Hopefully every R’s fan wanting to go to Wembley this Saturday has got his cherished ticket and thoughts are now turning to what may be the best starting 11 for the match in only 5 days. I am generally not a superstitious person but I feel a need to open this thread “just in case”. Generally you do not change a winning team and I would like to play this team: ----------------Green-------------- Simpson --Onuoha--Dunne--Yun--- -------- Barton------O’Neal-------- Hoillet-------Krancjar------Traore --------------- Austin--------------- But, as always there are many questions and a lot of scope. Formation: 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2? The back four: - will Yun be eligible to play? - if he is, will he substitute Hill, or start from the beginning? Defensive midfield: will it be Barton & O’Neal again? Offensive midfield: are Krancjar and Traore fit? Attack: Charlie as a lone striker or with a partner? How to best use Zamora, Morrison, and Benayoun? Harry has selected well in the last matches, but I am sure we will have another surprise at Wembley. Any thoughts on the team you would put out?
I agree with the starting lineup except I would always put Hill above Dunne. I'd also consider Hoilett and Yossi on the wings. Yossi is more likely to relish a big game and Traore may not be able to cope.
I would have Benayoun for Traore and and I`m sure we`ll see Zamora & Morrison as a Plan B if its all going wrong. Let the playmakers keep possession as will need it on a bigger pitch.
awjm and E14hoop, You correctly identify the key issues with Traore. It is highly possible that Benayoun could take that position from the start. As for Hill it is a very, very difficult issue. Should Yun be available, do you change a successful back 4 (ie drop Dunne) to play your captain, or do you go for stability? I am pleased that it is not my call.
Why Cant Doyle Start like he did against Wigan at home? He played ok, works hard, did have a few opportunities to score as well... Also tough decision with the defence, I think second half and extra time dunne played well, made some good headers, especially when they had all those corners/crosses last minute! Just lacks pace are Derby quick upfront?
The defensive options are a tough one to call. I would leave out Hill as he can be reckless and would not risk going a man down early in a game of this magnitude. Those big Wembley spaces are concerning me and Harry will def play Dunne. Can we risk both of them ? Having said that Clint has other qualities so its a real tough one - not convinced with Hughes although he may be a suprise choice.
Dunne can be just as dodgy, if not more! I recon Dunne has more yellows this season. I don't know that as a fact but I'm sure I've seen him get a lot more yellows. Also, Dunne had a good second half last week but I recon Hill would have had a good two halves if he'd started. Hill is immense.
Agreed that Yun should start and it should of course be Hill over Dunne unless there are new rules where running at or past defenders is no longer allowed. Reserve Dunne for the scenario where we are 1-0 in the second half and we need his immense presence at corners.
My thoughts exactly. Yun pretty much played as a left winger against Wigan when he came on. Stick Hill left back, Kranjcar, Barton and O'Neill in the middle and Hoilett on the right. There's no way Simpson, Dunne and Onouha won't start.
I honestly don't think this works. Why fix something that isn't broken? He works well at LB and attacks well from there. Why have a less attacking LB to accomodate him in midfield? Also, the whole reason why we want him at LB is because he's fast!
I'm a little split on Hoilett. Won us the pen, obviously scares defences, and stretches games. But always seems so rubbish!
I'd have hill at cb and Yun at lb. I don't think I'd start both Traore and hoilett as we need some pace to come on if needed. We could play benayoun on the right or Morrison in the middle and kranky on the left. Just no doyle anywhere!
I think I would go with something like this. Plenty of experience on the big stage, with the youthfulness and pace of Suk. Hopefully the front four would all be on their game to get us off to a good start and then keep the ball to knacker Derby out. Then bring on Hoilett and Traore to use their pace to stretch Derby even further and kill them off! please log in to view this image
Hoilett must start. You need someone with pace and energy in a game like this. Derby will be comfortable with us playing krancjar and benayoun on the wings.
Yeah but then you can't bring him on against tired legs, I'd bring him on at ht if were losing or 60 mins if were not winning.
I just hope that whatever's been bugging Morrison recently has been sorted out. Start or sub, if he's on his game, he could be the difference between the teams.
Played the whole game against Wigan and looked more than fine to me. Agreed his impact could prove useful however, it just depends how we start. If we're on the back foot first half and no Hoilett to provide that quick outlet, then it seems a poor decision not to start him
I have no problem playing him if Traore is on the bench, I think at least one if not both pacy wingers have to be on the bench. Bringing on kranky or benayoun will not change the game.
