Always said that a strong spine is essential to a successful team. Well Kit needs to perform some osteopathy on ours ‘cos Bodurov (slow thinking), Parker (dithering) and Hugo (badly out of form) are a serious concern at the moment. He should “rest” all three of them. He should also “drop” Tunnicliffe (hiding for the most part in the last 4 games and ineffectual on Saturday when 1 tackle and 1 miss-placed cross was his sole contribution) and Kaca (his slender total of 6 crosses on Saturday - including corners - found only the opposition and not once did he run at an ageing midfielder drafted in to play fullback in an emergency). So, will Kit shake up our lot for this game and get us jangling again? Very much doubt it. Expect the prognosis to be constrained, mistakenly lolling on the back of a ‘clean sheet’. Never mind that it was against a team struggling for form at home and who were as inept in font of goal as ourselves. No, the changes will be slim but hopefully beneficial - ……………..Bettinelli…………… ..Richards..Bodurov..Hutchinson…Stafylidis.. ……..LVC…..Parker…Kavanagh.. ……………Ruiz…. ………….Hugo…..McCormack..
The excitement of trying to guess Kit's team and formation is as exciting as watching paint dry!!! A team of slow thinkers, slow movers (aka Ruiz) and out of form players (not sure who is in form actually) is a a good recipe to give Wolves a bonus start!!
No matter what people think about Ruiz no one can deny that when he came on against Millwall he made us better and played a part in two or three of our chances. Tunnicliffe seems out of form and Hugo needs a rest. Fofana in for Tunnicliffe for me he seemed to be just starting to show his best when being dropped to the bench, Woodrow for Hugo after getting a brace away to Wolves already this season. Taggert and Dembele have both scored a few for the U21's recently and Roberts needs to be given a chance as well. This is Kits choice though and not mine so I can't see many changes -------------------------------- Bettinelli------------------------ Grimmer-------- Bodurov------- Hutchison-------- Stafylidis ------------------------Parker---------- Fofana--------------------- ------------- LVC----------------Ruiz--------------- Kaca------------ ---------------------------------- McCormack------------------------
Our last 3 managers have had their favourite players and their dogmatic unchangeable methods of playing, and I am afraid to say Kit is going down that same road.
One of the issues a while back was that we changed the team about too much so I'm happy to have an established first 11 and good options on the bench. He does however need to make changes when it is clearly not working - drop Hugo for once and try McCormack up front, make your subs a earlier so they can make an impact. I'm still behind Kit but it's a frustrating time. Something I did forget until this evening was that we beat Wolves earlier in the season at Molineux in the FA Cup on pens - last minute goal if I remember from McCormack. I had totally forgotten about that game. Can never argue much against Cottager58's team selections and views. My two pennith's worth is start with Ruiz, let Kavanagh have a go and get Woodrow on soon after half time if Hugo is not doing it for us. When you look at that opening Cottager side it should be winning more games than we are - there's good quality there and on the bench.
There doesn't seem much likelihood of Kit abandoning his diamond, so I've picked a team to play that system. No one seems to have mentioned as a replacement for Tunnicliffe as the most defensive midfielder. Before his injury, that looked like his best position to me. Kit's comments a few weeks ago suggested that he wanted Taggart to build up match fitness and strength on loan somewhere before he was considered for us, though his current form in the reserves suggests he's worth a try alongside McCormack. I'm agnostic on the relative merits of Grimmer or Richards, having not seen Richards in the flesh, and my uncertainty over Kavanagh's fitness means I'm going to hedge my bets on the left midfield role as well. I agree that I'd like to see more of Pat Roberts, but I'm not sure I can see him starting in this formation, unless it's at the expense of Bryan Ruiz, who sounds like he deserves a start after his sub appearance at the weekend. This would be my selection (though I doubt it will be Kit's): ..............................................Bettinelli....................................... Grimmer or Richards......Bodorov......Hutchinson.......Stafylidis..... ..............................................Hoogland....................................... ......................................LVC..........Kavanagh or Fofana............... .................................................Ruiz............................................. ...................................McCormack.......Taggart.............................
I would definitely have Hoogland in that position as well Captain. However, although he's now played 45, 60 and 90 minutes with the U21s, I believe the 'staff' don't want to rush him back and reckon another week or so. Kavanagh was on the bench on Saturday so I'm assuming that he's fit.
Well its any body's guess who starts. If Ruiz is fit he has got to play. Tunicliffe, Parker and Hugo drop to the bench. We need pace and more direct football. Ironically Parker said after Millwall we need to be more direct but he's the culprit for slowing it down. We need to get someone from this game. A point would do but I'm not feeling we're capable on current form.
We lack any bit of creativity without Ruiz in the team, he has to play. Kavanagh offers the energy of Tunnicliffe with the bonus of some quality on the ball so I'd play him in midfield too. I'd love to see Hoogland in the anchor role but fear he may need to be eased back in. My line up would be: (very similar to Captain's) ----------------------Bettinelli---------------------- Jazz-------Hutch-------Bodurov------Stafylidis -------------------Hoogland---------------------- --------LVC---------------------Kavanagh------ ----------------------Ruiz------------------------- ---------McCormack----Woodrow------------ It would give us creativity and energy and enough fire power up top to get a few goals. The defence worries me though, if we leave any bit of space in behind it will be exploited. They ripped Rotherham apart at the weekend with the pace of Dicko, Sakho and Afobe. I'm not one bit confident about this one.
----------------------Bettinelli---------------------- Jazz-------Hutch-------Bodurov------Stafylidis -------------------Tunnicliffe---------------------- --------LVC---------------------Fofana------ ----------------------Ruiz------------------------- ---------McCormack----Rodallega------------ Subs: Kiraly, Burn, Hoogland, Kavanagh, Parker, Kačaniklić, Woodrow
No Scotty Parker in starting line-up. Tim Hoogland and Sean Kavanagh join him on the bench. But Ryan Tunniclifffe keeps his place. The team: Bettinelli, Richards, Hutchinson, Bodurov, Stafylidis, Tunnicliffe, Christensen, Fofana, Ruiz, Rodallega, McCormack Subs: Kiraly, Burn, Hoogland, Kavanagh, Parker, Kačaniklić, Woodrow
Hoogland is really needed, the only acceptable reason for not playing him can be "not yet fit" but that can't go on for ever.
Well, 1-0 down after ten minutes. That's us done, see you tomorrow guys. But seriously, please mix it up Kit. Stop doing the same ineffective things over and over again.
It's hard to be optimistic, hopefully we can get a draw here. Not watching the game but see Sako got the assist, had thought he would enjoy the game with our lack of width and full back cover, he gave Kavanagh a torrid debut when they came to us.
Was just going to edit my post to say we're in danger of a pumping, chasing the game and away from home. Need the team to atleast show some fight here and not go into the next few games with heads down.
Showing up the managers tactical naivety, should not be playing a diamond against Wolves - did he even bother scouting them?!
