If as the general consensus seems to be that we will line up 4-1-4-1, who would you start with and where (if everyone is available) Here is my first attempt. Ruddy Martin Turner Bassong Olsson Tettey Bennett Howson Johnson Redmond Jerome No doubt you guys will have your own ideas.
Unfortunately I think Bassong is wishful thinking, but I appreciate you are saying if he were available For me: Ruddy Martin Turner R Bennett Olsson Johnson Redmond Howson Hoolahan Lafferty Jerome I actually think that, given Hooper and Jerome seem to have developed a decent partnership, Neil will stick to that. If things go awry he then might seek to change to his preferred formation
There has been a suggestion that Hooper could play behind Jerome in a 4-1-4-1 but personally I think that formation would leave us defensively vulnerable.
Ruddy Martin Turner Bennett Olsson Johnson Redmond Howson Hoolahan Jerome Hooper Although I wouldn't be surprised to see a genuine left midfielder join, or a box-to-box midfielder in place of Hoolahan. That front 5 should be a major threat going forwards, although I fear we'd be too exposed defensively.
Ruddy Martin Turner Bennett Olsson Johnson Redmond Howson Tettey Jerome Hooper I don't think we can afford the luxury of Howson AND Hoolahan in the starting 11.
I would prefer Tetty as the holding mid-fielder as Jonno has less discipline to play this position, too attack minded. Basically same team with those two switched.
I take your point and think a lot of people would agree with you. But for me, two of Tettey, Johnson and O'Neil on the pitch at the same time is just much too defensive in a division where we should be taking most teams head on and trying to force the win!
I'd go for; Ruddy Martin Cuellar Bassong Garrido Johnson Redmond Howson Hooper Olsson Jerome In fairness Hooper would be playing as a second striker almost but with deeper lying defensive duties sitting on any deep-lying playmakers and springing forward when we have the ball, his form is coming back and I just couldn't leave him or Jerome out. The left side is the real quandry though. Oneil keeps the ball well enough and is decent, Lafferty provides an outlet and yellow cards, but they as well as the rest of the squad appear round pegs in a square hole. Only the Murphy's maybe other options for me, but I would go for the two most natural left sided players we have (I also think Garrido's delivery is better than most so that would be another big plus), with Whittaker on the bench to cover LB in case of injury. I would rotate Johnson and Tettey. Howson would be easily interchanged with Oneil or Vardis. And Hooper could be interchanged with Vardis or Hoolahoops. Like others, if Neil can get Bassongs mind right I would have him back in the team, but thats a big if! My fear with Ryben is his likelyhood to be injured. What we need is a good settled back four to develop a good understanding. Again though Cuellar has probably been our best CB so far, so when fit he should play (But are him and Bass both left siders? If they are could it work anyway?) There it is, though I won't be entering it into any of the prediction leagues anytime soon. Bah!
Given that Howson is banned, I'd go for: Ruddy Whittaker Martin Turner Olsson Tettey Redmond Hooper Hoolahan Johnson Jerome Johson's goal-scoring this season means he should be playing IMO.
