Mark Hughes - really impressed with Taarabt

[Peter Damage]

I think that with a full squad available Adel, Cisse and Zamora are fighting for two places in the team.

Even with 11 men on the pitch it will be leave s dangerously open to a couner with Adel to roam from the left as he did.

Kevin Foley got in Garth Crooks team of the week because of his influence in starting attacks from the right. I think this is a fair point and it would be something that teams will target agsint us in future with that line up

 

[rangercol]

I think that with a full squad available Adel, Cisse and Zamora are fighting for two places in the team.

Even with 11 men on the pitch it will be leave s dangerously open to a couner with Adel to roam from the left as he did.

Kevin Foley got in Garth Crooks team of the week because of his influence in starting attacks from the right. I think this is a fair point and it would be something that teams will target agsint us in future with that line up

Can't agree with that. To stay up we need all three in the team (when not suspended!!).Also, I don't know whether you were at the game, but Taarabt worked back really quickly onto the left when we lost the ball. We MUST have Adel in the side laying on the passes for Zamora and Cisse!!

 

[P Block Ealing]

Can't agree with that. To stay up we need all three in the team (when not suspended!!).Also, I don't know whether you were at the game, but Taarabt worked back really quickly onto the left when we lost the ball. We MUST have Adel in the side laying on the passes for Zamora and Cisse!!

Agree at the moment he's the only one in our midfield who likes passing to his own team!!!

 

[Peter Damage]

I would love to be wrong and to see that work but any side with a half decent right back right mid combo would expose it.

My comment isn’t a criticism of Adel’s workrate. I was at the game on Saturday to see the great level of work rate he put in going forwards and backwards. What I think is more relevant is that it doesn’t matter how hard Adel or anyone else in that position playing a role with licence to roam works.
The ball can cross the field a lot faster than any player can run so when we lose the ball with Adel on the other side of the pitch it only takes one pass and the have 2 on 1 down our left side.

It may increases our likelihood of scoring goals but it will also increase the likelihood of conceding. It is a difficult balance and probably one we could of got away with against a side like Blackburn but not against a side with a right back who was good at getting forward.

Believe me I’m Adel’s biggest fan and would play every week but we need to make sure we play our best team and not our best players.

 

[rangercol]

I would love to be wrong and to see that work but any side with a half decent right back right mid combo would expose it.

My comment isn’t a criticism of Adel’s workrate. I was at the game on Saturday to see the great level of work rate he put in going forwards and backwards. What I think is more relevant is that it doesn’t matter how hard Adel or anyone else in that position playing a role with licence to roam works.
The ball can cross the field a lot faster than any player can run so when we lose the ball with Adel on the other side of the pitch it only takes one pass and the have 2 on 1 down our left side.

It may increases our likelihood of scoring goals but it will also increase the likelihood of conceding. It is a difficult balance and probably one we could of got away with against a side like Blackburn but not against a side with a right back who was good at getting forward.

Believe me I’m Adel’s biggest fan and would play every week but we need to make sure we play our best team and not our best players.

Fair points mate. In fact, I've said all along that I'd prefer us to play 4-2-3-1 or 4-1-3-2 to keep the team balanced and accommodate Taarabt in his best position. I guess if MH wants to stick to 4-4-2 we may have to gamble on Adel playing from the left, unless you put him in the middle with Diakite.
Either:
-----------------Kenny----------------
Young --- Onouha -- Ferdinand -- Taiwo
SWP ----- Diakite -- Taarabt -- Traore
----------Cisse--------Zamora--------
Or:
----------------Kenny----------------
Young --- Onouha -- Ferdinand -- Taiwo
------------Barton - Diakite-----------
SWP-----------Taarabt----------Traore
------------Zamora/Cisse--------------
However, I'd play this:
------------------Kenny---------------
Onouha --Ferdinand - Gabbidon --Traore
-----------------Diakite---------------
SWP------------Taarabt---------Taiwo/Barton
-----------Cisse-------Zamora

 

[QPR Oslo]

I would love to be wrong and to see that work but any side with a half decent right back right mid combo would expose it.

My comment isn’t a criticism of Adel’s workrate. I was at the game on Saturday to see the great level of work rate he put in going forwards and backwards. What I think is more relevant is that it doesn’t matter how hard Adel or anyone else in that position playing a role with licence to roam works.
The ball can cross the field a lot faster than any player can run so when we lose the ball with Adel on the other side of the pitch it only takes one pass and the have 2 on 1 down our left side.

It may increases our likelihood of scoring goals but it will also increase the likelihood of conceding. It is a difficult balance and probably one we could of got away with against a side like Blackburn but not against a side with a right back who was good at getting forward.

Believe me I’m Adel’s biggest fan and would play every week but we need to make sure we play our best team and not our best players.

I think this is right, but we should be able to cover for this when Adel has moved away from his side of the park.

All 11 have to defend better, work harder at getting back, at the same time we need to play the players most likely to create and score. I'd like to see Adel play in a free role up front with Zamora while Cisse is out, and have a more solid midfield with Barton, Buz, Diakite (Derry til Diakite is back) and Traore in midfield - Traore could I hope get to the biline and get in some crosses, which SWP is not managing much of.

With Cisse back, I'd like to see Traore kept LM if he cuts it and Adel at RM, with Barton and Diakite CM, but all need to work back and cover the holes left when Adel and Traore are left out of position when attacks break down.

 

[Sooperhoop]

The key to Adel 'roaming' in behind two strikers will be the defensive midfielder moving to the left to cover the counter, Diakite plays the role so should be the man to enable such a system to work. Fluidity of movement is the hallmark of the best teams even when playing a 4-4-2...

 

[rangercol]

The key to Adel 'roaming' in behind two strikers will be the defensive midfielder moving to the left to cover the counter, Diakite plays the role so should be the man to enable such a system to work. Fluidity of movement is the hallmark of the best teams even when playing a 4-4-2...

Correct Sooper!!

 

[FFS.73]

Classic dilemma of fitting the best players into the most effective formation. Will not be surprised to see slightly different approaches home and away, think Hughes is wedded to 2 strikers whatever, Adel's challenge may be ability to follow orders and play in different ways for different situations.
Freely confess to believing that Adel had blown it in the premiership, delighted to eat my words and agree that he was outstanding on Saturday, deserved the 3 points on his own. One swallow doesn't make a summer, but the signs are good, and having a manager who was a more than useful player himself must be good for respect levels.

 

[bobmid]

I think that Adel Cisse and zamora can and will all start! Taraabt showed on Saturday just how dangerous he can be from the left hand side. I have just read that Adel covered more distance than any other player on the pitch apart from Barton which is phenomenal considering his end product compared to Barton. said it before Joey is yet to prove he is nothing more than a ten a penny player. I think Hughes will continue with 4-4-2 with either bothroyd or Dj. he has hinted at Taraabt just off the front man which is another exciting option. if we had a fit faurlin and the new Mali bloke is any good then barton would warm the bench for me!.

 

[rangercol]

I think that Adel Cisse and zamora can and will all start! Taraabt showed on Saturday just how dangerous he can be from the left hand side. I have just read that Adel covered more distance than any other player on the pitch apart from Barton which is phenomenal considering his end product compared to Barton. said it before Joey is yet to prove he is nothing more than a ten a penny player. I think Hughes will continue with 4-4-2 with either bothroyd or Dj. he has hinted at Taraabt just off the front man which is another exciting option. if we had a fit faurlin and the new Mali bloke is any good then barton would warm the bench for me!.

Agree with that Bob. Amazing stats on Adel's distance covered...not many would have predicted that!!

 

[qprgranada]

[/B]

Agree at the moment he's the only one in our midfield who likes passing to his own team!!!

Spot on !

 

[igor60]

Yes adel is improving thats true. Now he have to make it to show on the scoreboard. That is what matters now ,not the brilliant 20 minutes without any result.

 

[rangercol]

Yes adel is improving thats true. Now he have to make it to show on the scoreboard. That is what matters now ,not the brilliant 20 minutes without any result.

He wasn't just brilliant for 20 mins, although the last 20 was when he really turned it on. He laid on chances for Ferdinand and the hapless Hulse too.He was good throughout and I'm sure a goal will come soon. Maybe not at a freezing cold away game at Blackburn though! I hope people don't get on his back just cos he's not brilliant EVERY game!

 

[rangercol]

Yes adel is improving thats true. Now he have to make it to show on the scoreboard. That is what matters now ,not the brilliant 20 minutes without any result.

He wasn't just brilliant for 20 mins, although the last 20 was when he really turned it on. He laid on chances for Ferdinand and the hapless Hulse too.He was good throughout and I'm sure a goal will come soon. Maybe not at a freezing cold away game at Blackburn though! I hope people don't get on his back just cos he's not brilliant EVERY game!

 

[igor60]

Adel have also been hapless in few match this season. Now the he is going to right direction and hopefully we see the result on the scoreboard next saturday........

 

[bobmid]

Yes adel is improving thats true. Now he have to make it to show on the scoreboard. That is what matters now ,not the brilliant 20 minutes without any result.

That '20 minutes' was infact 90 minutes when you look at his off the ball work. compare that with the other players and see who can cover that distance and still beat 2 men to hit a pile driver! Let me know who we have who is capable of that!!

 

[Dave Thomas]

I think that Adel Cisse and zamora can and will all start! Taraabt showed on Saturday just how dangerous he can be from the left hand side. I have just read that Adel covered more distance than any other player on the pitch apart from Barton which is phenomenal considering his end product compared to Barton. said it before Joey is yet to prove he is nothing more than a ten a penny player. I think Hughes will continue with 4-4-2 with either bothroyd or Dj. he has hinted at Taraabt just off the front man which is another exciting option. if we had a fit faurlin and the new Mali bloke is any good then barton would warm the bench for me!.

Agree with that Bob. Amazing stats on Adel's distance covered...not many would have predicted that!!

That's because NW told him to stay out if the way in his formation
Win the ball get it to Adel or SWP ASAP should be the clear instructions to Barton and Diakite and then watch the confidence grow and grow

By the time we play City we will a good bet to beat them

 

[Swords Hoopster]

Win the ball get it to Adel or SWP ASAP should be the clear instructions to Barton and Diakite and then watch the confidence grow and grow

'appen no matter what instructions are given to Barton he'll go and do his own thing anyway. His presence in our dressing room is poison. It'll only be a matter of time before Sparky loses patience with him and turfs him out the Club.

 

[QPR Oslo]

'appen no matter what instructions are given to Barton he'll go and do his own thing anyway. His presence in our dressing room is poison. It'll only be a matter of time before Sparky loses patience with him and turfs him out the Club.

MH should have got rid of Barton in the January window when his poison in the dressing room became clear to everyone in regard to NW's sacking. In January MH had the opportunity to replace both Barton and Ale (for the rest of the season) with good quality CM's. He got in only Diakite who is young and has no PL experience, and is still in Africa! MH cannot afford to turf out Barton before May, because in CM we have only Barton, Diakite, and Derry whose legs seem shot, and Buz who seems to have continuing injury problems. I hope MH can get Barton to keep his comment on Twitter off the subject of football, and keep him putting in a skift on the pitch. He is continually putting in more distance than anyone else, fighting hard, is clearing up a lot at the back. He should pass better than he does, but in any case he's a key player for us rest of this season. Then we better get rid of him!