I think Huddlestone played very well against Forest and Lesta Not that id change the team for MK Dons on Sat
A lot of people wanted Huddlestone dropped and back to 442. Admittedly not me but plenty did. It was actually 8 defenders and two wingers up front. We went ahead early on and defended for the rest of the game. It's hard not to do that, I accept, but we really didn't outplay them.
No i dont see it Gotta be Livermore n Meyler Mind you i think we might see a change for Brenford There is an awful lot of games at the minute
No Chazz but there was quite a few that could clearly see that Huddlestones lack of pace and engine was the problem. Eventually the penny seemed to drop with Bruce, let's just hope that it, along with Huddlestone, stays dropped.
Bruce's biggest mistake was probably getting promoted in his first season. I believe the target was 3 years(?). If he gets us back up this season then he's only a year behind schedule (plus it would put the club in the top flight going into 2017 - Allam was talking about his business getting a big boost in revenue and exposure when City were in the top flight; imagine the boost if it also coincides with City of Culture?)
Anyone have any worry that, after winning MOM for the Leicester game, Thudd will be reinstated? It'd be OK if Brucey doesn't build the line-up around him, possibly.
Yep but its easy to just say drop someone without having to think who to put in. The received wisdom on here was we absolutely had to go back to 3-5-2 remember?
I definitely agree Hudd needed dropping but as a manager you have to support your player and stick with him sometimes. His lack of pace and engine didnt seem to stop him t'other night??
I didn't want Huddlestone to be dropped. He's a good player and when the rest of the team dates venture forward like they did against Brum and at times against Ipswich, that's when he becomes properly effective. It's easy to point the finger at him because he's a big unit and not fast but he's not a puppet master controlling the other 9 players on the pitch. He didn't prevent the wingers dropping in to space and makings runs, the full backs from overlapping or his midfield partner from bombing forward to support attacks. The whole team was sitting back and playing negatively. How do you expect anyone to control a game when the only options to pass are backwards to defenders or your midfielders dropping off or lump it forwards to a striker who's pressed up 40 or 50 yards away from the midfield?
The reverting to 3-5-2 was to accommodate Huddlestone (and to ease pressure on the full backs) and we didn't think Bruce would drop him.
He had a fresh Hayden behind him , it was a different role. Not sure the likes of Clucas want to be doing the same as it massively affects our balance, he needs to stay benched and hopefully sold in January. Tuesday was a great shop window for him also the Man City game coming but if Bruce uses him again in the league it will be as if he's learnt nothing
One thing I've not seen mentioned anywhere was Diame's performance on Tuesday, he didn't look happy at all throughout the game not sure if it's injury or fitness related
Rubbish. Form is temporary. And thats more ****e. Diame had the LB on toast all the first half and most of the second before tireing.
He was excellent against Leicester because he was played in a style that suits him, the team was built around him. Much the same reason that Hernandez looks very good this season, I watched him a lot at Palermo and he rarely scored via crosses, which is all he got last year. It's not surprising that talented players play well when you play to their strengths.
