It should be a great game, as Burton will be aiming to erase the memory of that thrashing. Just hope we score the first goal and we have a decent referee, as I can envisage it getting quite niggly.
This is the sort of test we have to pass. Burton are a poor side, we must consistently beat sides like them period. They have no real time to work on anything before Tuesday, they are there for the taking, must be a City win. It's bound to be 11 man defence to break down, but hopefully we'll do it. An early goal again would make it all much easier! Bah!
The first goal is always critical, as it makes the opposition come out of defense. I'd like to see the same formation again, but with either Watkins or Wildschut WR.
I think Farke should be making major changes for this game and keep most of the players that played Saturday fresh of next Saturday. In many positions we have good strength in depth. so for me I would certainly rest Tettey, Klose, Oliveira in deed I think you could make a case for 6 or 7 changes. It would be a good game to introduce Hanley. It's going to be a long hard season and we certainly don't want to overuse the key or older players. Also its good to keep the whole squad involved. If we can't beat Burton with our second team then we really won't be challenging for a play off place.
I'd keep the same defense, but perhaps move Vrancic back alongside Trybull and rest Tettey. I'd also rest Maddison and bring in Wes, but we're going to need Oliveira's technical skills against a packed defense.
Klose is just coming back from injury to play 2 games in 4 days and 3 in 8 days is only inviting another injury. We need Klose to be fresh and fit for the away trip to Sheffield, much more than we need him to play in a home game to Burton, who are almost certainly going to be playing for a draw from the start. Same for Tettey his knees won't last for 3 games in 8 days.
I can see Wes starting or coming on around the hour mark. I'd certainly rest Tettey and perhaps start CJ. Looking forward to seeing the starting 11, though I hope Martin is no more than n the bench!!!!
So looks like Woy could be taking over at Palar53. Edit - From today's presser - No new injury worries and DF doesn't want to make wholesale changes, but may rest the more senior players.
I don't get this attitude of resting players now. Surely you want to keep momentum up and keep going and maybe create a run of results. I've looked at the table and we are only 3 points above Burton and they beat us last season. Did they do the double? Can't remember. My point is, you start writing teams off as only being Burton and all that then they beat us and we look stupid. This type of game is why we didn't get into the playoffs or better. We need to go strong and start putting a run together imo. Oh and one other thing. After moaning like hell about Martin for years he is finally dropped and get a clean sheet. Coincidence? I don't think so. If Martin lines up against Burton I will be well pissed off.
I said yesterday about him being sacked very soon. I did think they would give him a tiny bit longer though! 4 games! Unreal. That's done so much more damage to the poor guys reputation. That is going to take some beating for worst/shortest managerial tenure.
Whilst I agree Martin shouldn't make the starting XI, I can't help feeling a bit sorry for him. OK we've seen a lot of mistakes over a sustained period from Martin. but so far only Zimmerman has got to partner Klose with two defensive midfielders and so had the better chance of getting a clean sheet and not being over run. Martin might be a big part of why the backline has been poor but has the deck also been stacked against him? Bah!
You make a good point in that DF played 2 DMs on Saturday and that has been a recurring theme in previous games that the midfield was too light and so the 3 or 4 defenders were overrun. I wonder who will make the starting 11 tomorrow???
I'd be saddened, but not overly surprised to see Martin in place of Klose tomorrow. Two games in three days is far from ideal when you're en route back from a lengthy lay-off. As far as Tettey and his dodgy knees go, why not play Reed alongside Trybull in front of the defence? Same protection, but better use of the ball when we have it?
Klose has been fit for a while, but lacking match fitness. I agree about playing Reed alongside Trybull though.
I can see that if you only judge things on the few games this season then you may have a point. But it's not just this season it's last season as well and the one before that. Martin has been the only constant in our defence and coincidentally we nearly always seem more solid when he doesn't play.
With regard to Jarvis I think he has been out of action for at least 12 months? If he returns to playing I can't imagine he will play for the first team squad. How long has got before his contract expires?
Football's changed it's more and more a squad game. It's not just a case of resting players although that's certainly important when you're playing 3 games a week for a number of weeks. Of course the other important thing about mixing things up is you keep all players match fit and motivated and if you forced to make changes due to injuries or cards then the impact is less if both the player coming in and the rest of the starting 11 are used to changes. Another reason is you might want to change tactics depending on who you're playing and whether you're playing home or away and some players are better suited to different tactics.
