I think we will go 3 -5 - 2 bringing Livermore into the middle and probably leaving Rosie on the bench. Packing the midfield we will hope to cut off the supply line to Johnson. I would also start either Quinn or Boyd instead of Brady who still doesn't look right to me.
Figgy's problems are surely due to being asked to play LWB in Brady's absence? He was obviously brought in to play on the left of a 4, or on the left of the back 3 with Brady at LWB. With Brady out he hasn't been at the left of a back 3, and when we've played 442 he hasn't really had much help from the winger. (Boyd works but hasn't got the same pace to get back after committing to an attack that Brady does)
Harper Elmo, Davies, Bruce, Mcshane, Figeroua Meyler, Livermore, Huddlestone, Long, Jelavic. I think he will resort to this but he should stick to 442
I think Bruce will play 3-5-2 to accommodate Hudd liv and Meyer in the middle and play them on the counter attack. Not saying it's the right decision but I think that's what he'll do
Shagger Rosey Davies McShane Figueroa Elmohamady Livermore Meyler Boyd Jelavic Long Should be the team in my humble opinion.
I liked the variation on the song for Harper they sung at the Spurs game. He dives to the left he dives to the right Stephen Harper Two kids and a wife.
Do you play football? I ask because it's usually the non-footballers who don't notice defensive midfielders. Meyler was excellent, one of his best games for us.
I'd go with that. Huddlestone hasn't shone lately, time for a rest and Livermore gives you an engine which is what we'll need at New Roker Park. Boyd in there too.. at least until Aluko's back
Although this is me defending Tickler, I didn't think Meyler was our best player either. It's not due to not noticing defensive midfielders, it's because after he got booked you could see he was holding back. It's understandable, but does stop him from being ahead of at least Long and Davies (the amount of well timed toe prod challenges on the edge of the area was amazing). Once he was booked I'd have subbed him for Quinn, but I think I can see what Bruce was planning when he made the double sub so I can see why he didn't as well.
Not seen any highlights and I'm in the south so hard to see things up the north face but first half Figgy was alright, 2 blunders he got away with but made 2 great last ditch tackles which you'd think players of the quality spurs have would have buried both opportunities. He's a bit **** though. Bet Dudgeons career at a high level is practically over now. Too long out, I bet he's rustier than the titanic.
He's played on the left of a back three and back four at different times over the last few months and still looked poor. Lack of wing cover would explain it if he was just getting beaten a lot but it isn't just that. He's making big individual errors repeatedly. There's no one to blame but him for that.
Nah ! Nobody worries about Johnson, bit of a cart horse actually, nobody ever double marks him, you'll have no problems.
I could be wrong, but I think he's recently popped home to check on his son again, so perhaps his focus isn't as crisp as it might be?
