Team v Sheffield United

Sheffield will clearly miss Paul Coutts, who looks to be out for the season with that leg break, but they're still going to be brim full of confidence after destroying Burton 3-1 away last Friday. The extra day also gives Baldrock time to fully recover from a slight hamstring injury. Their 3-5-2 formation will press us high and the front two of Clarke and Sharp are in impressive form.

McDonald will be back for us and good though the youngsters were on Saturday night, the Gaffer is likely to revert to his tried and tested, experienced lot. Bit of a toss up between Norwood (who probably had his best games for us at the weekend) and Johansen (who may or may not have recovered from his "fever") to partner Cairney in the middle. Or, he might play all three given where the opposition strengths lie.

The front line is undoubtedly where our issues are. He could try Ayite in the centre - as he did a few times last season and quite effectively - OR go for a bit of lateral thinking and play Ojo there, if he were fit. [The guy's got a selfish and arrogant streak in him which is what we need at the moment.]

But, Jokanovic won't do any of that. Do think he'll 'rest' Sessegnon however. In which case the front three could be - Ayite, Fonte and Kebano (if he's recovered from his hip problem).

All things considered and subject to the Johansen and Kebano injury doubts, going for:

...........................Button......
..Fredericks...Kalas..Ream ....Odoi..
........................McDonald.....
.......Cairney......Johansen...Norwood...
...............Ayite..............Kebano....


If this match was on TV reckon I'd be watching it from behind the sofa. Mind, their bubble has to burst at some point. Hopefully that will be tomorrow.

 

Must admit I had the same thought over the weekend about playing Ojo upfront. Would Humphrys be ready if need be ?
But I can't see Jokanovic discarding Fonte or Kamara just yet, like he has Mollo, Graham, Cisse & Madl.
Don't think he will drop Sessegnon, could be he needs a rest but I still think he is one of our more dangerous players at present in attack.
Sheffield United will be a tough game but I'm hoping because of our better away form we might have a chance of 3 points.

...........................Button......
..Fredericks...Kalas..Ream ....Odoi..
...........McDonald...Johansen....
...Ayite....Cairney.....Sessegnon..
......................Fonte......................

 

It's that man again, James Linnington.

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We've had a fair few run ins with him over the last couple of seasons, which I won't repeat, but somebody up there likes the Isle of Wight Hornblower. Obviously being 'groomed', Linnington has been running the line at Premiership games this season and ref'd the Southampton v Wolves League Cup game. He has managed to squeeze in 13 Championship matches however, flourishing 47 yellows and 3 reds in the process.

One of those was our first game of the season; the 1-1 against Norwich at the Cottage. He booked 5, Johansen Cairney and Fredericks for us. He also lumbered around the Wolfsburg pre-season friendly and happily ignored any unlawful tackles.

 

To nights game we should throw in,at least for some part Cameron Thompson along with
Edun & DL T who had good debuts last Saturday, could add some sparkle before they
are tainted with slavis sterile negativity.

 

The Gaffer has gone with a bit of both SuperBri.

.............................Button......
..Fredericks......Kalas..Ream ......Odoi..
..........................McDonald.....
.............Cairney...........Norwood...
.......Ojo............Ayite...........Sessegnon....


Could even be Ojo in the middle up front !!!!!


Subs: Bettinelli, Edun, Johansen, de la Torre, Fonte and Kamara

 

Half time 3-2 ahead

Will skip past Button's bloopers for both their goals. For us though:

1.

Ojo shows his Mojo to equalise

 

2.

Ryan celebrates his 50th game for the Club

 

3.

Ryan doubles up after a great cross from Ojo ... Both goals with his right foot !!!

 

4.

Oh My Goodness, Ojo makes it 4-2

 

5.

You couldn't make it up ... Ryan gets his hat trick .. 5-2

 

Was behind the sofa in last minutes. What a win - Fulham on the road do it again - 5-4 !!!

 

Seemed a bit nail biting,but who would believe it.
Looking at stats it appears that we did not have as much possession as S U
so in future maybe that's the answer.
Cant wait to read report from someone who was there.
Multi talented SESS has just added a few mll on his value, and we may have found a C/F..
"PLEASE DONT BLOW IT IN FUTURE GAMES"

 

Brilliant team selection and tactics by the Gaffer, rosc.

 

5 Goals ! We've found our scoring boots. Great three points - Is this the moment we needed to start to kick on ?

Sadly I didn't go tonight, fans that did must have witnessed a great match.

 

Had a nose at a Sheffield Utd site to get an idea of how they perceived the game and pleased to read many positive comments on our play. Liked this one in particular - They were a really good team. They had a very good footballing midfield and were by far the paciest team I've seen and we struggled against it. Sliced us open on the break a few times.

I can see how they made play offs last season and I think now they're over injuries they will again

 

Ojo's return could be important for us. I've frequently bemoaned our lack of a RW, but Ojo can do that - and he clearly has a decent partnership with young Sess, which could stand us in good stead.

It's equally clear that Slavisa doesn't fancy Soares; good thing we didn't sell Odoi, our all-star utility man!

 

I couldn't listen to the 6 minutes of extra time. My heart was pounding! Altogether, GJ said there was 13 minutes extra time in the game! I've never seen that in a game that had no-one stretchered off, or was there? Did I miss that bit?

 

It was 7 minutes injury time? in the first half and 6 minutes at the end of the second.

 

Agree C58 re: tactics, and team selection,pity it was not implemented a month or so ago
Could it be RS has found his rightful position.
For those who can remember way back Malcolm Mcdonald started his career as full
back then moved to C/F and what a successful career he enjoyed..

 

No Ojo a month or so ago... also an unfit Cairney...