How many games for Stewart to return to full fitness and hopefully start firing. Bearing in mind it couldtake Simms another 2 games before he can do the 90 minutes. A couple of friendlies during the WC could benefit a few players as there will be a few need game time so when called upon are raring to go. A good cup run might also be needed when everyone is fit and keep all the players happy.
Expect he'll be on the bench v Millwall. Mowbray originally said Stewart would be fit before the break, but saw no point in risking him. Don't know if that is still the case - he's back in training, but not with the rest of teh squad. You'd assume there will be plenty of conditioning work when they are in Dubai, with a couple of bounce games. Ease him in gently over 2-3 games then get him back starting. Same for Ballard
It then opens the debate as to what is our best team. None of the lads who have come in have let us down, but if we want to climb the league we have to play our strongest XI where possible. For me we go: Patterson O'Nien Ballard Batth Cirkin Evans Ba Diallo Pritchard Clarke Stewart Subs: Bass, Alese, Gooch, Neil, Roberts, Simms, Michut Res: Carney, Huggins, Hume, Wright, Embleton, Dajaku, Matete, Bennette Big calls on leaving Neil and Roberts out of the XI, similarly leaving Embleton and Wright out of the squad all together. I think Huggins will be pushing O'Nien for the RB slot but it's great to have such strength in depth and genuine competition for places
Knowing our luck with two matches to go there's plenty of time to rack up a few more injuries, just look at Michut, also Huddersfield had two stretched off last night, mind I do think the awful weather contributed there, so fingers crossed until the WC break.
That looks like a really strong team and bench when everyone is fit and should be able to rotate players too . Hopefully we don,t have too many more long term injuries.
I think we will see a huge difference with Stewart back, doubt Preston and Blackpool would have finished 0-0 with him or even Simms on the pitch.
no matter how much work has gone into 'finding other ways to score', the lack of a recognised striker was never clearer than when simms came onto the pitch and that focal point was back for the lads. the lads have worked with LND for longer and will be more aware of him and where he likes the ball but i have always felt the same in that if they create the chances then any half decent striker should score plenty, therefore that third striker, even if mainly back up or to use in cup games/last 25-30 minutes when a couple of goals up should be first on the list in january, also gives us the option of going two up top and still have someone to come in if injuries/suspensions come into play. looking forward to having him back but would rather leave it as late as possible with him getting a couple of 'kick-a-bouts' to help get him up to speed. @TopCat_ that team looks good to me, but also it highlights just how much talent we have right now we could almost put out two decent teams, once all fit we could do with a little luck and hope for a relatively injury free second half of the season.
Yep, pretty much this ^ And a new transfer window will also add to many confusing selection headaches.....I hope.
I like this team. And what is good about it - is you could quite comfortably see Gooch in for O'Nien ; Alese for Cirkin or Batth ; Neil for Evans or Ba ; Embleton for Pritchard; or Roberts for Diallo ; and to an extent Simms for Stewart - without being overly concerned. That's very good depth. And its without even mentioning Michut ; Bennette ; Matete and Huggins.
Have thought this recently, what's wrong with Matete, he hardly ever gets off the bench, doesn't TM trust him or something?
Yet people I go to the match with tell me we had a terrible transfer window and Speakman is out of his depth(!)
There're so still quite a few folks saying that about Speakman which i just do not get. He's helped totally change this change and has got us moving in the right direction. Of course, he has made mistakes, but everyone does, he has got more right than wrong.
I would go for Patterson Huggins Ballard Batth Cirkin Neil Ba Roberts Amad Clarke Stewart Subs Bass Alese Onien Evans Pritchard Embleton Sims Great options for sure
Haven't seen enough of Huggins to know if he should be first choice ahead of O'Nien or Gooch. I mean he definitely could / should be, and the pedigree is there. I just fear expectations of him might be a little unrealistic. Hope I'm wrong.
if they play the ball to Sims to his feet in or near the pen area he should score a lot of goals, Tony needs to work on that and corners.
Not just he. If they play the ball to his feet in and around the area, others will score a lot of goals as well. Both our goals last night included a pass into Simms' feet. He draws defenders and creates space for the trickier players, who instead aren't having to worry about defenders seeing them as the main central threat
Some great posts and agree with most of what has been said even though I didn't,t think of them myself.
