No Zohore or Gunner - will he go for Bogle or Ward to lead the line? Reading unbeaten in 7 games! Interesting stance on standing in an all seater stadiums from the Norwich board. Wonder how that would go down in the Canton Stand http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-42265978 Potentially Neil Manga Bamba Morrison Paterson Ralls Bryson Damour Hoilet Bogle NML ?
Patterson on the left? Hoilett on the right. It'll come down to attack or defence. Patterson in front of manga if he's defensive. NML in front of Patterson if attacking. Like the front 3 though with ward off the bench.
Just hope City put on a better show for the Sky viewers after the Brum disaster. What’s up with Gunnar?
Some sort of deeper long term injury aparently - or so we're told for public consumption. Never write off Gunnar but I think he might have pissed on his chips over recent contract offers. You'll never hear that from the club, but there could be undertones of "if you dont want to be here then piss off" creeping into the discussions. There's no suggestion that Gunnar is pulling a sicky and avoiding playing but there maybe a hardening of attitudes from Warnock and the club that we can do OK without you thank you very much. No one has been more committed on the pitch than him in the past but the likes of Ralls, Damour and Bryson are playing for their futures at the club - you get the feeling that Gunnar is playing for his future elsewhere.
In hindsight, I don't think Paterson has ever played LB in his career. So yeh Bennett but then Callum or Burno on the other side? This has been an away fixture for me for the past 4 years - would have gone again if not for Sky!
Gunnar not playing won't do much to impress potential suitors, what is his contract situation? Is he out of contract and can walk for free or are we trying to negotiate an extension to his current deal? He obviously has a huge chance to impress in the summer at the world cup but he does need game time going into that tournament. To lose him in January would be a disaster for us IMO.
Gunnar is out of contract in June and can walk. He won't be the first nor last player to use his position to his best advantage. His Icelandic national team's excellent performances in the Euros and now qualifying for the World Cup has propelled him personally into the spotlight and you can't really blame him for trying to max it out. That could be a major influence on his decision making. His stock has never been higher and if he's going to get a good deal anywhere this summer, it may be his best chance as the Icelandic bubble is sure to burst. His agents have talked about interest from Spain and Italy. From what I know of him having watched him this past 6 years or so is that he may suit the Segunda or Serie B. Regular game time in La Liga and Serie A would be unlikely.
Warnock on a wind up with gunner to get him firing. Will probably need all our centre mids fit tonight as they'll get through some running against reading chasing the ball down. We won' see a huge amount of ball and will need to make the most of it when we do.
Here's that WoL journo's predicted team for tonight............ Etheridge; Manga, Morrison, Bamba, Bennett; Gunnarsson, Ralls, Damour; Mendez-Laing, Hoilett. Bogle. Don't think he's far off the mark but the rest of us on here could have come up with something like that - it's not rocket science. Wouldn't be surprised if he brings Paterson in on the right in front of (or alongside) Manga. If that's the case, one of the widemen will start on the bench. Warnock will definitely want his midfield 3 in there to stop them playing their passing game.
I'm relying on this site and BBC tonight with a shot internet connection here in Botswana that is extremely slow. Please keep the comments coming and maybe I'll get something every twenty minutes.... it's about how long refresh takes!!!
That's a very good side. With Paterson in there we've got so much attacking flair available. Just Damour and Ralls in the centre will need some support from elsewhere.
how does that line up then? NML, Hoilett and Patterson as the wide men? Or will Hoillett play a 10. So much for WoL's predicted line up. 3 at the back with Patterson and Bennett as the wing backs? Patterson as full back with Sol as the defensive midfielder? Who knows other than the management team and the players. It'll keep Reading on their toes.
