The midfield looked unbalanced with Cairney on the left. When McKenna came on for Cairney and Corry Evans moved wide, it was much more balanced. With all the forecasts being that NP will field a similar squad to that at the Forest game, with only minor adjustments, what do you think they'll be? 1/ Adebole to start or remain on the bench until needed? (This may, of course, depend on whether McLean is fit) 2/ Mckenna to start, with Cairney on the bench?
Cairney looked very poor against Watford as well; he simply is not a wide player. The problem is he has absolutely no acceleration at all. He cannot go past a defender on the left and he is so strongly left footed he cannot come back inside without going backwards. Evans is more two footed and is quicker, although not fast enough to be a genuine wide player, he is still better than Cairney. As for Adebola, I don't ever want him to be plan A unless there is absolutely no alternative. I think, if McLean is not fit, we should play Koren in behind Fryatt, in a sort of free role, Evans on the left, Brady on the right and McKenna and Cairney in the middle.
To be fair to Adebola he came on and did a decent job against Forest but still can't start him as long as Mclean is fit the only change to make is Cairney for Mckenna
If McClean is fit then start with him and Fryatt with Adebole coming on as an impact sub. Drop Cairney to the bench and put in McKenna with Evans moving to right side mid-field.
Midfield i'd go for Brady, Mckenna, Koren, Evans. Herad Mclean is expected to be fit so him and Matty up front, Dele as an impact sub (tonight sounds like his kind of game).
I think your probably right Manuel. But i'd prefer to see Cairney start in the middle with Evans out wide, so just an adjustment without changing any personnel. Cairney's played ok considering he's obviously not a winger, Evans would do ok on the right because he'll have Rosie overlapping for most of the game so the full backs will have to be aware of him having either cutting inside or using Rosie down the right. It would be a bit harsh on McKenna considering his impact off the bench was Barmby-esque against Forest (I'm told), but that for me is half a reason to leave it as that. TC isn't the type of player that can come on with 30 mins left and change a game since he's not a high-tempo player, but McKenna is so we should hold him in reserve until we get our normal secret weapon back.
McLean is fit, CS said so last night on Humberside, theres no knocks or worries going into the game tonight. As the HDM has published he did also go on to say that they were not affraid to make changes, like they haven't been in the past. Totally agree about Adebola coming on and making an impact at the weekend, Wes Morgan couldnt handle his strength and height and was just a real nutcase when he came on. He played great, and I hope some fans realise why we did sign him and not to start every game and play 90 mins, but to come on, make an impact and change the way we play when we most need it. As for the formation, it is unbalanced theres no doubt about it, and a top side will counter that and punish us, Barnsley are not that team, keep it the same, i know its harsh on Del but if its not right change it at half time again. I would like to see Emerton on the bench tonight.
It'd be nice to see though, plus we could do with another wide option on the bench if Brady gets a knock. Then we'd be left with no width or Koren out wide leaving our central midfield weaker.
I'd definitely have Emerton on the bench ahead of Harper, but as has been mentioned, it's unlikely to happen.
I've been laughed at since summer for suggesting Adebola isn't necessarily awful, one game and suddenly everyone can see sense.
i shall be amazed if the starting 11 is not the same as the 11 who started the 2nd half @ forest. mckenna in for TC. otherwise same as. imo.
AGREED. ADEBOLA CAN MAKE A BETTER IMPACT OFF THE BENCH FOR THE LAST 20 MINS OR SO. Barnsley are a poorer team than Forest, but this is there Big Game so they will have spirit if nothing else. If City do score first and early then maybe a 3-0 win for the Tigers.
Assuming everyone's 100% i'd agree but with Wet Spam coming on saturday you never know, there might be a couple of knocks around or tired legs. We didn't find out about TC's injury at Leeds until the team sheet got read out.
Adebola makes more of a tactical difference imo. Teams can just sit back and defend deep against us and other then Korens threat from range, they render us pretty useless. When Adebolas there they can't sit as far back as they leave him right up there onside to hit knockdown and get on crosses in dangerous areas. I noticed against Watford that their defence started to move out a bit when he came on and gave Fryatt and co a bit of space behind them to run into.
Basso Rosenoir Chester Hobbs Dudgeon Brady Mc Kenna Koren Evans Adebola Mc Lean Subs : Mc Shane Emerton Cairney Harper Fryatt
