What team would you like to see tommorow. With the swuad carrying a few knocks there could be changes. 3 clean sheets in a row means the back 5 will stay the same unless injuries. But 2 games without a goal means there probaly will be changes further up the pitch. So here is my team Schmeichel Peltier Mills Bamba Konchesky Fernandes Danns Wellens (King if Wellens isnt fit) Johnson (Abe if Johnson isnt fit Nugent Beckford (Vassell) Subs St. Ledger, Dyer, King, Vassell, Schlupp
I heard Wellens and Beckford were both hamstring, in which case they won't play, and Johnson shoulder, not sure about him. Assuming they're all out, I'd go for: please log in to view this image I think it's Schlupp's turn, Vassell is so frustrating and does not score goals. His good performances are few and far between. If Johnson is fit then he must play in King's position instead of him.
no, totally disagree, dnt care who is fit or injured, defence picks itself, midfield lm dyer cm danns cm fernandes rm vassell st schlupp st nugent
I think I'm right in saying that Derby were in good form last season until we played them at home and after we beat them they collapsed like rat bags, guess they are hoping lightning doesn't strike twice! Anyway I'm hoping for a good game, my mates up from Didcot and we are taking along a Spurs fan as well, showing him a real game with real supporters! Then a cheeky curry after which I don't want to be sulking at whilst eating it
I'm hoping the ticket prices and the fact it's on TV don't put too many people off. Last season we only had 25K but it was a great atmosphere and a very good performance.
I'm going to assume that Beckford and Wellens aren't going to make it with their groin injuries. I think Johnson will be about 50-50. Firstly, I think the back 5 picks itself at the moment. I think a solid defence is what we've been crying out for and finally it seems we've got that. And now we have that base that we can build from and if you look at all successful teams they've all had good defences. For instance, the biggest difference of Arsenal's team now and 7 years ago is the defence. Also, imagine what the Bloomfield team could have achieved if only they had a solid defence. Some might say we've been too pragmatic in our approach. I think playing three holding players was probably a bit too many and a lack of thrust going forward was always going to be a problem doing that. Sven did change it against Middlesbrough but I think a mistake he made then was putting one of our better attacking, creative players (Johnson) at the base of the diamond where he couldn't really play passes to open up defences. For me, Wellens or Abe would have been fine in this role and would have allowed Michael to play in our areas higher up the pitch where I think he can influence the play more and add that bit of a creative spark that we seem to be missing. I think its where he'd rather play and where he would be most beneficial for the team. Overall, I think it does seem we've sacrificed a bit of attacking flair for defensive solidarity and I think that's a sacrifice worth making for the progress of the team. I'd like to think that, now we're at home, we'll probably be more forward thinking. In the midifeld, I would probably keep King (especially due to the injuries) and I think he's played alright lately - not at his best but what I have seen more of is him dropping deeper trying to get more involved in the play and that might be why we haven't seen him getting into as many goal scoring positions. In that sense, its a Catch 22 and I think its just about getting the balance right for Kingy. Johnson, if fit, for me has to play further forward where he can be more of an attacking threat. Dare I say it, I think we're missing a Gallagher type player who naturally will look to unlock defences and play between the lines. That is something I'd like to see King do playing in the position he is. Up front, I think Nugent should come back in regardless of Beckford's fitness and if he isn't fit, I would go for Vassell to partner him. (Ducks for cover). I'd do this because I think Schlupp when he has come on hasn't really been involved in the game and made a positive impact whereas Darius has always been lively and been involved and a threat to the opposition. That said, his final ball does really need to improve because too often now we're seeing him in dangerous positions and looking threatening but then he fails to deliver and its so frustrating. What's encouraging is he's getting into those postions to do something meaningful but he has to deliver now and you never know, the fact that Nugent's returning might make him up his game. please log in to view this image Subs: Weale Pantsil Danns/Howard Dyer Schlupp Going for 2-0 to us with Mills and Vassell to score.