Match Thread - Blades v. Bristol City

[Sothall_Blade]

(4-1-4-1)
.................Howard
Davies Alcock Butler Harris
.................Wallace.................
JCR...Scougall Basham Murphy
..................Higdon.................

Subs:- Willis, Collins, Doyle, Flynn, Reed, Baxter, Porter

 

[davidpinder]

(4-1-4-1)
.................Howard
Davies Alcock Butler Harris
.................Wallace.................
JCR...Scougall Basham Murphy
..................Higdon.................

Subs:- Willis, Collins, Doyle, Flynn, Reed, Baxter, Porter

Collins will play if not who is your captain out of that 11??

 

[Sothall_Blade]

Collins will play if not who is your captain out of that 11??

Doyle would remain Club captain. Basham would be my team captain.
Not that I think it's that important. There are 4 or 5 "leaders" on the pitch and 2 more on the bench. That's what counts.

 

[davidpinder]

Doyle would remain Club captain. Basham would be my team captain.
Not that I think it's that important. There are 4 or 5 "leaders" on the pitch and 2 more on the bench. That's what counts.

I am not sure clough will bench both collins and doyle.

 

[Torrix1889]

I still think he may find a role for Doyle...4-3-1-2

Howard

Alcock
Harris
Collins
Butler (c)

Wallace
Basham
Doyle/Murphy

Scougall

Baxter
Higdon

 

[Newbury Blade]

Davies will definitely play, whether at full-back or in midfield. NC specifically says Higdon "has got to relish working with Ben Davies" and I think Davies is just one of those players the manager loves and will be one of the first names on his team sheet.

I will be very surprised if Flynn doesn't start.

 

[Sothall_Blade]

Collins will play if not who is your captain out of that 11??

Regarding Collins, if we are to improve from last season adding more pace at centre back is certainly one way that we can do this. We have to start again with a brand new defence and centre-back partnership anyway, so why not reappraise and see what the best current options are?

I want us to play two attacking full backs as that was a vital part of our success last season.
Playing Davies at right back makes us stronger when going forward and gives us better options / delivery at set pieces.
Choosing Alcock over Collins gives us more pace at centre back and he should also be capable of bringing the ball out from the back Harry-style (but not Harry Styles).

Clough signed Davies, Alcock and Butler but he didn't sign Collins nor has he extended his contract (yet).
I wouldn't be so sure that Collins is going to be one of the first names on the team sheet any more.
Fair enough, he's been good for us but it's only by adding players with greater attributes that we will improve.

 

[ZoneManWilf]

My guess:

-------------------Howard--------------------
Alcock---Collins---Butler(c)---Harris
------------------Wallace--------------------
Flynn---Scougs---Basham---Murphy
-------------------Baxter---------------------

Subs: Willis; Davies; Doyle; Reed; JCR; Higdon; Porter

Alternatives are JCR for Flynn, possibly and Higdon up front with Baxter or Scougs fighting it out for the attacking mid place.
I guess Doyle in place of Wallace is a probable one, but I hope it's Wallace.

 

[ZoneManWilf]

Regarding Collins, if we are to improve from last season adding more pace at centre back is certainly one way that we can do this. We have to start again with a brand new defence and centre-back partnership anyway, so why not reappraise and see what the best current options are?

I want us to play two attacking full backs as that was a vital part of our success last season.
Playing Davies at right back makes us stronger when going forward and gives us better options / delivery at set pieces.
Choosing Alcock over Collins gives us more pace at centre back and he should also be capable of bringing the ball out from the back Harry-style (but not Harry Styles).

Clough signed Davies, Alcock and Butler but he didn't sign Collins nor has he extended his contract (yet).
I wouldn't be so sure that Collins is going to be one of the first names on the team sheet any more.
Fair enough, he's been good for us but it's only by adding players with greater attributes that we will improve.

I like the thoughts, I suspect we might start the season a bit more conservatively though. Would be quite happy if they did line up as you suggest though, I quite like Davies at right back.

 

[ZoneManWilf]

Subs: Willis; Davies; Doyle; Reed; JCR; Higdon; Porter

Actually I reckon McNulty will be on the bench too, probably for young Louis.

 

[sheffielder]

What I think he will play

Howard
Alcock McGahey Collins Harris
Flynn Basham Doyle Murphy
..............Scougall
..............Higdon

My team would swap Wallace for Basham if fit.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Davies will definitely play, whether at full-back or in midfield. NC specifically says Higdon "has got to relish working with Ben Davies" and I think Davies is just one of those players the manager loves and will be one of the first names on his team sheet.

I will be very surprised if Flynn doesn't start.

I think Jamal Campbell Ryce is better than Flynn at getting crosses in from the byline, which is what Hidgon likes.

 

[Blade for Sale]

------------Howard

Alcock Butler Collins Harris

Flynn Scougal Basham Murphy

--------Baxter
----------------Higdon

I think we are going to have a real go at teams at home this season, and only play a holding midfielder away from home.

 

[Rossb123]

I don't think Baxter will be on the bench, Clough rates him highly and him/Murphy are our most creative players by far. Baxter's opportunities in his favorite position behind the striker have been very limited because last season we lacked competition in that position. I think Scougall will play in the center alongside Basham.

Howard
Alcock McGahey Butler Harris
Flynn/JCR Basham Scougall Murphy
Baxter
Higdon

McGahey's the one I would be surprised to see on the bench, he would have definitely been guaranteed first team football at Blackpool (who wouldn't) but he chose to sign for us in League One. He must have been promised first team football why would he chose to go to a league lower.

 

[Jimmy23]

For me:

4-2-3-1 Formation

Howard 1

Alcock 2 Collins 15 Butler 5 Harris 3

Doyle 8 (c) Wallace 4

Flynn 7 Scougall 10 Murphy 9

Higdon 21


Subs:
Willis 13
McGahey 17
Davies 16
Basham 6
Campbell Ryce 20
Baxter 11
McNulty 12

 

[itsinyerblood]

I know it's a topic that's been mentioned recently, but I couldn't help look at the depth of quality we now have in this squad.

Although still to be tested, Higdon is clearly going to start and the question is, who'll benefit most from his presence in the team? Yes, he'll need quality service, and in Murphy, Campbell-Ryce, Flynn, and Davies, we know we have the talent to provide crosses for Higdon to get on the end of. When I look at the players available who could benefit from Higdon's presence, McNulty, Diego, Scougall (apologies for forgetting anyone else) I think (or should that read I hope?) we now have options that we were denied last season.

Not that the players should need a boost, but I hope the inclusion of Higdon gives everyone that injection of confidence going into this new season. It'll take a little time for players to gel, but this is our best chance in as many years for this club to deliver what we've all been waiting for, promotion. UTB

 

[S18BLADE]

Howard Alcock Mcgahey Butler Harris JCR Basham Scougall Wallace (if fit) Murphy Baxter 4-1-4-1 same as last year bench: Higdon (bring on) Davies Diego Collins Reed Flynn (bring on) Doyle. UTB

 

[sheffielder]

Do we know how serious Wallace's injury is? Clough made it sound like precaution?

 

[South_Stand]

Howard
Alcock Mcgahey Butler Harris
Flynn Basham Wallace Murphy
Baxter
Higdon

Second half subs: Flynn - JCR
Wallace - Scougs
Baxter - Reed

 

[S5Blade]

Has anyone else listened to the interview with higdon? Would be surprised if he starts on Saturday. Sounds like he's lacking fitness

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

- - - - - - - - - - - -Howard- - - - - - - - - - - -

Alcock - - McGahey - - Butler - - Harris

- - - - - - - Doyle (c) - - Basham - - - - - -

Flynn - - - - - - - Scougall - - - - - - Murphy

- - - - - - - - - - - McNulty - - - - - - - - - - - -

Subs: Baxter, Davies, Reed, Higdon, JCR, Willis, Porter.

That means no Collins, Diego, Diamio, or Wallace.

Wallace wont be risked (bet he'll get game time v Mansfield).

 

[Living In a Fantasy World]

Howard
Davis - Collins - Butler - Harris
Doyle (C)
Flynn - Scougall - Baxter - Murphy
Higdon
Think we got to play Higdon since he's really our only proven goalscorer, I think Clough will try to keep the team similar to the end of last season, since they did well and don't particularly deserve to get dropped. I think Davis will start the season over Alcock because he is already settled in the squad, think Butler will play long side Collins for simply experience, Doyle to keep the armband and Baxter to drop to midfield and replace Coady.

 

[s4-blade]

Starting with this...


Switching to this after subs...

 

[sheffielder]

I can see why people have JCR starting over Flynn, however if you switched that would really change our dimension bringing on JCR with 20 minutes to go.

 

[forever_blade]

Judging by Higdon's interview he's not fully fit yet, can't see Clough starting him against Bristol City.

Think he'll go with -

Howard
Alcock Collins Butler Harris
Flynn Basham Doyle Scougall Murphy
Baxter

One thing we definitely don't lack is depth in the squad now - McGahey, Davies, JCR, McNulty, McGinn, Wallace, Porter, Higdon, Reed, Dimaio, Diego.

Not gonna write off Wallace yet but his unfortunate persistent injury problems are worrying. I know Liverpool have stated the figure they want for Coady but if no-one matches their valuation I'd love to see us test the water with a bid, think he could be the difference & he's already made it known he loved it here last season

I'd be made up if we can get in extra defensive cover, Coady & another CF potentially on-loan then I believe our business will be done

 

[KenMcnaughtsNuts]

Well McGahey signed to play, so i don't know.
Can't see Collins not playing, but then can't see Butler not playing.
One of those 3 has to not play though.

I would guess at:

Howard
Alcock Collins Butler Harris
Doyle
Flynn Scougall Davies Murphy
Higdon

Subs: WhatchootalkinboutWillis, McGahey, Reed, Campbells meatballs and rice, Baxter, Porter, McNulty

If Higdon isn't fit enough then probably Baxter in there. Though i wouldn't be surprised if Baxter is in midfield ahead of Doyle anyway.

 

[mattbianco1]

I'd go like this



I'd play Davies over Flynn to start with. Mainly because I Davies being more "steady". We will be under some strong attacks I imagine.

2nd half, Baxter, Flynn, JCR, McNulty could all come on to be impact players for me. If we're winning by a couple, maybe Wallace could come on for Scougall and drop in with Doyle.

Anyway, i'd start like that but that's not my "best XI" but under the circumstances.

 

[mattbianco1]

If Higdon isn't fit enough then probably Baxter in there. Though i wouldn't be surprised if Baxter is in midfield ahead of Doyle anyway.

By ahead, do you mean infront of OR instead of Doyle?

 

[KenMcnaughtsNuts]

Instead of! Davies a bit further back where Doyle would be and Baxter a bit further forward. The day Doyle is in front of Baxter is the day we all give up.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

I'd have gone exactly with the team that started against York before that result - bit with that result...

Higdon and Clough seemed to be talking down his level of fitness, but you have to wonder if that's Clough lining Bristol City up for a surprise.

I don't think anyone has mentioned Louis Reed in their suggested teams, yet by the sounds of it he impressed when played and was man of the match vs Fenerbahce. Should he be in on merit?