Team vs Watford picks itself apart from the midfield?

[Mesut Özil's Lawnmower]

Osborn has looked better in some glorified training sessions. Start him.

If your reading comprehension was any good you'd have acknowledged the fact that I paired this with the fact I don't think Fleck is good enough anymore.

Not sure what else you expect me to go on at this moment in time. If it makes you feel better, then Osborn outperformed Fleck for most of last season, too.

 

[LewishamBlade]

If your reading comprehension was any good you'd have acknowledged the fact that I paired this with the fact I don't think Fleck is good enough anymore.

Not sure what else you expect me to go on at this moment in time. If it makes you feel better, then Osborn outperformed Fleck for most of last season, too.

My reading comprehension stops at the point anyone thinks Ben Osborn should start in midfield in a championship game.
Osborn outperformed Fleck where exactly? He had a few acceptable games at RWB in an injury crisis when we expected absolutely nothing. He's shite.

He couldn't have done what Fleck did at home to Boro, set the tone immaculately and looked like the Fleck of old before he got injured. Let's bare in mind too he did have a fucking seizure last season.

I'd rather Stuart McCall slipped his boots back on.

 

[Mesut Özil's Lawnmower]

My reading comprehension stops at the point anyone thinks Ben Osborn should start in midfield in a championship game.
Osborn outperformed Fleck where exactly? He had a few acceptable games at RWB in an injury crisis when we expected absolutely nothing. He's shite.

He couldn't have done what Fleck did at home to Boro, set the tone immaculately and looked like the Fleck of old before he got injured. Let's bare in mind too he did have a fucking seizure last season.

I'd rather Stuart McCall slipped his boots back on.

All the discourse around Fleck ends in “Fleck of old”, he isn’t that anymore, get over it

 

[Houston_Blade]

If the choice is between Osborn and the current John Fleck then I'd buy someone else.

Osborn is a nice bloke, ok to bring on as a sub occasionally, but shouldn't be a starter in a top half team. Fleck has 1 good game in 5.

 

[LewishamBlade]

All the discourse around Fleck ends in “Fleck of old”, he isn’t that anymore, get over it

And Osborn will never be half the player Fleck even is now, even suggesting he plays is barmpot territory.

 

[Vass Borbokis]

And Osborn will never be half the player Fleck even is now, even suggesting he plays is barmpot territory.

Disagree.
Fleck has been on a downward trajectory for quite a while now.
Occasionally has a good game, but they're becoming rarer and rarer.

Ozzy last year - 36 games, 3 goals and 3 assists
Fleck last year - 37 games, 2 goals and 2 assists

Both not good enough stats for a non-defensive CM (Although Ozzy played pretty much everywhere).

I know stats aren't the be all and end all. But Fleck just disappears and hides in games more now.
Ozzy lacks quality but you'll never see him hide.

You mentioned the Boro game as an example of where Fleck played well, you can easily counter that with the Peterboro game where Ozzy had a great game.
I love Fleck for what he's achieved at Utd, but he's not up to it anymore.

That's not me saying Ozzy is and I never thought I'd say this myself, but I'd rather have Osborn over Fleck as it stands.
FWIW I'd rather try Coulibaly or Arblaster there. Young, hungry, energetic midfielders.

 

[BushBlade]

If the choice is between Osborn and the current John Fleck then I'd buy someone else.

It’s that really. Fleck has struggled for consistency since he got injured with Scotland. He either needs a break or a change of scenery. Osborn is good cover but he shouldn’t be a regular.

 

[LewishamBlade]

Disagree.
Fleck has been on a downward trajectory for quite a while now.
Occasionally has a good game, but they're becoming rarer and rarer.

Ozzy last year - 36 games, 3 goals and 3 assists
Fleck last year - 37 games, 2 goals and 2 assists

Both not good enough stats for a non-defensive CM (Although Ozzy played pretty much everywhere).

I know stats aren't the be all and end all. But Fleck just disappears and hides in games more now.
Ozzy lacks quality but you'll never see him hide.

You mentioned the Boro game as an example of where Fleck played well, you can easily counter that with the Peterboro game where Ozzy had a great game.
I love Fleck for what he's achieved at Utd, but he's not up to it anymore.

That's not me saying Ozzy is and I never thought I'd say this myself, but I'd rather have Osborn over Fleck as it stands.
FWIW I'd rather try Coulibaly or Arblaster there. Young, hungry, energetic midfielders.

Indeed, stats aren't the be all and end all.

And Fleck does flatter to deceive, but I'd rather have his 1 good game in 5 as opposed to Osborn's energetic but little quality efforts every day of the week.

Admittedly, it's a poor choice to have, and I wouldn't be averse to Coulibaly or Arblaster tried there myself. Chuck them in at the deep end and see if they sink or swim.

 

[S40BLADE]

Think it will be something like this (Basham is my only hope), One of the two playmakers subbed for a more defensive midfielder and berge taking their position for the rest of the game.

 

[Charlieblade]

View attachment 140245
Think it will be something like this (Basham is my only hope), One of the two playmakers subbed for a more defensive midfielder and berge taking their position for the rest of the game.

That selection gives Hecky the chance of a top quality bench, with at least five subs who could get a game?

Maybe that’s the way forward from now on, at all levels?

 

[Bergen Blade]

Will Rob Edward's style of play, and the nature of Watford's players affect how we line up? Should it?

I didn't see them at all last season, but they look strong, going through their profiles:

Men's Team Players

Players from the Men's Team

www.watfordfc.com

 

[Bladesman98]

View attachment 140245
Think it will be something like this (Basham is my only hope), One of the two playmakers subbed for a more defensive midfielder and berge taking their position for the rest of the game.

Exciting team

 

[Alan Roberts' Jinking Run]

View attachment 140245
Think it will be something like this (Basham is my only hope), One of the two playmakers subbed for a more defensive midfielder and berge taking their position for the rest of the game.

That front 3 makes me want to do sex wee...

 

[Newbury Blade]

View attachment 140245
Think it will be something like this (Basham is my only hope), One of the two playmakers subbed for a more defensive midfielder and berge taking their position for the rest of the game.

He will play Clark at the back and Berge further forward as Hecky long ago realised that playing him where you’ve got him does not work. Khadra will be on the bench.

 

[Newbury Blade]

He will play Clark at the back and Berge further forward as Hecky long ago realised that playing him where you’ve got him does not work. Khadra will be on the bench.

Oh, and Anel is 15, because no way are they ready to take Jack’s shirt off him yet.

 

[jono_t2000]

I know, I know will never happen back 4 blah blah blah... but would like to see this at some point in the season. Could really be exciting

 

[Berlin Blade]

Few things.

The level of disrespect Osborn is getting in this thread is insane. He’s never let us down, ever, apart from being beaten at the back post in the air on the opening day last season by someone much taller than him. Never let us down, and played LWB, RWB, CAM, loads of places yet never actually started in his natural position. I think he’ll do a great job there in the LCM role. Especially if he gets a run there.

Also, decent bench, but I think we get 9 now there are 5 subs? If so, adding fleck and sharp to that bench makes us look really strong, especially as we can look forward to Doyle being in the squad too.

Last thing.. I’d play robbo at LCB for familiarity in a tough away day and not look to blood too many new faces in. He was probably our best defender for the last 10-15 games last season and his goal threat may prove crucial in a tight game.

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

It is a genuine area of weakness in the side, N'Diayewillalwaysloveyou, agreed.

Norwood and Fleck has become too pedestrian, we're easily turned over. It needed rehashing this summer, really. Norwood has shown that he can still dictate play if used correctly, and with the right supporting cast. Fleck is my all time favourite Wilder signing, but he's declining massively, which is sad.

Our issue now is that it's likely Norwood +1, but none of our current options are ideal...

Fleck - not yet at it, consistent enough.
Doyle - intended replacement? Injured.
Berge - please play him further forward.
Coulibaly - too raw? Don't want to heap the pressure of a first competitive start on him away at Watford. Potential.
Arblaster - too young to expect him to play there first choice. Potential, but keep expectation low.
Osborn - not good enough in possession. Better as an impact sub to stretch tiring sides.

 

[Tarqs]

I know, I know will never happen back 4 blah blah blah... but would like to see this at some point in the season. Could really be exciting

View attachment 140325

That back 4 has car crash written all over it