John Giles has a future analysing football analysis. Specifically, analysis on British television.
The incredulity with which he says 'what does that even mean?' when confronted with a tossed off cliche like 'they've got to get an extra man in the middle of the field' always indicates that you're in for an enlightening and provocative few minutes.
A classic Gilesy performance on Off the Ball tonight in which he again excoriated the obsession with rigid formations. As Barney Ronay wrote, the fixation with numerical formations is the 'province of the armchair fan and the computer game enthusiast'. It's easy this football management. Just belt out a load of numbers, the more inventive and novel sounding the better, and you're halfway towards being Jose Mourinho.
However, the main thrust of Giles's analysis tonight centred once more around James McCarthy. His disdain for the 'nonsense' role of the 'holding midfielder' was on display.
His preferred midfield is one featuring Hoolahan, Brady, McCarthy and McClean, each with the licence to roam around the midfield as they see fit.
I'd have a place for one of them. (McCarthy or Whelan). My midfield would be, only starting, Hoolahan on the right. McCarthy, Brady and McClean. With a roving role.
You'll never get Whelan doing it, because he's the designated holding midfield player, which I think is a bit of a myth anyway. Whelan gets the ball - and I'm not blaming Whelan, that's what he is, he can get a tackle in - but he doesn't have a creative mind.
McCarthy - I don't know whether he has a creative mind - but he can certainly do it when he gets into positions to deliver the ball. He can certainly deliver the ball.
But if you watch him playing. Say, if he delivers the ball to Hoolahan on the halfway line, he takes a few steps back. Now, somebody might be telling him 'If Hoolahan loses it, I'm here'.
Joe Molloy: Does any part of you admire that though?
Giles: No! Because it's not necessary.
Listen below:
