That's the reason why I'm wondering if it might be a formation change. Because otherwise, yeah, Bree in to play at RB would have been the more obvious selection. But then again, as with Jones and Selles, Martin and obvious selection don't seem to go together.
New manager, same team selection tombola. At least this one doesn’t look like it will get absolutely steam rollered like Tuesdays. But will it be creative enough?
Downes and Smallbone can both play a good through ball. So can KWP. I agree he’s decent with a shot from outside the box but he looks for it far too often and just shooting from range isn’t really a reason to pick someone if it’s to the detriment of what the rest of the team is trying to do/being told to do.
Thing is, fans might give Martin more leeway if he named teams using an ounce of common sense. And while this is a step in the right direction, it still leaves him wide open to the fans anger if we don't win. Charly should be ripping up this league, not sat on the bench.
I suspect that he picks players more on their character rather than their ability, he mentioned Holgate and AA by name in his presser as leaders in the squad. At least he has dropped Manning because of his poor form. Shea at DM at last too so it's a step in the right direction and he's not going to please everyone, Bree must be wondering why he is still here though.
A better team selection in my opinion. Midfield should be more solid, and Manning needed dropping. Edozie in for A Armstrong would be the obvious change. I like the thought of S Armstrong or Alcaraz in for Smallbone, but I also think that with our form and mentality we need to shore up in midfield, and that’s what three CMs should do.
Agree with you. I did get the impression from the lineup that he’s gone with people who will work hard and help each other out. I like Edozie but he’s raw and it’s noticeable that KWP/Manning have a tougher time when he is playing in front of them compared to Fraser or Stu, for example.
Charly was our best player second half of last season, in the Prem. Now all of a sudden he isn't good enough for the Championship? Make it make sense. Smallbone I really want to do well, but it's like watching in slow motion when he's on the ball.
It’s ****ing infuriating. Whats wrong with playing square pegs in square holes? I don’t really mind some changes on the wings & attacking areas to mix it up. But in the spine of the team, you need to be picking the same players and letting them gel and form a cohesive unit. Hopefully it’s a back 4 today with holgate on the right instead of a back 3 and he’s found a solid spine.
We were **** last season and we’re still **** this season, but Charly had JWP and Lavia propping up the midfield behind him before and now he doesn’t.
Well I was expecting a surprise with the line up but not sure what to make of this. I'm really hoping it's Holgate at right back and Charles is the DM, as opposed to playing a back 3 in which case we are probably f***ed!
I think there's also just an element of me hoping that it's back three. It probably is something akin to 4-2-3-1. But Holgate at RB, Smallbone at RW, and Adam in the hole, would all be such significant downgrades on what we could play there, that I think I'm hoping it's not that.
Apparently they have a couple of injuries at full back. Had a RB playing on the left last game. Usually I like to see us go through the middle, but at least today we should get some joy down the sides.
I’m okay personally with our most creative player not being so rigid positionally and having the freedom to play his game. Doesn’t work perhaps without a proper midfield behind him, but in theory with Charles and Downes behind him it’d be fine. Maybe you start more conservatively against the better teams in the league but I think that one of Charly or Stu should be starting in that AM position.
He doesn't need JWP and Lavia behind him away to bottom place in the Championship. He just needs to get used to the rough and ready pace of Championship football. Can't do that on the bench.
