Right with Derry banned what would your team be,i think it should be this: Kenny Onouha Ferdinand Hill Taiwo Mackie Diakite Barton Taarabt Zamora Campbell
Given Swansea's ability to pass, pass, pass and play keep ball, I'd be tempted to play our 4-2-3-1 which has usually been so effective for us. We can switch to 4-4-2 later if we're not getting enough shots on target. With that in mind, I'd probably play Buzz (in the middle of the 3) instead of Campbell up front.
Swansea like to pass it around so id flood midfield and play guys who close down Kenny Young Hill Ferdinand Taiwo Diakite Mackie Buzsaky Barton Taarabt Zamora
Stangely I think that the reverse is true when it comes to Swansea. The majority of the passes come through the centre halfs. Playing one up front allows the centre backs to pull away and dictate play. Unfortunately Campbell didnt look sharp enough to start a game so I would be tempted to play Smith on the left and tell Taarabt to play much further up the field then he has been so far this season.
Interesting super, you've gone for Young over Onouha. I would go for this starting line-up as well. Does anyone know if Traore and Helguson are fit?
PD has is spot on. In the away game, at every goal kick their centre backs dropped deep to recieve the ball. Playing a lone striker is playing into their hands. Zamora cannot mark 2 players at once. ----------------------------KENNY-------------------------- ONUOHA---------FERDINAND-------HILL---------TAIWO -----------------DIAKITE----------------------------------- MACKIE------------------BARTON-------------TAARABT --------------ZAMORA-----CAMPBELL-------------------- SUBS: CERNY, YOUNG, GABBIDON, BUZSAKY, SMITH, SWP, HELGUSON (if fit)
Stick with the formation of the Arsenal game. ..........................Kenny............................... Onuoha.........Ferdinand.......Hill...........Taiwo ....................Barton......................... ............Diakite.........SWP (not joking).... Mackie...........................................Taarabt .......................Zamora
We don't let their back 4 get the bal from a goal kick, and we can dominate possession. Vorm will have to hoof it and I would fancy Hill and Ferdinand in the air above Graham/Routledge/Dyer/Sinclair.
Kenny Onuoha Ferdinand Hill Taiwo Barton Diakite Mackie Buzsaky Taarabt Zamora 5 man midfield without the ball, with the ball Mackie Buzsaky Taarabt interchanging positions.
I think this is the team MH will play vale. When the keeper has the ball, Mackie and Taarabt need to push up to stop them playing it out from the back!
This, but with SWP in for Buz. And if HH is fit, could come in for last 30-35 mins, head in a couple for better goal difference
Stop Swansea playing from the back with pressure ... and the rest will fall in place as Barton and Diakite must smash those two Swansea jokers ( one thinks he is Xavi the other must be Ray Wilkin's Love child) .. to play this brand of football they need time on the ball ... Kenny Onuoha Ferdinand Hill Taiwo Young Diakite Barton Tarrabt Zamora Mackie Buz, SWP, Smith, JB Cerny
Hughes rates Buz and with Sir Shaun Derry ruled out I reckon he'll start with him just to spite Swords
A particularly valid question that MH needs to evaluate! I'd move Buzacky into a more defensive role.
Actually think it would be good to play SWP just under BZ, with them harrassing Swans defenders together when they have the ball, not allowing them to make easy passes sideways. he's got good speed and could earn free kicks in good positions running at Swans defence.
Problem is Finn that SWP too easily and often loses possession and against the Swans we can't afford to gift them time on the ball. Go in hard, close them down and pressure them is the way forward.
This is exactly the team I would have chosen... still fuming about the FA decision not to rescind Derry's red!
