Perhaps just as intersting this week as the starting eleven. Seven spots up for grabs - some would be glad just to get of one of them, others would have hoped to trot out to start. Maybe Sheepy could incorporate some bonus points in the prediction league along the lines of, all 7 correct - 3 points, 6 correct - 2 points, 5 correct - 1 point, with anything less than that scoring zilch. Anyway, just a thought. I expect Malky to start Lappin with either McPhail or Ralls in midfield - probably McPhail with new boy Lappin behind him. Looks like our midfield "strength-line" options like Gunnar, Mutch and Kiss will miss out on a start on injury/fitness grounds - so here's my "bench" Lewis, Ralls, Kiss, Mutch, Conway, Gestede and Bellamy (Velikonja to miss out again).
If he's covering LB, are you suggesting McPhail will play wide left Sparkey? A return to one of his old stomping grounds on Saturday. I can Imagine MM starting with Bellamy on the left if we've a 'new boy' at LB, if only for his tracking back and defensive cover. Move Noone to the right and KimBo on the bench for a rest. On that basis: Lewis, Ralls, Mutch, Conway, KimBo, Eti, Rudy A bit heavy with midfielders, but we've got no defenders. John as a wild card maybe.
I missed anything on Gunnar being unfit for Saturday. Where did you get that Sparks? McPhail and Whitts in midfield looks very lightweight. We need some energy and the ability to get in amongst them in that area. I wouldn't pick Kiss to start and Mutch probably needs a game or 2 from the bench. Should Gunnar be able to play then McPhail to the bench for Kiss. Bellers was very unfit when he came on last Saturday - started off in midfield and then went up front so he didn't have to chase back leaving a very knackered Heidar doing all the donkey work - slowly!!! If Bellers still lacks stamina then perhaps Veronica for him on the bench v. Barnsley.
Not exactly wide left remote - just left sided mid. I put Bellamy on the bench and kept Kimbo on the left purely as a shot in the dark - I suppose a reward for Kimbo's recent good efforts to be honest. Those two players could easily be reversed. I doubt he'd start them both though - far too aggressive a line up for Malky on the road in the past, but then you never know.
Ah, OK. Nice conversations to be having with all the midfield options though. Hope McPhail can stay fit now. At some point Whitts is going to need a rest, though he does seem very durable. With all the wide options we have McPhail pulling the strings could be very effective. He seemd to play well in the development team with Eti as well. If we can get through this mini crisis at the back and be in touch with top spot come 1st Jan my optomism will reach a new high!
Must have heard/read it somewhere, or maybe it was just the way he came off when Bellers replaced him on the hour last Saturday. Gunnar is a hard man to keep down though, and unless he rules himself out, I'd play him everytime. My thinking was that Malky might start McPhail as an experienced team player to assist new boy Lappin and youngster Nugent in the left side rear quarter.
Is McPhail ready though Sparky? He hasn't played a proper league in god knows how long. Development games and friendlies are no substitute for the actual thing. I reckon he should be brought on as a sub first to ease him back in instead of throwing him at the deep end with a start. He does have a lot of experience though and might have done it before....
Have to agree with Sheep. I think Macca's first Championship foray this season will be from the bench. It's the Malky way of closing down games.
Funny thing though Bobby - last season we were all screaming at Malky to do just that rather than start him. Bring him on and close the game down for the last half hour. What did Malky do? He started McPhail ahead of players like Ralls when he knew he couldn't last because of his illness, and then took him off knackered on the hour. That was always going to limit our options for the final 30 minutes committing to replace him whatever the situation at the time. This time, starting could be the right thing to settle Lappin and Nugent into the game, but what do I know?
Spark! It's only recently Malky has started taking advice from this board remember. I also see Frei involved on Saturday before his loan expires at the end of the month.
I think your original title could be a good one as well Sparkey and I'm sure Dick and Jayne would be very proud. Spot on the bench and on for the last 15 minutes. I've heard he's a speedy winger. I read an article the other day, it was a bit deep so took me a while to get the full meaning, it said, 'See spot run, Spot runs fast'. He's got to be worth a punt.
