Who do you play? What system? I think everybody, including Bruce is having a bit of difficulty deciding how best to play. It's that old problem of maybe having to drop some seemingly 'undroppable' players, in order to get the best system (which will be more of a problem with Koren back). Anyway, I think that i'd go for: --------------Amos-------------- -----McShane Faye Chester------ Elmo -----------------------LWB- ---------Oli-------Quinn--------- -------------Aluko-------------- -----Proschwitz--Mclean--------- Unsure about who to play LWB. Can Rosenior play there? Go for Daws? Also, is a toss up between Mclean and Simmo for me.
We've just won the last two games playing 4-4-2 and we don't have a player available who's suitable for the left wing back role, so I'm pretty sure we won't revert to 3-5-2. ------------Amos Elmo Chester Faye Dawson Aluko Oli McKenna Quinn -----Simpson Proschwitz That would be my starting XI, but I suspect Bruce will go with the ginger ninja at centre back.
I quite like that team actually. Though i'd be tempted to leave Aluko in a more free role, just behind the strikers - in turn pulling Quinn across, so he isn't quite as wide. Oli or Mckenna would have to watch out for Elmo getting forward, and make sure they cover.
If Koren is available then he's got to play. He can win us a game out of nothing. However, I think he will be rested until Brizzle on Saturday. Amos Elmo Chester Faye Rosie Aluko Oly Evans Koren Quinn Proshwitz
I would not play Koren at the moment. Last 2 or 3 games he has played he has been been a passenger for most of the play, only occasionally sparking into life. We need all 11 guys to be on it and I don't think he is at the moment. Faye is also worrying me as his lack of pace has been found it more often than I had hoped. Oli also fits into the passenger theme at the moment - no tackling or tracking back and little energy in the heart of midfield. If Dudge is out and Daws is to slow why not give Townsend a run out? So I would go : Amos Elmo Chester McShane Townsend Quinn McKenna Evans Aluko Simpson Mclean
....................Amos....................... .........McShane..Faye..Chester Elmo......................................Quinn ................Oli.........McKenna........... .....................Aluko....................... .......Proschwitz.....Mclean or Simpson
Thought Oli was mostly useless yesterday. He gave the ball away and didn't really get stuck in, which is exactly what he was brought in to do. He'd be the one I'd sacrifice if Koren or Evans were to come in.
I like the 4-3-1-2 formation wasnt that the formation that beat the likes of arsenal and tottenham in our first season in the prem?
Amos Rosie Chester Faye Daws Elmo McKenna Quinn Aluko Proschwitz Simpson Although both Maccas are probably in contention too.
4-4-2 may be a bit old fashioned and a bit rigid, but if it is working for SB, who cares really? we have the players for 3-5-2 so maybe he can change it off the bench.
I'd pick Evans who helped NI to an excellent draw in Lisbon, now he's had a rest; also remember it's an away game so two more defensive midfielders in McKenna & Evans allows the attacking impetus of Elmo & Quinn to get into the right positions. Dawson is OK as a fullback not quick enough these days for wingback IMO. We need another left-sided defensive player on loan. Amos Rosenior Chester Faye Dawson Elmohamady McKenna Evans Quinn Proschwitz Simpson
and yes I have dropped Aluko to the bench, he's played every game, let him come on as an impact sub for one of the strikers.. Proschwitz deserves a start..
i think that will be the team. It's more and more about the squad these days. Players will get rested.
I was thinking that yesterday while we were 1-0 down. Then I realised what it would mean is we'd have to either take off a midfielder or Rosenior off to put a central defender on. The reaction to making a "negative" substitution when we're losing would be an interesting one to see, I think he'd have to make 2 subs, with a striker coming on for another midfielder (Aluko dropping into midfield) so that there was a "positive" change at the same time.
