Whod have thought it 2 games ago. Missing yesterday our 2 best central midfielders now they have to get back in the team. Ralls has put in 2 big performances. I see some have said Gunner not at his best but i thought he has also played well. Reid again 2 big performances. 2 have to miss out and its a massive game next Saturday. Selection headache for Warnock. Massive decision but players running into form and giving the manager a difficult decision can only be a good thing.
Very valid comments there hilts. I posted when I saw the team that I thought we'd get over run in the middle of the park. As it runs out our boys looked sharp. Quick closing down, quick to the second ball with Reid, Murphy and Paterson all putting in a defensive shift. Niasse looks as if he'll get us going forward, running in behind, holding the ball up. Still needs to get match fit but he looked good. Not sure he's a natural finisher which is where Reid buzzing about helps. Some big decisions for Colin to make before the next match.
Nice decisions to have for once. And didn't I see big Ken win a header in front of the grandstand? He also got in a good shot towards the end. With Arter and Camarasa to come back our bench is also going to be a lot stronger.
the risk is colin becoming a tinkerman. We need to build on the Niasse / Reid axis, or put camarasa in the attacking midfield role. keep murphy wide right and see what happens. Still worried the midfield might get over run. We bust have doubled our season total 'time leading matches' stat on Saturday though.
It is going to be a vital selection given the massive importance of this game. Plenty of options assuming Camarasa will be fit. Back 5 picks itself but big decisions for the other 6 starters. It’s a game City can’t afford to lose in reality but whether NW will go for the defensive solidity or go offensive is debatable.
Camarasa and Arter in and Gunnar and Ralls out (but on the bench). Good swap - Arter is more mobile than Gunnar and Camarasa more creative than Ralls. Play the same system and game as against Bournemouth, and ignore the temptation to alter things becasue it's an away game. Niasse and Reid MUST start again. Murphy deserves to keep is slot for the much improved defensive display supporting Bennett who was dragged out of position with the man-marking role he was allocated.
I have to agree, Arter and Camarasa back in the side for Soton. This is a vital game and a win must be the aim, not a gallant loss or a face saving draw. On Saturday, I thought Paterson had a pretty good game and some of his passes to Niasse were awesome. Murphy impressed me for the first time ad did Reid. I thought Niasse had a good game and I hope there's more to come from him. Bamba and Manga looked comfortable in defence, with Peltier and Bennett having steady, if not spectacular, performances. However, Bournemouth didn't seem to offer too much of an attacking threat.
No Brooks or Wilson helped us no end. They were short of an end product and midfield vision. Great performances all over the park from us. You can only beat what's in front of you. Might have been different were it not for Etheridge's save.
Niasse and Reid linked up so well. I would also give Ken a run out, he looked very sharp when he came on and he has that pace and strength that we don't see very often.
Niasse is a footballer as is plain to see and with match time will come a better cutting edge from him. Zahore is the ideal man to come on to take advantage of a tiring defence. As I said in an earlier post plenty of options in midfield now. Paterson will only play if NW wants headers won as on the floor he’s pretty limited most of the time. Harsh on Ralls who’s improved and Gunnarsson if they do make way but the best 2 players we have in CM need to start. It’s going to be an intriguing team selection. If we can be as solid at the back as last Saturday then you’ve got to now fancy our chances of scoring with the pace of Niasse, Reid, Murphy and NML.
We played a much more passing game Saturday which was refreshing to see. Long balls constant are not going to win anything in the premier league. Agree with everything you said above though!
Paterson offers a lot more than just headers. His very presence worries defenders and his goal and general performance at home against Southampton was a perfect example - he could do the same again down there. He's no passenger on the floor either. Agree he has little pace but he doesn't lack committment and that's what Warnock will persvere with rightly or wrongly. Another asset he has which often goes unnoticed is his ability to pick a pass for a runner. Niasse and Reid were put through several time with excellent passes. I used to think he was wasted out wide on the right much like Camarasa was for a few games, but at the moment, I'd start him somewhere in the eleven.
Agree with that. He is quite an enforcer and never afraid to put his feet, legs, body, head on the line. Once he gets stuck in the opposition are then looking for him which has the positive effect of slowing them down. He seems to take more knocks than most but usually bounces up again. He also tends to argue with the officials more than others but either he does it with a smile or they can't understand him so doesn't get the number of bookings his style (or lack of it) usually warrants. Hope we never get a Scottish ref, he could be in trouble then. He is definitely worth his place in the team.
The local rag merchant has his view https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport...diff-citys-genuine-selection-dilemma-15777003 He says Victor is a defo starter but doesn’t pick him in his probable team; he must have inside knowledge about his fitness. I heard he only just missed out on Saturday after a pretty match training session.
