We almost have a full squad to choose from for next week. It will be the first time in quite a while. What with Cisse, Diakite, Young and Helguson ( Remember him? ) all coming back as well as the mighty Fitz-Hall. Following numerous suspensions, injury and the dreaded African Cup of Nations, Mark Hughes has a welcome headache as in regards to team selection for the crucial game v Bolton next Saturday. The question is ? After the much improved performance against Everton, where everyone played well (imo.) Who do you drop ( If any? ) Play the same starting eleven? What system/formation? Your the manager, what would you do?
I think the only change I'd make would be to drop Buzz for Cisse. It's a bit harsh on Buzz, but Cisse gives much more of a goal threat. Diakate (sp) looked a little too eager in the tackle for my liking. Might be worth playing him from the start, nd then bring on Derry as soon as he gets his first yellow card though - which is what we should have done last week, IMO.
I'd be tempted to keep that defence together just so they can get used to each other! Cisse a definate starter surely he's gonna pull Bolton apart with that pace? Give Diakite another go from the start and like Houston says have Derry on the bench just in case.
What a great problem to have. It seems that the Spring has brought buds of hope to QPR as well as the trees. Cisse for sure. Real pity about Buzz and 'miss horribilis'. Suspect the "mighty" (??) Fitz will indeed feature shoring up the defence when we need to secure the point(s).
Cisse a 'no brainer' for Saturday; he will be bad news for Bolton; and if he's not scoring, he will be drawing defenders to give space for Tarrabt and Zamora. Surely we will start to convert these mounting goal attempts soon. I think the decisions to be made are around the back four. If Young is fit, does he drop back in and Onuoha partner Ferdinand? Meaning Hill drops back to the bench, that would be tough on him.
I would bring in Cisse for Tarbs. Adel just don't perform away from home in the prem. Buz's free kicks could be vital so he should continue. Normally I would have Young in for Hill but that would be harsh after yesterdays performance. So for me, only Cisse in.
It is quite difficult isn't it? But it's a nice problem to have I suppose. I'd go for this (Not what I think MH will do though): -----------------------Cerny---------------------- Anouha---------Ferdinand-------Hill----------Taiwo ----------------Barton------Diakite---------------- Cisse----------------Taarabt----------------Traore -----------------------Zamora--------------------
Not so sure about this Col. Think it would be smashing at home but very vunerable away. The Bolton game is massive. Funny enough i think it's a must win game for Bolton while an away draw at the Reebok would be a solid result for us. We need to keep it very tight especially in the first half which we have started slow so often this year. I think the team you have put down above would be good at home or if we were chasing a goal, but for me it's too dangerous away from home in a game we need a point out of. Just my thoughts!
Fair enough mate, we all see it differently. I agree that Bolton will come at us, which is why I'd go for 4-2-3-1 which is far from vulnerable, having 2 holding midfielders and 5 across the middle. This formation would enable us to bring Bolton on to us and then hit them on the break with pace. 4-4-2 is far more vulnerable imo. For what it's worth, I think MH will play 4-1-3-2 with Cisse and Zamora up front....that's more vulnerable imo but could get enough goals against Bolton, whose defence looked shocking yesterday!!
All fair points Col, i suppose it depends on what MH wants to achieve. We actually look like we carry a real threat. Be very interesting to see who he plays next game with everyone available. That might give some indication as to who he rates and who he does not.
I think keeping the defense as is, is a good shout Dave! I been critical of Anton and though I'm not convinced yet, he seemed a bit better yesterday, perhaps it's easier for him to play support behind a big strong guy like Clint, rather than playing that role himself with Gabbi or Onouha mopping up. Traore looked a much better LB than Taiwo. And definitely stick with 4-2-3-1, it better protects our porous defense and gives more fluidity and flexibility going forward. I'd make only one outfield change for Bolton, Cisse in for SWP (or possibly Buz). -------------------Cerny------------------ Onouha-----Ferdinand-------Hill--------Traore -------------Barton-----Derry--------------- -------Cisse------..Buz------Adel------------ ------------------Zamora------------------ Diakite could start instead of Derry, but it maybe better to leave the start team as much as Everton as possible, and bring on Diakite when Derry starts slowing down (more!)
Cisse has been on Twitter again promising us goals to make up for his sending off. Really cant wait for Saturday, for the first time in ages I genuinely feel we can win convincingly. Team selection should be interesting especially as the likely candidates to miss out i.e. Buz, Derry, Hill all played very well indeed against Everton.
Totally agree with this. In fact, I don't want to sound like a wannabe Mystic Meg here, but within the first 10 minutes of the Fulham game I actually said to the bloke next to me "Diakite looks totally flustered by the pace of the Premiership and way over pumped-up. He's heading for a red card before halftime". But I'd probably deal with this by starting with Derry and maybe then bring on Diakite with 20 mins to go.
Id go with, (if not fit) --------------------------Kenny--------------------- --Young (Onuoha)--Ferdinand--Hill--Onuoha (Taiwo)-- --------------------------Derry---------------------- -------------Buzsaky------------Traore-------------- -------------------------Taarabt-------------------- -----------------Cisse ------------Zamora----------- And bring on Diakite with 30 to go to shore up the defence
