Is the answer to our promotion to be found in the midfield? Against Watford, an attacking midfield failed miserably. Against Bristol, a similar win at all cost approach failed again! Playing away from home, adopting a more defensive approach as proven successful.. So has Mr Bruce got the answers in the wrong order? For me Evans, Meyler and even Fathi should feature at Barnsley. I'd go; ...................Stockdale................... Elmo...Chester...Faye...Hobbs...Brady .............Evans (or Fathi)................ .........Meyler................Quinn......... ....................Simmo......................... ...............................Boyd............. Subs: McShane, Rosy, Koren, Fryatt, Gedo, Prosser
I would go with same team, I just hope Evans is fully fit. If Fathi is going to make an appearance, I sure hope it is a most 75 minutes in. The same goes for Koren. Seems better as an impact sub.
Every time Brucie plays without a holding midfielder we **** up. Evan or Fathi MUST play. The other worry is that he will persist with our two unfit strikers. If he doesn't start with Simpson anf Boyd up front, I'll be worried!
i think simpson is a must, although he may not score himself he manages to get us in to positions where someone like boyd or quinn can get the goal
I wouldn't say we had an attacking midfield against Watford when Bruce Jnr was in the holding defensive role.
Didn't say he was. I was saying he's not exactly an attacking midfielder either. The OP mentions the Watford match, and an 'attacking midfield'. Bruce Jnr was part of that set up so I was pointing out it wasn't entirely an attacking midfield.
Simpson isn't 'due' anything - he owes us big time and so does Proschwitz ("Der Esel auf Deutchland") who between them have contributed 8 goals in 66 appearances which equates to 1 goal every 8 games or so. We appear to be scoring more goals from shots taken outside the penalty box which is why I am praying that Koren is at his unbelievable best on Saturday. Same goes for Brady and Elmo who were closed down right out of the game by Bristol City. Boyd and Gedo were well off the pace too so it is hoped that they and the entire team can lift their game for this 'big event' on Saturday. Don't forget, Barnsley have beaten Burnley, Watford and Leicester in their last 9 home games where they have been beaten only twice by Bolton (3-2) and Charlton (6-0) where they were reduced to 9 men at the finish.
Evans is fully fit. He was suspended and not injured. He had a full training session prior to the Brizzle game
I certainly feel that this the best formation and balanced side with what we have available just now. Boyd doesn't suit the deeper roll, also Meyler would prefer to have a holding mid-fielder such as Evans or Fathi, so he can get forward more. I certainly hope that this is the line up at Barnsley.
Fathi or Evans for me. Myhler and Quinn doing what they've done so many times bombing forward and dominating the mid field is the way to go But Is Simpson so bad at this level? The Bristol game he was by far the most lively of our strikers, held the ball up used it and pressed when not in possession. Looked far better on the day than either Gedo or Fryat. Which is exactly what he has done all season. We can only use what we've got and at the moment he is as good as any and far better than some. Of course goals are important. Its a strikers main role but not their only role. He is no Shearer, Ferdinand or Van Perse but if you think his goals per game is poor speak to SAF and ask why he plays Welbeck with Man U's goal scoring options, when so far this season ......1 premiership goal in 26 games. Might be that he thinks to be sporting and fair he needs to give his team a handicap. Somehow I seriously doubt that. Makes Simmo's return look quite respectable.
...................Stockdale................... Elmo...Chester...Faye...Hobbs...Brady .....................Evans................ .........Meyler................Quinn......... ....................Boyd......................... ...............................Simmo............. I'll be amazed if that's not the team.
-------------Stockdale ------Chester Faye Hobbs Elmo------------------------Brady ------Meyler Evans Quinn ----------------Boyd -------------Simpson Subs: Jakupovic, McShane, Rosey, Koren, Fathi, Gedo, Fryatt Bring on Koren and Fathi after around 65-70 minutes. If we ain't winning, bring on any of the strikers around the same time as well.
Simmo offered something we lacked desperately against Bristol until he came on. For a small man the ball sticks up front and at least gives you something to work with.
