I get the feeling that some people commenting haven't been to the recent games. Simpson has offered a great deal recently I'd be almost stunned if he didn't start on Friday. Last night we were very deep up until Bruce brought him on for Koren. Boyd & Koren were both moving towards the midfield and when we won it there was no presence further up the field. When they actually were in more attacking positions, they both lacked the necessary skills to hold the ball up and allow other players to support the attack. Simpson does this job fairly well with relatively little praise for it. I don't see Gedo being fit to start and Fryatt certainly seems to be lacking match sharpness, which is not a criticism as that is to be expected of someone just back from a long-term injury, but perhaps he shouldn't play unless/until we've sealed promotion. Fathi was great off the ball but ****e with it last night, it's a shame Evans is injured/suspended. Bristol City players having been told they're nearly all for sale (or something similar) still have a lot to play for. We need to get this right but i'm confident we can.
Think we may see a surprise with Fryatt starting if Gedo not fit, to try and get an early goal to settle the nerves of everyone. He made some good moves at wolves even if not fully match fit yet.
The problem with Simmo is that he's not an out & out striker, he's slightly more of a striker than Koren & Boyd. Same with Aluko, they all drop deep & we end up playing a 3-7-0. Still....
Not recently he hasn't, Simpson has been the furthest man forward in each of the last 3/4 games. Simpson does almost everything but score, and even then he was our closest player to doing so last night, when he hit the post.
Yep. Surprised Bruce didn't see it coming to be honest. I think we can forgive him given the grand scheme of things though.
I'd take a gamble, and go with this: ---------Stockdale ----Chester Faye Hobbs Elmo Meyler Fathi Quinn Brady ------------Boyd -------Fryatt/Proschwitz Subs: Jakupovic, Rosey, McShane, Cairney, Gedo, Simpson, Fryatt/Proschwitz
I think he planned to get us playing intricate passing football, keeping possession as long as possible and hopefully get the wolves fans to turn on their team quite early, it's certainly what it looked like, and he probably thought koren and Boyd would be more likely to make something from nothing high up the pitch. We were definitely set out to play in a different way to normal, it was slow and organised rather than direct like usual.
I hope Brucie changes the formation. Chester and Hobbs prefer 442 and when we have changed shape in the past this season we've looked good; it also allows us opportunity to rest a few players. .........................Stockdale .......................... Rosey............Chester....... Hobbs ..........Fathi Elmo..............Meyler .........Quinn..........Brady ...................................Boyd....................... .......................Gedo................................... Subs: Jako, McShane, Faye, Cairney, Simmo, Fryatt
That looks to be our strongest starting line-up. Then we have Prossy, Gedo and Fryatt on the bench to bring on for final 20 minutes if needed.
The thing with Simpson is air shots. I've been defending his shooting all season because earlier on in the season when he was getting more space he finished some chances beautifully, but since then he's stopped getting into the goalscoring positions and when a chance comes up he seems to just completely miss the ball half the time. I thought this was bad luck at first but there was another one on Tuesday. Keep your eye on the ball Jay! I agree with your defence of his overall game.
I wouldn't drop Faye, unless he lost a limb, Even then it would have to be a leg. And if it was his left leg, I'd still consider playing him.
Drop Elmo he hasn't had a good game for weeks!! Chester Faye Hobbs Rosie Meyler Fahti Quinn Brady Boyd Simpson
No way will Fryatt be starting a game anytime soon. No need for such nonsense. IMO, the team to get the Win we need should be this one :- Stockdale Chester Faye Hobbs(c) Elmohamady Meyler Fathi Quinn Brady Boyd Proschwitz subs:- Jakupovic - Rosenoir - Koren(if fit) - Cairney - Fryatt - Simpson - Gedo(if fit) with Dawson and McShane on standby. This could well be the game for Nick P. to shine. Time for some german efficiency. imo
