But Becchio's that real quality player at this level. Highest scorer and joint highest assists. We only need a loanee to cover, and that's only if Mendy can't fill in, which I suspect he might be able to.
That's what I have been saying because if we sign a new striker, when Somma and Becchio are fit will would have 5 strikers plus Gradel who can play up front and various others who can play off a striker (Snodgrass, Nunez etc). Let's face it - I think we are going to be playing 4-2-3-1 for most of the season and that's too many strikers for this system but I suppose we have the option of going 4-4-2 with a good strikerforce too!! Just need cover while Becchio is out!!
I did like the look of Mendy... Big, strong and always looks to go past people and get the ball in dangerous areas. And like you say, can also be played up top. Sign him up please SG. I'm also liking Brown in the middle of the park... it took me a while to actually notice him yesterday but I figure that's a compliment as he was always there chasing down, closing gaps and being a pain. I saw him make one mistake, giving the ball away and you could see it angered him, he was like a bull in a china shop until that ball was back in our possession. I like that, we didn't have it last season.
Sometimes too much choice is bad, agreed we need cover but a team in the Championship with 5 strikers would suggest the manager doesn't know his best formation or pairing. I have a feeling Grayson was planning on starting the season 4-4-2 with Bechio and McCormack up front and he realises without Bechio and Somma now long term injured 4-4-2 is never going to work.
Talking of McCormack playing up front, Grayson has apparently come out in praise of the idea: Do those of us who went agree with that? Thought he went into headless chicken mode a bit and never really looked much of a danger. I know this will be derided, but I'd actually be happy for Paynter to spearhead a 4-2-3-1 at St Mary's.
The set up of the team yesterday was great, McCormack looked lively, Clayton was immense real strong tackler reminded me of Batty, now I see what Graysons seen in the lad, Brown was quiet but steady. Nunez came on and did **** all, Max n Snoddy played poor but Lloyd sam put himself into the picture, Billy Paynters goal was an og
he's not better than Howson. He adds more depth to the squad though and we were just a bit miffed that there was no rotation. I wouldn't remove Howson in favour of Nunez, we were just baffled that Nunez wasn't getting much game time when he looked so deadly. As for QSS giving it this rubbish again, can't have watched the game or you'd have seen evidence that Howson is still a better player than Nunez (or he's a better player in our team right now), as he ran rings around their central midfield and totally embarrassed them.
if I ever get to have a word with Grayson I'm going to ask him if he's ever thought of putting Snodgrass in the holding CF role. I don't care what anyone says I reckon he'd be outstanding in that role. He'd do the job better than Becchio, he'd just score less, and even then he'd prob get a fair few since he managed 7 from the wing last season. As for Mendy, he's looked deadly in the highlights I've seen. Can play up front or on the wing or perhaps even centre mid, and yesterday in his short time on the pitch he looked promising. If I'm not mistaken, he got the assist for Paynters goal.
I personally think Grayson's evaluation of McCormack is pretty spot on there... when he has confidence. It was so clear yesterday he's lost his bottle again, his head isn't in the game. He had periods where he looked dangerous but made a few mistakes and is probably second guessing himself a lot. Missing those 2 penalties has shot his confidence, and his frustration showed when he was getting abuse from the away end - he gave them the "****ers" gesture.
only if you think a deflection off the keeper as he crashes into the net in a vain attempt to save it is an own goal.
I don't think he did. 4-2-3-1 has always been his favoured formation at this level and I don't see why people have suddenly decided he wanted to play 4-4-2. I think he knows it's an option and McCormack is the obvious candidate for the 2nd spot if we do play it, but 4-2-3-1 with Snoddy, Howson, Gradel and Becchio attacking will be our standard set up IMO.
Marko I hope Paynter starts performing but to claim that goal is embarrassing! He annoys me the way he holds the ball up and then passes it back to the defence!! use the midfield and turn every now and then lol
How is it embarrassing? The ball was on the line headed into the goal before Forster got any kind of touch on it. Any striker would claim it because it was his goal!
howson was by far the best player on the pitch yesterday, tackled, dribbled, passed and a few good shots mccormack started very well up front on his own, good runs in behind and beat the offside trap at least twice, although he did fade as the game went on mendy was impressive, can run at people but also gets stuck in and wins headers and it WAS paynters goal, the keeper tried to palm the ball back from behind the goal line, saying it was an OG is just because u dont like him.pathetic
who do we think will start upfront in the lone striker, and dont say snodgrass because im asking who do you think will play not who do you think should play I reckon he will go mccormack to be honest, im a bit surprised he has started him up there by himself the last few games but i truly see the quality in mccormack but i really dont see it in paynter, i really hope paynter proves me wrong but that is not a resaon for him to start i dont think
SG was full of praise for McCormack and I think he'll start against Southampton: AL PC, PK, AO'B, BP MB, AC RS JH MG RMcC
It wasn't, the ball was already in before Forster got a touch. It's only an OG if the ball isn't on target in the first place anyway.
