Went home half time in this fixture last year - the only time I've ever done that. We were losing 3-0 and playing like a local pub side. Not proud of it but I'd seen enough and left. Warburton had us all over the place and I was totally pissed off with Slade - nothing's changed there then.......... Now Warburton has gone and table positions have been reversed (at the moment) - I think they were top 3 or 4 and we were mid table at the time so it should be different this time around - but will it? We badly need a win to keep in touch at the top otherwise with a pretty full Championship programme on Tuesday we could actually be down in the bottom half of the table such is the tightness below the top 6. I see Blackburn are playing at home tonight so we could lose 7th spot - let's hope albeit only briefly. Go on then, I know it's irrelevant to Slade but what side and formation would you put out to start tomorrow?
Brentford do not appear to be as good as last season with Pritchard outstanding, but still likely to play a decent brand of attacking, high tempo football. I'd go 4-4-2 but change it if Brentford go for a diamond in midfield Slade must adapt to match. 2 changes - Malone & Connelly to sit it out for Fabio & Connelly. I have noticed Matt just fade a bit in past 2 games. On bench, I'd have Kennedy in for Ameobi. He would go back today if I had my way.
If you mean Manga for Connolly I would agree. I've also said several times that Ameoba should be sent back. No better than League 1 standard.
We've got off to good starts the last couple games but need to learn to close things out. Going back to Sparkey's comments on another thread, manage the 90+ minutes. If slade is wedded to 442, start that way, but adapt as the game evolves. Assume we start with the team from Saturday. If we're up and stay the same with 20 to go, Jones off and another midfielder in front of the back 4. If we're down, Jones off and an attacking midfielder brought on. Just do something different FFS. The definition of an idiocy is to continue doing the same thing and expecting a different outcome!!!
Sparks, don't forget we won the second half 2 - 0 after you left. Yes, we were a total mess but it was early days for Slade who had his brief to get rid of high earners and cut costs. And, of course, our 9 men got revenge in the away game. I've still got my "I saw Alex Revell score" t-shirt. As for formation tonight we all know it will be 4 - 4 - 2 and probably the same starting eleven as Saturday. Manga for Connolly and Fabio for Malone being the changes discussed on here. As long as he's fully fit I would start with Connolly and keep the same 11 as they did well first half. While Brentford no longer have Pritchard or Gray, I understand they play with the same fluid formation and like to get the ball outwide quickly. Will Slade consider this and change his formation? I doubt it.
OK - before I sign off, have a quick bite and head for the shrine, here's the bet to prove I don't only post when I've won............ Cheapskate tonight - going for the longer odds with smaller stakes. Got a fiver on the half time/full time combo of draw/City at 5/1 Got 2 quid on Pilks scoring the first goal at 12/1 Let's see what happens - only 7 quid to lose and the possibility of a total return of £56 - (all good fun )
