I can't see Ralph changing his system now OROW personally, there are a few options open to him to keep 2 up top.
McCarthy KWP- Bednarek- Vestergaard- Bertrand Djenepo - Diallo - JWP - Tella Adams-Walcott I realize that's a pretty unlikely lineup, as Ralph likes to compress space. However, I quite liked the spell against City where Djenepo was playing on the right; KWP already prefers to get narrow, and Djenepo provided a bit of overlap down the flank rather than tucking in behind the strikers as he often does on the left. It was the one stretch of play in the second half where we seemed to be getting City out of their defensive shape, if only temporarily.
That midfield is way, way too inexperienced. I understand why people are disillusioned with Redmond, but the thing is, even if not on his best form, he knows his role, he knows the calls, the timings, and all of that. The stuff we don't see. Djenepo to me is still massively raw, so can't be putting Tella in the same starting line-up. Huge risk. And Diallo - as good as he might someday be - won't have the experience and leadership that both Tella and Djenepo need around them. He might not even speak English yet. If we have to put a debutant in (Diallo), I'd put experience around him, Armstrong, JWP, and Redders.
We have a pretty compressed schedule, with 10 matches in 41 days, including some pretty tough ones. The Fulham match seems a good chance for the younger players to lay down a marker, particularly with Redmond/Armstrong being rather underwhelming of late.
No, our schedule isn't actually that bad. There are six days between the West Ham and Liverpool games. And twelve days between Liverpool and Leicester. The Shrewsbury cup game can be used for blooding in new signings and youngsters. Personally I think you should look at what games are most winnable, and focus on winning them. That has to be the way for a club of our stature and expectations. We could easily lose to Fulham with an inexperienced midfield, and then lose to West Ham with our strongest players back. If we lose to Fulham, just wait and see how quickly the fanbase will grumble, and all the hard work of this season will be forgotten. Then the pressure will crank up on the players ahead of a very difficult January.
I tend to see it from the opposite side: namely, that playing badly out of form players simply because they're experienced both reduces the competition for places and goes against our club's ethos, while offering dubious on-field advantages given that, y'know, they've been pretty **** of late. Combined with our preferred high tempo of play and the fact that we'll be playing a game on average every four days for the next six weeks, I don't really see the utility. All a manner of perspective I suppose.
I agree with part of that part would have a midfield of Armstrong JWP Diallo Theo and play another striker with Che. Theo could be devastating running from deep against Fulham.
I agree with a lot of this too... so stop it Susan. Let’s find something to ruck about; it’s xmas after all. I would tweak your approach slightly and play the strongest side available each game, if the players are over a certain physical fitness and not needing a rest, or if Ralph feels a particular player is better suited to a job than another, against a certain opponent. if a player “needs” a rest because the numbers say that (and these days, the fitness experts at the club will know*), then rest them. If not, pick your best. * this also includes predicted fatigue as they’ll know that too. The science is incredible these days.
McCarthy; KWP , Bednerak , Vesty , Bertrand ; Armstrong , JWP , Diallo , Djenepo ; Walcott , Adams. Forster, Stephens, Salisu, Smallbone, Redmond, Armstrong, Nlundulu
Redmond can’t possibly play as badly as he did when he came on vs City. On that basis, I’d start him for this, let him settle and play himself in. There’s a few players who haven’t shown their best form yet this season - and yet collectively we’re the best we’ve been for ages. Imagine what’ll happen when everything and everyone clicks; there’s definitely better to come from this squad under this manager.
I think we’re close to the Max... without player upgrades or different type of players. It will be interesting to see who we look to bring in next, whether Jan or the summer. I’d like us to bring someone in during the next window as a change in dynamic often helps the squad competition but also keeps our opponents guessing. I am confident that Ralph knows what he needs
You think we have money to spend? Recent history seems to suggest otherwise. I’d love it if we backed Ralph in the transfer market, God knows he deserves it; I won’t be holding my breath though. I’m certainly not expecting any upgrades in the form of players with proven PL quality. Happy to be proved wrong though.