Ordinarily I would but Defoe doesn't help the wing backs so we are back with the initial issue. Defoe could be a lethal impact sub as well.
That is already a game we simply have to win, it could really kick start our season. We are already 5, 6 and 7 points behind the three promoted teams. I'm not one for panicking early and still not there yet. Concern is starting to creep up on me though and the main concern is, the fat lady could well be finding her voice by the time January comes around. Our defence is so bad with no depth to change it either, I can't see us not shipping goals in every game.
I do worry, be mad not to, but then Stoke haven't won yet either, and they are a ****ing decent side. One good result this early can start you off. Saturday is tough, but I certainly think West Ham & West Brom are games we can win. West Ham look decent, but they are absolutely beatable, we need a break.
I'm at OT on Saturday, I've gone from expectation to trepidation after our last two fixtures. I keep saying it, but the defence is gunna continue to kill us and we have no options to turn it around. I reckon we'll beat West Ham, the kind of season they are having away from home it would be typical of them to come to the team bottom of the league and get beat. That is what I'm basing my main hopes on for that game. Ha
Van Aanholt... Today is the first time I had chance to watch him closely as he played n the left in front of me. I wonder how he'd do with support in there? Every time city got the ball he was left either 2 or 3 v 1! Tell me exactly what he's supposed to do? He closes the ball and it gets passed around him. He stands off and one of the 2 he's got runs around him? He cannot do that job on his own when 2 players are constantly at him. Yedlin had support and little dame down that side. Van Aanholt hoped no support at all!
You only got 'hammered' for putting Borini up top mate. For me, it was more from the point of view that I think Defoe has done enough so far to keep his place as the main man. Also, GG was talking about players in a 4-5-1 and we were discussing 4-3-3. Completely different.
See I think 4-5-1 is 4-3-3! It becomes 4-3-3 when attacking and should move to 4-5-1 in a defensive mould! Same system imo. Borini was swapping regularly with Toivonen and they both spent time up top and both did OK. I think Borini would suit that roe much better than Defoe as he's quicker. I'd leave defoe out against West Ham! It seems to be a touch of the ex team when he gets chances he just can't put them away!, West Ham last season, Bournemouth and Spurs this!! Johnson isn't fit so I'm glad he got 90 tonight. I honestly don't know who to play at the weekend! Oshea and Kaboul at the back with Yedlin and pva outside. Don't mind if it's the same as tonight or Defoe for aj. But I think Borinis pace will cause United more problems than defoes!
Christ on paper thats a ****ing great team!! Really it is, pace, power and defoe, johnson and watmore to come off the bench. In theory top 10 without breaking a sweat. Pva has quality imo , he just needs more protection OR not go forward as often as he does. He always looks knackered , poor ****er sprints up and down with nee help
Been at the formation porn at how protect the fullback positions and retain an attacking threat. I may get shot down but I've come up with this. please log in to view this image
catts (obv behind the midfield) in for defoe when we are away or playing the big lads! would do for me nicley
@Funky Dick thats the formation I've been thinking for a while now. Especially since we got Yedlin. It's obvious tactics that a) our fullbacks are actually wing backs and don't do much of that defending malarkey and b) when they play fullback they're getting left exposed time after time. We've got nowt to lose by changing it.
I can't see how playing PVA against Navas/Sterling and then possibly Depay on Sat will boost his confidence, the lad needs a break to sort his head out. Unfortunately our only option would be by moving Jones over to the left, which sounds pretty scary aswell, but a better option at the moment.
We have enough attacking options and quality going forward now that surely we could change our style of play where the full backs are playing as defenders and barely getting past the half-way line. We need steady heads in there at the moment, somebody who can hold their position and isn't going to be caught out bombing forward. I'm probably going to get lynched for this but I reckon Bardsley and Colback as full backs would steady the ship, for the time being.
Anybody know how long it'll be till Mathews is back? He can play both sides of the pitch. Yedlin and him would surely be an improvement on Jones and PVA!
Not sure mate, the kid is made of glass though. His last two seasons at Celtic have been stop-start through injuries.
Yes, with our current bunch of players, ie more options in the ceter back than the full back position its the only way to go imo. Dick needs to see this and make the change now or else, I'm afraid that Ellis wont let this situation go on much longer and another knee jerk reaction could be on the way which no one really wants.
Wouldn;t have Larsson in there - I'd rather have Catts - he looked a steadying influence last night when he came on for Rodwell and we looked better defensively! I know one swallow does not a summer make but that was the level of performance we need from him. FWIW - I don't think DA will play that way - we're all better managers than the guy in charge thought aren't we!! (And I like the look of that formation) Oh - and Lens would have to play! He's such a danger in the attacking third! But I don;t know where he'd fit in that formation! I reckon it won't be far off the same 11 on Saturday - possibly with Borini moving wide and Defoe up top with no AJ. Borini's pace should make an impact against United! But their defence has, for the most part, been very very good this season
