Whilst I have not come down from the ceiling after seeing City gift a very ordinary Swansea team 3 points (at0-0, there was only one winner with Mutch, Noone & Campbell to come on to spearhead us to victory but no he brought on a full back, and took off Jones and then Zaha??), thoughts must now move onto our next 2 home games. Cliches aside, they are 2 must win games, real 6 pointers and chances for the players to put what that disaster behind them. The team selection was oh so very wrong, and so will he get it right this time? Villa will be set up for the counter as seen in most of their away games this season (where they have more points I think than at Villa Park). Therefore the defence needs shoring up. Fabio is the worst defensive full back seen at CCS for some time, makes JL Samuel look good. McNaughton should start. John is better defending marginally and his distribution is better than KTC. Turner is so out of touch; Cala has to be given his berth. Midfield??????? He got it so wrong v Swansea so will he get it right tomorrow? Should it be Noone, Mutch, Medel and Zaha. Whittingham, Kim & Gunnarsson should not get on the pitch again for City? Playing Mutch leaves a hole in midfield but so what, it has to be a gamble now. I'd play Deihle & Eikrem before any of those. Up top. Playing Bellamy off Jones didn't work on Saturday because Bellamy went walkabout. Ok he hit the bar and made a mess of a first half chance when Routledge later showed him how to finish for that angle, but surely it is now time for 4-4-2 with Campbell playing off Jones. Marshall John, Cala, Caulker, McNaughton Noone, Medel, Mutch, Zaha Jones, Campbell. subs Lewis, KTC, Deihle, Eikrem, Bellamy, and 2 of any of the flops Fabio, Kim, Gunnarrsson, Whittingham or Cowie.
Spot on tactics there Nin. Turner shouldnt be allowed on the pitch, same for Whitts and Kim.. Little harsh on Fabio imo. I'd still prefer KTC on the pitch as I don't see what he's done wrong.
Sorry Jay - don't think Nin is being harsh on Fabio at all - he has been a disaster at RB. I'd go as far as to say, I'd play him right side midfield any day than the last line of defence on that side of the pitch. Jones and Campbell starting would be brave, but where does that leave Bellamy? He can't play wide for 90 minutes, and three up front would be Roy of the Rovers stuff. Having said that, being brave is what's going to make the difference as to which league we're in next season. Ole has got to get this one right - losing it (or even a draw) is not an option. We are slipping behind off the pack and it's time to close that gap or it could all be taken out of our hands by the time we play Palace and Stoke at the CCS in April.
I have 2 points with that:- 1. Need a cb on the bench, Connolly out after an op and not right to put Nugent into the fray at this stage. Therefore, Turner has to be a sub as I don't think KTC can do cb. 2. Centre midfield looks very light. Villa have a combative midfield with Westwood and Delph. Mutch's strength is going forward carrying the ball attacking defenders but we need to give him the ball to do that. Could even play Mutch in the no. 10 role behind KWJ allowing another midfielder in behind. Eikrem maybe who also looked like he can pick a pass. Tough on Campbell as I would like to see him and KWJ teaming up but we need to look at what goes on behind and be solid - not giving away easy goals like Saturday.
If we had another class defensive centre mid I think we could do a lot worse against Villa than 4-2-3-1. They love breaking into the space behind midfield, away at anfield they destroyed Liverpool first half as they only had Gerrard playing defensively in midfield. If Cowie is fit I'd play. Could play Gunnar in there. I fear for us if we're too open against Villa's counter attacking pace. Marshall Fabio Caulker Cala John Cowie Medel None Mutch Zaha KWJ I know it's different to the team I mentioned yesterday but the other team is better suited to teams without such devastating counter attacking pace. If he picks Witts against Villa's pace I genuinely ****ing give up.
The problem is understanding what type of game OGS is looking to play as that would determine the players you put in. I think you could do worse than Cowie in front of the back four. Limited in what he does but has a great engine. Also, Mutch should be one of the first names on the team sheet as he seems to have been the most consistent and rounded of the midfield 5. Turner definitely needs a rest. A solid and committed defender but just doesn't look comfortable with the ball at his feet. I think I'd go for: Marshal KTC Caulker Cala John Mutch Medel Noone Bellamy Zaha Jones Throw on Dealhi for Zaha or Noone in the final 20 and FC for Bellamy if we are loosing or for Jones if winning with possibly Cowie on for Mutch or Medel just to keep the work rate up in the final 20. I can see the argument for a number of other options with Kev at RB a good shout especially as in the games I've seen him in since he came back he seems to have more of an end product since his time at Bolton. Still not the best, but much improved.
I think we got found out because our centre halves were covering for our full backs too many times. I know Turner has not been playing at his best but he was pulled out of position because of John. Marshall Fabio Caulker Cala McNaughton (wrong side for him but he's played there before). Noone Medel Mutch Zaha Capbell Jones
I quite disagree about Fabio and think everyone's oppinion's vary on him. I would still like to see KTC in his place
I was very close to saying Mutch as the other CM but do you think he'd be disciplined enough with so many only forward thinking players in front. He's a class above Cowie and Gunnar so if he will hold the centre of the pitch he's definitely our best option. Liverpool tried all out attack v Villa and got demolished first half, I don't think our Cb's will deal with Villa's pace any better than Liverpools did if we expose them.
This game is going to be all about pace - they've got it and we haven't (up until now anyway). They hurt us badly at Villa Park because of Malky's team selection and tactics - that's my opinion anyway. The team that day is below and tell sit's own story. Marshall Théophile-Catherine Taylor Medel Caulker Turner Cowie Gunnarsson (Mutch - 65' ) Odemwingie (Campbell - 55' ) Whittingham Bellamy (Maynard - 82)' With Taylor, Cowie, Gunnar and Whitts roaming the park we were punished by sheer pace from Villa - we mustn't make the same mistake again by playing a holding game. Can't see the point in resurrecting that sort of set up - bringing Cowie back for this home fixture against them seems logical to help protect the back four, but Medel does that and adding Cowie would slow us down. Better option to play to our own current strengths. FFS let's use the new players (except Fabio) now we've gone to the trouble to get them or it'll be too late. I'd play Zaha and Noone wide with Mutch, Medel and maybe even young Daehli chucked in there. Got a feeling this game so soon after Saturday will be too soon for Bellers Not so sure about Kenwyne over Fraizer either - I think Campbell could have converted at least one of those two great chances that fell to Jones against Swansea.
We all need to be top draw tomorrow and in high voice, spur the players on. No doubt confidence will be knocked after Saturdays shambles. Supporters high in voice will get Zaha's motor running smooth, few crosses, swift one-two's and nab a goal or 2.
Fabio has to be dropped (clueless) Turner (out of form and hasnt a scooby with distribution) Taff Jones (also clueless) Whitts (give him a rest) Bellers (wont do 2 in a row) In. Mcnuggs, Cala (why not) Mutch, Noone, and Faz (for the like of me i cannot understand how Taff Jones gets the nod in front of him) In reality, i think Eikrem and Daehli will get on at some time.
If that's is the case then Turner, Kim and Witts would surely make way. I'd be happy to see how that starting line up would do, but I can't work out why Mutch wouldn't be the first name on the team sheet when fit.
Marshall McNaughton - Caulker - Cala - John Medel - Daehli Noone - Mutch - Zaha Campbell I think Mutch should play a target man role if we are struggling to get the ball out, but still stick to an attacking midfield role. While Daehli and Medel have very good distribution to control the midfield. We need to try something different before players start getting demoralised.
Arwr - that's my side as well as posted above. The midfield 5 is exciting, but not overly ambitious for a game we must win. I'd also start Campbell in place of Jones - he is a different proposition and pacy. With the right service from Mutch through the middle and pace out wide from Zaha and Noone, he can get on the end of things. McNuggs deserves a start and Turner doesn't - Cala must be given a go alongside Caulks. Declan should be persevered with despite his lapse to let Dyer in on Saturday - he will get better.
Kenwyne Jones would be good to bring on late to hold the ball up and slow the game down if we're winning. We can't keep defending for the last 15-20 minutes of games. Cowie could come on for Daehli to chase the Villa midfield and maybe even bring on Turner and play 5-3-2/5-4-1. We need to throw entertainment to the wind and just kill the game. It's not pretty (and Malky-esque) but we need results.
Sorry to say City just are not good enough to do that. They tried to do that at Villa Park, Stoke, Norwich and were sterile. 3 points are needed, got to go for gold here. Even if we are leading in 2nd half, the manager cannot bring on defensive p;layers as it just invites pressure like Sunderland and Norwich.
At Villa, Stoke and Norwich, we made no attempt to win the game though. The problem we had with Sunderland and Norwich is; we just sat back in our own box and asked them to have shots. As soon as the ball comes into our half we need to close them down straight away. We did it in the first half against Sunderland and ripped them apart, then Norwich came here and did it to us which made us look like a pub team. We're making teams look like Barcelona because we're giving them all the time in the world to pick a pass or take a shot.
What I meant was that City are not good enough to hold onto a lead comfortably. City are best when the ball passes through midfield at pace and that means Mutch has to play with Noone & Zaha. Whittingham is too slow, he slows the pace of the game down, and ends up passing sideways and backwards. Like McPhail. I did read on sky news that Noone has an injury doubt though.
