Is it some really tough decisions today or is it easy fro Steve Bruce? PIcking Dawson not only drops a CB playing well but takes the captaincy off Jake and he's excelled in that job. If he drops Davies he has to shunt Harry to left CB, so its two moves. If he drops Harry, he risks destroying a young lads confidence. Who'd be a manager!! Well me actually I'd **** Chelsea right up and get a huge pay off after 3 months... My team Mcgregor Odubajo Maguire Davies Robertson Snodgrass Meyler Livermore Clucas Diame Hernandez Diame dropping back and snuffing Barton out was crucial last time. Meyler in for me to handle the extra physicality. Haydens done ok but its been a weak Brighton, a piss poor Charlton and a weak Bury team. Its a day for big hearts and players who get stuck in. Its hard to even make the bench now!!! I'm going 2-0 to us.
Massive game ...a draw wouldnt be the end of the world , but im confident we can take all 3 and keep the presure on the 3rd place teams to perform every week
I think he will go for Dawson and Davis, and may well go with Meyler in for Hayden as it's Burnley as we need to win the midfield battle. Whichever team he goes with any win will do, or at least a point would be OK.
I will be surprised if a fit and ready Dawson does not start as captain; Jake is a Pro and knows he is the understudy to a more experienced man, probably relishing the unexpected opportunity he has made the most of - his day will come for fuller recognition. I think Meyler is a good call.
Dawson in for me. Not a clue who he drops. He's the manager, he knows who is fittest and will fit in bestest too. Yes, I trust him. Akpom and Abel starting together as well. I'd give Powell 20 mins or so at the end too. They're a tough team, so I'm going for a regulation 0-3 this week.
Looks good to me, apart from the fact I think Dawson should start I wouldn't have an issue with which CB he came in for, which is a great sign
Dawson and Davies at the back for me - I'd put Maguire in midfield for Meylor/Hayden, both give the ball away too much
Tough decisions today. Based on form it doesn't seem right to change a winning team. Dawson for me has to play, and I'd be pairing him with Maguire - who has easily looked the best centre half in Dawson's absence. I would have been really tempted to even consider a 5-3-2/3-5-2. As we know it works well, we have players that can play it well and Burnley won't be expecting anything other than 4-4-2. These slight changes are sometimes changes that can give you the edge. City by one or two.
Meyler in, just for the extra bite in midfield, and I would keep Diame/Hernandez up front- they seem our most effective combination, and Diame can also provide the extra man in midfield. I would personally go Davies/Maguire at the back- neither have done anything to warrant being dropped. Snodgrass and Diame to score, and Davies to bag his one for the season in a 3-2 win.....well, it would make a change against those gits.
What's the state of their pitch like. Is there any danger of it being called off? It's pissing it down all day in Burnley and from what I saw on TV of Wigans pitch last night its possible.
Gray and Vokes are working well together and I am sure the tactics will be to try and negate the effect they have on the game. George Boyd will be doing his best to stick his middle finger up at the crowd. It will be a terrific result for us if we can nick this but I think Burnley, at home, will take the 3 points. (Hope I'm wrong of course.)
Don't the PL clubs have to have very good drainage? You certainly don't get many PL games off due to waterlogged pitches
Don't think Burnley played more than 2 games at home all Jan! So the pitch with its open corners, which allows it to dry! Should be fine?
I assume that's a wind-up! Our squad is full of excellent midfield players - why on earth would we put a Centre Half in there?
