Team for Monday night

[Harry's Game]

For me.

Howard

Freeman. Alcock. Mceverly. Harris.

Flynn. Basham. Doyle. Murphy.

Davies. Dunn.



But Nigel will play Basham at CB and Coutts in midfield we all know that.

In this game he might, just might select two forwards but I would not guarantee it.

 

[wizadry]

I don't think we have a great deal to lose in this game as we have not come to terms with their 352 and our central defence is poor. We also need to take MF. Reed seems low on confidence since the Notts County game so not a game for him. If we don't go with Howard I would go with Willis over Turner. I freely admit to being no coach but I would also look to try and combat their WB's higher up and to occupy them in their own half.

We also need some pace up front to peg the WB's back - Done Murphy Adams have pace. Both Alcock and McEveley can play centrally and FB so I have gone with them. If Brayford is fit Brayford for Alcock. Collins should be match fit after his time with PV but not played for us for ages - a risk , Mcgahey only on bench in case of CH injury - replace Collins with Alcock if Brayford fit. I'd like to see Freeman in there to take care of their no8 instead of Doyle or Coutts - it might work out and creatively we lose little.

Howard
Brayford/Alcock Alcock / Collins McEvelely
Flynn Freeman Basham Harris
Adams Murphy
Done

Done on for first 20 mins replaced by McNulty. Davies on the bench. JCR and Baxter on bench for if we are chasing it 2nd half or depending on who is having a mare. Coutts/Doyle on the bench in case we go in front and need to close it down in MF. Collins/Mcgahey on bench just in case. Basham captain if no Brayford.

I was thinking exactly the same regarding our left hand side, we should play McEveley at LB and Harris at LM, it really would help to combat that shit head of a pest down their right.

I'd go with
............................Howard...............................

..Freeman.....Alcock....Collins......McEveley..

..Murphy....Basham....Coutts.........Harris.....

..............................Done.................................

............................McNulty.............................

all this if the players who are injured don't make it

Subs: Flynn, Baxter, Adams, JCR, Holt, Willis, McGahey.

I do know that Clough will pick a completely different side to me but i thought i'd have a pop anyway

 

[Esablade]

Can anyone explain what Alcock's done wrong at CB?

Seem's solid to me.
If fit I'd go Brayford/Alcock...freeman and Harris( after a bollocking about his performance ) full back's.

If he can, Done's got to start.
I'd start with McNulty and see how he get's on against their three at the back...if he's struggling chuck Davies on as two up front...

 

[bladesman3]

So one of our top goal scorers in Baxter wouldn't even make your squad if he recovers from illness? Doyle will disrupt them by giving silly fouls on the edge of our area. I might regret this but any team we put out on Monday I cant see us getting anything from the game. Hope I'm wrong I really do UTB.

I tend to agree that our chance has gone but .....

 

[groveblade]

So one of our top goal scorers in Baxter wouldn't even make your squad if he recovers from illness? Doyle will disrupt them by giving silly fouls on the edge of our area. I might regret this but any team we put out on Monday I cant see us getting anything from the game. Hope I'm wrong I really do UTB.

Forgot about Baxter! If he was fit I'd have him on bench in place of Coutts or B.Davies..

 

[groveblade]

That should be the team Groveblade, good shout, but realistically who would you play instead of Collins/JCR who will never wear the shirt again under NC ?.

I suppose it'd have to be Alcock... will be a massive boost if Brayford is fit..

 

[Bergen Blade]

Formations aren't my strong point but what we should consider is keeping our left back glued to their number 3. He had SOOOOOO much space on Thursday I can't believe we didn't man mark him, at least in the 2nd half.

Somebody cleverer than me, maybe Bergen Blade, can explain the pro's and cons please

Byrne is an excellent player and was rightly voted in PFA team of the year. We tried to push forward with Murphy and later Done, which left Harris unprotected. I agree with you that it is something we need to address for the second leg. Flynn is good defensively, how about playing him on the left for the full game? Murphy may even have more joy down the right against a 33 year old - though Ricketts is someone I've always though has been very steady.

 

[zablade]

It shows how desperate we are when people are calling for Alcock to brought into the starting line up.

If Brayford is out then

Howard

Freeman, Basham, Mceverly, Harris

Flynn, Baxter, Doyle, Coutts, Murphy

Done. (If fit enough to start)


I hate having to name Coutts in there but with Bash in the back four that's the only choice as Holt is worse and Reed chronically out of form.

If Done can't do 90 mins then Davies.

It's about the best line up we can come up with and fills me with no confidence at all.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Howard
Freeman Collins* McEveley Harris
Murphy Basham Coutts Flynn
S.Davies Done


* Alcock if this is not on.

I'm sceptical about a Basham/Doyle partnership because none of them are playmakers. Coutts has got it in him, but I was disappointed in him in the first leg. I think we just have to hope he'll be in the right frame of mind. Flynn on the left to help Harris is out with the excellent Byrne. Done has to play and him and Davies looks a good partnership. We've got to approach the game like we did at the Lane.

 

[alcoblade]

It shows how desperate we are when people are calling for Alcock to brought into the starting line up.

If Brayford is out then

Howard

Freeman, Basham, Mceverly, Harris

Flynn, Baxter, Doyle, Coutts, Murphy

Done. (If fit enough to start)


I hate having to name Coutts in there but with Bash in the back four that's the only choice as Holt is worse and Reed chronically out of form.

If Done can't do 90 mins then Davies.

It's about the best line up we can come up with and fills me with no confidence at all.

I thought we were outclassed in midfield when you removed Basham from it. Basham and Doyle's tackling aside, we don't have a midfielder worth a place at the club.

For that reason, I'd gamble at the back with Alcock and put Basham in the middle. I'd also gamble on Done, even if that means him missing the final. I can't see us winning it without him.

UTB

 

[zablade]

I thought we were outclassed in midfield when you removed Basham from it. Basham and Doyle's tackling aside, we don't have a midfielder worth a place at the club.

For that reason, I'd gamble at the back with Alcock and put Basham in the middle. I'd also gamble on Done, even if that means him missing the final. I can't see us winning it without him.

UTB

Believe me I fully appreciate the Basham in Midfield argument but we are already one goal down and a centre back partnership of Alcock and Mceverly is virtually another two goals for the opposition before we start meaning we would then have to score four to win!

 

[alcoblade]

Believe me I fully appreciate the Basham in Midfield argument but we are already one goal down and a centre back partnership of Alcock and Mceverly is virtually another two goals for the opposition before we start meaning we would then have to score four to win!

Hmmmm. With our 2nd half midfield in front of you, even Chelsea's defence would have capitulated.

I appreciate we're a bit damned if you do / don't, but we've got to gamble and defend / play further up the pitch.

Of course, having to make these compromises is entirely Clough's fault.

UTB

 

[Reedy1889]

Not sure who's fit and available after Thursday's result. But we really need to be going with Matt Done out wide on the left with instructions to simply stay as high and as wide up the pitch as possible, exploiting the space Bryne will be neglecting due to his willingness to attack over defending.

Huge key area this could be in chances created by us I feel.

 

[Silent Blade]

Howard
Freeman Collins* McEveley Harris
Murphy Basham Coutts Flynn
S.Davies Done


* Alcock if this is not on.

.

Like that line up. Flynn to work with Harris, Done to attack on the left like he did on Thurs

 

[Dalelane01]

If only nigel read some of these posts. He could pick a team based on these posts. our last chance of getting to finals of playoffs. and then if we lost he could put the blame on us. at least he would satisfy our opinions and give us a decent chance if we do score first lets build on it and not go into our shells inviting them to attack our fragile defence do you think they will try to pressure howard with plenty of long range shots knowing that could be a weakness

 

[MiserableBlader]

Same formation as the numpty has played all season but THREE genuine attackers for the 3 in a 451/433
As always with United you would not start from here :blue:

Similar to what I've been selecting since Gills game

Kennedy - massive loss
Brayford, Scougs assumed out.
Done has to start - what would you be saving him for? His holidays?
Which 2 or 3 for the centre backs is the ONLY query - need height - need pace
ie need a good manager to sign good players.

-------------------Howard
---Freeman---Allcock----Magahey---Harris
------------Flynn--Basham--McFadzean
Murphy----------------------------------------------Done
----------------------McNulty

subs
Willis
McEverley - Less shite than Collins but get rid ASAP
Cullie?/Khan/Calvert-Lewis? (he's NOT a centre forward!)
Holt
JCR
Adams
Davis - if he is unfit get diego here!


Shite
Turner
Collins
Doyle
Coutts
Baxter
Davies

Who've I forgot this time?
Is MacFadzean even at the club with this too hat in charge?
Diego we assume not

 

[MiserableBlader]

Davies pulled up near the end on Thurs, looked like he strained his back or hip.

That would be unusual - he never gets injured

 

[Rollerball]

The top n bottom is we have to score, they don't, simple as that.
I went with done supporting mcnulty simply because given the service BOTH will score, with holt coming in late I'd say goals are more than possible.
Flynn down the left so him n Harris can interchange one helping the other.
My personal belief is murphy is a better crosser from the right than the left and is much more natural, round pegs in round holes.
The back four more of a problem but for me, Collins n mceverly in center with brayford or Alcock on the right.
If brayford is fit maybe Alcock for mceverly.
But the main thing is we cannot go there to defend n hope to nick a goal to try n take it to pens, we need to attack from minute one, we are too fragile at the back to depend on stopping them scoring as seen in 92nd minute on Thursday.
UTB

 

[Cyprus Blade]

The key on Monday will be winning MF and dealing with their WB's. Swindon attacking is a different propostion from Swindon defending. They over-ran us in both areas at the Lane after the first 20 mins and they won't change that system - maybe 352 or 3511. In my view there is a risk wherever you play Basham and personally I would opt for taking the chance at the back by playing Basham MF in the hope we can win MF and thus reduce the pressure on the defence.

Their No 8 is a class act and we need to deal with him. Doyle hasn't really got the pace and would concede too many freekicks, Coutts is a bit dodgy tackiling wise so I would be tempted to try Freeman and he has scored more than either of them. We need a genuine Nobby Styles there for this one (Is he out of contract? ).

I would go 3 at the back - McEveley on the left, Brayford or Alcock on the right and Alcock or MaGahey /Collins in middle. Kennedy is a huge loss. Should allow us to get forward more and help defending set pieces.

WB's playing a higher line would be Flynn and Harris to take out the WB threat and push them back.WB's drop back to protect the FB channels and shut down their WB's space (with 4 at the back the FB's didn't know who to mark and their WB's had a field day)

Pace and space is important in attack so I would have Murphy (right) and Adams (left) pushing on in the AM channels. When their WB's go forward there is space in these channels so we attack down the flanks with WB's and AM's - diagonal balls into the channel (ok its hoofball lol) to stretch their back 3 and hopefully give 1 on 1's in attack.

I would start with Done in the front striker position for his 20 mins and then replace him with McNulty. Davies on the bench and hopefully not needed.

A kind of 361 but more of 3 4 2 1 formation - reverting to 5 4 1 when defending. If we go behind or are still chasing Baxter on for one of the 3 central defenders making it a 2 5 2 1 formation. Risky yes but the key for me is make Swindon defend because its not their strong suit and if we lose 5-1 its the same outcome as 2-1.

CV already submitted to JP

 

[Ashtonsmashton]

Here is my team
Formation: 433

Turner
Freeman Collins basham Mcevely
Baxter Doyle Holt
Murphy McNulty Flynn

 

[Blade58]

Assuming Brayford and Scougall are out....

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- Howard
Freeman - - - COLLINS - - - - - McEveley - - - - Harris
Flynn - - - - - Basham - - - - Doyle - - - - - - - Murphy
- - - -- -- - - - -S Davies - - - Done

Subs: Turner, Alcock, Coutts, JCR, B.Davies, Adams, McNulty

I would play this team and try and get the ball wide and forward quickly in an attempt to negate their midfield dominance. They're definitely vulnerable at the back and they seem to leave loads of space in behind.

I wouldn't have much confidence in Collins and McEveley as a central pair but it's worth the risk to make sure Basham is in midfield IMO... I'd start Doyle to disrupt them and just get the ball out wide to wingers and full backs as early as possible.

It's a long shot but we can still do it - UTB!!

If Clough picks Collins now, then that makes his decision not to pick him the first time around even more bizarre

Remember, he didn't even put him on the bench

But then that's Clough all over

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Some interesting teams/formations.

Seems quite a few are playing it safe as per Clough.

Time is over for "playing it safe" - this is our last chance saloon.

So, be radical and with reasons.

1) Play Mcnulty - he scores goals - all sorts of different types of goals.
2) Play Baxter - I don't like him, but he "can sometimes" make things happen and do things different - oh and he scores goals and penalties.
3) Play Collins - as for Clough - for once, swallow your bloody pride man.
4) Play Basham in midfield - this is the biggest no brainer of them all. OK, so he is best available CB, he is also our best midfielder, bar none and midfield is where it all happens - not centre half.
5) Centre halves - We need to take a chance (see above, last chance saloon) and this is where we gamble.

What Is the point in going to not lose - that's not good enough, we go to win by 2 clear goals.

6) Done and Murphy out Wide.

It's a Bristol type team.

4 at the back (Freeman, Alcock, Collins & Harris
Central 2 of Coutts and Basham
Baxter in front. (relieved of any defensive work)
Murphy Right, Done Left and Mcnulty up top.

This team will give Swindon a great game with a great chance of scoring more than 1 goal.

UTB

 

[DazBlade88]

----------------Howard
Freeman Alcock McEveley Harris
-------------Doyle Basham
Flynn-----------Done-----------Murphy
------------------Davies

And tell Davies to attack the box. He's a good target man, and he's very dangerous in the air but he comes to the edge of the area when we're looking to get a cross in too often. Get yourself between the posts and make yourself a handful.

 

[Kenilworth]

The main thing is we cannot go there to defend n hope to nick a goal to try n take it to pens.

Bwahahahahahahahahahahahaha

Bwahahahahahahahahahahahaha


Fucking

No

Chance


It's on the tactics board
Written with an indelible Sharpie!

 

[groveblade]

The key on Monday will be winning MF and dealing with their WB's. Swindon attacking is a different propostion from Swindon defending. They over-ran us in both areas at the Lane after the first 20 mins and they won't change that system - maybe 352 or 3511. In my view there is a risk wherever you play Basham and personally I would opt for taking the chance at the back by playing Basham MF in the hope we can win MF and thus reduce the pressure on the defence.

Their No 8 is a class act and we need to deal with him. Doyle hasn't really got the pace and would concede too many freekicks, Coutts is a bit dodgy tackiling wise so I would be tempted to try Freeman and he has scored more than either of them. We need a genuine Nobby Styles there for this one (Is he out of contract? ).

I would go 3 at the back - McEveley on the left, Brayford or Alcock on the right and Alcock or MaGahey /Collins in middle. Kennedy is a huge loss. Should allow us to get forward more and help defending set pieces.

WB's playing a higher line would be Flynn and Harris to take out the WB threat and push them back.WB's drop back to protect the FB channels and shut down their WB's space (with 4 at the back the FB's didn't know who to mark and their WB's had a field day)

Pace and space is important in attack so I would have Murphy (right) and Adams (left) pushing on in the AM channels. When their WB's go forward there is space in these channels so we attack down the flanks with WB's and AM's - diagonal balls into the channel (ok its hoofball lol) to stretch their back 3 and hopefully give 1 on 1's in attack.

I would start with Done in the front striker position for his 20 mins and then replace him with McNulty. Davies on the bench and hopefully not needed.

A kind of 361 but more of 3 4 2 1 formation - reverting to 5 4 1 when defending. If we go behind or are still chasing Baxter on for one of the 3 central defenders making it a 2 5 2 1 formation. Risky yes but the key for me is make Swindon defend because its not their strong suit and if we lose 5-1 its the same outcome as 2-1.

CV already submitted to JP

I could see the logic behind trying a 3-4-3 formation.

Something like:

- - - - - - - - - -- - Howard
- - Brayford(Alcock) Collins McEveley
Flynn - - Basham - Doyle/Coutts - Harris
Murphy - - - - S.Davies - - - - Done


BUT..having said that it'd be a massive risk to try an unusual and previously untried formation - especially with the back 3 we'd have to put out....

I must say having re-watched the match on BladesPlayer that we weren't outplayed as badly as I thought when at the match and in the disappointed aftermath... We dominated strongly 'til scoring - they were on top - but we were still getting chances - up until h-t. They probably had their best spell after half time til about 65 mins, then we were getting back into it slowly - Done came on and for the last 15 mins we were on top (tho they were still dangerous)

*oh, and the ref was f___________ terrible!!! Gave EVERYTHING their way...

All in my view of course - but I feel renewed hope ahead of tomorrow evening. UTB!!

 

[Blade58]

Not sure who's fit and available after Thursday's result. But we really need to be going with Matt Done out wide on the left with instructions to simply stay as high and as wide up the pitch as possible, exploiting the space Bryne will be neglecting due to his willingness to attack over defending.

Huge key area this could be in chances created by us I feel.

from Cough:

The Gaffer added: "Matty (Done) has been excellent for us since arriving from Rochdale and it is just a shame he has been hampered by his groin problems in recent weeks.

"But he showed in the first-leg, for the 15-20 minutes he was on the field, what a spark he is and how his presence forces defenders into mistakes.

"Hopefully on Monday he will be available to make a further contribution and help get us back into the tie by nicking a goal."



Reading the last para, wonder if Clough is hoping Done can manage another 20 mins, or does he mean the whole game?

 

[Bladesman]

Howard
Freeman (or Brayford) Alcock McEveley Harris
Basham Doyle
Done S.Davies Murphy

 

[Worksop_Blade]

Most likely:

Howard
Freeman
Basham
McEveley
Harris
Murphy
Coutts
Doyle
Flynn
Baxter
Davies

Is that any better than the side that lost at Yeovil back in 2013?

Long
Hill
Maguire
Collins
Westlake
McFazdean
McDonald
Doyle
Murphy
Porter
Ironside

 

[Sothall_Blade]

Most likely:

Howard
Freeman
Basham
McEveley
Harris
Murphy
Coutts
Doyle
Flynn
Baxter
Davies

Is that any better than the side that lost at Yeovil back in 2013?

Long
Hill
Maguire
Collins
Westlake
McFazdean
McDonald
Doyle
Murphy
Porter
Ironside

Is that a serious question?

If so, yes. It's better in all positions except Maguire and MacDonald.

 

[Bladesman]

Most likely:

Howard
Freeman
Basham
McEveley
Harris
Murphy
Coutts
Doyle
Flynn
Baxter
Davies

Is that any better than the side that lost at Yeovil back in 2013?

Long
Hill
Maguire
Collins
Westlake
McFazdean
McDonald
Doyle
Murphy
Porter
Ironside

Our current one is better.

The only 2 players you would want from that squad is McDonald and Maguire.

Looking at that squad I am surprised we got the play offs.