From yesterday: "I think he’s alright," Johnson said. "He just felt a little bit of tightness in his hamstring. You're going to get a few those, Lynden Gooch had it last week. We’ll see how he is."
Was one of the best performances but hardly our strongest team. Macfadzean in the strongest team? hahahahahaha Given Willis is injured..... Burge Connor Mac, Wright, Sanderson, Hume Leadbitter or Power Onien Scowen Jones Wyke Geads Depends on the opposition for Power or Leadbitter if they sit deep, grant to break them down
keep the team and the tempo we saw v pompey. No sentiment for returning players (obviously we replace Dion) but least disruption possible, there'll be plenty of chances for everyone in the run-in, we just need every man focused from here onwards.
The least amount of changes and disruption the better. Flanno in for Sanderson and I have a sneaky suspicion Leadbitter will come in for Winchester. Either way, I'm confident we will win. 3-1 imo, when rtb starts the thread.
The other night we played with a quick tempo, and looked much better for it. For that reason, i would go with that team as much as possible between now and the end of the season. Sanderson and O'Nien look a phenomenal partnership at the back and Winchester and Scowen look a good mobile central midfield pairing. The only change I would make is bringing Hume in when he is fully fit.
Injury free: Burge McLaughlin Sanderson Wright Hume Leadbitter Scowen Jones O'Brien Wyke McGeady Harsh on O'Nien and Power. Maybe O'Nien could play as a No.10 instead of O'Brien
For me, Bailey wright and Jordan Willis are our best CB pairing. I’m not totally convinced Sanderson is the full package yet. Nearly cost us a couple of goals on Saturday, and lost a lot of headers. I have seen good qualities in him, he’s very decent on the ball for one. Hume is also our best LB at the club. Onein should be in midfield when possible, with scowen, leadbitter or Winchester alongside. I thought Winchester was good against Pompey and deserves to keep his place. Jones and mcgeady speak for themselves currently, along with wyke.
I'm not sure we should play Leadbitter v Tranmere. I've dislocated my shoulder before and it's not the quick fix that seems to have happened here. O'Nien was out for weeks when he did his, yet Leadbitters come straight back in with 'heavy strapping'. well they strapped mine up after it popped back in, but it was bloody painful, sore and tender for a good six weeks, no way would I have risked falling on it, or contact like he'll get in a game. we know Tranmere are a physical side, and I'm just not convinced he'll be ready for it. With others back in contention now I'd leave Leadbitter out , can't risk carrying passengers in a cup final.
It's now up to players to force their way into the team. Obviously Sanderson and Winchester will miss the weekend game. Good to see real competition for places.
Far worse than harsh. He is first name on any team sheet fir me. Motm almost every game he’s played and you drop him! He’d play ahead of leadbitter fir me. Far more mobile and much tougher to beat
Totally different player though, the role Leadbitter plays allows people like O'Nien tio be the attacking player he is
How can you drop him though? He’s been our best player since he came back. Even on Leads role he’d be a better fit as he’s better in the tackle and in the air and he’s quicker. The only thing Leadbitter does better is vision. He can see the passes quicker. Also onien is a better rb than Connor McLaughlin. We can’t drop one of our best players. You just have to find a place for him
Honestly think the return of Hume and Wright could be the key to us getting automatics. Get Wright in at CB with Sanderson, and return to Hume and O’Nien as our full backs. Charlie Wyke has turned into an unbelievably prolific striker who seems to score every time the ball comes into the box. Almost all the crosses into him resulting in goals have come from McGeady and Jones, which is fine. But before our defensive injury crisis, most of our dangerous balls in the box came from Hume and O’Nien in wide full back positions high up the pitch. Having those two, plus Jones and McGeady, in wide areas delivering the balls into Wyke should increase his goal scoring output even more. With those two far more attacking minded and mobile full backs on the pitch we will create even more chances than we are now, and allow McGeady and Jones to get closer to the goal with the full backs helping with crosses.