Not that I'm intending this to be a match thread, but this is how I would want us to line up against the Toon (bearing in mind at the time of posting it's looking like our only definite injuries are Tettey and E.Bennett): Ruddy R.Martin - Turner - R.Bennett - Olsson Fer - Howson Snodgrass - Elmander - Pilkington Hooper The only real doubt I have with it is that Elmander played almost 180mins in two competitive games for Sweden during the internationals. I know Olsson played the full 180mins, but given his younger age I think he should be able to cope with it.
isn't Pilkington a doubt as well JK? he was injured vs WHU. it'll be interesting to see what hughton does with rvw if he is available. good point about the swedes, you'd have thought they might be a bit jaded also mentally. snodgrass also played both scotland games
Well spotted, PhysioRoom seems to think so too: http://www.physioroom.com/news/english_premier_league/epl_injury_table.php In that case - Redmond on the left instead, I guess.
I thought Pilks just had a dead leg. Maybe we'll learn more tomorrow. Villa have an amazing number of injuries at the moment. My only other query is whether Johnson might start to enable Howson to play off the striker and allow Fer to get forward more.
I too believe that Howson should play off the striker. Don't know if Johnson is the answer in DMF,but he is all we have with AT being injured.
IMO, Johnson plays better alongside Fer, who makes himself available for the short pass very effectively and then either surges forward or passes forward. It's a real shame that City lost Tettey when he was playing so well, but perhaps BJ can rise to the occasion. Hopefully RvW will be available from the bench as well.
Echoing RER, I'd rather 4-5-1 when we go away, as demonstrated by nearly every team in the league this is the most appropriate formation no matter how "negative" it may be perceived. As that is the case, I think one up top, with a preference for Elmander, but as you say, fitness permitting. I think Johnson should come in because this is the perfect game for him. He had a good season last and no reason why he can't reach those heights again, he just needs game time and we need to have a coherent three in central midfield. Your formation would be pleasantly aggressive, but I actually think it is better suited to home games.
I'm surprised you've chosen Hooper ahead of RvW. I would always go the opposite. I know he's coming back from injury, but the only way he's going to get match-fit is by playing matches.
Ruddy R.Martin - Turner - R.Bennett - Olsson Fer - BJ Pilkington - Howson - Snodgrass RvW For me, with Redmond for Pilks if injured. Pilks and Snoddy could even switch occationally. I've put RvW in, because particulaly away from home I think his superior defensive work rate over Hooper is critical. Bah!
I'd be very tempted to playmate same formation we did against west ham but replace Elmander with wolfie sitting him just off hooper. Otherwise mid go with the generals team but set up as a 4-3-3 not a 4-4-2
Howson for me is a box to box midfielder, his work rate in that area and the way he supports the rest of the team are his strong point, his always running back to receive the ball and bridge things together.
I've been thinking along the same lines - I actually wonder whether he'd be better placed as our back-up to Fer, if we get an attacking midfielder in, or we could have Howson box-to-box and Fer sitting deeper.
I think both fer and howson are best when they have that little bit if space in the middle and are allowed to surge forwards, that's why the Tettey/fer/howson midfield worked well. I just don't see Jonson being as in control as Tettey.
I might have misinterpreted you, but I would say that if anything Johnson (when playing at his best) is more disciplined than Tettey. The advantage of Tettey is that when he has been in form he has been both relatively disciplined, but also adds the going forward threat and greater passing range that Johnson (aside from the threat to row z) doesn't offer. Agree that the T/H/F midfield worked best, though I think if Johnson finds some form J/F/H could work well as a more defensive version perhaps better suited to away games.
I think Tettey has 'shone' in the defensive midfield role simply because he is so mobile. I think the general opinion of him on here is slightly warped though, and here is my theory on why: Tettey's main assets are his mobility and stamina. I honestly don't think his positioning is that good and he often has to hurry back into position in order to close down an opposition player and/or make a tackle - I think this quite often gives the illusion that he is putting in excellent defensive performances, but if his positional play was better I believe we would barely notice him (remember the adage of "if you don't notice a defensive midfielder, they're doing their job correctly" - see Claude Makelele). Whether Bradley Johnson's positional play is any better than Tettey's, I'm not so sure. But if it is, maybe it'll make up for the fact that Bradley isn't as mobile as Alex. Am I being ridiculous and noticing something that isn't there!?
No I completely agree and this expands on what I meant by Johnson's "discipline". Johnson's positioning and anticipation is excellent and his chief asset, especially given that he isn't noticeably quick. Tettey, as you say, is not disciplined, but he certainly can be very effective.
BJ is better at breaking play up than Tettey which means in a very defence focused system he is the best choice. he does however need to play next to another who he can get he ball to simply. More recently however we have moved to hang one proper defensive midfielder and Tettey made the role his own by being far more well rounded (faster, better passing, equally as strong). If we play Johnson it will draw Fer and Jonny back to help get on the ball, its a setup id like to avoid if possible.
Interesting discussion this. With Debuchy's suspension, the teams are fairly evenly balanced except for Remy up front for Newcastle. I think City will have to break up the supply to Remy. This is Whoscored's analysis, but they haven't allowed for Debuchy's suspension: http://www.whoscored.com/Matches/720177/Preview With RvW and Redmond on the bench, City could have considerable impact in the later stages.
Who scored seem to have Pilkington listed as out too, there was talk that he would be fit to join up with the Ireland squad late instead of pulling out, clearly he decided not to risk his fitness by playing a couple of pointless friendlies. I also wouldn't be surprised if RVW is fit given that he was supposedly close for the West Ham match. Will be very interesting to see what the talks is tomorrow at the press conference. Another question will be if Bassong is coming back in and who for, arguably neither Bennett nor Turner deserve to be dropped where as Bassong probably did.
EDP reporting Ricky has been ruled out of the Toon game: http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwic...ut_of_newcastle_premier_league_test_1_3028090
