Who do you want to see start? GK: Lonergan LB: White CB: Lees CB: O'Brien (If fit) or O'Dea RB: Connolly CDM: Thompson CDM: Clayton LW: Webber CAM: Snodgrass RW: Sam ST: McCormack Subs: Brown, Rogers, Paynter, Bromby, Becchio.
Leave Becchio out? Play Webber? McCormack on his own up front? Thompson in midfield when Pugh or Brown could play there? Please explain these mental suggestions.
Becchio has been awful for ages now. McCormack is our biggest threat as a striker. Brown/Pugh are terrible in CM. Pugh plays LM and Brown is finished. Thompson could come good with a run of games. We didn't bring in webber to sit on the bench. Your team?
He's well back in the swing of things now. Four goals in his last seven appearances. A goal for every two games he's started over the course of the season. His all-round game might have taken a hit, but it's totally false to say he's 'awful'. Not on his own, he's not. Gets pushed off the ball too easily and our defenders and midfield are incapable of passing on the floor too much of the time. Warnock's a long-ball manager and he'll play Becchio, with McCormack making the runs from attacking midfield along with Snodgrass and Webber/Sam. Pugh's natural position is CM! He only remotely works as a left-back in a 4-4-2 and we all know Warnock won't be using one of those. Brown's a tired old boy, but he's not finished and still looks decent most times he plays. Thompson's too inconsistent and young - I'd like to see him get some game time, whether it be at Elland Road or elsewhere on loan, but the first team needs experience and leadership - especially in the middle of the park - and he offers neither. Why didn't we? It seems to me that's exactly what we did. Becchio McCormack - Snodgrass - Sam Pugh - Clayton White - Lees - Mills - (pfft, Connolly) Lonergan
It is my opinion that Becchio has been poor. McCormack doesn't get the service he needs because we have dim-witted midfielders like Pugh and Brown that aren't capable of playing the balls. Pugh was initially a CM. He's poor anyway, lots of effort, little end product. Brown won't feature next season and this one is over. Use it as a trial for Thompson? See if he can or can't cut it. And you think Warnock has money to waste then?
He has overall, but to drop him after refinding his goalscoring form would be madness. Clayton's an intelligent footballer, but he's the biggest hoofer of the lot. Admittedly they go in a decent direction, but McCormack's not going to win those knock-downs, and Neil Warnock certainly isn't going to be telling him to keep it on the ground. He's had both when he's been played in his natural position in CM. Nothing special, agreed, but better than the alternatives. I think you're undervaluing the importance of leadership and mentality in a football team. Even if Brown is knackered, he still offers a hell of a lot more to the team spirit than Thompson. I imagine Bates has given him a million to spend on loanees, and told him that he'll have to clear out deadwood to generate his own funds next season. I've no idea what role he envisages for Webber, but I can guarantee you that he'll mainly be a substitute/reserve. Feel free to make me look a fool if I'm wrong in hindsight.
Brown has actually been one of the best players recently. Lees and Odea have been awful but theres no one better. Although i do think warnock may favour bromby. ---------------Lonergan Thompson--Lees------Bromby--pugh -----------Brown----Clayton Snodgrass---Mccormack---White ---------------Becchio Subs: Bruce, Sam, Rogers, Paynter, Webber RB could be connolly, bruce or thompson. None of whom fill you with confidence. Snoddy to start on right but drift in field. Doubt webber will be match fit yet.
I fail to understand the mentality of wanting to see a player in a starting 11 who hasn't played a competitive game all season. Not only has he not played a competitive game, he has a history of being poor to average at best. How could anyone wish to see Webber in a starting position is beyond me. He should be back-up to Snodgrass and Sam at very best...
Iqbal You make valid points and I see what you're saying. My view is that this season is over, trying players out we havn't seen yet (Thompson, Webber) can only be good. We know what we get from Becchio and others who have played this season. I'd use the remaining time as almost an extended pre-season.
hmmm, not sure I would play that team. I'd be more likely to play Paynter up front with McCormack than Ross by himself. Not sure I'd let Webber near the pitch either.
