If we think Adel won't put the work in/cover back (he can't tackle anyway) in a 4 midfield, then the only place for him is playing off Cisse.....but pretty sure Zamora didn't join to be sub. Very tricky. Going forward all hinges on how good Diakite is. If up to scratch as a defensive mid then Adel/ Buz could play centre mid further forward, Barton/ SWP on the right (where Barton was good at Newcastle), Traore on the left, two attackers. Doesn't help v Wolves though, just hope if Derry plays it's for last 20 minutes to protect a 3 goal lead.
Col/73, the one thing you can rely on is that both Cisse and Zamora will play. So will it be 4-4-2, or a 4-2-3-1, with Cisse in the hole behind Zamora, like this: Kenny Onouha Ferdinand Gabbidon Taiwo Barton Derry SWP Cisse Traore Zamora Subs Cerny, Hill, Hall, Buzz, Tarbs, Smith, Mackie
...and drop Young to play Gabbidon? Not for me. Tarbs on the bench though, I agree, and come on in the second half with fresh legs Sentiment and injuries aside, I don't see Mackie as a first team player now. If I had a pound for every time he and SWP ran into traffic and had the ball taken off them, I could afford one of Joey's watches.
SWP has not played well now for quite some time,and I think that it would do no harm to give him and Barton a rest.
Then play Young, move Onouha to the middle, drop Gabbidon to the bench in place of Hall. Same formation, and gives enough cover to allow the front 4 to run at them. All four have strength and pace, and that'll stop them pushing us back. Should also stop the full-backs pushing forwards that much, as Hutton did last night.
worth a try? --------------Kenny-------------- Young---Onuoha---Ferdinand---Taiwo --------------Barton------------- --SWP--------------------Traore-- --------------Taarabt------------ ------Cisse------------Zamora---- Would have fast legs on both sides in midfield, and I think might even get a cross from SWP, if he'd be on right side, instead of always cutting in and losing ball. He's looked much better every time he has played on right side. Taarabt in a free role behind Cisse + Zamora, feeding genius passes to strikers...???
--------------Kenny-------------- Young---Onuoha---Ferdinand---Taiwo --------------Barton------------- --SWP--------------------Traore-- --------------Buz------------ ------Cisse------------Zamora---- Exactly the same as Finn's selction, but, fitness allowing I would replace the jet-lagged Taarabt with the in form Buz. Either way though it's amazing that only two of the starting line-up were in our Championship winning team from last year. So many changes in such a short period of time, aye!
That leaves the defence totally exposed - no holding midfielder (a job Joey's shown time and again that he can't, or won't, do for us). And we absolutely NEED a solid holding midfielder, especially against a side like Wolves, who will be looking to press us back from the off.
Totally agree Willy,so far Barton has shown no aggression in the tackle. He plays like he is wearing a skirt. No offense to QPRBETH. Would like to see Barton showing some bite. Unfortunately Derry is the only player we have who can play that role until Diakite arrives.
I disagree Willy. I think Barton can play the holding role...he certainly hasn't got the ability/skill to be a play-maker imo!! That formation allows us to put Taarabt to full use and I think we all agree that creativity is badly needed!! But if our Joey won't/can't do it....put Derry there till Diakite arrives.
What i do find encouraging is that no-one can really agree, to the extent we have 14/15 decent players to pick a good team from . Personally i don't know myself who i'd pick at present, we need to see some performances. I'm just glad we have a choice now. Happy days.
Yeah, I think I'm right in saying that he played in midfield at Stoke, and they couldn't handle him.. Let's hope for the same on saturday.
As I keep saying, everyone keeps saying Traore is a shoe-in for left midfield. I'm not so sure MH will agree!!
Team should be this against Wolves Paddy SWP, Traore, Barton, Adel, Buzz Cisse, Zamora, HH, Smith, Mackie GOALS GOALS GOALS GOALS GOALS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No need for a defence just ATTACK!!!!! We only need Paddy to take goal kicks, once he has punted the ball up field he needs to sprint up to the Wolves box ready to get on the end of a cross. Who cares if Wolves score? With this line up it would be like defeating the French at Agincourt, missiles firing in from all over the shop. Maybe that is why I never win Football Manager!
Thought I'd mention there's snow forecast on both Saturday and Sunday. -10 in the Midlands tonight. Glad the game was last night