I wouldn't say he offers zero going forward! I know they're not the highest level of competition, but he scored 3 in preseason and one against Walsall. He's got as many goals and assists as cisse/taraabt/hoilett this season. He's a decent option on the counter, and drew some useful free kicks from Kompany against city. At least he does cut inside, rather than mackie who simply seems to run to the byline whenever he gets the ball..
You got the closest team to me Wubba, you leave Park out like me, but then I know nothing either! If all are fit and ready to stick it up em, I'd have: -----------Cesar------------ Bosingwa, M'Bia, Onouha, Traore --------Granero, Diakite-------- ------Cisse, Adel, Hoillet----- -----------Zamora----------- Super Sub: Mackie for Hoillet, with Cisse going left side, Mackie right. I'd have Onouha alongside M'bia this game at least for his speed, which I think we will need especially against Chelsea. I'd choose Diakite over Ale for the same reason. Cisse in the attacking 3 for his scoring potential.
Hogan scores in pre season and against poor sides but always does sod all in the league. All he does is cut inside and loses possession 100% of the time. At least Mackies scores, 7 goals for JM, 0 goals for SWP in the same amount of games so how is SWP better or more effective?
I think you have to accept Park will start and I won't be surprised to see SWP in the line-up as well, I think MH will start with this line-up which wouldn't be my choice: --------------Cesar--------------- --Bosingwa--Nelsen--M'Bia--Fabio-- -----------Diakite--Faurlin--------- ----Park------Granero-----SWP---- --------------Zamora-------------
I didn't say SWP is better or more effective overall, but i think he probably is at the moment. I prefer Mackie as a player, and i'm not denying SWP had a stinker last season. But right now he's playing relatively well, and adding to the team, so to just write him off as "crap" and not even consider him for a position in the team seems short sighted. I was sitting in Ellerslie road Vs swansea so had a good look at Mackie during the first half. He was predictable and didn't even really track back to his usual standards. Recently SWP has offered a decent workrate and some good defensive play when we've needed it. He makes tackles, as opposed to mackie who only really tracks back so he can stand a few yards off his man all day. We need some consistency in our lineups if we're going to start to gel. Our last 2 sides Vs Walsall/city have seen improved performances, and have both included SWP, so i don't see any urgent reason to change him for someone else. As i said in my initial post, i'm not sure whether to stick with SWP for his defensive capabilites, or go with Hoillet. But just to write-off SWP full-stop "because he's crap" makes no sense.
There's some sense in your choice, but why on earth we did bought Hoillett if he does not play. There was obviously a reason why he didn't play against Man C, but we play at home now so unleash him. SWP and Mackie would be ideal pair of subs. Diakate's place in the starting XI could be tricky one (if he is avaleable) because he did not played that good in those first two matches.
Hoilett doesnt defend, at all. We will have to play 1 up front if he plays against a good side so Id only play him against teams outside the top 6 or if we are losing in the last 30 mins.
--------------Cesar--------------- --Bosingwa--Nelsen--M'Bia--Fabio-- ---------------Diakite------------- ----------Granero---Faurlin--------- ----Park-------------------SWP---- --------------Zamora------------- Leaves cover for the defence and a solid base in midfield with the wingers assisting to keep tabs on their wingbacks when we dont have the ball and when we do have the ball push up on them to allow more space for BZ. If we need some inspiration then the flair pair of Adel and Hoilet can be introduced.
I really like this formation, it will allow us to play while not leaving ourselves open to counter attacks. I actually like SWP, but with this formation I feel hoilet or adel should start for him, we don't want to be too defensive and sit in our own half taking pressure, having junior or adel would give them something to think about... We must remember this is a derby match and we beat them last season with a far inferior squad, we should go out to win not just contain them for as long as we can... I've got my fingers crossed usual but have a feeling we'll get three points, think they'll go down to ten men too...
Renault and Sooper are pretty close I believe. I won't speculate in a complete first eleven but I'm fairly sure we'll see a central midfield trio of Faurlin, Granero and Park. With Park giving Hazard special attention, just like Sir Alex has deployed him in several big games over the years. Apart from that I believe one of either SWP or Mackie will play as they are our wide men that offers most defensively. Tracking back whenever Ivanovic or Cole goes on attack will be vital if we harbour any hope of three points imo.
What's your choice Sooper? MH will get his turn Saturday! I don't really see what Park or SWP bring to the front 4 - these 4 should be our best attacking players playing together, I rate Cisse over Park as both a wide man and goal scorer, and Hoillet over SWP as a wide man at least, and scorer come to that. I agree Park and SWP are better defensively, but that's what the back 6 are there for, and to provide a platform for attack. SWP and Park are ok all rounders but neither is first 11 material for me - they are not within our best 4 attacking players or within our best 6 defensive players- which says Bench for me for both, and then back Green, Favio, Hill, Ale (I'd have Diakite on for him for his speed), AJ, and Super Sub Mackie
In that line-up I'd Play Mackie on the right for Park and Hoilett on the left for SWP. If Diakite isn't right for the game I think Derry will play. I know MH prefers 4-4-2 but Chelsea's midfield will crucify us if we give them room. I think we have to keep it tight and pressure them like we did last season...
Now that Hughes has made Park captain I can't see him dropping him unless hes injured / on a ban. To play him and SWP from the start leaving Adel & Hoilett on the bench is just plain crazy. Surely we need to go hell for leather and skin 'em not sit back and invite them on? Get in their faces and turn them over
Mackie seems most effective when he comes off the Bench for some reason to me - not starting seems to bring the best out of him. I agree with Wubba that we need to get at em, and not put out a team where even the front players are picked because they are better defensively!
I'd left Faurlin and Diakite out of the starting line up as I wasn't sure on their fitness or mental state respectively. Interesting points about Taarabt but I put him in as he gave Chelskum a real headache last October and their frustration at his ball possession led to Drogba's clumsy sending off challenge. Hazard looks like a real handfull and whoever our defensive midfielders are they will have their work cut out trying to contain him. I'd keep Mackie back until the second half where fresh legs could play an important part. I wouldn't start with SWP as some have suggested but would not rule out using him later on if a different formation is needed and we have to open up the wings to be more affective. Is Hoilett best used as a winger? He has a mean shot and I wondered if he would be better off as the second striker or in the pocket behind a front two. I still think Sparky has to work out where to play some of our new signings, not sure if he has managed to get the best out of them yet or found their most effective roles. Early days but they can soon turn into nail biting days before we know it. Come on you R's!!!!!!
I normally have firm views on setup but this season I'm scratching my head on what I think is the better option with this squad. On paper we look good for one up front but we don't seem to be able to play this at the moment. For this game, for me, it's big not to concede an early goal (like it's ever a good idea) we need to let the crowd build up the pressure on Chelski, so I'd go for a starting line which is tight and squeeze the midfield. While this is negative, especially for a home game I feel if we go down early it will be a long 90 mins. With this in mind I'd go (assuming Fitness) - --------------Cesar--------------- --Bosingwa--Nelsen--M'Bia--Fabio-- ---------------Diakite------------- ----------Granero---Faurlin--------- ----Park-------------------Holliet\Adel---- --------------Zamora------------- Very Important whatever MH starts with he has a plan B,C and D and spots the shifts in the game and adapts rather than just leaving the same system in place as we have seen him do so far this season. If it's not working change it quickly.....
