Players who are effective coming off the bench want to be starting. Having said that, I'd only start with one of Tadic/Long/Elia to bolster the midfield.
I think Cork/Reed/Davis in mid with Pelle/JWP and one other would be good. Reed is not big like VW but hunts the ball well.
Hmm, as a player alone, I think Cork should start. But the JWP/Reed/Davis combination does work rather well, and Cork is possibly not 100% match fit yet, despite playing in the U21 match the other evening. Whatever Ronald decides is good enough for me.
Hate to admit it but this makes sense. The only caveat being that they are all short and therefore do not offer any protection to high balls like Wanyama does. Cork would be better in that regard.
If Cork is fit I would like him to start. He is an experienced player and if he gets tired later in the game then sub him. We have a few options depending on how things are going but I would like his defensive capabilities from the start.
It actually makes sense that if you have player who isn't 100% fit you should start him. He can always be subbed. But if he is a sub then comes on and isn't up to it you'd have to sub the sub, which is never a good thing.
He should be but I despair when he tries to head the ball. He always jumps a fraction too early and tried to head it on his way down. Maybe "always" is a bit harsh but 75% of the time. It improved a little this season, as I suspect someone else noticed it as well but it drives me mad. To clarify, I speak as one who has voted him "player of the year" in the past, as I think it's his only fault. Vin
I know what you mean. He's certainly not as good as he should be in the air. I must admit I hadn't noticed the miss-timing though. I just assumed he was really jumping. The worst ever for that was Beattie. I actually wondered whether he needed contact lenses. Long, by the way, has a huge leap!
Got to love Ron. Just seen his quote on OS: ''Newcastle beat Chelsea at home, but it is not easy to beat Southampton''.
Colback seems much improved, but that Newcastle defence can be got at, so whilst the team lacks a little going forward at present I think we will have the ability to grab a goal. Reed has only ever started with a back 3 which I think helps protect him a little bit. He would need to do a little more with the ball with a back 4, so I would be tempted to start Cork, but then I couldn't decide who would play alongside him as I think both JWP & Davis are better further forward. In Summary I would be tempted with a 4-4-2 diamond. Reed at the base, Davis at the tip with Cork & JWP either side and front two of Pelle & Elia/Long
