Like many, I have become confused about who to expect and how they will be played on match-day. I am offering this as a discussion on two threads, defence/midfield and attack/my teams on how we see it and to do that I am offering my thoughts – feel free to knock me (as if invites are necessary). When I consider the squad we have my preference is for 4-4-2; but let me consider some of the team. Defence Goalkeepers Alan McGregor – needs a credible challenge for the shirt, but he has come back from injury stronger. He has great reactions, but my main concern is his reading of play; a classic recent example is the Davis blooper that led to the Sunderland goal. I would have expected him to read the weaving delaying tactics of Davis and to have bolted out cutting the options and probably collecting the ball. One player makes a dreadful error and then another compounds it – this is something we have to eliminate from our game as they should be better than that at this level. Steve Harper - his boat has sailed and he needs to move on. Do the others have any credibility in the eyes of the manager or fans? Considering Steve Bruce was a top defender I am a loss as to why he tinkers the way he does. We have six specialist CBs competing for one of two/three starting berths and we have one specialist RB who is played at LB – it makes little sense to me. Full-Backs Rosenior – good Right-Back, but he will look worse with every appearance he makes as a play-anywhere utility defender – unless folk appreciate the job he does for us. Figueroa – desperate back-up at LB and needs a replacement asap, but now he's back. . . . Robertson – he is young, talented and powerfully quick, but his defending, his key role as a LB needs tuning to this league. He needs to play in a team with some consistency in shape and personnel as he does not yet have the experience with the squad to adapt as well as some others might. Elmohamady - Wing-back or winger – not a full-back; when played as a wing-back he is usually left with far too much to do to compensate – this effects his game and means he hits the by-line less and less. Centre-Backs Davis – the introduction of Dawson had as much of an effect on Davis as it did on the opposition. The blooper was that, no more, not some signal of him becoming poor, just a blooper. He needs consistency and it was starting to show yesterday. Chester – still first on the sheet for me; he is a player who adapts and thinks ahead. Dawson – a natural leader and excellent CB – the man Davis has to challenge. McShane – his boat has sailed and he needs to move on. Maguire – another CB, another option who played well against Sunderland Bruce – He is a CB and probably fourth in the pecking order – if McShane is kept and Maguire played to his obvious potential then that would easily slip to fifth or sixth. Another area where we appear to have gone backwards, regardless of injuries, etc. Midfield We brought in quality players, many of whom can switch position. Performances are all too often poor, positions confusing and offering excuses for performances that let us down badly in games we should be on top in. Elmohamady – play him as a winger and put a proper RB behind him. In this role he is a stand-out player for us who others fail to respond to. Brady – getting back to some sort of form and needs a run on the LW to find consistency; put a LB behind him. He has stopped much of his youthful show-boating, but would now like to see him run through an obstructing arm and not stop to claim a foul - he wastes impetus and opportunity that would raise his game and his stature in the team. It would probably win us more games, too! Robertson – he is capable of playing LW if a decent LB is behind him. Ince – out wide or central are all possibilities, but for Hull City, not Nott’s Forest! He can give either Brady and Elmo rest or competition. Aluko – I would only use him as a winger when in front and resting a tired Elmo. His game is undoubtedly improved of late, but we need to see more for him to stay. Livermore – he is a box-to-box player who is essential to our midfield. He is not a bloody RB and is totally wasted there. Huddlestone – he has a touch of class that is wasted when played deep; he needs to play towards the edge of the final third where his passes and shots can be effective. A player wasted for some time now and that comes across in his game. Meyler – hit and miss man, but well worth having; he can shake up defences better than most. Ramirez – another one who it is hard to judge from the opportunities and circumstances he has enjoyed, but I believe we should persevere. Diame – we need him back – enough said. Quinn – he always looks good in a poor team, but the reality is he often flatters to deceive. A decent impact sub, but I doubt he would make the bench; a pity as he is a likeable player.
I rate both though I see no place for Hernandez. That would be Livermore and Hudd in cm with Brady and Elmo on the wings and Ramirez or Diame just off the front
