Doubt he'll listen (but you never know ), but let's be him for a moment and pick the team to get the required result at Norwich. First of all, what is the required result in his eyes? Obviously not losing to a fellow "weak team" (credits to Swampy) would be first base, but should we accept a point across there with a view to beating them at home? I've said before on here that I definitely believe that's Malky's gameplan for the season is to take 4 points off a dozen or so targeted bottom half teams, and Norwich would be one of those clubs in his sights. He's already done it at Hull and Fulham was a blast with all three. That would keep us up and anything at all from the top echelon of clubs would be a bonus. On the other hand, can we (should we?) go there and try to take all three from the start with a more offensive lineup, rather than hoping to pinch it by battening down the hatches and nicking it with a counter attack? OK guys - team please and reasons for it - Malky is watching.
We need a win Sparkey. The trouble is I do not know how Malky will can go about that. If we play like we did against Chelsea I think we will be fine. I think Malky is slowly allowing the team more forward freedom. I imagine he wanted to get a feel for everything in the first few matches, but now he probably realizes that we will need to score at least 2 goals to get results. Marshall Theo Caulker Turner Taylor Noone Mutch Medel Kimbo Bellers Odem Bench Lewis / Whitts / Gunnar / Fraizer / Connolly I want to see more creativity in the midfield and would like Bellers to start up front to give us more firepower. Medel would drop back in midfield and Mutch would move forward.
Nice thought ToB but I can't see him going with 4 out and out attackers. I think Whitts will stay in for Noone with Bellers dropping back as usual for a 5 man midfield, breaking forward with Kimbo. For what it's worth I think Hudson is more likely to be on the bench than Connolly.
marshall theo,caulker,turner,taylor medel cowie whitts kim mutch campbell odem we have to go for this one!
Temple - the bench seats 7 - pick two more mate. Like Bluey, I doubt we'll see Noone start - getting him on the pitch at all so far this season has been a step too far for Malky.
I would start with Faz upfront instead on Odem every day of the week. I think we may see a more attacking formation at the canaries.
Back 5 and Medel pick themselves, then it gets a bit more tricky. Marshal Theo Caulker Turner Taylor Medel Mutch PO Kim Bellamy Campbell If I were to go more deffensively I might put Kim on the right and move Mutch forward with Cowie alongside Medel. We need to get Bellamy on the left as he seems a different player on that side.
OK, I've had a word in Malky's ear and here's the team he's putting out (well, that's what I told him anyway). Back 5 the same Medel, Mutch, Whitts, Kimbo, Bellamy Odem Bench: - Lewis, Huds, Cowie, Gunnar, Fraz, Maynard, Gestede. BTW, what the hell has happened to Tommy Smith? Can't recollect him mentioned at all this season even as one of the "senior three" allowed in the Dev team. He seems to have vanished off the face of the Earth.
What you have to remember is Norwich are poor this season compared to last season and cardiff can go there with a little bit of confidence as im sure norwich have all the pressure on them being the home team. I can see cardiff coming away with 3 points if MM have done his homework..
This is what I'd do rather than what I think will happen Our back 5 Medel Cowie Kimbo Mutch Witts Odem Bench: Lewis, Hudson, Gunnar, FC, Maynard, Bellers, Rudy Reasons: Cowie has shown an ability to step up to the plate. He was superb at Hull. I believe Bellers future at this level is impact sub. Hudson and Gunnar cover the defensive subs. There's 3 strikers on the bench because we have so few other attacking options, Smith is not PL, but I think he'll make MM's bench.
Only change then from my starting 11 and bench 7 to yours Stevo is swapping Bellers for Cowie. I could live with that, but Bellers to start against his old club would be my choice - Cowie on to protect a lead (hopefully!!).
