morty
Moderator
Staff member
Will there be fireworks?
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SussexYellow
Active Member
This is about more than just the result. Performance, attitude and appetite will all be scrutinised - a win is the very minimum that must be delivered.
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jon goddard
New Member
I am sure the match will be a cracker!!!!!!
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Number 9
Well-Known Member
It could be good, bad or ugly, really don't know how to call this one.
Maybe the lads will play out of their skins hoping to impress Roy. ?
Maybe the lads will play out of their skins hoping to impress Roy. ?
Din
Well-Known Member
A scrappy 1-0 win isn't really good enough here. As said above we need something to restore confidence in the manager and squad that has been drained a fair bit over the last few weeks. Wholesale changes are needed IMO.
Tettey is suspended as he picked up a yellow against Brighton. I would've dropped him anyway tbh as he has been poor recently. I'd go with:
I don't think Neil will make a lot of changes though. Thompson will probably come in for Tettey, Pinto will come back if he's fit, and maybe Jacob will drop out for Naismith/Brady. I certainly don't think he'll change too much.
Gonna say we'll win this 2-1, but not convincingly at all.
Tettey is suspended as he picked up a yellow against Brighton. I would've dropped him anyway tbh as he has been poor recently. I'd go with:
Ruddy
Pinto Klose Bassong Olsson
Dorrans Thompson
Canos Hoolahan Pritchard
Jerome
Pinto Klose Bassong Olsson
Dorrans Thompson
Canos Hoolahan Pritchard
Jerome
Subs: McGovern, Martin, Whittaker, Brady, Jacob, Naismith, Oliveira
Bassong is in there to be honest purely because he's the only centre back that hasn't had a proper run in the team yet. Alongside Klose (with both players on their favoured side) I'm hoping we'll see better results. Also praying that Pinto is back. Thompson needs to start and Canos for me deserves a chance as he's the only attacking player who hasn't had a proper one yet. Only reason Whittaker is on the bench is because Mulumbu, Howson and Tettey are all out so we need someone who can cover there (even if it isn't remotely ideal).I don't think Neil will make a lot of changes though. Thompson will probably come in for Tettey, Pinto will come back if he's fit, and maybe Jacob will drop out for Naismith/Brady. I certainly don't think he'll change too much.
Gonna say we'll win this 2-1, but not convincingly at all.
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GJP
Well-Known Member
Pinto is out.
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SussexYellow
Active Member
Whittaker is also out - still recovering from a hernia op I believe.
I think both Klose and Bassong favour the left side which is maybe why the combination has not been tried. But I would be happy with that centre back pairing and if it worked maybe that may be the silver lining to come from this cloud.
I do not believe there is much chance that McGovern will be dropped albeit his confidence must be shot to pieces after last week. Which says something about our goalkeeping options!
I think both Klose and Bassong favour the left side which is maybe why the combination has not been tried. But I would be happy with that centre back pairing and if it worked maybe that may be the silver lining to come from this cloud.
I do not believe there is much chance that McGovern will be dropped albeit his confidence must be shot to pieces after last week. Which says something about our goalkeeping options!
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GJP
Well-Known Member
I would like to see Klose tried on the right side of central defence. I am not convinced it is great for him on the left. He may have been ok there at other clubs but don't know if it's working here.
However, the captain likes to play right centre back so....bit awkward.
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SussexYellow
Active Member
I assume our captain will be required at right back - so there will be an opportunity today.
Also I think I should have said that that combination has not been tried this season - my recollection is that this was the favoured combination when Klose first arrived. Hard to judge how well it worked as they were facing quality opposition. I can not remember where the captain fitted, or didn't.
If a success then that will give AN the right sort of problem to deal with when Pinto is fit.
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GJP
Well-Known Member
The thing is, AN has shown he will try to accommodate Martin in the team. Be it RB, RCB or sweeper. Martin is a very decent player but not so good you go out of your way to find a place for him.
As for Bassong. He made the difference last time we got promoted. He has his faults but they all do.
As for Bassong. He made the difference last time we got promoted. He has his faults but they all do.
Dubai Mark
Active Member
Like everyone I want a win and actually dont think there will be that many changes. What I do feel though, is regardless of whether we win, it will only paper over the cracks, and I just want to see change sooner rather than later.
Canaryboy
Well-Known Member
We are closer to 18th than we are to 1st, an astonishing fact considering we were top a few weeks ago.
Canaryboy
Well-Known Member
(In terms of points)
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GJP
Well-Known Member
Not changing a back 5 that conceded 5 the previous game and has been ropey (at best) is utterly laughable.
AN got the result he asked for and deserved.
AN got the result he asked for and deserved.
Canaryboy
Well-Known Member
I'd be most interested in seeing what that back 5 looks like with Ruddy in goal.
Its painfully obvious that McGovern is playing a level too high. Ruddy was getting crucified for making similar mistakes last season, but he was playing in the Premier League and was going through some rumoured personal problems.
Its infuriating actually that Alex Neil can't see this. His rationale behind giving Whittaker a new deal was that he was good enough for this league, well the exact same applies to Ruddy, if we get back up it may be time to invest some serious money in a keeper but in this division Ruddy is more than good enough.
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GJP
Well-Known Member
The McGovern/Ruddy thing is just a repeat of last season with Rudd/Ruddy.
A repeat of the same mistake.
AN is just not a quick learner.
A repeat of the same mistake.
AN is just not a quick learner.
ZLF
Well-Known Member
the keeper is almost irrelevant with those in front of him; it was the case last season and while i too prefer ruddy it wont solve fundamental weakness in the back 4, esp the bennett martin combination.
perhaps its time for brady to be rb, we only have martin as an option currently and that is causing us problems, with brady in we can at least remove the poor bennett and play mrtin there But I would be happy to try klose bassong again. Olsson also has no competition other than brady to keeps his place in default despite a shocking couple of games defensively (and pretty poor attacking too)
The only other approach would be to play 3 cbs; but is having three poor players really better than having 2 poor players?
The outlet pinto provides (4 games no played, 0 points, 2 goals scored and 12 conceded) is missed but mainly because his puts us on the front foot rather than his defending. Martin does not offer that
perhaps its time for brady to be rb, we only have martin as an option currently and that is causing us problems, with brady in we can at least remove the poor bennett and play mrtin there But I would be happy to try klose bassong again. Olsson also has no competition other than brady to keeps his place in default despite a shocking couple of games defensively (and pretty poor attacking too)
The only other approach would be to play 3 cbs; but is having three poor players really better than having 2 poor players?
The outlet pinto provides (4 games no played, 0 points, 2 goals scored and 12 conceded) is missed but mainly because his puts us on the front foot rather than his defending. Martin does not offer that
Din
Well-Known Member
As others have said, where is the logic in sticking with the same back 5 that conceded 5 the previous game? I know we have a couple of injuries in those positions but for goodness sake. I'm not Bassong's biggest fan but he was worth taking a punt on purely because he can't be any worse surely than what we already have.
McGovern just doesn't have the presence Ruddy has. He's a good shot stopper and could easily be a first choice 'keeper for any mid-table/bottom half side at this level, but for a team that need to be at the top end of the table he isn't good enough to be honest.
Only positive to come out of that game really was Louis Thompson, who I thought was comfortably our best player despite not being exceptional. A run of games though and I think he'll easily find his feet. Problem is because Neil has his favourites I can't see him starting the next game, out of form Tettey will be straight back in.
I personally would give Neil 3 games after the international break. We have QPR and Derby away before Brentford at home. 3 difficult games. See how he fares in them and if it's not good enough we get rid.
McGovern just doesn't have the presence Ruddy has. He's a good shot stopper and could easily be a first choice 'keeper for any mid-table/bottom half side at this level, but for a team that need to be at the top end of the table he isn't good enough to be honest.
Only positive to come out of that game really was Louis Thompson, who I thought was comfortably our best player despite not being exceptional. A run of games though and I think he'll easily find his feet. Problem is because Neil has his favourites I can't see him starting the next game, out of form Tettey will be straight back in.
I personally would give Neil 3 games after the international break. We have QPR and Derby away before Brentford at home. 3 difficult games. See how he fares in them and if it's not good enough we get rid.
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