I'm unsure about how I think we should play; I'm stuck between "if it aint broke" and bringing Howson back and making the midfield more solid. Many people will disagree but I think that if we do go 4-2-3-1 the player dropped should be Nunez and McCormack should move into the left wing position. If we were playing anyone else I would say stick with the same team, but against WHU I'm really not sure.
no i say keep the 442 but bring in howson. We need the two strikers up there, its just a better system to play i think
But we need a DM against them, Brown's the only one that really fits that description, Clayton can't be dropped and Howson is ineffectual on the right wing.
yes but you dont play wingers in a 442 formation d you? he fits nicely as a right midfielder and snoddy can play as a left midfielder. Just means they have to defend a little bit as well. And what happened to this playing two normal central midfielders thing, why does every team require a defensive midfielder now?
Why cant he play 442, he played it in our promotion winning season and is our most adaptable player by far.
If you look back even in the days of constant 4-4-2 all the succesful teams had what would now be considered a DM, look at Bremner and Batty for us.
yea i suppose but successful teams at the moment looking at say Manure. They dont have a player that just plays that defensive midfield role. I prefer box to box players in truth and i do know that most teams like to play a defensive midfielder but it seems like a waste of a player if you can get away with it, however this is not suggesting leeds can this is just a side note
Howson was invisible a heck of a lot that season and before, hence why he was only sub in our last game against Bristol Rovers. Both the player and manager have also publically stated he is happier in a 5 where he has more freedom, and he tends to play very very well then.
Dont deny thats his his best position and his most favoured position but it was only because he lost some form that he was a sub against bristol, something all players do. I dont think having a free roaming player is a luxury that we can afford to have, i would prefer him in the team however to pretty much anyone. This is why i would play him and find a spot for him somewhere, regardless of what people think about howson, he puts in his fair share of tackles and generally works harder than any other player on the pitch IMO.
I wouldn't start Howson in a 4-4-2, but if all our players are fit I would play 4-2-3-1 with Howson in it every time. I think 4-2-3-1 is our best formation, but only works to it's full potential when Becchio's fit.
I think you'll find that keogh will be able to play that role quite comfortably and do well, i'd still play 442 though lol
He didnt lose form, he never really had it. A free player like Howson isnt a luxury as he is aware of his defensive duties, not same as having a free player like Robinho for example where they dont move from oppo final third.
Keogh Gradel - Nunez - Snodgrass Howson - Clayton White - Lees - Kisnorbo - Connolly Lonergan Subs: O'Dea, Bromby, Brown, Sam, McCormack. Keogh to start instead of McCormack. Ross has done very well, but simply can't hack it up front on his own. I feel he should be sacrificed, since most of our goals don't come from up front and Keogh will link up well with the midfield, which is most effectively utilized in a 4-2-3-1, and that's a fact. Gradel back in. I don't think he's been found out at all and West Ham away is a perfect game for him to throw himself back under the spotlight. Nunez in the middle. This is where he's most effective and he's earnt his place. He'll have a hell of a job when facing Parker, Upson and Nolan, but if he's supplied well enough, he's a handful for any holding midfielder/centreback. Snodgrass on the right. Again, he's not set the world alight but should still keep his place instead of Sam. Another one who generally does well in this sort of fixture. Howson back in the deeper midfield position. I've complained about this myself many a time on here and it might be a stupid decision but I simply don't think Brown will be able to keep up. Swansea last season never employed an out-and-out holding midfielder and they kept such an excellent defensive record by continuous pressure and desire every game they played. If Howson can hassle West Ham all game from that position, as well as making the usual long passes and runs forward, there's no reason we shouldn't play him there. If he goes anonymous, we're a bit ****ed and it could be Swansea away all over again. Clayton is self-explanatory really. He always presses as Howson should and his distribution has been top class. White at left-back. He earnt his place after Hull and looks better than O'Dea, Bessone and Parker. Lees at centre-back. His natural position and he lookes a sturdier option than O'Dea, O'Brien, Bromby or Bruce after his impressive early performances. Kisnorbo. Losing his sheen a bit but still deserves a place over the other defenders. Connolly at right-back. He didn't deserve to lose his place and Lees needn't play there any more when he can be used centrally. Lonergan, obviously. I think this best combines the players who are coming through and those who staked their claims last season. Like I say, it will be absolutely key how we perform off the ball and Howson and Clayton have a hell of a job on there. However I don't think their lives will be as hard as they would have been in a 4-4-2, especially if the somewhat sluggish-looking Brown were there with them.
Lets make West Ham worry about us, we are giving them too much respect, they are a **** ex Prem side and an average club. My team: Lonergan Lees Kisnorbo ODea Sam Snodgrass Clayton Nunez Gradel Keogh McCormack 5-5 draw here we come! Get your money on now!
Stick to the same team, they won 4-1 they all deserve to play. Howson and Gradel are just names, neither have really done anything this season to deserve to play on sunday, plus with Howson on the bench we can go 4-2-3-1 if we feel the need to, and Gradel would be an excellent impact player on the game. I don't get any of this 'have to go 5 in midfield or we will lose' talk either, especially away from home when were on the back foot 4-2-3-1 means they all sit back a little deeper without the ball... Leaving just one striker closing down, remember forest away last year? We got battered till we played 4-4-2 and played further up the pitch.
Gonna be interesting whatever formation/personnel starts, I can`t wait. I think it will be a right game.
Whilst one game does not make a season this is one game that will point the way. If we can handle the West Ham strikers AND Nolan then I will be a happy bunny. I would stick with McCormack up front as his game is improving by the week. If not put both Keogh and McC on but I think we might be playing for a draw at best on Sunday. Lonergan will earn his wages this weekend.
