Curtis has done the presser with Bruce this morning. Snodgrass is available again (Bruce has said he will start one of the games over Christmas/New Year). Dawson and Bruce remain out, but there's no fresh injury concerns. Bruce has confirmed that they have now opened talks with the out of contract players, the club had no intention of doing this until the summer, so they obviously now think it's affecting performances (Davies has confirmed he's in talks and dismissed the story about Bournemouth, saying he doesn't expect to go anywhere in January).
Allam simply sowing seeds of doubt in players minds so they think they will get a new deal and therefore think twice about leaving in Jan? I wouldn't put anything beyond our devious chairman. More likely Brucey using the situation to prop up his arguments for recent poor performances?
McGregor Elmo Harry Davies Robertson Meyler Huddlestone Snodgrass Diame Maloney Hernandez If only. We all know that's too attacking. Bruce will probably **** himself and go McGregor Dave Harry Davies Robertson Elmo Meyler Huddlestone Livermore Clucas Hernandez
If we played that first formation Meyler would need a motorbike to cover the ground left by Maloney Hudd and Diame. Not a ****ing chance. Depending on Snodgrass being fully fit the team picks itself. Its just either Diame or Akpom.
No need to go overly defensive. We did that twice against Burnley last season and they took 6 points. Stick them on the back foot and peg them back the attacking quality we have at our disposal is enough to scare **** outta any team in this division and keep them parked in their own half.
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I'd be tempted to go McGregor Elmo Maguie Davies Robertson Livermore Meyler Clucas Snodgrass Maloney Hernandez 4-3-2-1 / 4-5-1 / 4-3-3 depending where the ball is. Plenty of industry in the midfield trio. Also capable of covering for Elmo and Robertson allowing them to bomb forward from deep. Plenty of skill and creativity in between the midfield and Hernandez. Could possibly throw Huddlestone in for any of the midfield 3. Or Diame for Snodgrass/Maloney.
Would be interesting to see Diomande up front alongside Abel to see how they shape up, but if he goes with two up front then I think Akpom will get the nod.
Clucas needs to come back in, we need his energy, like Meyler we will miss him when he's not in from now on. I think it's a shame he's not been tried up front yet but hardly surprising given Bruces unwillingness to think out of the box
Even though he's been awol at times lately, I just can't imagine not starting Diame every week. Surely Dyche and his players would be cock-a-hoop to see him on the bench?
Well i did put the Diame/Akpom bit in. Think you can add Maloney to those 2 fighting for the one spot. Clucas gets back in. He's had a rest. He plays. Diame plays for me. Maloney comes on for Mo if he's won the game or playing ****e. Akpom for Hernandez, ditto. Just all depends on Sndgrass being fit and where he wants to play him.
I expect changes for the PNE game regardless of what happens on boxing day against Burnley. However both Snodgrass and Diomande should not start against Burnley. Not a game to play players getting back into shape match fitness wise. For me Clucas back on the left and Maloney to play off Hernandez. Otherwise same team as Rotherham and we have strong options on the bench anyway.
Wasn't the intention always to do it in January, when the club had a better idea of the division we'd be in - Bruce's words not mine - as Summer would actually mean they were out of contract?
Bruce initially said they were being addressed during the international break at the end of the summer, then later said they wouldn't be addressed until the summer when we knew what league we were in.
Hm that doesn't sound right. I distinctly remember you moaning that come January our league position wouldn't tell us much more than it did at the time. Initially it was going to be addressed in the last International Break, then it was pushed back until January.
