Might as well start it early. I fancy Leeds to take this one with the form we're in. Then again, Donny have brought in Parkin, Chimbonda and Ilunga and have got seven points from nine since Dean Saunders has come in (in three tricky games too, it should be mentioned), so they shouldn't be scoffed at. I'll predict 2-1 to Leeds. It's on the telly too by the way.
Afternoon Leeds-18, I'd say comfortable 2-0 win to Leeds. A brace for Becchio Lonagan Connelly White Lees O'Dea McCormack Howson Clayton Pugh Keough Becchio
I wouldn't take the risk, Becchio's fit again, obviously we can't drop McCormack, and Keogh links up with him so well
Yes, Snodds has been carrying an injury for most of the season, which he tweaked v Portsmouth. Becchio needs to start as he is our main striker, though McCormack is playing out of his skin; and he plays so well alongside Keough who's a very intelligent player. I think we need all three. I think Sam is great, but has been isolated so much that his days are numbered, along with O'Brien, Parker (always injured), Kissa (loved him two seasons ago) and Brown has failed to make an impact. Hate to say it, but we are not going to sign anybody til we get rid of most of these players and send Paynter out on loan to the Wall
I don't think Sam's days are numbered. I don't think we can afford to play 3 out and out strikers and we wouldn't get the benefit of the Keogh-McCormack partnership with Keogh on the wing. Without Snoddy I'd go for: ---------------------------Becchio -----McCormack-----------Howson-----------------Sam -------------------Pugh-------------Clayton White-------------O'Dea-------------Lees----------Connolly --------------------------Lonergan With McCormack cutting inside we'd have Pugh and/or White to cover and keep the width on the left when we have the ball.
------------Keough-----------Becchio---------- ----------------McCormack---------------- -------Pugh----------Clayton----------Howson White----------O'Dea----------Lees----------Connelly -------------------------Lonergan--------------------- I'd have White and Connelly as wing backs, Clayton playing more a dm role and giving McCormack a free role
Wouldn't be too bad a team that elland back, but it could lack width. Sam's been injured recently hasn't he? So if he's back than he should definitely play. We need someone to challenge Snodgrass for rightwing and if he comes in a plays well it'd be great for the competition
Hopefully another clean sheet. McCormack and co have shown we can score so I just want to see a great defencsive performance out there.... But they somehow bugger it up in live games at the minute. (The lads can do it if they concentrate......!) 3-0 Leeds!!!
I like ellandback's team but i would stick with a 4-4-2. --------------Lonergan------------- Connolly----Lees---Kisnorbo---White Nunez----Howson---Clayton----Pugh --------McCormack---Keogh-------- And obviously if snoddy is fit, then he plays over nunez or if even sam is fit then he plays over nunez but i seem to remember both are injured. Also, i realise we kept a clean sheet last game but O'Dear is still **** and needs to be replaced.
Donny have good technical players and were unlucky to not beat us in Carling Cup. I said then it was only a matter of time before thet came good again and so it is proving. It will be a very hard test for us on Friday. The one plus point is they are bringing the new players in, one of a more dubious temperament, so hopefully they will not have had chance to gel as a team just yet and we can expose that.
Good points. They did look dangerous in the League Cup game (especially that nippy winger: Barnes, was it?) and definitely shouldn't be underestimated.
I see why people want becchio back in the team but i think you also need to be looking at performances as well. Becchio needs to earn his place back in the team by coming off the bench and showing how good he can play. For now though i think keogh and mccormack upfront are working well together.
I'd like to see more of Vayrynen and Forssell in this game, for what it's worth. They looked very composed against Portsmouth and are the kind of players who might be well suited to break down this new, resilient Donny side. Keogh's performances have been alright, but he's clearly not a very good finisher and if Forssell and Becchio can be reintroduced, I see no reason why he should keep them out of the team. We know they have better quality.
