The back 5 is sort of set in stone at the moment. Any views on what Slade will do on the evidence of last Saturday's problems in central midfield? Assuming he agrees there were problems! O'Keefe and Gunnarrson had full outings in the midweek game. Personally I'd go with Ralls and Dikajcho. Whitttingham to join the bench. Being an away game against supposed favourite to be in the top 6, Slade may adopt caution and keep Whittingham in but for me that would be unjustified. If he is going to play then it can only be a 4-5-1 with him in an advanced role. Out wide? Noone has laid down a marker. Pilkington did well v Fulham and Ameobi was surely brought here to play when available. Difficult choice. I'd be tempted to play 4-4-1-1. As for the forwards, if it is 4-4-2 then Jones or Doyle or Revell to partner Mason? I'd go Jones just for his experience with Doyle on bench and Revell loaned out or sold to a League 1 club. My team: Moore Peltier Morrison Connelly Malone Noone Ralls Dikajchoi Pilkington Ameobi Mason
Mason was unlucky not to score on Saturday. He could easily have had a couple or more but for some last ditch "bodies on the line stuff" that got in the way - another time they would have gone in. He'll get goals this season and must start, the only question is can he lead the line on his own. I'd also go for a 5 man midfield but Mason mustn't be hung out to dry up front like Fraizer Campbell was all too often - there has to be close support from midfield. You could be right about Ameobi there Nin - he has the skills and pace to make the moves for Joe to finish but I stiil can't see Slade ditching Whitts just yet. I think Whitts will be in there somewhere, that would be my only change to your eleven.
think most of us agree on the 5 man midfield, though I'll repeat the reservations I have about Mason leading the line. He's the no 10 and is clever enough to get forward at the right time. Ralls and Mason have shown their good enough and intelligent enough to be clear starters. Think Ralls intellect sees him destined to be wide left for his defensive duties but would like to see him left of a central 3. DIG-ASH-WE has shown we need him in front of the back 4. Ralls left of centre, Joe right of centre, with Pilks, Sammy, Noone fighting for two wide slots. That leaves who to lead the line......... Jones has to come off the bench, otherwise we'll slip into long ball. So, Doyle, Macheda or Ravell to start? To be fair, we look as if we have a bench to change things this year, either to shut up shop (put Gunnar next to Diggy) or chuck on some more attack minded players. I'd like to see Ralls more central as he, Pilks and Noone like to take a pop at goal, we need someone to bring them into the game from the front though. Saying all that, it'll be 442 on Saturday.
You've got to assume Slade's gonna go 4-4-2. Back 5 will be the same. Two up top (probably Ravell & Joe). Pilks & Dickachoi certs. Depends whether he plays Noone (I would say he HAS to). Therefore if Noone plays then its' Whitts or Ralls. In my opinion he's got to give Ralls a run in the side, though I've a feeling he'll stick with Whitts.
Noone has caused a 'problem'. It seems crazy to even consider not starting him after 2 (stunners) in 2. However Pilks has to start as he's possibly our best player. I thought Ralls was superb and certainly starts, Dikgacoi is a no brainer. I don't see our formation changing and for that reason it'll be interesting to see how Big R tries to fit 5 squares into the round hole. For QPR I'd play 4-2-3-1 Back 5 Ralls Dikgacoi Noone Mason or Sami Pilks Revel At home I'd consider Mason taking the front role but away we'll need someone who can hold the ball and let us get out. That is not a strong point for Mason. Obviously I've dropped Whits but on Saturdays showing he was the worst of midfield 4 and if space is being made for Noone he's the one who didn't do enough imo. I think if he does change the team from Fulham he'll probably just drop one of Ralls or Pilks and stick Noone there instead though. If I was betting on starting line up I'd say same again with Noone getting about 30 minutes off the bench.
I'll go with your team Steve but with Mason to start not Ameobi. As we're away we need a harder worker and Mason fits the bill.
Apparently less than 500 tickets sold for tomorrow. we took 4,000 for our last game there 4 seasons ago. 5.15 kick off to blame I guess, amongst other things. Anyway, Barry Tiger and me plus our driver Phil will be there.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/cardiff-city-must-pick-newcastle-9849285 Ameobi to start then? Slade suggests not asserting he needs more "minutes." Slade has a headache here with choices for wingers; plus Kennedy and to a lesser extent Harris. To me the answer is simple, drop Whittingham to make room for Ralls in the middle thereby freeing up a wide berth for one of the 3. I'd have Ameobi floating ahead of central midfield, but accept that Mason is not an out and out striker. We had this problem last year with Le Fondre forced out of position. So up front there is another headache with Jones, Macheda, Doyle and Revell looking to be the striker. The former 2 can score but contribute nothing of the ball. Revell and Doyle do a lot of work but can they score sufficiently at this level? Mason looks to have the shirt at the moment but he needs to notch a few otherwise there are others lining up to take his place.
I know everyone on here wont be surprised to see me bat for Macheda but I'd like to see him given a run in a side playing football. He's a clever footballer with a decent touch and definitely knows where the goal is. I know plenty aren't convinced ...... Sparks .... but if he can be kept fit I believe he has 20+ in him at this level. The fact he hasn't been booted out the door with Guerra, Alf etc. suggests to me the management believe he has a future here.
Apart from KWJ with his head (poor with his feet as we saw Tuesday), ironically Macheda is probably the most natural scorer amongst our strikers. It is the other aspects of his play that let him down. Isn't he not quite fit yet anyway?
I think that's right. It's a massive issue, he's not played more than 21 games in any season according to Wiki and that was for us last year!
And many of those were as a sub or he got subbed. I wonder how many times he has started and finished a game in a season?
If Slade is going to play 442 then a key to his system is Joe Ralls on the left hand side. He isnt playing as a winger he comes inside and joins in the centre to help make a 3 man central midfield. I think Noone has to come in though after 2 goals. Not though with him and Pilkington as 2 wide men in a midfield 4. I think id play Noone on the right and replace Revell with Pilkinton as the support striker. Moore Peltier Morrison Connelly Malone Ralls, Dikgacoi , Whitts , Noone , Pilks , Mason. This is based on Slades system. Id rather a man centre with 2 wide players backing a lone striker.
Pilks could make a great partner for Mason - he'd be a far better option than Revell. He's got vision and drive that could let Mason in as well as having a pop himself. Noone out wide from the off maybe too much for Slade to contemplate at QPR but he deserves a chance. Jones could be a useful plan B if that setup doesn't come off.
'Appen Jay Thomas is going to make you wish you never got rid of him today. He said he's gunning for revenge!
1 down half time. Doing okay until Morrison went to sleep on a corner and Hill had a free header. Looked shaky after that. Lots of possession but no end product. Noone, Ameobi and KWJ needed if we're to get anything from this.
On this showing we are in for another mid table finish at best. QPR are a poor side and we still don't threaten much. Please prove me wrong in the second half.
