Hey Sting, I just came on the forums and saw this topic, and it was like you read my mind, while watching the dire USA game, I said the same thing to myself.
The problem is that we aren't getting enough balls to the strikers and wingers further up the pitch, therein not creating nearly enough goalscoring chances, the reason for this is that the midfielders can't keep possesion and make an accurate penetrating forward passes under pressure, and Stern John is one of the few of our players who seem able to control(he IS one of the best at chest control that I've seen, anywhere) and keep the ball under pressure, and to pass the ball forward well.(despite all the derisory things the ungrateful unpatriotic people in this country say about him)
I think he will be of better use to the team right now in this role, as thats where we are lacking, and we have an over abundance of strikers, so even though he has proven he can score goals, we have other goalscorers.
Ideally Stern should be on the edge of the box with his back to goal, receiving balls from midfield to turn and shoot, or hold up play and bring other players in(players like Cornel Glenn, Scotland, Kenwyne). (Like USA's Brian Ching, or Emile Heskey, though he IS a much better goalscorer than both.) He is NOT the Adebayour type consistenly composed finisher(ie. composed far post type goals etc) We expect that from him and get vexed when he doesn't deliver, but thats not his game, and he IS excellent at the type of game I've mentioned before.
Problem is that there we don't have midfielders to pump the ball to him like Emile Heskey has for England, or even the service Brian Ching has for USA. Thats why I think adding him to advanced midfield might be better for the team, until we get some other player to play this role effectively(ie. keep the ball underpressure and pass it forward accurately(good example of this is a pass Stern made in USA game to Carlos when Stern was around midsection. Latapy plays this role brilliantly, but sadly for us hes 40 now and can't play in games very long. Stern is more of a powerful shot type striker anyways, which makes the case for him in advanced midfield even stronger, because he can employ his powerful shots right outside the area if space opens up.
Just as how Dwight Yorke's age has caused the goals to dry up, the same is happening with Stern John to an extent, but just as Dwight had particular top class traits left(or that developed with age and experience) that allowed him to switch to center midfield, likewise I'm seeing some particular top notch traits from Stern John that not many others in our team posses, and that will be of great advantage if he were in in an advance midfield position.
I think he can still score goals, but if we don't have midfielders who can get the ball forward and create chances, for now I think he may be of best use and a great help to the team's performances in adv mid role-receiving ball underpressure and getting a pass forward or to flanks.
That idea for Stern in Midfield isn't as thought out from me as how a coach would have to before making a big move like that(hence the reason I'm not a football manager, lol)
One thing I'm relatively sure about though, is that Keon Daniel SHOULD be in midfield, I've consistenly seen from him the ability to create space with a good few defenders around him. The problem he has is running with the ball right down on the wing after hes created the space, which I don't think is his strong point. I think if he'll be excellent at creating space to pass the ball in a midfield role though.(and his freekicks attest to his ability to make the ball do what he wants in the air, which he can make use of the hit crosses to the wingers)
Keon Daniel for midfield and bring back Colin Samuel for the left wing.
Also after watching the USA game, why oh why did Maturana bring on Makan Hislop for Aklie Edwards(like for like change) I'm starting to think they are his love children. I love our youngsters, but exposing them to early before they're ready could also make them regress in their development if their confidence gets shattered.
Guys we have talented players at our disposal, but many aren't being picked, some are not being used where they will perform at their best, and overall they're not organised well at all.