He's got the intelligence, and is our 2nd highest scorer, it could work with larsson rw, mclean lw I'd rather not though
only benifit i can see in him playing there is the shooting positions he'll find himself in. Even then I'd rather have Gardener there for shooting reasons. fact is we have no fit senior strikers or centre forwards to replace sess.
Johnson could definitely do a job there - he has shown with a few sublime passes this season that he has the vision to see the runs. No idea what we will do - will Mandron get a game? No idea but we certainly can't blame Paolo for the position we've been left in. O'Neill got rid of a lot of players who could potentially have filled in in the second striker role and didn't replace them - it's all very good saying Campbell and Ji weren';t good enough - were they any worse than what we have now?? Hopefully Wickham will get himself fit and play that role - I think a big lad against Stoke would be ideal - Hell why not stick Mangane in there!!! .
Why? I'm not a fan of McClean but i can still comment on his strengths, weakness' and adaptability. Join the discussion man.
It's the wrong role for Johnson. I said in an earlier thread we should play 5 across the midfield against Stoke and Graham up front, as, in the absence of Sess, this plays to our strengths -but hey, I'm not a football manager
i think that the fact that stoke have the two largest c/h in the prem , the policy of not putting anything near them above ground level must be the order of the day, i think i said yesterday the small skillfull players will benifit playing around these two with sharp passing , pass move into space beside or beyond and force fouls if possible, both have the turniing circle of what they are big, big units. in answer to the aj question to play in a more laying off role to graham is , i have no idea and i dont think he will either. i do know that if any of them players who are picked to play ,must work and use every last ounce of energy they have in them selves the posisition we are in now without certain players and lack of numbers in general leads me back to a previous emplyee, best i stay out of that one again
Have to agree, we can't afford to lose on Monday, a draw wouldn't be a disaster, as long as Wigan don't win at west brom. I would definitely play 4-5-1 for this one
Johnson is a very decent finisher, so in fact, I think he COULD do a job there. My concern is the lack of space he would find as he receives the ball, and in behind his man, which would likely render him useless. Mandron & Graham for me, let's bomb the ****ers! It's well and good saying don't challenge them in the air, but to have the option of both is smart, Mandron can compete in the air, and that creates space and opportunities, trying to play round them gives them an easy to read game. Stoke aren't ****, they are mismanaged, we need to be smart with this one and give every avenue a possibility.
you dont play to other teams stregnths, look at the goals against them scored from headers, the weakness is the size of them in its self . and look how many goals we have scored from headers .
AJ is soft as sh*te in the tackle so wouldnt be able to cope with Stokes big lads snapping at his ankles. Stick McLean behind DG. He's an evil tw*t himself and wont be intimidated. He'll win headers, even from MIGs kicking, and doesnt mind having a pop at goal. Leave AJ on the wing as he should have a field day against Stokes slow defenders. Walters is a dangerous b*stard tho.
How many f*cking KJs play for Stoke. You not getting mixed up with Norfolk people here are you Shamey.
I'd give him a crack there, closest player we have to Sess in terms of his ability to beat a man and he's got a good shot on him also. If it isn't working we can always shuffle the pack and play either 5 in the middle or move Gardner further forward(mind he had a mare against Villa so maybe I wouldn't start him) Basically I haven't a clue
McClean has his limitations but I can some mileage in using him as a second striker. Big and strong all left foot, but he could at least get stuck in and harass defenders or at least hold up play. Even alternate with Johnson on the left wing. When things are desparate, then desparate measures are needed.
