⢠French striker poised to return after four-match ban ⢠Hodgson says Albion's league prospects depend on investmen Contrary to what might have been expected, given that this was a victory which in effect confirmed West Bromwich Albion's Premier League status for a third consecutive season and put a considerable question mark over Queens Park Rangers' chances of staying up, there was a distinct note of envy in Roy Hodgson's voice when the Baggies manager talked about his beaten opponents after this game. In a position to address Albion's prospects for next season, Hodgson pointed out that they depended to some extent on what the club were prepared to "invest". And QPR, he said, were a case in point. "They are a better team compared to when we played them at Loftus Road in December," he said. "There is a shift of quality when you bring in players like Bobby Zamora, Samba Diakité and Nedum Onuoha, and it was harder for us today." Hodgson did not mention the suspended Djibril Cissé but it was hard not to believe this was a match in which the French striker's presence would have made a considerable difference to Mark Hughes's side. Rangers had plenty of possession but, with the often infuriatingly lackadaisical Zamora as their sole target man for much of the game, lacked a consistent threat in the Baggies' penalty area. On the rare occasions Zamora did get a shot away and on target, the Baggies' goalkeeper Ben Foster saved competently, while none of Rangers' midfielders came close to matching the power and accuracy with which Graham Dorrans beat Paddy Kenny from 25 yards halfway through the opening period. Hughes's irritation with his players' inability to raise their game to the level they have been achieving at home in recent matches was increased as this was a fixture he readily acknowledged had been targeted as one where they could improve on a record of having taken only two points from their previous 10 away games. Whether Cissé, whose four‑match ban is now complete, would have been able to lift them out of their collective malaise Hughes doubted, but given how Albion faded and sat back in the second period, the game was crying out for an individual to make an impact. In Rangers' four remaining fixtures they play Tottenham Hotspur at home, Chelsea away and Stoke City at home before travelling to Manchester City on the final day of the season. "You wouldn't have had Wigan down for a win [against Manchester United] in midweek, and I'm sure they wouldn't have had us down for a win against Arsenal, Liverpool and possibly Swansea as well," said Hughes. "But you can drive yourself nuts if you look at it too much, you are better off just focusing on the game that you have coming up and that's what we'll do. It's going to change, fluctuate and swing one way and the other. We've just got to make sure that it swings our way." Making sure Cissé, who has scored three goals but been sent off twice in the five Premier League games he has played for Rangers, stays on the pitch in those four last matches will help. "If we can bring him back I think we will see a lot from him, he has been frustrated from not playing and has a lot to give to the side," said Onuoha" Guardian
Can MH take the risk of starting with Cisse, or should he bench him and bring him on 2nd half? To lose him by red card in any of our remaining games would be handing the points and our survival over. Big call this one!!
I would start him. Without him, fewer goals and we're down. If red carded, fewer goals and we're no worse off ie down. No brainer for me.
looking up the spuds two centre backs yesterday they looked a bit slow & thats where cisse can come good, yes play him
Situation we are in we have to take the risk - we need his goal scoring ability! But I'm afraid that cautious MH may not risk him, and put him on the bench.
Defo starter for me ,however he have to earn my forgiveness and for that he literally have to score us to safe. Zamora is not up to that and cant put all in for Mackie.
MH have to play him. We need to make our own luck now and have to give it a real go with an attacking intent from the off. Especially in our home games. But I'd like us to start two up front away to Chelsea as well, last game against City will depend on the circumstances, if we are three points clear by that game then goal difference will be key and a more cautious approach required. We can't give Spurs any breathing space from the off, they are vulnerable now and need to be got at. If we stay back like we played Arsenal and Swansea they're confidence will grow and make our task more difficult.
Cisse will definitely start, but unfortunately it'll probably be in a 4-4-2 which will see us get over run by Spurs' superior midfield. I'd much prefer us to start with the 4-5-1 (4-2-3-1 - whatever) which will give us a chance to stay in the game and bring on Cisse for the last half hour to try and grab a winner. We looked good against Arsenal/Swansea with this formation and it'll be the best bet to stifle Spurs as the game will have a similar pattern to the aforementioned two.
Why wouldn't we start with our most potent goal scorer? MH wil play cisse for every minute of the season remaining
If MH asks me, I'll tell him to match Tottenham's 5 man midfield with Cisse up front and Zamora taking a much needed rest on the bench. That'll provide all the strength-in-depth we need and allow us to go 442 later on in the game if needs be. All we need after that is the fitness, stamina and determination to hold Tottenham at bay and hit them on the counter. That's if he asks me!
He has to play and not only that we need the last 15 min against Liverpool for 94 mins against Spurs .If Spurs score how many goals we have to score one more ...
