Hope nobody objects to me starting the thread for this one. I feel a personal connection to Posh . Tough game for both clubs with Posh fighting for survival at this level and us doing pretty much the same. Nothing can be taken for granted in this one. There's been a number of last minute dramas over the last few meetings. Anyway, I'm sure we'll have some esteemed company in this thread and there might even be some football discussed. Bloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooobirds
Interesting team selection. Assuming Ralls is still unfit (?) with Bagan and Flint replacing our injured defenders, there’ll be speculation as to whether Davies starts instead of Watters, Ikpeazu instead of Hughill and whether Colwill will get some game time. It’s a game we should win but Posh turned over QPR in the Cup so will be buoyed up.
Bagan for Doughty. Alongside Hugill any one of Harris , Davies or Uche. I thought Denham was better than McGuinness and Flint but I think he will miss out.
Agree Bagan must start at LWB - he looked much improved on Sunday with Drameh back on the right. Ng must be allowed to continue his stint as one of the three CB's. It would be a surprise if Denham, as agood as he was, will oust one of the other two. Up front is a problem - but a nice problem at last. Watters has looked like a spare part in his couple of outings and may find himself benched. If Hugill starts he must stay upfield and be supported from midfield. Whilst Collins is mobile, Hugill is not. Ikpeazu and Hugill could work as a pair and be a handful for any defenders. Ikpeazu is quick and powerful but the real pace is in Davies and Harris. Starting with Hugill and Uche would make sense but they'd need the service to be effective. Davies and Harris on the bench to come on later. Doyle, Ralls (if fit) and Colwill would provide that sevice but could leave that back 3 exposed. How bold is Morison going to be?
I think Wintle in midfield not Colwill. He will patrol in front of the back 5 allowing Doyle and Ralls to get forward. Hugill and Uche up top to start, and knock some lumps off their defenders before Davies and Colwill come on after an hour. Collins can carry the drinks tray. Drameh and Bagan at fb. Then 3 cb's or 2? If 2 then Davies or Colwill to start. Can't see a change from 3 though.
Wintle is the obvious call to patrol behind Ralls and Doyle, but if Ralls is still unfit, I'd have a go with Colwill.
Meeting my Posh supporting mate for a couple of beers and a bite to eat in the afternoon, before we go our separate ways and send abuse to each other for 90 minutes. Will be good to catch up on old times.
Id go Smithies Drameh Flint McGuinness Ng Bagan Wintle Ralls Doyle Harris Hugill. Davies Colwill Denham Phillips Uche Bowen Pack I wouldnt mind any one of Uche Colwill or Davies alongside Hugill though.
I'm with you on selection Hilts except Colwill instead of Harris and Uche instead of Hugill (as we need to rotate the two of them to guard against injuries)
Ralls and Nelson both out of contention tonight - still carrying knocks. Colwill in for Ralls would be be my choice - please don't start with Vaulks instead.
Reading Morison’s view on Colwill this week it would be bold to start him. No harm in giving it a go though. Anyone though but the anonymous Vaulks (apart from Bacuna).
Pack for Ralls then? Not my perfect choice but if between him and Vaulks then little option. Wintle and Doyle playing further forward. To play Colwill in a middle 3 is a big risk in terms of defensive duties. However it would work if we played a back 4 and 4 in midfield - very unlikely. Perm any 2 from 4 upfront, Hugill, Ipkeazu, Davies and Harris. Morison will probably go for Collins and Watters. 6 strikers but only 9 goals (give or take 1 or 2) between them this season for us.
Playing Pack would mean we start with a back 6 instead of 5 at the back - we'll be handing Posh an invitation to our penalty area. Got to take on this game positively - Pack is far too slow on the transition. Wintle can play the holding midfield role and for goodness sake inject some urgency going forward. Doyle is a no brainer and Colwill around him could spark something in the side we haven't seen nearly enough of - like passing a ball on the floor to a team mate for instance. As said, Morison could perm and 2 from 6 up front. I'd start with power and toughness in and around the box which could work with the right service. That means Uche and Hugill with Harris and Davies for later.
The problem with Colwill in a middle 3 is his lack of defensive skills. He is very much an offensive player so Morison has to decide to stick or twist. An alternative could be a fit again Sam Bowen or even Eli King. No one suggesting Bacuna. At least he just kicks opposing players not like big, brave cat kicker Zouma. What an ar$ehole.
Sam Bowen captained the under 23's yesterday - he ain't going to figure tonight. Take your point about Colwill's past lack of defensive awareness but it's time we looked forward rather than back - Wintle in there with a back 5 can do the mopping up without resorting to Vaulks putting someone in hospital again.
This is a type of game where we need to be on the front foot from the start and play an offensive game. Morison could view this as a one off game and go for it - so start Colwill and Davies. Playing Vaulks is like playing with ten men and Pack is so passive. Do we really need 3 central defenders every game?
As it's a team game, we need to play as such. Morison has said that it's the off the ball stuff Colwill needs to work on. Peterborough play a ball moving, attacking game with useful strikers up top. We can't afford to be light defensively, for the first 60 minutes at least. Colwill has shown he is best coming on when defences are tired and if we start with Hugill and Ipkeazu they will be sore as well as tired. As we have said the other option is a back 4, allowing as 4 in midfield or a 4.3.3, but I can't see Morison giving up the back 5 with full backs getting forward, to start with. Good to have selection decisions though. And give us something to talk about.
