I know the guy is young and raw, but from what I've seen and heard he has done well when he has come on, and apparently he is as fit as a butchers dog, so that is not an issue, so how about giving him a start, preferablly up front with Miller, Earnie, off the bench to replace one or the other to use his pace and run at tired defenders for the last 20 minutes.............just a thought
I'll go with that Roy. At least if we insist on belting up high balls we have someone who can compete for them.
I think we need someone other than either Gestede or Miller or Parkin. Sorry but thats the way i see it, however if that is what we have i will give them my full support.
I'm not too sure the Miller / Earnie combo works, especially with some of the long balls. Gestede is good in the air and IF he is fit enough to last the 90 minutes it would be worth trying him out with Miller. Remember Thorne and Earnie? Earnie fed of Thorne's lay-offs which was the reason he got so many goals. Still it's early doors but Gestede has definitely impressed each time has has played, wins the ball in the air (without falling on his arse) and could be worth a punt.
I am also uncomfortable with the Miller/Earnie partnership but I don't think we should be chopping and changing this early in this season. If Rudy comes in, has a bad game, what do we do then? His confidence would be shot if we just dropped him again. We need to be patient with our players and give them an opportunity when the time is right rather than panicking every time we lose. Regarding Earnie and Miller, Miller hasn't done much in the three games, but did score that winner at West Ham. By his own admission, he isn't quite there with his form and fitness yet. I think when Miller does get going, the goals will come rapidly. I thought Earnie worked hard and did a good job against Brighton and he looks very sharp. I think a hatful of goals are just around the corner for him as well. I say we should give them a few more games at least!
Very difficult to judge the front pairing on Wednesday's game - they did very little but weren't exactly supplied with opportunities from a very poor midfield display. Earnshaw and Miller are no different in style than Chopra - create the chances and they'll get goals. The problem is we haven't got the creative mix behind them at the moment and they appear to be struggling. If MM is determined to play our one creative midfield player in Whitts (discounting an unfit McPhail) in such a deep position that he has minimal influence on the front pairing, then a change of tactics must be on the cards - play a big man up front. I don't think Malky wants to abandon his "ball on the floor" principles even for a couple of games, but unless he pushes Whitts further forward, the pairing of two channel runners up front wont work unless we're up against a poor midfield/defence like against Bristol. Burnley are a tough side and MM's team selection will be very interesting.
If those were "ball on the floor" tactics on Wednesday I dread to think what we will do when we play a big guy up front. I totally endorse keeping it on the deck although there are times when a hefty whack from defence is needed. However, if we are going to play at ground level then we need players in wide positions as outlets. Kev was that for us against Brighton on the right but his crosses were poor and second half they put 2 against him, bringing his runs to a grinding halt - and our sorties down the right. Conway is not an out and out winger like Burkie and often comes inside leaving a big gap on the wing which isn't properly filled. Cowie gets into wide positions but has no pace and usually passes back inside. At the risk of encouraging our friends from Swansea to indulge in a bit of pride, we know they keep the ball down but also have 2 good wide guys as outlets who can also beat players and get the ball into the box quickly. If "on the deck" is Malky's mantra then we have to get the right people in the side to do the job and maybe go to a more fluid 4 - 5 - 1. If sticking with 4 - 4 - 2 then little and large has to be the choice with Rudy to start with either Miller or Earnie.
There's still some bedding in to do with this squad and possibly a couple more additions. Someone said after the Brighton game that they looked like a team that had been together for 18 months and we didn't. That will come. MM also needs to work on selecting the right tactic for the right opposition. 442 with Earnie and Miller was abviously right for Brizzle, but 451 or 4141, stacking the midfield, may have been better for Brighton. We are at least 2 wingers short in the squad as they are the areas of the park where we haven't got options at the moment.
Have to say i'm slowly warming to Miller. His first touch is getting better and he was trying to turn his man as often as possible on Wednesday but it wasn't quite coming off. I thought earnie, for all his endeavour was pretty poor Wednesday, although the lack of correct support/ammunition from midfield did nothing to help. I think giving Gestede at least a half against Burnley would be a positive thing along side Miller as they both need game time. I also think we suffered from the loss of Gunnarson quite badly on Wednesday. As pointed out by quite a few, Whitts needed to be further forward to supply the right balls but he is having to fill in at the mo in the deeper position due to injuries/lack of cover. As good as Mason looks (and for me he was our only real candidate for MoM on Wednesday) he is a different type of player again to Whitts and doesn't yet have the vision to lay off the balls like Whitts but is excellent when running with it (as per the Bristol game) but will find it tougher when not allowed space like Wednesday. Still very upbeat overall and Kiss looked excellent v Yeovil pre-season so could also be available to step in soon...
Kiss is hoping to be back for Huddersfield with McPahil expecting to train with the 1st team squad next week. At the moment it looks like Whitts or McPhail with Gunarsson or Kiss if we are playing 442 against the better sides. While saying we are short a couple of wingers, we are better off this season in that we are now short a couple of whingers as well.
We all know that Earnie has always and will always work best off a big man. Leo & Thorney were his fodder in his previous Bluebird life. Not sure about Miller & his strike partners but maybe he's the same. Also surely to have one of Miller or Earnie coming off the bench would provide greater impact.
