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I don't see Mansell and Lathrope as being particularly similar - Lathrope just sits deep and sweeps up while Mansell goes from box to box and can be a ball carrier. Granted neither are particularly creative.

I think there is a wider discussion as to whether Mansell is the key central midfielder - however I would suggest it is a given as club captain and he would probably be an expensive option on the bench. Assuming he is one of the central midfielders I think the other player has to play in a holding role - O'Kane and Mansell never worked as a pair in 4-4-2.

Given the suggested 4-4-2 with very attacking wingers I think a solid midfield partnership like Mansell & Lathrope is what is needed. To have an 'attacking midfielder' in there too would be too gung-ho imho.

PhilGull wrote:Given the suggested 4-4-2 with very attacking wingers I think a solid midfield partnership like Mansell & Lathrope is what is needed. To have an 'attacking midfielder' in there too would be too gung-ho imho.

Might be a solid pairing but the distribution is a weak point of both of their games.

I am still hoping for a Manse/Mozika partnership with Lathrope to come on to sure things up if needed.

Fingers still crossed!

Whilst I admire both players, I think that in an attacking team the pairing isn't physically imposing enough. Neither bring what Labadie does. When he went after the ball, won and the opposition didn't get it back.

I would agree that we probably need better players in there, I was just siggesting that they are the type of players we will be seeing. I would be fairly happy to see either alongside a new player (Mozika?).

Agreed, either would do a good job alongside a Labadie-type player.

Errr ....... if not Mozika, Craig Stanley ???? Had a tough time at Bristol Rvrs apparently and a broken leg restricted his appearances for Aldershot (obviously!) last season but he did a great job for us and I for one would love to see him back in a Gulls shirt.

Stanley may be worth a look but at 29 years old and with his recent injury record I'm not convinced he would be the answer.

It still grinds with me he chose Rovers over us, although I might have it in me to forgive him!

Stanners was brilliant for us. But he’s another attack-minded midfielder. It would leave a lot of work for Manse to do. It’d be entertaining, because we’d probably score and concede plenty! Goodbye 1-0’s, hello 4-3’s ...

I agree Fonda - Mansell and Stanley would be the same as Gerrard and Lampard. Far too similar to be effective.