Shogun wrote: ↑Sun Jan 18, 2026 6:34 pm
Brilliant in these sort of games. He was the same at Forest. When we're at home and need someone to take the game on, he doesn't seem capable of doing it.
Yeah these are the games you really appreciate him and he's a genuinely great option.
Low possession, low touches, work on hard, run them socks off, read the game well and compete in the middle.
Quality on the ball from deep for me is lacking. He very rarely switches it, he very rarely changes the tempo, he very rarely sprays a ball over the top.
But he does keep it moving and allows us to keep the ball which is valuable, and he can put a really nice ball into the box.
He’s probably been our most important player this season.
It would be perfect timing if he’s played his way into a big money* move elsewhere though. We need someone who can spray it to earn all of the younger midfield talent we’ve acquired the right to do what they do best - apply pressure from the front, link up with the wingers and fullbacks in the wide areas, and crash late into the box.
If I can sell and reinvest in someone with serious passing range, I’m doing it. I don’t feel great about it, he’s been terrific for us under Moyes, but I don’t think he suits where we’re heading unless he’s going to become a fullback full time (and I assume he has enough leverage to not have to do this).
* relatively speaking because of his contract situation
We have to admit that whether we like his style, who he supports or his moustache/goatee (unforgivable in my mind), it’s time to accept he’s essential to us. He is a 7 to 8 every game, that is a wonderful thing to have where we are today. He’s growing week after week, he is improving when I didn’t think he could.
I don’t understand why people are saying to get rid - he’s our best sitting midfielder and has the potential to get better if he can become more adventurous in his passing.
Given our transfer history of the last decade do you trust us to spend well and bring in a replacement that’s at least as good if not better?
Put him as the holding player with two progressive players next to him like KDH and Armstrong and that’s a well balanced midfield.
Shogun wrote:Brilliant in these sort of games. He was the same at Forest. When we're at home and need someone to take the game on, he doesn't seem capable of doing it.
Almost like you shouldn’t be expecting your DM to be the creative fulcrum when you have two other more advanced midfielders next to him.
Do you see Onana/Palhinha/Zubimendi/Tonali/Caicedo/Gonzalez/Casemiro as the creative fulcrum of their side or is their job to win the ball and pass it to the other more creative midfielders?
StirlingBlue wrote: ↑Mon Jan 19, 2026 9:16 am
I don’t understand why people are saying to get rid - he’s our best sitting midfielder and has the potential to get better if he can become more adventurous in his passing.
Given our transfer history of the last decade do you trust us to spend well and bring in a replacement that’s at least as good if not better?
Put him as the holding player with two progressive players next to him like KDH and Armstrong and that’s a well balanced midfield.
I think it's a mix of people not being used to us having a proper sitting DM, and a lack of creativity elsewhere in the team where it feels like as a good passer and technician he should be more progressive.
I'd quite happily see a midfield 3 of him sitting and KDH and Tim either side, but as a 4-3-3 not 4-2-3-1 long term.
A couple of flying full backs and a pacey left winger and that's a great base for a team. Very few teams have a player with Garner's defensive qualities who also have a high level of creativity too... Those players cost around £100m and don't play for teams outside of those competing for major honours.
