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.
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Subs:
Weale
Pantsil
Danns/Howard
Dyer
Schlupp
Going for 2-0 to us with Mills and Vassell to score.
