if we needed him to and would do a good job.

I just think we'd miss him too much out the midfield at the moment. Howson and Barlaser are nowhere near his level. I'd be more tempted to try Barlaser there if you wanted to fit all 3 in the team.

But after Tuesday I think id leave Greenwood in the no10 role and its a decision between Howson and Barlaser for Hackney's partner. Its Howson all day for me. Barlaser had a great game Tuesday but it was a perfect game for him. They just let us have the ball until the final 3rd. He was getting the ball and taking his time with very little pressure. All the forward penetrative passes came through Hackney. Cardiff were also pretty toothless with the ball and he didn't have much defending to do which is his main weakness. He struggle when we aren't in possession.

There's no way Sunderland are going to let us just tap it around with no pressure like Cardiff did. They will be right in our faces from the off. We need to match them.
 
Do we have an update on McGree? He seemed to hurt himself in an attempted tackle just before he was replaced on Tuesday. If so, I wouldn't be surprised if Hackney plays left against Sunderland with Howson and Barlaser central. Izzy on the right then Greenwood/Crooks at 10. Though we could play Rogers from the left (or Silvera) or even play Forss on the right and move Izzy left. Lots of options but hopefully McGree is fine.
 
I think he works best with players ahead of him, I dont think he's always as forward thinking as that role might require
 
Well he can ghost past players, and can run all day, has a good touch and an eye for a pass. Maybe will struggle receiving back to goal and with his shooting.
 
I think he could but reckon we would really miss him in MF.

I've faith in Greenwood coming good in that position. Maybe not as good as Chuba last season (who was always going to be tricky to replace!) but neither would Hackney in that role imo.
 
Hackney is usually the one who gets the ball to the number 10 so if he was played there there would be no one to pass to him. Breaking the lines in the modern parlance.
 
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