Some big decisions for CH for the weekend. Got a sneaking suspicion the Howson injury was worse than a little 'felt his back' like CH said because if it wasn't too bad I think he would have been at least on the bench today. 3 strikers were obviously never going to utilised. Therefore I'm going to assume he's not going to be risked against fulham especially as it's a cup game. How do you see CH going? Bring Fox back in? Cam Mcgeehan? Diamond? Russ playing there again? Might be a good opportunity to give some young players a go, I fully expect both Murphy boys to start, snoddy and redmond need the rest, but surely some experience around them would be ideal? Just wanted to see what people think might occur!
I would personally recall Fox, but I'm obviously not a football manager. It's a very tough situation for our manager and I can't imagine him risking Howson's injury so I should imagine we will see Russell Martin alongside Johnson in an unfamiliar role central midfield role. I'm sure he can cope with that, but hey, I'm biased. What worries me is that we have to play Whittaker who has been in 'ok' form all season and to a greater extent Nathan Redmond who has been really stifling our attacks. I know it is a little off-topic but I wouldn't mind us playing Olsson in midfield and Javi G at left back, as long as Whittaker was on the bench we would have cover.
Interesting idea to put Olson in midfield which could work, but that would mean Garrido & Whittaker on the field at the same time.....now that's a scary thought! I think CH won't give a jot about the cup again, and we definitely won't see any players risked who might be carrying slight knocks or pulls, so I can't see Howson being risked. mcGeegan as good as he looked in the youth team would be a big ask to just chuck him in there at the moment so I don't think that's going to happen just yet. Looking at who's fit at present one things for sure that the midfield will have players in there that you wouldn't usually expect ? I think CH has got a lot of thinking to do before Saturday!
I reckon we should play a midfield of strikers! We have an abundance of them! The problem is that only one of them seems able to score.
Elmander can play in midfield I believe. I'm thinking it will be: Snodgrass, Bradders, Elmander, Redmond with Wes in the hole behind Wolfy.
As sad as it sounds, I think this time I don't really want us to go for the cup. It's depressing, but we need a season where we are on c. 25-30 points (e.g. Southampton) going into this fixture. Beating Cardiff and Hull would have been enough, but we didn't.
Well as Elmander can play in midfield, and the fact that all 9 midfielders in the squad were either on the pitch or injured, i guess CH can't be slated (as he was ) for picking a ****e bench
I think josh murphy will get a start, maybe time to give redmond a rest. play 2 strikers so 442 with bechio and wolfie up front. midfield of murphy bradders r martin and snodgrass. If Fox is back does that mean Ayala is back from 'boro as well?
I would normally want us to put out as strong a lineup as possible in the FA Cup (especially against Prem opposition), but due to all the injuries and the fixture pileup, I'd go with this: Bunn Whittaker - R.Martin - R.Bennett - Garrido Johnson Snodgrass - Hoolahan - Josh Murphy RvW - Elmander Quite attacking, I know, but it would give Ruddy, Bassong, Redmond and Hooper a brief break. As for the bench, maybe: Nash, Bassong, Olsson, Fox, Redmond, Hooper, Becchio
I think JK's formation could work, but would vary it a little: Bunn Whittaker - R.Martin - R.Bennett - Garrido Johnson Snodgrass - Hoolahan - Josh Murphy Elmander RvW This has the attacking qualities of the Diamond, whilst still maintaining reasonable width and the ability to have two ranks of four at the back when the ball is lost. In reality, I think we'll have a FB in CM.
Couldn't care less about this one - think i'd prefer to go out and let them use up energy reserves on a cup run, rather than us. Why not give a game to some of the youngsters, Christ, give us something to get excited about. I'd start McGeehan. Give Gaifati (sp?) a start at RB.
Thats a good looking line up JK, side step the central midfield issue nicely, the other thought I'd had is the Whits can play as a DM although he hasn't for us, could be good for him, lets him get forward without so much responsibility to get back.
I like what you've done there Rick. I think between a deeper-lying Elmander and Hoolahan, the issue of a genuine CM can be got around if they press Fulham's midfielders (with Johnson staying disciplined in a DM role) - RvW has the ability to stretch them a bit as a lone striker. To be frank, I really don't fancy playing Russ or Whitts in CM myself.
The weakness would be Wes's defending, but maybe he could get one of their players to grab him by the throat and throw him to the ground! Not all referees can be as bad as Mike Dean!
Hughtons press conference suggests there will be changes but not wholesale ones. I assume Bunn will definitely get a game, Bassong might get a rest, Hooper a rest, Garrido a game. Will be interesting to see what he does I would like to see both the murphy's start and wes in midfield, not sure it will happen though
Agree totally. No chance of this happening, though, because it is far too interesting and imaginative a thing to do.
