The defensive factors as I see them: Based on recent performances I would say Onouha is the most suspect of our CB options but was enjoying his best form before his injury. I would probably opt for Lynch before him once fit. Even Holloway can't drop Robinson... can he? Robinson and Baptiste have had a good understanding when played together. Hall is by far the most flexible option and there really should be a berth for him somewhere if fully fit. Bidwell gives 100% every game but lacks creativity. Wszolek is the best we have out wide but is no full back. Surely Furlong deserves another chance? .....................Smithies Furlong - Baptiste - Onouha - Robinson ................Hall - Scowan ........Wszolek - Freeman - Luongo .................Washington
I do like your defensive midfielding of Hall and Scowen QPAAAARGH Makes the team more defensive minded...but with Robinson coming forward more, and Hall having quite a neat passing range Bidwell also can cross the ball quite nicely....so pinching and modifying other peoples ideas...Hows about this. (No idea how this formation actually works) .....................Smithies ..Wszolek -- Baptiste - Onouha - Robinson...Bidwell ................Hall -Scowan .......Freeman....... Luongo- .................Smith
Smithies Baptiste - Hall - Robinson Wszolek - Freeman - Scowen - Luongo - Bidwell Washington - Sylla For me, this is our best 11 if we are to start with SLF in a three - only possible questions are either Wzsolek or Furlong as the RWB (Wzolek gets the nod as he can play as both RWB and RW) - and Baptiste or Ned as the right sided CB Washington plays on the right of the 2 front men if we are chasing the game one of SLF (e.g. Scowen) to give way and with this 1 change we go to a 442 where Baptiste goes to RB, Bidwell to to LB... Hall & Robinson become our 2 central defenders - we sub on Osayi Samuel to LW and Pawel goes to a natural RW Smithies Baptiste - Hall - Robinson - Bidwell Wszolek - Freeman - Luongo - Osayi Samuel Washington - Sylla Then 2 subs are still available in case of injury or to freshen things up... e.g Smith as a target forward, or Wheeler for Pav to get some fresh legs into the team. Thoughts...?
You just can't start Smith, or any player, who is unable to.perform for the full 90 minutes - a red card and some bad injuries in the first 20 minutes and you'd be carry a hefty piece of deadwood around for the rest of the game. Despite his limitations, of the two bigger CFs, Sylla has to start, with Smith as the 2nd half option - partnered with Washington but I would like to see a bit more of Wheeler. The rest of the team is pretty interchangeable, dependent on Ollies mood, tactics and tombola results.
Only place I can see a goal coming from that formation is LB. But as lightening don't strike twice, I see no goals in that team.
But ... I thought Ollie's tactic book was a scatter-gun approach - this is structured and considered!!!
I like this 4:2:3:1 team very much and think it would work in practice. However, I think I would play a big guy like Sylla upfront.
I'm now hoping their celebrations last through Friday night and they have the mother of all hangovers Saturday. They looked a pretty good team this evening.
I think it says a lot to what we have become used to over the last 12 months . Lots of diff opinions about who will start and differing formations . No one has a clue who 11 will be . We won first game in a while on sat , we should stick with that 11 . If our whole squad ethos that is rammed down our throats is about togetherness then this is surely the only option . But no doubt olly will surprise us all on sat afternoon !
I agree and hope that the changes will be minimal on Saturday. We complain about Ollie's tomobola team selection, yet we are the first to suggest "out-of-box" ideas. I know that this is a fans forum and we all have all have different ideas, and we wish to dissuss them. However, I would be pleased to have some team stability and will not compain if it is the same as last week. ...however, I would recommmend to implement the "lesson learned" and start with Sylla and bring Smith on later.
