Team v. QPR

Unless Simpson's injured I definitely dont want Raylor at RB. He can barely cope on the left with Jonas's level of defensive work, how would he get on with Ben Arfa? (Remember SWP could be playing LW.)

 

I must say lads, whatever team we put out, I expect to hammer them. New manager or not, they are ****ing ****. Look at their last 8 games, even a draw would have me fuming.

 

Guthrie has declared himself fit.

 

if we're going to play a lone striker, i'd play Shola over Best simply because of his aerial threat and strength. If Simpson is out, Raylor is his obvious replacement. Obertan's pace will be much needed to supporting Raylor in case QPR switch SWP to the left during the game. My Team (including possible injuries)

------------------------Krul-------------------------
Raylor-------Willo---------Colo-------Santon----
Obertan----Cabaye-----Gosling-----Jonas------
-------------------Ben Arfa------------------------
--------------------Shola---------------------------

Vuckic to come on during the game if we need a goal or need someone with agility late in the game. (almost a replacement for sammy)

 

I can see this being one of those games where we win by the odd goal. Games where everyone expects a comfortable win generally work out like that for us.

 

Unfortunately you are right. I only wish the players understood that the game isn't won until it's won, and that these are the games we have to be winning comfortably if we want to push for Europe.

 

you think Pardew wont remind the lads how much QPR were the dominant side when we played them

 

Krul
Simo - Willo - Colo - Santon
R Taylor - Cabaye - Guthrie
Ben Arfa - Best - Jonas

 

I like the look of this, and what it could potentially deliver. However I don't think Pardew will want to shake things up too much, tactical consistency is a huge part of his style. I think Raylor was exceptional in doing what was asked of him against Man Utd on the right - and certainly deserves the nod over Obertan.

 

I agree with this, I don't think he'd move away from two up front. I also agree wthat Raylor was class on the right but Benny's impact from the right at the weekend is worth a start, surely!

Also your avatar is tremendous.

 

Guthrie is fit, Obertan has been very poor and the Hatem Bomb was brilliant when played out right, I think my selection will be the one Pardew puts out, plus Simpson is injured.

 

Yeah I've no doubt Pardew will remind them how important the game is. But I'm sure he did that before games like Swansea and Wigan which were very close. Just because he drills into them how important the game is it doesn't mean we'll just up the ante and knock a few goals in.

It will be a close match.

 

Krul

Simpson - Willo - Colo - Santon

Benny - Abeid - Cabaye - Jonas

Ameobi - Best

Wouldn't mind this because we have more chance of scoring with 2 up front and I think thats what we should do at home to teams like QPR. Although, Raylor for either one of the front men with Benny going further forward wouldn't be too bad.

 

Either of these would be great but please, play Ameobi instead of Best. Sick of people being too hard on Ameobi, he's so much better than Leon it's scary. Not a goalscorer but the chances he creates for others by his movement, power and footballing brain are brilliant.

 

The team that tortured us for 90 minutes and should have won 6-0 is still in there somewhere Leazes, don't be too sure that we're going to turn up and steam roll them.

 

But we need a goalscorer? There are other players (i.e. HBA) to create chances. We need someone to replace Ba and contribute towards goals. It's so important over the coming month or so.

 

True but I don't see Best doing it either. He's had his run of form and now I think he's reverted back to the player we all wanted rid of a year ago. I know he's been injured but he's had enough game time now to get over it. The more I think about it, the more I want them both to start and HBA on the wing. Neither will score prolifically, but perhaps together they can scrape just enough to get us by.

 

Half of the team at any rate. they're missing 4, maybe 5 first teamers (kenny's not certain to be fit) and they dont have great strength in depth. However SWP is fit, and he was the one doing the damage when we played them last, keep him quiet though and we'll be the team on top.

 

This for me.

 

I definitely want the two biguns playing. We will get no where IMO by playing Best or Shola by themselves.

In the cup, the crosses were flying in but Best was just swamped and easily dealt with by Blackburns CB's.

Both Ameobi and Best are a handful, and with Jonas and HBA on the wings, I think we could win reasonably comfortably on sunday.

IMO playing 4-4-1-1 with HBA behind the striker, or 4-3-3 with Jonas and HBA on the wings and one striker, we could see some class football, but I see it being very frustrating and failing to get many goals.

The 4-4-2 with the two biguns IMO is the best route to finding goals. It may be a bit annoying seeing balls being hoofed up the pitch quite often, but Ameobi and Best can hurt defences. Ameobi's presence and Best's good aerial ability and feet could damage QPR.

-----Shola--------Best-------

Jonas-------------------Hatem Ben Arfa

---Guth/Abeid----Cabaye------

Santon---Colo-----Williamson--Simpson

--------------Krul--------------

Jonas will be free to get up the pitch a lot more now we know Santon can deal with heavy pressure and handle things at the back by himself.

We may be playing long balls at times, but we all know we can still play good, passing football with that line up, and see pieces of individual quality from our players.