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THREAD: North End signed @jay_molumby15 last night. Around 40 games (3000 mins) under his belt at Millwall last season + involved in Brighton’s and ROIs squad this season. Liked him a lot last season and he’s got a bit of everything. Plus he’s a bit of a shithouse. Coup. #pnefc
Often played as part of a double pivot in Millwall’s 3-4-3 system, he was a constant reference point in their early possession phases, comfortable receiving the ball in deep areas and progressing play simply. Perhaps more comfortable than Browne from deep. Often in this area.
Comfortable at receiving facing his own goal, he was often the deeper of the double pivot. Good decision maker, and doesn’t dwell on the ball in dangerous areas. Likes to play out of pressurised areas. Often Millwall’s reference point.
Aware of his surroundings and wants to play forward, quickly and simply. Comfortable receiving with his back to play which North End, Pearson aside, lack in deep areas.
Receives a tricky ball facing his own goal, turns, and progresses.
As well as being comfortable under pressurised situations, he’s also good with space to roam into. Some players don’t move into vacated space, but Molumby does with good urgency as he wants to break lines.
When he has space facing play, he has a good range of passing. With Millwall playing with wing backs, he was often the reference to switch play. Something that North End do with Pearson to good effect (Ledson and Gallagher too).
Receives and plays to the unpressurised area with good intent.
Reads loose balls well and wants to drive forward, plays simple football.
Whilst he is good at progressing the ball from his own third with passing and dribbling, he is also cute in the final 3rd, suggesting he has the ability to play higher than a 6. He has quality vision and weight of pass.
He loves a little clipped reverse pass.
He is also good at playing incisive ground passes, not just clipped balls.
Another good example of passing range. A straight pass onto a diagonal run. Good weight and good timing.
His on the ball ability is good and will improve. He is a quick decision maker already though and has quality. He has the tendency to drift into the right channel from a central midfield role. For me, he has the makings of a very good RB (conversation for another day).
His low centre of gravity allows him to be fluid in these scenarios, rather than what you’d expect from a taller central midfielder.
So, he is quality on the ball. Still lots of room for improvement with his final pass, however at his age, he has a lot to work with. Clear tendency to drift towards the right too which North End already have with Browne and Pearson. Overloads on the right are important for us.
OFF THE BALL
I love him off the ball. His natural aggression and intensity is akin to that of Pearson. He reads the game well, anticipates loose balls and reads danger. Good acceleration and full blooded in everything he does.
I love him off the ball. His natural aggression and intensity is akin to that of Pearson. He reads the game well, anticipates loose balls and reads danger. Good acceleration and full blooded in everything he does.
Anticipates well.
Again, this looks really simple, but his alertness to situations is good and helps regain possession effectively. Again, North End miss this without Pearson. Ledson lacks the same instinctiveness (imo).
He reads the game well. He leaves ground often, which may be something to do with his natural aggression. He seems to play on the edge a lot. His intensity is a big positive and I’d imagine he’ll get on well with Darnell.
No nonsense when he needs to be.
We like a bit of that at North End. We need that in our game to make up for other deficiencies.
Again, you wouldn’t want to play against his intensity. The end result is simple quality as well. He doesn’t just dive in.
Yeh, he’s a bit of a shithouse. His intensity is a big bonus. He likes to “make contact” with his opponent as well, rather than just pressing without contact.
You get the point. He’ll fit in.
He also has the mobility to deal with loose ball situations.
He reads danger early and has the mobility to diffuse situations.
So off the ball, in defensive scenarios I really like him. He has the additional mobility and instinct than Ledson, imo, making him the most natural Pearson replacement. However, not sure anyone can play a lone pivot like Ben. So we may see Ledson/Molumby at the base.
When given license, he also likes to attack the box and press forward. Limited chance within Millwalls 3-4-3, but North End usually expect one of the central midfielders to support attacks with off the ball runs. Browne good at this although many of his runs are channel runs.
Late run. Classy finish. Even better celebration.
He does seem to understand triggers well and this is important as North End use loads - very structured triggers to attacking patterns.
Said the other day that North End are lacking a player who shoots from range. If you don’t shoot, you don’t score. It goes against xG philosophy but you do need that option. Molumby, whilst low on shot volume because of his role, will shoot when given chance.
North End lack this, for me.
First time shot. Good technique.
He also seems to be a decent threat from the second phase of set pieces. Shoots hard and low, anything can happen in a packed box.
Hit at as hard as you can at the goal.
CONCLUSION:
This is a coup for North End. Molumby has aggression, intensity, defensive instinct, mobility, good awareness with and without the ball, good passing range, and will burst forward when given chance. Needs to add quality to final ball but still v young.
This is a coup for North End. Molumby has aggression, intensity, defensive instinct, mobility, good awareness with and without the ball, good passing range, and will burst forward when given chance. Needs to add quality to final ball but still v young.
Not a like for like Pearson replacement, but for me, his profile is the most similar. Has the tendency to be the first reference in midfield like BP, and has similar traits. More natural than Ledson and Browne in that deeper area for me. Interesting to see what Alex does. COUP.
PS if there is one thing he lacks it is prolonged pace over distance, however it’s a minor point. He’s a very good addition. Utw.
Plus forgot to include his defensive map. High volume of defensive actions so go alongside his good volume of progressions.
