What side will you pick for Saturday? Solly and Cort are still injured, but Kermit is fit. I'm going for a 4-1-4-1 Alnwick Wilson - RB Wiggins - LB Wood - CB Morro - CB Dervite - DM Cousins - CM Gower - CM Harriott - RW Stewart - LW Kermit - CF Subs - Hamer, Hughes, Sordell, Church, Evina, Jackson, Cook I would pick a few of the kids for the bench, but I don't really know enough about them.
hamer wilson wood morro evina hughes stewart jacko cousins harriott church alnwick wiggins kermit piggott dervite cook stephens
I'm gonna go for a 4-5-1 formation... lock it down and grind out a gritty 1-0 Hamer Wilson - Morrison - Dervite - Wiggins Stewart - Pritchard - Stephens - Jackson - Harriott Kermorgant Subs: Alnwick - Evina - Wood - Cousins - Gower - Church - Pigott
3-5-2 for me and I'd go...: Hamer Wood Dervite Morrison Stewart Wiggins Stephens Cousins Jackson Kermorgant Church
I am shocked that Solly is still out. I assumed it was a small knock and he was partly left out until his contract was settled. In fact, the Good Doctor said "now he is free to get back to his best" or words which implied that. On the other hand, if he was carrying an injury, that would explain his falling off his usual high standards. If Kermorgant fit and no other injuries except Cort, then in 3-5-2: Hamer Morrison, Dervite, Wood Wilson, Pritchard, Cousins, Jackson, Wiggins Kermorgant, Church Subs: Stewart for Wilson or Pritchard if we are chasing a goal Pigott for Kermit if (more likely "when") he tires (this is where we miss Fuller, and although Smith may be inferior to Piggott generally he is actually a more suitable player for that role) Gower for Cousins if he tires Evina for Wiggins if he is playing badly or maybe Harriott for Wiggins anyway if we need a goal with 20 minutes to go. But no more bringing on players for the last 5 minutes unless we are comfortable and just want to break up play. Alnwick, Sordell I think we could well get a point. Pay Stephens' expenses for a weekend in Blackpool. His lack of commitment is a poor example to our youngsters.
I would be happy to do that, even for a 0 -0 or a 1 -1, but the funny thing is your line-up is a fairly attacking one. Three forwards and a midfield trio which proved defensively hopeless against Millwall. Not a bad line-up if you want to give it a real go and take the play to Burnley (and there may be a case to do just that), but not for "locking-down" and "grinding out".
I'd keep Hamer, Wilson, Morro, Wood, Dervite and Wiggins. Bring Andy Hughes back, assuming he's fit , which I think he is, put Cousins alongside him, put Harriott in the hole, where he had been playing for the U-21's, with Kermit and Church up front.
I would definitely go with this as the basis with the exception of Evina for Wiggins. The bench to consist of Alnwick, Wiggins, Stewart, Jacko, Pritchard, Piggot and Sordell. Could be persuaded to drop Hamer for Alnwick until he learns not to blame everyone else in the backline for some of his own failures. Encouragement yes, blame no since it clearly destroys the team ethic which we appear to try to build. Might be persuaded to find a place on the bench for Gower in place of Pritchard who had a mare on Saturday but not sure whether omission would deepen that problem or cure it. With JJ on the bench I would give the armband to Hughes as well
SVC- I think Evina may be a good shout, he may be a good bet for 5-3-2(or3-5-2), definitely deserves a chance there soon.
The general consensus is that Harriott should be recalled to the starting line-up. I think this is only viable if we play with a back four, and not three centre-backs. Or can he play in the hole as FHB suggests?
Hamer Morro - Cort(if fit) - Wood Wilson Dervite Wiggins Stephens Jackson Stewart/harriott Sordell (kermo if fit) Pretty much the 3-5-2, but perhaps we need more of a link up from the centre of the pitch to the strikers. Too often we have a big space there. By no means do I think we drop Church because he has played badly, I just think we need a bit more pace and movement up top. If we go 4-4-2 then I'd partner him with someone.
Really Super...? Sordell may be pacy, but I've seen more movement from a bleeding lamppost than I have from him. Church is no slouch over 10/15 yards (which is all you need as a forward) and his movement off the ball is far superior.
I just want to see Kermit leading the line with two exciting wingers (Stewart and Harriott) supplying the bullets for him. If needs be, then Church can be introduced. I hear Adam le Fondre is available on loan. Perhaps the owners will crowbar their wallets open...
I tipped him to be the leagues top scorer on here and in the bookies. Anyone want to buy that bet off me? To be fair Franco, it doesn't helo Sordell when we attack at 1mph. Need quick players on the ball bringing it forward so he can use his pace to make diagonal runs.
Don't think Sordell would do anything no matter how we play, He seems so off the pace and to be honest I'll happily pay for his coach back to Bolton.
I wouldn't write him off just yet, he showed a glimpse on Saturday of his best with his ball through to Church. One of Stewart or Harriot has to play, but I'm not sure about both - neither is noted for their defensive work, and we don't want both full-backs exposed.
I would love to see a fit and on-form Andy Hughes back. It would solve our biggest problem. However if he is fit and ready to go, it is a bit strange he hasn't made an appearance in the stiffs (especially as since Nathan Jones' departure the u21s are being used, rightly or wrongly, as a place to try out players rather than being run as a regular team). That is CP's (and most clubs') normal procedure when a player has been out for a long time. I was beginning to think Hughes' playing career was over, but then I thought that towards the end of last season only to be proved very wrong.
If Hughes isn't going to feature any more the Gower/Cousins partnership seems to work. Gower helped Cousins a lot on his debut, no doubt Pigott would have benefitted from having Kermit alongside him.