Ince scored 30 goals in 100 games at Blackpool playing in the hole behind the two strikers, similar to Korens (or Alukos) role with us, and it worked for Blackpool who were prolific scorers at the time. I'm sure thats how Bruce sees his role with us....not out on the wing where we already have Elmo and Snodgrass and Brady. Ince has the pace and the scoring ability to open up things through the middle for our strikers as he did at Blackpool in a 3-4-1-2.
As it stands with who we have on board or are reportedly close: -----------------Mac Rosie-Davies-Chester-Robertson ---------Thudd------Livermore ----Snodgers----Aluko----Ince -----------------Long
I have no idea how we will line up with the players that we have brought in. The options just seem so un Hull like. I am not used to us having a selection problem.
For those who don't think Elmo will be in the team then I say that is incredibly unlikely. Elmo played more games than anyone else for Hull City last year and and was one of Bruce's most reliable player with one of the highest rates of crosses in the league.
He played so many games as SB was playing him out on the wing in a 5 man midfield. If we play that 3-5-2 next season do you really think he'll drop £7m new acquisition Snodgers to continue the Elmo love-in? His only chance of games is as a right back and personally, Rosie is head and shoulders in that role.
I agree, if we play 442 then I think Rossy will be a right back, if we play 352 then Snodgrass or Ince will probably be on the right as wing backs. It will be interesting to see if Brady gets back to his best on the left, if not then either Snodgrass or Ince could also play there.
I can't see Snodgrass playing as a wing-back. He's more like Aluko in terms of position. I reckon he'd play on the right in a 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1, but I can't see him fitting into a 3-5-2. In fact, with the players we've brought in I don't think we'll suit a 3-5-2 any more. That formation worked for us becaue we had a lack of wingers, full backs and attacking midfielders, but bountiful centre halves and holding midfielders as well as two good strikers. It fit everyone in at the time. But it wno't fit Ince and Snodgrass in as well as the better ones of the existing players we've got.
McGregor Rosenior - Chester - Davies - Figueroa Snodgrass - Huddlestone - Livermore - Brady Aluko - Long or: McGregor Chester - Dawson - Davies Elmo - Livermore - Huddlestone - Meyler - Brady Aluko - Long Figueroa only included because a deal for a new left back does not look close at the moment. I like the Chester & Davies partnership and think Dawson should prove that he deserves to be in the starting 11. He probably will prove it mind.
I am going for either: 4-2-3-1 Mcgregor Elmo, davis, dawson, new lb Huddlestone, livermore Ince (free role) or aluko Snodgrass rwf, long lwf Jelavic Sub Jac, rosie, chester, meyler, aluko, brady, sagbo Or 3-5-2 Mcgregor Chester, davis, dawson Elmo, hudd, snod, livermore, brady or ince Jelavic, long Sub Jac, rosie, bruce, meyler, ince, aluko, sagbo There is no chance that davis, dawson, livermore, hudd, long, snod or jelavic wont play wjen fit given what we spent on them Ja
I don't think Ince or snodgrass will ever be used as wing backs. I think we'll be playing 442 primarily next year and maybe 451 with one of longavic dropping out to make room for meyler or another attacking mid
that was always the received wisdom on here but Brucey consistently picked Elmo over Rosey. We all know Rosey is the better defender but Brucey has seemed willing to risk it for the attacking threat. Elmo overlapping Snodgers more likely
Well on the contrary Ince scored the lions share of his 30 goals for Blackpool cutting in off the right wing in a 4-5-1, so, yeah. Dunno which Blackpool team or Tom Ince you've been watching but it ain't the same one we've got.
--------------McGregor-------------- Rosie--Davies--Chester--Robertson ---------Thudd------Livermore------- -Snodgers----Ince------Elmohamady -----------------Long-------------------
Well I'm sure your recollection is more accurate than mine since you probably saw a lot more Blackpool games than me when Ince was there. However my point is in reference to your initial criticism that while Elmo and Brady/Snodgrass are far more likely to be used in WB roles because of their defensive qualities, Bruce I'm sure sees Ince with his goalscoring record as providing what we were missing last year...namely a midfielder who can provide that extra quality to our attack. Pulis hardly used him at Palace except as a late sub in some games (he only started 1-2 games in four months) because he (Pulis) was focused on a tight defence which is not Inces strength. So I'd see Ince either as an attacking MF in a 3-5-2 with any two from Long/Jelavic/Aluko up front, or as the in-the-hole player a la Koren in a 3-4-1-2. So I'll amend my hoped for XI to McGregor Chester Dawson Davies Elmo Livermore Thudd Snodgrass or Brady Ince Jelavic Long
--------------McGregor-------------- Elmo--Davies--Chester--Rosenior/new LB ----Huddlestone-----Livermore------ --Snodgrass----Ince--------Long----- -------------------Jelavić---------------
