I know it is a bit early but I do not have the luxury of a Bank Holiday Monday and my thoughts have wandered to this Fridays' away match at Wigan. If I were Harry, I would certainly play 4-2-3-1 and would put out a rather defensive formation of: -----------------Green-------------- Simpson --Onuoha---Hill-----Yun--- -------- Barton--------Henry-------- Benayoun------Morrison------Traore ------------------Austin--------------- There is scope to make it more offensive by substituting: =>Carrol (for Henry) =>Hoillet (for Traore) =>Krancjar (for Benayoun) But I believe that Harry will play Dunne with Hill at LB (instead of Yun). There is also the risk that he will play Carrol alongside Barton in defensive midfield (instead if Henry). Any thoughts on the team you would put out?
I pretty much agree with everything, this is the sort of game I would understand henry playing but he shouldn't see a minute in the home leg. I also agree that he won't play Yun, it will be BAE or hill. I hope he's finally seen sense though,
Flyer, It is a pity that he won't play Yun as I think he deserves it and we would be a stronger team in my opinion. As for the home leg, yes, it should be more offensive and I would not play Henry. But perhaps Harry will suprise us?
When I woke up this morning the first thing I was thinking about was what team we would put out in the playoffs. I hope we go for a settled eleven over the semis and hopefully final. Funny thing Ski is that is exactly them same team I had in mind, maybe with Hoilett instead of Traore but with Traore playing his part as well. I think Harry has got his selections/rotations spot on in recent weeks. Austin has been matched perfectly, looks very sharp now. The whole squad should be perfectly rested before some tough games ahead. All I wish for is that we play a settled side over the playoffs.
I like the team Ski with the one exception being I'd have Krancjar in for Benayoun, as I think he is the one who can best get us moving the ball around in the attacking half of the pitch, and set up the chances Austin and hopefully others will take.
Yun is getting pretty hard to ignore. WLS have a player rating survey for the season, BAE was the worst out of the regulars, only SWP, Keane and Maiga got lower marks. My ratings were exactly like the average except .5-1 point lower. I'd accept henry playing at home if we are(don't laugh) 2 or 3 up after the first leg, not if we have to score which is very likely. The other thing is Dunne, I see him playing too.
Norway, Great minds think alike! I would play Traore in the 1st team as has a great cross and can also be defnensive. I would add Hoilet for th last 20-30 minutes to "stirr things up". I very much like Benayoun as he is both creative, covers distance and tackles. But does he play on the right?
I also like Krancjar but I would play him as sub (for Benayoun) in the 2nd half at Wigan (home). But I would probably play him in the starting 11 for the home leg. My tactics for the Wigan away match would be a rather defensive formaton, hopefully attacking via the counter (with good crosses/through balls to Austin) as well a by set pieces. However, I would add more pace and flair towards the end when hopefully the Wign legs are more tired.
Yes, he's played on the right a lot with us. There's not a lot of other options there besides SWP and O'Neil.
I think you're spot-on there, sadly, I think Dunne is a certain starter as well as Carroll and that could be a serious weakness...
I am always suprised as to why the is a polarisation between "the fans view" and 'Harrys' choice" of team selection. But whatever Harry chooses, I just hope that for the next three matches he get it right! It does not seem to be rocket science to me.
That's the point, its been 46 games and he still picks random teams except for the 2 who deserve to be dropped. I think Dunne not playing against Barnsley was the first time him or BAE haven't played when fit despite the fact its clear they shouldn't be first choice.
Flyer, Let's look at the positives. There are two games, potentially three, to GET IT RIGHT! If it does it, would he be a "hero" or villian", or potentially "just lucky". That's a dilemna. COYR's!!!
Dear All How ill has Clint been...It sounds prolonged and sounds viral...will he be fit enough to play...I fear not I am really worried that the back four will be Simpson Ned Dunne BAE Where I would want it to be Simpson Ned Hill YSY But Arry wants it to be Simpson Ned Dunne Hill I cannot believe after the start we had......with all the clean sheets...I fear it will be the fragility of our defence that lets us down
I agree we will be defensive. Personally I think to would be a mistake to play for the draw and I would play Yun at LB instead of BAE. he has the pacer and determination to support the attacks and get back in time. In a play off we need to follow the Liverpool model and look to score in the first 15 minutes rather than contain them. If we get the support up there and take the game to them we can make that as much a home game as the one at LR. By all means put men behind the ball when they have it but we need to break quickly and not resemble a tanker turning 45 degrees.
This is uncanny as I was thinking exactly the same line up as ski and that Harold would bugger it up by playing Dunne, BAE & Carroll......
That is exactly my team for the away leg. Then, presuming that we need to attack in the home leg, I would play Carroll instead of Henry and Hoilett instead of Benayoun. Mind you, as soon as we're looking like we may win, Henry would be on. However, Harry will play Dunne and Hill or BAE.
