If JOC is still out

[Akinbiyi]

On Wednesday - what do we do?

Now I’m hopeful that extra day might make him available - in which case that would be a huge huge boost and this thread becomes redundant. He was a huge loss yesterday and Deano got us out of jail a couple of times when their wingers got in behind our left. Would never have happened was JOC fit.

Now I think Dowell did well, will he play there again? Or will we see Cranie there and Stevens at LWB like we did after 70 minutes?

This is a very different proposition as they have the most physical centre forward and great header of the ball in Jutkewicz and obviously one of the top scorers in the league who we know all about in ache Adams.

I know CW likes balance but we can’t give chances away like we did yesterday to their front 2 or we’ll be punished. And we don’t seem to score many at the minute so I’d rather keep things right at the back with Cranie there. I feel so comfortable with him back there and I think he deserves to start. Big game player.

Also - Madine coming back as an option off the bench is a great boost. Could be a tight affair ala Boro at home, his impact could be worth its weight in gold in both boxes.

 

[Akinbiyi]

Also be interesting to see if we start Duff again or save him until Saturday

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Now I think Dowell did well, will he play there again? Or will we see Cranie there and Stevens at LWB like we did after 70 minutes?

We only made that change according to Wilder because Dowell was on a booking and Wilder feared he’d get another, so don’t be surprised if it’s the same line-up on Wednesday if JOC still isn’t fit.

 

[Kenilworth]

Could see Cranie in

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Just batter em

 

[Eddiecolquhounsleg]

This is a very different proposition as they have the most physical centre forward and great header of the ball in Jutkewicz and obviously one of the top scorers in the league who we know all about in ache Adams.

I think he is more of a pain than an ache.

 

[Ricky]

Left/right sided balance obsessions aside.... playing two players in their correct position instead of two players in unfamiliar positions is clearly the right way to go.

Birmingham can get it wide quickly and be quite direct. If half our defence isn't right they'll probably capitalise.

Cranie has comfortably outperformed any potential JOC replacements in the starting 11. He is obviously the one who deserves to start most. Preston didn't have a sniff after he came on. The defence has looked most solid with him in it. And he's totally comfortable at LCB. Him and Stevens are two experienced, intelligent players and I think they'd have that whole side on lockdown. (peep show reference)

 

[LenTednTony]

For me it has to be

Hendo.
Bash Egan Steerman
Freeman/Baldock. Stevens
Duffers Norwood/Coutts Fleck
Sharp McGoldrick/ Hogan
I know Cranie has done nowt wrong and I trust him implicitly but, square pegs, round holes n all that.

 

[Fanny magnet]

Left/right sided balance obsessions aside.... playing two players in their correct position instead of two players in unfamiliar positions is clearly the right way to go.

Birmingham can get it wide quickly and be quite direct. If half our defence isn't right they'll probably capitalise.

Cranie has comfortably outperformed any potential JOC replacements in the starting 11. He is obviously the one who deserves to start most. Preston didn't have a sniff after he came on. The defence has looked most solid with him in it. And he's totally comfortable at LCB. Him and Stevens are two experienced, intelligent players and I think they'd have that whole side on lockdown. (peep show reference)

I'd be happy with cranie anywhere in the back 5 ,think the dowell/Johnson experiment has failed
Johnson's done ok as a stop gap but shouldn't be allowed back in the team after his last display

 

[LJBlade]

For me it has to be

Hendo.
Bash Egan Steerman
Freeman/Baldock. Stevens
Duffers Norwood/Coutts Fleck
Sharp McGoldrick/ Hogan
I know Cranie has done nowt wrong and I trust him implicitly but, square pegs, round holes n all that.

I’d suggest that Cranie is less of a square peg than Stearman is, in the position where you’ve got him

 

[Ricky]

I'd be happy with cranie anywhere in the back 5 ,think the dowell/Johnson experiment has failed
Johnson's done ok as a stop gap but shouldn't be allowed back in the team after his last display

We've adjusted and got results but it's not really looked right with anyone but Stevens at LWB.

Freeman over Johnson on the bench every time from now on. Far more useful. So what if he's not left footed.

 

[Fanny magnet]

We've adjusted and got results but it's not really looked right with anyone but Stevens at LWB.

Freeman over Johnson on the bench every time from now on. Far more useful. So what if he's not left footed.

Yeah i agree ,Johnson did well starting must have been well drilled but looked lost coming off the bench
He does seem to lack most of the attributes we seem to look for in a player .I'm surprised we went in for him

 

[LenTednTony]

I’d suggest that Cranie is less of a square peg than Stearman is, in the position where you’ve got him

But I thought Stearman is a left footer and Cranie a right footer?

 

[oxonblade]

Just a thought, didn't Freeman play a number of games successfully as left back under Clough? He can certainly play wingback.

 

[FallowfieldBlade]

I like dowell at wing back he’s got a quality left foot

 

[finlaytheblade]

We've adjusted and got results but it's not really looked right with anyone but Stevens at LWB.

Freeman over Johnson on the bench every time from now on. Far more useful. So what if he's not left footed.

Freeman can and has played left back not his natural position I know but he can play there.My pick is Cranie left centre back experienced and reliable

 

[Fanny magnet]

Freeman can and has played left back not his natural position I know but he can play there.My pick is Cranie left centre back experienced and reliable

Me too ,especially in the next game where a clean sheet should be the primary objective

 

[Akinbiyi]

But I thought Stearman is a left footer and Cranie a right footer?

Stearman is right footed. And he’s as mobile as a oil tanker.

 

[Joshp]

I have a feeling Madine will start to match Jutkiewicz on defensive duties but I have no idea how the defence will look other than Egan being the central CB, Bash at RCB and presumably Baldock at RWB.

 

[Going t lane]

I have a feeling Madine will start to match Jutkiewicz on defensive duties but I have no idea how the defence will look other than Egan being the central CB, Bash at RCB and presumably Baldock at RWB.

Think Madine & hogan 2 start, sharpy off bench if needed, Bill & McG need a rest. What a bench tho.

 

[Mendi]

 

[RammyBlade]

Just a thought, didn't Freeman play a number of games successfully as left back under Clough? He can certainly play wingback.

Yes he did and looked OK

 

[Addison]

As others have said why disrupt two positions. Crainie for JOC at LCB. He's the best defender of the available options and Brum will launch it for their pacy forwards.

 

[Bladesthorpe]

I like dowell at wing back he’s got a quality left foot

Yes, it's just a pity he can't tackle, head the ball and cover the other defenders otherwise he'd be great as a defender.

 

[FallowfieldBlade]

Yes, it's just a pity he can't tackle, head the ball and cover the other defenders otherwise he'd be great as a defender.

Did alright heading the ball into the top corner against West Brom tho didn’t he.

Why can’t he tackle he didn’t well Saturday and v West Brom

 

[Boxer Blade]

Has it been confirmed that JOC isn't available?