Ruddy; Whittaker, Martin (c), Turner, Olsson; Redmond, Howson, Tettey, Lafferty; Hooper, Jerome. Bench: Rudd (GK), Cuellar, Grabban, Hooiveld, Garrido, Murphy, O'Neil. Opposition: Federici, Kelly, Gunter (c), Hector, Cooper, Norwood, Williams, Obita, Robson-Kanu, McCleary, Murray. Andersen, Cummings, Ferdinand, Tshibola, Taylor, Blackman, Cox Suspect we'll get overloaded in the centre of the park, but nice to see Hooper finally start. Apparently Phelan also sees Martin as a CB.
I don't think Whittaker has done anything for Norwich or Scotland to warrant an appearance in the starting 11. Hate to see our best right back by a long way being played as a centre back where he's not nearly so good. Why did we sign Cuellar and Miquel if we're never going to play them? I also don't like seeing us play a striker as a winger but I guess we don't have any depth in that position. O'Neil should be in the starting lineup for me but it is good to see Hooper starting.
Ah, the rarely seen 4-2-4. More often used with 5 minutes to go when you're losing but maybe it'll pay off. I actually think Martin is a decent CB, my issue is Whits isn't good enough. I'd rather give Jos an extended stay in the team. He's never gunna play well if he only gets 1 game in 3. It's a bit odd that we are so short on wingers considering Adam's preference for pace out wide.
I think that's how the'll set up but with 3 strikers (Even with 1 on the wing) and a very attacking winger, I can see us getting hugely outnumbered in the middle.
I read it as a 4-4-2 when we're defending and a 4-2-4 when we're attacking, which does have a habit of making us vulnerable to a fast counter attack.
I agree that Martin is a decent CB. Not great, his best position is obviously RB, but he's good enough. I disagree with everyone panning Whittaker - he's far from rubbish. Defensively suspect, yes, but not rubbish. And very strong attacking wise so suited to a game like this at home. My issue has always been putting both Whittaker and Martin in the same back four on the right hand side. Their communication and understanding between each other is awful. That's the problem IMO. I know I've said this countless times, but I do think it's a little unfair that Whittaker is getting such an almighty hammering from fans when I honestly think he's only part of the problem and is more than good enough for the Championship when picked next to the right players.
