I understand the desire to have wide players - but it hasn't really been working has it? Elmo has had barely any success this season, and whilst Brady has done well, that hasn't been due to his crossing. I think that just Rosie, or just Elmo does pretty much the same job as both Rosie and Elmo, so you are almost wasting a place by playing both of them. That's why I suggested having Brady and Boyd effectively taking the winger positions, but often playing behind the striker when they can - because we need to pack the midfield and pass the ball around (aka play to our strengths).
I don't think we will see Quinn until the New Year due to injury. He would have been ideal for the Palace game and this one - we need a busy midfielder
I also went with Graham ahead of Sagbo - my reasoning is that Graham is a true up top on his own type player, he tries to hold the ball up and stays up top always. I quite like Sagbo, he has some good qualities, but his strength is running on to the ball, he come deep a lot and if you are playing with only one up top that means you often have nobody up front. I think SB will go with 5 in the middle so with that in mind, I think Graham will start ahead of Sagbo.
As PT has already said, I expect us to go with five in the middle and if we're playing a lone striker, he's more likely to go with Graham.
(From OLM) As PT has already said, I expect us to go with five in the middle and if we're playing a lone striker, he's more likely to go with Graham. Maybe that's right with a "one up front" approach but personally I think a 3-5-2 is a better way to give us the midfield strength we're looking for. Risky I know, but as I said on an earlier post on this thread, I think it might be time to show some adventurous confidence.
In the Championship, I was revelling in us hving finallly acquired a winger who could cross, we get to the PL and the very same player is seemingly incapable of repeating this.. you know who.. it's bafling.
If we go 3-5-2 it puts Elmo covering right back and against Sturridge and Suarez he'll get torn a new one.
If we are to stand ANY chance of getting anything from Liverpoo Bruce will have to get his tactics absolutely spot on and everyone will have to be on their game. If we play Elmo at RB again it will be a cricket score. Rosenior MUST come in and do the job he did at Newcastle on Ben Arfa. I agree with what's been said about Sagbo, he's a channel runner like Marlon King not a proper Centre Forward and against the Scouse filth we will need an "Out" we will need to play the ball upfield and have it "Stick". That means Graham for me. Boyd has been good on the left for me and if Brady is struggling to trust his body, I'd rather have Boyd wide left. Finally, we must string 5 across the middle and press, press, press. Even then, given you never know what Suarez is going to do or where he will play our very best will probably not be enough. If we stay up this season it won't be because we've got points against the likes of Liverpool, so I'll be looking for a confidence building performance rather than for any points. My team would be: Mags Rosy Chez/Faye Curtis Figs Elmo Thudd Livvo Meyler Boydy Graham ps. At somepoint this season (not this game), I reckon Brucie will be forced to move Thudd much further forward and partner Livvo with another defensive midfielder Who? :-(
I just hope we don't sit back and try to defend for 90 minutes, same approach as Man City, but without Aluko it won't be easy, that is why I would go for Gedo just behind Sagbo.
A massive 2 goals between them this season! Mine would be: McGregor Rosie Faye Davies Figueroa Huddlestone Livermore Elmo Koren Brady Sago
I just personally dont want to see Elmo start. We're limited for options but he has been really off the boil of late, in fact, since around April last year!
