I expect a few changes (Bodurov could come back in for Hutchinson, maybe someone like Hyndman replacing Parker if he's injured, three games in a week for Williams seems excessive) and I don't actually think that is a bad idea. The team looked more balanced tonight on paper though and I think it showed in the result. Magath needs to look at the result as a little bit of evidence that some of our "veterans" like Dan Burn (a veteran at 22, ha!) might actually have an important role to play in establishing the base onto which we bring youngsters like Burgess. For C58 - Magath sees Fotheringham as cover for Parker, hence him coming on. Sadly Fotheringham just doesn't seem to have the ability for this level and I worry that Magath might see his presence as reason enough not to bring in some genuine CM cover/competition for Parker. At the end of the day, we won. That's all that counts and I am happy tonight. For what it's worth, my provisional team for the weekend: Bettinelli, Voser, Bodurov, Burn, Stafylidis, Hoogland, Hyndman, Eisfeld, David, Woodrow, McCormack.
I'd be very happy if this were the team on Saturday. The only thing that I would change is Tunnicliffe for Eisfeld. Eisfeld, David and Hyndman all in midfield with two strikers seems just way too attacking. Tunnicliffe would provide a bit more balance. I think we might even see Fazlic make his debut. David's through ball was brilliant for McCormack's goal. That's the sort of play we've been missing in the last few games. Also McCormack's give and go was very good with a nice turn of pace to get away from his man.
" PHEW" A win at last, which must give the lads much needed confidence, but it never looked as though we have turned corner , there were still to many mediocre sub standard performances. Running through the team i would rate as follows Dan Burn immense no only in stature but a commanding defender my M .O.T.M. Bettinelli nervous to start but as time went on grew with confidence (a cheeky loan approach for PC OF Chelsea ? Stafyldis, Hutchinson, Hoogland so so we do need to strengthen this area Woodrow must think faster, Parker past it, slow for 45% totally knackered for the rest. Voser a tidy performance, Eisfield, played out of position, David headless chicken syndrome, not for me. Boderoff another workmanlike display. Mc Cormack showed glimpses of what he could be, requires better service. The big quandary is Fortheringham, is there something between him and Felix for he is no better than a Sunday park player. The fitness area has improved but there is still no tactical know how. For Saturday Hyndman & Roberts back & try Mitriglou and Rodders for 45m they Mc C and Mousa for the other 45. . So lets hope its onwards and upwards.
[video=youtube;lAkXz5JovUE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAkXz5JovUE[/video] Here are highlights of the game. McCormack's disallowed goal looked fairly onside to me. Our defence rode their luck on one or two occasions. Great scenes of celebration after the goal though.
Hmm... seems to me that Chris David has to be playing. He provides a cutting edge in terms of distribution that no one else (possibly Eisfeld aside) in this team seems to. How we are not playing Burn in the league is beyond me. Yes, he might be too limited for the Premiership at this point but... we are not in the Premiership! We are at his ideal level and he and Bodurov would provide a good base for our team. Felix, please don't let your pride get in the way here!
Unfortunately seems that way Surly. Not brilliant but in our current set-up would have thought Hoogland the better option. What it does re-inforce though is our desparate need for a decent/experienced central/defensive midfielder. Just on the injuries to Parker and Fotheringham. Scott Parker twisted his ankle but it's not thought to be serious. Fotheringham might be worse and he has to have a scan on his hip. Reports say he’s very unhappy.
Well done to the team. Hopefully that will boost the confidence of the team... Definitely an experienced CM is required...
