Barton and Guthrie against Wolves?

Nolan without Tiote = Very average in terms of CM play(tackling, technical ability, pace, slow reactions, passing is questionable and creativity is near non-existent).

IMO Nolan NEEDS a DM like Tiote to pick up his **** and let him roam forward and have more freedom otherwise as we saw in the Fulham game when he partnered Guthrie he was ineffective because he didn't have that defensive protection so he had to cover more defensively and his attacking play was very limited.

So my idea/opinion was to put in two similar box-to-box CM's like Barton and Guthrie playing against a Wolves team which usually lines up 451/4411 and I fear if Nolan partners Barton he might not be effective enough and just be a passenger(as shown today even when he had the protection of Tiote). Barton and Guthrie have good stamina, both hard-workers, can defend, much quicker than Nolan, passing is mostly very good, composure and technically there much better than Nolan.

What do you reckon? IMO this would be a good option and then we'll have someone like Ireland possibly on the bench..

I'm saying this of course if we decide to play a 442 were Nolan really isn't that effective without Tiote, if we decide to play 5 in the middle then maybe push Nolan further to help out Best?

What do you think? A Barton and Guthrie partnership I'll love to see, many fans on here were saying that this was our best CM partnership back at the start of the season but I guess I was wrong! Both so gifted in terms of passing and creativity! Obviously one(Barton) more gifted than the other(Guthrie).

 

I reckon midfield four of

Barton Guthrie Ireland Jonas

That was Guthrie can do the barton role in the centre and Ireland can play the AM role that Nolan's been doing. However, all of their fitness' are questionable, so may not be effective :\
If you played that who would you play on the right?

 

Assuming a 442 midfield my one would be

Guti Guthrie Barton Ferguson

I like the looks of your one though.

 

Yeah, if Ireland wasn't fit I'd play that too, but with Enrique likely to be out, that leaves the LB spot open if Ferguson was to play LM.
I do agree that Ferguson LM, Gutierrez RM would be lethal though, would finally make us dangerous down both wings..

 

My team for Wolves would be:

Harper
Simmo---Willo---Colo---Enrique*
Jonas---Ireland*---Barton---Fergie
Nolan
Best*​

*Obviously depending on fitness. I think we need to boss the midfield and without Tiote I can only see that happening with a 5 man midfield. Dont really think Guthrie is any better than Nolan; and Nolan gives you goals and is a leader.

 

I think we should play young Ferguson on the left, and put Jonas on the right. Barton and Guthrie in CM

 

Agree but again, who would go LB assuming Jose isn't fit?

 

Well, if Jose isn't fit i'd stick Ferguson LB, but if Jose is fit, i'd put Ferguson there.

 

so if Jose's fit

Simmo Willo Colo Jose
Jonas Guth Barton Fergie

If he's not....
Simmo Willo Colo Fergie
Barton Nolan Guthrie Jonas ? Don't see who else you can put at RM in that situation and that CM parntership is god awful IMO...

 

My lineup (I don't think Enrique's going to be risked)

Harpo
Simmo Colo Willo Fergo
Barto Guthro nolo jono
besto lovo

I'm hoping and praying Best is back for the Wolves match. I can't stand Ameobi

If not I'd love to see Kuqi get a full 90 and batter the Wolves backline.

The way Barton plays on the right side of midfield is sensational. He covers that entire side of the midfield well and doesn't overextend himself (Simpson is usually the one bombing up the line)

If Guthrie has an on-game and plays comfortably and with confidence I think we'll take Wolves apart. ESPECIALLY if Enrique and Best are back. I think a lineup with Guthrie instead of Tiote has the potential to be more effective at St. James Park if Guthrie has an on-day (His only other ones this season came against Sunderland at the SOL and against Tottenham at the Sports direct stadium)

 

Think we're being optimistic here, we all know Nolan wont ever be dropped realistically will he (unless in terminally bad form)? But then again he and Guthrie didnt do too badly when Tiote was out to be honest.

Assuming Jose's out, then I can see a midfield 5 of: Barton Ireland Nolan Guthrie Jonas

Ferguson at LB. But whether or not Jose is fit, I want to see Fergie get a start.

 

Smudger.. the only problem there is that Best might get too isolated! I like the looks of that midfield though, with Barton, Guthrie and Ireland we have three creative midfielders who can pass and are technically quite good and then we have the goalscoring threat that Nolan is. But who would be the holding midfielder?

 

Ranger is the only other striker with any presence and effect on the game, but he never starts. When Lover or Shola partner Best we might as well have out out 10 men. Until we sign better strikers its 4-5-1 IMO. Dont understand why Ranger's attitude stops him from starting, OK he's a bit of a dick but nearly all footballers are, I bet he'd fit in great with the England team.

Anyway, with the 5 man midfield, there would be no DM, or AM, just 3 box to box midfielders, who between them have enough about them defensively to cope without Tiote. Also Barton cuts in a lot from the side and covers, so I wouldnt be worried defensively if we named that team

 

Mmm.. yeah very good point. So would you have Best starting(if fit) against Wolves?

 

Definitely, he's one of only two real goal threats we have in the team so he has to start if fit IMO. Just a shame Shola/Lover will partner him instead of Rangr/no one.

We have such a good midfield but only one decent striker so 4-5-1 makes sense to me, a lot of us say that would be the most effective when Ben Arfa is fit, so why not play it now. See if we can get the best out of Ireland as well, he'd be an excellent buy if on form.

 

Agree with Best, who would've thought we would be missing him so much against Stoke eh?

Sadly, I see Pardew sticking with the Lover-Best partnership(hope I'm wrong). Lover's good in the Championship but seems to be quite ineffective/inconsistent many times at this level. What do you reckon Smudger?

 

I dont think Lover's as bad as made out, but any idiot could tell you he would have next to no effect on Stoke's defence. He has a bit of pace and intelligence so I think he'd be better coming off the bench against tired, inexperienced defences he will get the better of late in a game, because of his age if he starts he has no advantage over the opposing defence in terms of fitness, but as a sub he would.

I just hope Nolan isnt up front, he scores goals so people just think to put him up front but then he disappears because he doesnt have the pace or any of the attributes to play there (except goalscoring).

 

I think we should probably manage Newcastle, guys