then what would you do until january transfer window? revert to 442 and play clayton and pugh centrally? have faith in young thompson? bring back varynen? also clayts is 1 yellow off a ban so our options could be limited further. personally id go with clayton and pugh deep and snoddy in a central attacking midfield position.
I have no problem with Vayrynen playing, he's a full international and has pretty good experience, could be a useful player. Pugh and White down the left and Snoddy/Connolly down the right has worked well so far, and then Nunez in the centre behind Becchio.
Personally, i would play vayrynen but i'd play Sam instead of Nunez with snoddy playing the central roaming role (if we are still to play the 4-5-1 formation). For me, Nunez is the player everyone wants to be good but is just missing something vital to his game
I'd hope for this: Becchio Sam - McCormack - Snodgrass Pugh - Clayton White - Kisnorbo - Lees - Connolly Lonergan Nunez looks a bit erratic and on-edge to me. A headless chicken man. I prefer White at left-back because of his pace which helps him match opposition wingers Pugh wouldn't be able to, as well as helping the Leeds winger with attacks down that side when necessary. Sam's looked average with flashes of class in his last few. Probably worth going with on that left wing since he offers us a lot more width and better delivery than any of the alternatives. McCormack works harder than your average striker (...and Nunez), and can shoot from range and pass when necessary. Would spend a fair amount of time in that position just working with the striker like Howson does anyway. Prefer Pugh to Vayrynen... well... because he's played better. Be interesting to see how Grayson tackles this whichever way he does it. Still very optimistic that we can get results.
Nunez just isn't as good as people thought. Lets be honest, if he'd been born in England, we wouldn't have had these massive expectations. He has a bit flair and a decent long range shot, but that's about it. Can't beat a man, is weak, and wastes possession. Sam is an average player, but has a good cross and a bit of pace - something lacking in the team. I'd put him on the right wing, to provide some natural width, Snodgrass roaming in the centre, and McCormack on the left, swapping with Snoddy if necessary. He's got the technical ability to play in midfield and works hard. Pugh in CM, sitting deep, which would also allow him to cover Aidy White's runs from fullback. Hopefully Howson's not out for too long. Brown is less of a worry, because he's only had 1 good game this season. Pugh should be the first choice in this formation over him, because he can still run.
It should be mentioned that Pugh got in the Championship team of the week along with Lees and Snodgrass.
Sam was on about how much he was up for the game due to wearing the number 11 shirt. He did make a difference, still needs to be more composed though.
I would for a team like this: --------------Lonergan-------------- Connolly----Lees----Kissa------Pugh ----------Clayton---Vayrynen------ Sam-----------Snoddy-------White ----------------Keogh------------- I would play Pugh in CM over Vayrynen but i'd prefer white at LW which means that Vayrynen would play (this is partly the reason why i think we need a LB). This gives us two natural wingers playing on there natural side, going outside there man and getting the cross in rather than what we have seen of late with wingers cutting in. I also think keogh played considerably better than becchio did against the 'Wall and deserves a start (I also think he is better). Alternatively, we could play snoddy on the right, drop sam and play McCormack through the center as well.
Whereas we can probably potter along for a few weeks without Howson, my main worry would be if we dont sign anyone in January, we would be very thin on the ground in midfield if we pick up any more injuries. Imagine Clayton picking up an injury or suspension now, wouldnt be good
To be fair tho it was when Brown went off it really worked! Howson was playing well before that dirty **** Trotter snapped him
Logi, I think we have enough midfielders on the books already. An opportunity for Varynun to stake a claim for a regular place. Add him to a midfield of White/Pugh, Clayton, Sam, & Snoddy & consider whether any of the young players could be given a chance, we're not too badly off. Its also not beyond the bounds of possibilities that Bromby could help out in central & defensive midfield. Think the club will take time before rushing into an unnecessary signing in the January window personally. Think a RB as cover/competition for Connerly is more of a priority.
