Personally, I'd go for the same starting line-up as v the Everton game. Continuity breeds confidence, and the starting eleven on Saturday was a marked improvement of late. We had a well balanced team that performed well and were very unlucky not to get the win. I know we keep saying SWP needs a goal to regain his confidence but he is a great player who works his socks off for the team. But castigating him will do no-good. We need to embrace and support him as he has our best interest at heart. SWP loves playing football and once he breaks through we will have a real gem on our hands. I know the easy option is to start with Cisse, but this will send out the wrong message IMO. He dosen't deserve to just walk back in this side. Leave him chomping at the bit to get on and prove the manager wrong. If it goes wrong from the off, change it then. But I would trust this starting eleven to lay the foundations for a Rangers victory. As for playing Diakite, the lads not up to premiership speed. He would be OK if we were in mid-table mediocrity. No use in a relegation scrap. You need your Derry's and Hill's for that. Oh, and mark my words.... Adel will bang a brace on Saturday.
I actually waited for 45 minutes yesterday for a train from Herne Hill,and then they announced that the bastard was cancelled due to a faulty point at Tulse Hill.I hope this isn't an omen concerning Adel!
Tough calls to be made this weekend for MH. One one hand 999s post makes good sense. The team played well last weekend and slowly looks to be getting stronger. Why change it and prehaps create unnecessary problems. On the other hand Young has been consistent for us this season and it would be tough to leave him on the bench. Onouha and Ferdy are probably our strongest CB pairing on paper, but Hill has been outstanding in recent games. Derry has blown very hot and cold this season but his performance last week was excellent, while the young Diakite is a promising DCM eager to establish himself in the team. Cisse is deffo our most experienced forward, yet he was stupid getting a needless red card and costing us valuable points. SWP and Barton have underperformed consistently but seem untouchable. Tough decisions for MH this week. it's actually great to see our manager have genuine options for a change. I think most of us would prob pick a different starting 11 and different formation. Let's hope MH earns his money and gets it right. IMHO no matter what team he picks for Sat there will be some players disappointed and some of us fans scratching our heads.
I agree Nines in principle but 2 changes shouldn't hurt. Cisse for SWP, the train ain't coming mate, and Cerny for Kenny. The risk is I guess that Cisse is probably not as good defensively as SWP, but think we need his goal scoring abilities.
We need to put the team first...not big names and prestigious careers...and on that basis...SWP doesn't deserve a spot in the starting 11. I'd give Diakate a spot on the bench...hoping beyond all hope that we get a chance at 2 or 3 up to bring him on and give him some time without much pressure.
Diakiti is an experienced international footballer and should not be treated with kid gloves. He should have learnt his lesson from his nightmare debut and should play - I saw more than enough in the 30 minutes he was on the pitch to know that he provides a much more positive option that Barton or Derry. If MH feels he can't be trusted to play a sensible game then he should be packed back off to Nancy at the earliest opportunity. And given our dearth of goals its hard to believe that Cisse would not be the first name on the team sheet. Remember that these players were specifically brought in to save our Premiership status not warm the bench.
I would put Young, Diakite, Mackie and Cisse in for Hill, Derry, SWP and Buzsaky. Cisse is a definite starter and because of that I think you have to drop Buzsaky and Derry. Need Diakite as he is far more mobile and he is good at carrying the ball. Mackie or even Smith in for SWP is a personal preference but MH seems to have blind faith in him which is not backed up by his performances for us. I would put Young in for Hill now and move Onouha across because that is our best back four. While Hill did well last week against stracqualursi i would be less confident in future games against RVP, Suarez, Aguero, Rooney and Adebayor. Therefore we need to get best back four playing together now. However I am not saying that we will keep clean sheets agaisnt these sides only saing that we will be slightly better placed and any slight improvement is good enough for me
The Everton performance was a distinct improvement, but hardly earth shattering. Cisse has to play. I would put Diakite in for Derry (I must be the only person in the stadium who thought he was our weakest link last weekend, saved on numerous occasions by Barton and Hill), with the option to change it if not working. Personally I would play Taiwo and Traore on the left dropping SWP, but don't think this will happen. In any sane world Ant and Ned in the centre of defence, Young back on the right. But Hill was very good last week and adds character. Again, if it's not working we have at last the option of changing it without the alternative being very dodgy.
Id keep the defence the same but drop SWP for Cisse and go with derry, barton, buz in the midfield, adel just in front and then cisse and zamora up front. And then if cisse looks in danger of getting sent off again or derry, barton or buz is playing ****e then bring on mackie and diakite
Cisse looked good with Zamora up front so would definitely start with them. Diakite looks impressive but to start him may be a gamble too far, but he must play some part in the game to get him acclimatised to the Prem and then I think we will have a gem. So Derry for 60 mins and Diakite for 30 seems to me sensible for both players. Didn't see the Everton game but how was Paddy, do we need to play Cerny? Ferdinand and Hill as CBs Onouha and Taiwo as FBs, Young available if needed. Traore left Midfield and Tarbs right.
Think I'm the only one that would drop Ferdinand and start with Young Onuoha Hill Traore. Just don't trust Anton at the moment, I get that ''Fitz Hall'' feeling whenever the ball goes near him and he can't seem to win a header for love nor money. Midfield of SWP Barton Diakite Taarabt with Cisse and Zamora up front. Oh and Cerny in goal, but that won't happen.
Totally agree. Hill must keep his place on performances alone and SWP not quite doing it for some reason. Barton worries me with his passing errors but does cover a lot of ground and redeems himself occasionally, and I believe a bit of continuity is the key to success.
I think we got Cisse for one reason only...that was to score goals.... I would be VERY suprised if he didnt start. It doesnt send out the wrong message because everyone knows we cant score and we've just been waiting for him to come back. dont really care what he does with Adel or SWP or Derry. Not sure we need any of them, but just to contradict myself..i suppose Adel CAN BE a creative force against the lower table teams. I think all the new boys will start otherwise MH wouldnt have got them in.
