As McClean is either injured or in my opinion should be dropped anyway how about using Whickham on the LW? This is the position from which he scored most of his goals for Ipswich, this could also give him a chance at a first 11 birth regularly and shake JMc up a bit
I don't think that's a bad shout talc - I thought Wickham has done OK at U21 (I know different level) - But I also think Carsey is right - If McClean is injured I think Larsson and Johnson will fill the wide berths
Whickham seems to be scoring plenty for reserves & U21's, why not. Thing is, if McLean found form, he's the exact kinda direct player that the Toon struggle with.
That old catch 22 situation!! - it's a big IF although he got very fired up against them last time and maybe that will be to his and our advantage??!!
Maybe using him as an impact sub around the hour mark is the best of both world, we need to keep a grip on midfield, as that's where the dirty bastards are strongest. My big concern is who we play CM, whoever we play wide is gonna be a good player who can cause problems, there's a worry that Cabaye & Tiote boss the middle though.
Cabaye is a good player - dirty but sly with it and has that "innocent look" every time he fouls someone - should've been booked 3 times against Man Utd but seems to get away with it (maybe he's the anti-Cattermole??) and, as you say, they may boss the middle - although from a lot of mags fans they are saying that Tiote has been poor defensively this season and hasn't hit the form of last yet! Hopefully he can stay off form for at least another weekend!!
Mush That's exactly what I was saying, the CM area is a worry for Sunderland going into this fixture and it's almost predictable that O'Neill will send everything down the wings. I get the feeling that Sessegnon may start wide for you guys or maybe not even start at all because Cabaye and Tiote will make him redundant in his usual position without Cattermole in there to back him up. Maybe he'll play in the number 10 role, but it's suicide to play him in his AM role without the cover of Cattermole, because as much as some of you lot highly rate Colback and even Vaughan, they're way out of their depth against the top internationals that Newcastle will play in CM. I think even if McClean is fit, his crossing isn't great and O'Neill is going to want to feed Fletcher to get the goals, let's not forget Fletcher is going to be marked by probably 1 or even two defenders who are not match fit, he could have some fun with the right supply.
Yep, Tiote has been average at best this season, but we have no strength in there without Catts, that's the concern. As we play down the channels, Tiote doesn't need to do much to have a free run at the game with Cabaye. Thing being Terry we always play down the channels anyway. This is probably a game when us letting them having the ball and countering (as we do every ****ing game...) is the best system, rather than lose the midfield battle, let them have it, If they double up on Fletcher, then they leave any one of McLean, Sessegnon, Johnson or Larsson free, and all 4 of them are more than capable of getting goals. HBA is the obvious threat, the lad is just superb, I'm hoping they play him down the left against the excellent to date & pacey Rose, but if Pardew has done his homework, he'll switch HBA to the left to take advantage of our problems at RB. Even if Bardo is back, a first game of the season vs a skilful speed merchant can't realistically end well. I think we'll get chances, even if Colo & Taylor are back, a decent pairing, they won't be match sharp, Santon is decent, but would struggle IF the 2-footed Johnson could get on his game, if they have Raylor or Simpson RB then there's obvious opportunity there. Lots of ifs, buts & maybes, to be expected for a derby of any value!
I agree with dropping McLean I'm concerned about central midfield and would put an extra man in there "..................mig................. bardo.......cu lar oshea......rose AJ..Seb ...gardener..Colbeck ...sess Fletcher
I would go with -------------mig----------------- Bardo---Cuellar--jos----colback Aj-----Larsson---Gardner--rose -------------sess----------------- -----------Fletcher--------------
