Hiya guys, day off from the beat so I thought i'd stick my head on here and say hi. Grab a pillow sparkey! Haha! Last day of the season decider again for us Bluebirds.. I do think we've moved on somewhat from DJ's capitulation in the 08/09 season when we lost out to a late goal at Sheff Wed (irony considering DJ is now managing them) after that 6 goal swing at the hands of Preston.. But there's still that nagging feeling of here we go again... The major concern I have is whether Malky will risk putting Don Cowie back in now he's been declared fit.. Don, has been superb this season don't get me wrong.. running after anything and everything! Think he's a great workhorse.. not sure if he offers much else though, certainly not on the wing, I genuinely thought when we signed Lawrence he would go back inside alongside Whitts and Gunnar with Mason floating on the left wing. But it's not worked out like that. I do like Don though, he's been a good signing for us, just wish he'd have contributed more in terms of goals the second half of the season. Personally I would be happy to see the same team named from the Leeds game with the 4-4-2 and Miller/Mason up front. I do think Macca in the centre works for us and Lawrence after recent performances will be hard done by to lose his place. Miller and Mason combined well against Leeds at times and you can tell they are working well in training together. With this formation however, whilst not including Cowie, we do have the tendency to be overrun as we saw all too frequently under DJ's ill-fated reliance on the trusted 4-4-2.. With this formation we have the option of bringing on Cowie later for Macca, which isn't a bad change.. and Gestede for some aerial bombardment.. Although, I would be tempted to see Whitts, Lawrence wide with Gunnar, Cowie and Macca in midfield with Mason running off the shoulder up front. That way we have some natural width and some effective break up play and neat passing in midfield, the downside of that of course is that if we continue to kick it long, the midfield will have to work harder to get the ball back as it will came straight back at us from goal kicks. I do think this formation will work better in nullifying Zaha too Taylor will be up for a torrid time if it is just Whitts covering the left with him.. Lawrence linked up well with McNaughton too, although Super Kev has been bathing in kryptonite this season and is not playing up to what we have come to expect from him.. one thing is for certain with Kev.. I may not be too inclined to offer Kev my wife this season.. With this formation we could bring on Miller and Gestede for some more striking options but it leaves our midfield close to burn out at the 90 minutes, with all our 1st choice midfielders being played with the exception of Kiss, but alas our resident Slovakian meathead is off his game and is currently looking very rusty in recent weeks same goes for young Ralls. Harris? Hell of a risk considering what's ahead.. But stick him on the bench ahead of Earnie in my opinion.. Earnie for me has done nothing of note all season apart from his trademark flicks which end up directing the ball away to the opposition.. I still love Earnie though of course I do.. Toughy for Malky.. however we did have the beating of Palace at the CCS this season and again in the 2nd leg, where had Miller been more effective and Gunnar not hit the bar, we wouldn't have even had to go to pens. I think we can do it.. My prediction is that we will finish in the playoffs. I think we might even beat Palace, Boro will get a draw I think. Brum will lose to Reading and Blackpool will win. Where does that put us? 5th I believe leaving us to play Blackpool in the playoffs. Can we shake the hoodoo of Blackpool? Dunno.. We'll give it a shot though. Although Ideally i'll be hoping for a win for us, a win for Brum and Blackpool losing. Leaving us to play Brum in the semis from 5th place. I can't make the trip to Palace on Sat, because i'm working the 2 til midnight shift in Newport. But the streets will be safe enough until I know we're in the playoffs! To all my fellow Bluebirds travelling to Selhurst, enjoy the trip, safe journey and make some bloody noise! In Malky we trust! (So much so, the Mrs and I just named our dog after him) BLUEBIRDS!
Playing Mcphail in a 442 is a complete no no for me. Cowie should start if fit. I wouldnt play 442. Id go 4411. But still with Cowie recalled.
erm.... stick.. no twist.. erm.. stick with the Leeds game.. erm.. I dunno.. leave it to Malky I reck!
Aye that's the one! Hope you're well mate! been a while, still part-timing as dragonphill/the 3rd gunman on the grassy knoll/and all those others that you used to be accused of being?
4 month old Westy, picked him from Cardiff Dog's home on Monday.. and Ner insisted we name him after Malky... Who was I to argue? So if anyone hears me shout "Malky out.." it's not the manager i'm talking about!
LOL what’s the odds I have a 12 week old Maltese pup and my boys choose the name can you guess ??
