Replacing implies getting rid of them. In the XI I'd be upgrading the second striker to an actual striker, left wing, and centre midfield.
Yes, getting rid of them from the first XI. And that's why I said Bruce's XI. He wont play with 2 strikers, it'll be Diame behind Hernandez. So if we discount the 2nd striker I'm guessing you're saying Snodgrass and Huddlestone need replacing more than Mcgregor?
What do you mean? Bruce has consistently looked to play two strikers in the PL, and even in the championship. Diame was used as a second striker because of how **** our other options were. Try clucas and huddlestone. Snodgrass played on the right for the majority of his time in the XI. McGregor has just had probably his most consistent season for us.
And is all of that not precisely the point? Nobody is doubting those 2 have the requisite talent, but their application is another matter. Isnt it interesting that both started performing as their contracts wound down? What a coincidence eh? Huddlestone in particular has had his best 3 months since his first 3 months.
I only remember us playing 2 strikers regularly when he had Long and Jelavic together, which wasnt that often in the 2 years. So are you saying Diame wont play if we sign another striker? I'd be stunned - stunned - if we played the first 10 games with 2 out and out strikers.
And Graham and sagbo. Then Hernandez and jelavic when both fit. Be stunned then. When fit we'll look to have two proper strikers on the pitch, with diame probably in an advanced midfield role.
Huddlestone was great for the whole of the first season, and like pretty much everyone else in the squad sucked for the majority of the second. Another way to look at this seasons performance would be that his form also coincided with him getting a proper run in the team edit can't excuse Elmo's performances for the first 3/4 of this season.......but with both, they're capable at PL level and have shown that before and if they can perform again they are both sensible players to keep in the squad
So who are you dropping from Bruce's first XI? Serious answer this time please. Come on, you can do it
I doubt it. We played two strikers as we player 5-3-2 for a bit before Bruce lost a ball and decided 5-4-1 was a better bet. The only reason we played 5 at the back whatsoever was to accommodate Faye, who could get beaten for pace by a disabled snail. We've played 4-5-1 for a year and I think that's likely to continue for the most part with the odd bit of 4-4-2 mixed in.
Having Diame means we cannot play with two strikers. Diame is simply not good enough or mobile enough or disciplined enough to play as part of the two in midfield in a 442. I think he would be fine in a 352/532 central midfield role though
2 strikers and an attacking centre midfielder will start the season? Have you seen a Steve Bruce line up?
Chelsea, Norwich (sagbo got sent off), then aluko started up top with Graham against man city, and Newcastle. I'm on my phone but I can crunch the stats if you want. He started two strikers up top most games, particularly that first season. Ramirez was then used as a makeshift striker because our other options were **** whenever jelavic or Hernandez was injured (sounds familiar) until we signed ndoye, who started games with jelavic or Hernandez.
People seem to have incredibly short memories and seem to remember our dour line ups while jelavic and/or Hernandez was injured and remember it as the norm, particularly because diame has been used as a striker this season.
That's a terrific comeback. Go on then, give us your prediction of our season starting XI including 2 strikers and Diame as a central attacking midfielder. You dont have to name new names, just where said names will slot in with existing players.
I've done that already haven't I? I would think Bruce will look to bring in a striker for Hernandez to play off, a new left wing, and will play Jake and diame in centre midfield.
