Bit last minute, so it's a bit of a let down, but never mind: City XI: Bunn; R.Martin, Bassong, Turner, Garrido; Johnson, Howson, Snodgrass, E.Bennett; Kamara, Holt (C). Bench: Camp; Jackson, Pilkington, Hoolahan, Tierney, R.Bennett, Tettey. So 4-4-2 by the looks of it. Surprised Whittaker got dropped after being one of our best players last week. Reading XI: McCarthy, Gunter, Kelly, Mariappa, Morrison, Karacan, Guthrie, McCleary, McAnuff, Blackman, Pogrebnyak. Bench: Taylor, Cummings, Pearce, Carrico, Leigertwood, Hunt, Le Fondre. Relatively happy that Kebe and Robson-Kanu weren't fit enough for Reading.
Hopefully it means Russ it freer to attack, which'd be a bonus. Garrido getting forward and whipping in the crosses we know he's capable of to Kamara, Holt and Howson in the centre would be nice too.
Line up: Bunn; R.Martin, Bassong, Turner, Garrido; E.Bennett, Johnson, Howson, Snodgrass; Kamara, Holt (C). SUBS: Camp; Jackson, Pilkington, Hoolahan, Tierney, R.Bennett, Tettey.
Personally would have preferred to see Tettey in place of Howson. Good to see piks on the bench. No Becchio though. Is he injured or just out of favour for some reason?
Just seen the line up, do not have a clue what Hughton is trying to do here. You have Hoolahan who's been playing behind the striker for the last 4 years and he sticks the hopeless Bennett (whos been asked to defend all season) in there. You have an attacking midfielder in Howson and stick him as defensive midfielder. You have Tettey who's a defensive midfielder who can break things up and attack sitting on the bench. Sounds like a calamity waiting to happen to me. What a stupid time to play about with things, Hughton is just asking for trouble.
I will reserve judgement until the game is underway, maybe CH is going to go balls out attack this week as the win really is needed with some urgency.
Depends how we're lining up. If it's 4-2-3-1 with Kamara on the wing, I agree it's nonsensical. I think it's more likely to be closer to 4-4-2, with Bennett and Snodgrass wide, Johnson holding back and hopefully Howson playing a more box-to-box role. It'll be interesting to see how Kamara and Holt get on together up top if I have interpreted it correctly. Jackson as the only striker on the bench might suggest that Hughton is trying to go (or has been forced into going) for it from the off, before Kamara tires, and then bring Tettey on when we're 2-0 up and cruise to the finish.
The lack of Tettey does not inspire. What is this formation? 4-4-2? Where is Howson playing? He has really failed as a DM. Not his fault - that just isn't his position. Oh well, let's see.
Attacking line up, can't really argue with that. Only doubt is Howson, would have preferred Wes or Tettey to play instead. But I'm reasonably happy with that team
Even if we draw, as long as Stoke (shocking form), Newcastle (distracted by fan outrage over 0-3 derby result), Wigan (distracted by Cup Final), Villa (because I want us to be the team to send them down to the Championship) and Sunderland (Di Canio can't fire up his players every game surely?) lose, I'll be happy
All is good, attacking line up, guess CH doesn't feel the need for two DMs, Howson pushing forward to support Holt and Kamara with balls whipped in from the wings. Sounds like a plan to me
