Despite losing to Millwall, I came away with some optimism. And then there was that awful team selection and display on Wednesday night. While that didn’t mean I had a conniption, as you’ll have gathered from the other thread, it certainly left an awful lot of frustration. And now of course, Felix is going to make more changes - by necessity. Taking Fabulous Fabio’s advice I wont in any way attempt to anticipate Felix this week and instead will offer a starting line-up that has a chance of getting something out of the game. Jesse Joronen has been a tad shaky in the air and there doesn’t seem to be any communication or confidence between him and the back four. His distribution also needs improvement. However, for the moment, I’d stick with him. In his “Message” today Felix said, “We know we don’t have the most physical team but that wasn’t the idea. The idea was to have a team that can play.”. Well be that as it may, but he’s just got to employ people in the spine of the team that can win the ball - especially in the air. So I’d go for Hutchinson and Burn at CB. Hoogland got a roasting on Wednesday and while Voser is yet to be tested, and despite his diminutive stature, I’d give him a chance. Kavanagh was one of the good guys on Wednesday and if Stafylidis hadn’t been so uncertain (he just didn’t know his role and kept infringing on the left back spot) in front of him, I’m sure he would have gained even more brownie points. However reluctant, I’m going to nonetheless revert to Stafylidis for left back. Parker at deep defensive mid with in front of him Eisfeld (on the right), David and Hyndman (midddle) and Kacaklinic (on the left). Up front ..well at long last the Club have confirmed that Taggart has a back injury and will be out “for a few more days”! As SuperBri mentioned in the Ross McCormack thread Ross took a knock on Wednesday and I think he’ll also be ruled out. Of the three left - Hugo, Woodrow and Dembele - I’m going for Cauley simply because he is the only one of the three that appears capable of holding the ball. So my starting line-up is: ………………Joronen…………… …….…Hutchinson…Burn…………. Voser………..Parker………….Stafylidis… ….Eisfeld….David…Hyndman…Kaca… ………………Woodrow……….
I like the look of your team Cottager, would love to see Kaca get back in the team too, if he were to stay past the end of the transfer window it would be a waste to have him there and not use him. I've liked the look of Bodurov so far so unless he's injured I'd find a place for him in a CB position. GK - Joronen RB - Voser CB - Hutchinson CB - Bodurov LB - Stafylidis DM - Parker RM - Eisfeld CM - Hyndman LM - Chihi (lets see what he can do) AM - David ST - Woodrow Like I said about Kaca, would love to see him in the team but as much as this is me choosing MY team I'm trying to be realistic with it too and I just don't see him getting in the team at present. I think David could be good for this sort of game, Derby will have a lot of the ball so we might need to use counter attack tactics and David's pace and skill can help lead it and give support up to Woodrow/AN Other.
Going on what I've seen of the 20 players played so far I'd pick ………………Joronen…………… Hoogland…….…Bodurov...Burgess……Stafylidis………. ………..............Parker…………. ....….Roberts....Hyndman…… G.Williams ………………Rodallega .....McCormack………. But not sure McCormack will recover in Time (So Dembele or Woodrow), and I'd also like to see Burn instead of Burgess. Chris Martin is going to cause us problems through sheer physical presence at corners and freekicks. Wonder who the Ref is ? I can see a red card in this game for Hoogland or Bodurov Will Hughes is their midfield pivot could Hyndman match him or bring in Tunnicliffe (who along with Trotta is in the u21 squad photo!!!) so I guess that won't happen.
If McCormack is fit then he has to play off the striker. Hyndman is essential as is Parker. I would go with Hoogland, Bodurov, Hutchinson and Stafy. Parker and Hyndman with Roberts on the right, David on the left, McCormack playing behind Woodrow.
I reckon it will be Joronen; Hoogland, Bodurov, Burgess, Stafylidis; Parker, Hyndman, G.Williams, Eisfeld; Rodallega, McCormack (Woodrow if RM is unfit). But with Magath, who knows?
The Greek and The Scot would be an interesting formula, assuming we are giving everyone an opportunity. Finger crossed we can click today, we deserve something for our endeavors so far this season.
I'd be happy to get out of today's game with a draw and take the point to get us off the mark. I know we're all looking for that first win but we also need to put today's game into perspective, Derby away is probably one of the hardest games we'll face all season so to get a point would be brilliant, to stop the rot of defeats could also give a bit of confidence to the players and help build towards getting the win in the next games.
So it's: Joronen, Hoogland, Bodurov, Burgess, Kavanagh, Roberts, Parker, Stafylidis, R Williams, Woodrow, McCormack. I got 7 of 11. I think that's a decent effort on my part! EDIT: Subs are Bettinelli, Hutchinson, Eisfeld, Kačaniklić, Voser, Dembélé, Hyndman. Good to see Kaca finally, but that is one hugely inexperienced bench.
Unless I'm mistaken there looks to be ONLY ONE change from Wednesday's match? Williams in for Fotheringham, not surprised at all with that change but very surprised Felix has only made one change, has he finally found his 'best team'?
Well at least we might get to see the start of some consistency. Lets just move past the fact that the team against Wolves which is largely unchanged here was also our worst performance of the three this season!
Either we are all idiots or Magath is stupid... Either way I think he is gone pretty soon. Can't see this team scoring even if we play for a number of days! There will be no left side or right side, too narrow and only a solo effort by Roberts or McCormack might result to something. On Wednesday we witnessed the worst performance this season and surprise he keeps the same team... Is it a ploy to get us completely wiped out??
And two quick Derby goals put this game to bed. I'm amazed it took so long for them to realise that just running directly at us is enough for us to crumble completely. Magath and Grant should be embarrassed by the lack of cohesion they have instilled into our squad. I'm all for the idea of giving the team time to gel, but you cannot strip out all experience from a squad and then expect them to go out and magically play competitively.
5-1. I don't have anything to say, except I have moved from supporting Magath to being entirely indifferent to whether he stays or goes. It's like watching Jol's Fulham "team" again.
We spent so much time running all over the place. Trouble was it wasn’t the right place. There’s no shape or balance and nobody helping each other. The so called experience players were awful and I’ll pick out Hoogland especially. That apart, the obvious problem is the midfield - basically don’t cover the backs or push forward to support the forwards. And at the end of the day that’s down to Felix; his team selection and lack of tactics. What concerns me mostly is the harm he’s doing to the youngsters.
Those two points sum up our biggest problem and our biggest concern. Not sure if it is down to arrogance or incompetence but something has to change.
