Nathan Collins

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Collins could certainly do everything Molumby does, and might get fewer yellows.

What are Conlon's arguments for moving Collins to midfield? In what role?

We fairly overhype a player when he shows a bit of quality 

I think there was an Irish centre half that played in midfield as well, I forget his name McGrath or something like that. 

We have a serious dearth of midfielders and lots of excellent centre halves, it's actually a good suggestion to see if any of them could play in midfield. 

Although I think your man Conlon is absolutely dipso, he might be onto something with this. We will be a team made up of the sum of its parts...to get Egan, O'Shea, Omobamidele and Collins in the team, pushing one of them further forward would make sense...in theory! I think Omobamidele could also fit that role. The games in November give us a chance to experiment a bit

We all dream of a team of Gary Breens - Sure feck it, throw Duffy up top with Obafemi too and we can get 5 CBs in to the team!

If we have to play a CB in the CDM position due to an injury crisis, which should be the only time it is even a consideration, I think Dara O'Shea is the one, Collins certainly isnt. O'Shea is the best passer out of defence imo and the most versatile, having played a quarter of his senior games in both full back positions.

Asides from Cullen, we have Hendrick, Knight, Molumby, Browne all of whom have played as a #6 at times for their clubs over the years. Collins needs to concentrate on being a CB and not chasing goals when 2-0 up. As you suggest, Omobamidele is the other one who stylistically looks like he could do a job there. It should only be done as a last resort. Charlton's team and style of play was entirely different in a different era of football (plus Mc Grath and Lawrenson were exceptional footballers). Playing Ronnie Whelan as a full back was a low point in his era btw, not finding space for Brady was another. All in all, its just a really bad suggestion from Conlon, which will foment ideas among the armchair fans who dont have a great understanding of modern football.

As I have said in the other thread, I just started - the time for experimentation like this is over - We have 2 friendlies left before things kick off in earnest. Playing CBs in midfield in a team trying to play football isnt how I'd make use of them.