Given the injury to Austin, the lack of match fitness/general inadequacies of his possible replacements (more so for BZ) and the thoroughly abject performance at Forest, what do people think our starting XI should be for the visit to Watford? Can't decide fully for myself, but here goes: 4-5-1/4-3-3 Green Simpson BAE Hill Ned Barton Kranky Diakite Philips SWP AJ The selection of Diakite might come as a surprise, but Henry is a lost cause and O'Neill has been dreadful in recent weeks; although in his defence, playing him on the wing does him no favours what so ever. As for Carroll, promising young talent but I think we're (or perhaps HR) is expecting too much of such a young and inexperienced player. How we miss Ale! So, with these guys out, I couldn't think of another combative midfielder. SWP has his critics (including myself) but Hoilett is quite ineffectual, in my opinion, and for that reason SWP deserves a recall. As for the bench, a few players from the 'youth' team (or whatever they call it nowadays) would be a welcome sight.
Has Diakite been playing for the reserves? Poor old SWP - nearly scored again at his last outing. That seems to his specialty - nearly scoring. Probably worth a go.
-----------------------Green--------------------- Simpson----------Ned--------Hill--------------BAE ----------------Barton------O'Neill---------------- SWP-----------------Benayoun-------------Hoilett --------------------Phillips----------------------- AJ didn't look fit and Zamora is just crap, so I'd use Phillips centrally and get SWP in on the right, as he will at least put a shift in!
Well for me the likes of Carroll, Jenas, and Kranjcar all need dropping. All have badly under performed this season. And as many others have shown, we need to drop one of Hill or Dunne to allow room for Onuoha in - although as you will see I have offered a solution: ----------------------GREEN---------------------- ----------DUNNE---ONUOHA---HILL------------- SIMPSON----------BARTON---- ASSOU-EKOTTO PHILLIPS----------KRANJCAR-----------HOILETT --------------------JOHNSON--------------------- SUBS: MURPHY, TRAORE, ONYWEU, JENAS, ONEILL, WRIGHT-PHILLIPS, ZAMORA We badly missed Barton v Forest and I think in the above system Simpson and Assou-Ekotto can both attack more, and be positioned further forwards whilst still providing defensive reinforcements when required. The inclusion of Onuoha will enable the whole team to move further forwards. When both full/backs attack one of Phillips or Hoilett could move inside and support Johnson. I also deliberately removed one midfielder for Onuoha as none of them are performing - but obviously had to put someone in there behind Johnson - for me Kranjcar the best option.
Nope. He's fat,unfit and a huge disappointment. He also never, ever makes an effort to win the ball back when it's lost. I'd maybe play him at home, in the middle of a three behind the forward, but not away from home when we're desperate to stop the rot.
----------------------Green--------------------- Simpson----------Ned--------Hill--------------BAE ----------------Barton------Jenas---------------- Philips-------------Kranky------------Hoilett --------------------AJ----------------------- Recall Hitchcock and have him on the bench. If Philips can play up front, I'd play Traore at LW and Hoilett on the right. Whatever we play, no zamora or henry but I still think redknapp will play zamora as he thinks the sun shines out of his arse.
Push Philips and Hoilett alongside AJ and you'd virtually be playing 3-4-3, but you can't carry passengers in that sort of system, BAE and Kranjcar would need to work their socks off, too risky...
I would like to see us allowing our midfield and forward push on... ----------------------Green--------------------- Simpson--------Hill--------Dunne----------BAE ---------------Barton------Ned---------------- Philips-------------Kranjcar------------Hoilett ---------------------AJ------------------------ Ned could give us additional support as a DCM with JB pushing up or aware of full backs pushing on and provide cover.
Probably though I note Col's comments above. Kranky is a bit disappointing but at least I know that. If we play Benayoun instead we'll just get all hopeful before getting disappointed again!
Agree with this. Also think it's well overdue that Arry play and sticks with 4 2 3 1. One change would be to bring SWP back for Hoillet. He would probably be as ineffective going forward but works back better.
Precisely! This is what has gone wrong in the last two games. Leicester and Forest have made us play under pressure in our own half, looking to punish us when we lose the ball.
------------GREEN------------- SIMPSON DUNNE ONUHA BAE -----------BARTON------------ PHILLIPS---KRANKY-----TRAORE --------HOILLETT---AJ----------- I'd like something like this. I'd like to see Hoilett up top and running at the last CB in 50/50 sprints. I reckon out of 10 attempts he make at least 6 and only needs to put 1 on target. Not to sure what i'd do for "Left Wing". I think I like to see Traore given a shot out there in front of BAE Defensively we're covered & Barton could also push on with that back 5. Both wings are covered and we have some pace & goal scoring ability up front. Ideally it would be Austin for AJ but thats if not injured. i dont see many teams in this league that could beat that side if we actually made an effort.!! Incidently, Hoillet is in the role that I always wanted to see Adel play.. That should make some happy
When I saw that SWP was on the bench at Forest, I was pleased. If he has been doing well in training I can imagine that he might start against Watford. 4-4-1-1 Green Simpson Ned Hill BAE SWP Barton Jenas Hoilett Kranky or Jossi AJ
