Dougall

B

BergenNorway

Well-known member
With most of out midfielders injured for long periodes this season, Kenny D has played a massive part in our success, playing most of our games for 90 minutes. However, I think he will be replaced this summer with someone who either has more goals to his name (Brannagan?), or a player with more physical presence. Kenny brings neither. Nor does he have the brilliant passes and loads of assists (his crossing is poor). So help me out: What does he do so good that out midfield has looked solid all season?
 
BergenNorway said:
With most of out midfielders injured for long periodes this season, Kenny D has played a massive part in our success, playing most of our games for 90 minutes. However, I think he will be replaced this summer with someone who either has more goals to his name (Brannagan?), or a player with more physical presence. Kenny brings neither. Nor does he have the brilliant passes and loads of assists (his crossing is poor). So help me out: What does he do so good that out midfield has looked solid all season?
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He reads the game superbly and has impeccable timing, just walks the ball off peoples feet. His positioning and discipline when we are out of possession is flawless, calm in possession regardless of pressure and rarely loses the ball to it and when he has to Tackle he can tackle with the best of them.

His passing isn’t perfect but he can find the odd killer pass, and certainly is good at the simple passing and importantly knowing when to switch play etc. I don’t think there is any chance he’ll be replaced next season. If we get a Brannigan or similar, he might get the occasional rest. As I’ve said many times, he is a Rolls Royce of a defensive midfielder.
 
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hills98 said:
He reads the game superbly and has impeccable timing, just walks the ball off peoples feet. His positioning and discipline when we are out of possession is flawless, calm in possession regardlesss of pressure and rarely loses the ball to it and when he has to Tackle he can tackle with the best of them.

His passing isn’t perfect but he can find the odd killer pass, and certainly is good at the simple passing and importantly knowing when to switch play etc. I don’t think there is any chance he’ll be replaced next season. If we get a Brannigan or similar, he might get the occasional rest. As I’ve said many times, he is a Rolls Royce of a defensive midfielder.
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He and Brannigan are different types of players, if we go back in for him. Brannigan is more of a forward looking player. Certainly not incompatible.
 
Unbelievable engine and work rate.

Covers consistently for our marauding full backs and against the majority of teams playing 3 central midfielders he is overworked and having to cover the spaces where a 3rd midfielder would slot in.

This engine and coverage allows us to play both CJ and Bowler who aren’t the best defensively but have pace to scare the opposition and force their full backs to stay in defence not overlap.
 
I remember similar discussions about a certain Keith Southern 10 years ago. Midfielders who do the dirty work are often overlooked and deemed worse compared to their more flashy team mates. Dougall is exactly the type of player that we need. Doesn't take the limelight, gets his foot in and allows others to shine. He's the engine of our midfield.
 
I’ve been hugely impressed with Dougall this season, he’s made the step up brilliantly and not always in the best circumstances with his midfield partner chopping and changing.

He is never going to be the creative one in the midfield two, he’s the harasser, the battler, the pest and it’s a role he performs very well.

I thought he looked tired against Sheff U, seemed off the pace which isn’t like him but he did actually create our best two chances with forward through balls!

His set piece delivery does leave a lot to be desired and it’s a bit annoying because it seems to take the shine off otherwise excellent performances, he shouldn’t be on them.
 
hills98 said:
He reads the game superbly and has impeccable timing, just walks the ball off peoples feet. His positioning and discipline when we are out of possession is flawless, calm in possession regardlesss of pressure and rarely loses the ball to it and when he has to Tackle he can tackle with the best of them.

His passing isn’t perfect but he can find the odd killer pass, and certainly is good at the simple passing and importantly knowing when to switch play etc. I don’t think there is any chance he’ll be replaced next season. If we get a Brannigan or similar, he might get the occasional rest. As I’ve said many times, he is a Rolls Royce of a defensive midfielder.
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Good to hear from someone who watches a game in depth rather than lets it skip past in a blurr then feels they can comment on this or that player.
 
Kenny Dougall is an integral member of the side and squad and will continue to be next season. Has an incredible engine and never gives anything less than 100%. Championship quality and does what he does very well. Well pleased he is one of ours. We would certainly notice the quality if he played against us.
 
Wizaard said:
He and Brannigan are different types of players, if we go back in for him. Brannigan is more of a forward looking player. Certainly not incompatible.
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Yes completely agree, what I meant about giving him a rest was if we’re playing a more advanced midfielder we’d likely find it easier to rotate Dougall/Connelly/Stewart. Just having Stewart fit (please let that continue!!) already makes that easier though.
 
braymarina said:
Good to hear from someone who watches a game in depth rather than lets it skip past in a blurr then feels they can comment on this or that player.
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Tell you what, I now coach my kids team and I find myself watching the players out of possession even more these days, I’m forever frustrated with 8 year old midfielders for not doing what Kenny and Stewart do! 🤣
 
Other than Bowler Kenny Dougall would be the last player in the squad I'd want to release. He's been phenomenal for us. It's amazing how many people just don't see it. A players player if ever there was one.
 
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