442/433/451

[Going up]

Looking over the video several times. I really think, in the cold light of day that it was a good performance by United.

For Doncaster, it was their Cup final for without a win, it was basically season over. I doubt that we will face many teams trying that hard again. We had one or two players out through injury and several shuffled around as Bob was brought off.

The last two goals were beautifully worked...the long, cross-field ball from the Beard, then the long, equally accurate ball from Davies to Done and Matt's agility to pull off a great goal. Likewise, SD 's goal, nicely worked and taken.

Looking at Coutts, who came under a lot of criticism, I could actually see what he was attempting on the video, which is shot from up high, much more than at the match. Some balls that went astray were, similar to some of Baxter's, trying to create a space where Done's athleticism could match up a one on one situation. It was a similar one on one that brought the penalty.

Ultimately, my little back and forth with Woodward, gets us to the question.

With Davies up front, he is a strong figure to hold the ball and bring others into play. It also means one more in midfield.

With Done alone up front, he is tireless and a menace, but in my opinion, it is difficult for him by himself. He seems to work best with another up top, or he needs great service as SD supplied for his goal.

With both up top, perhaps we are light in the middle, but more potent up top ad the two of them seem to have a good understanding already. With more games together, it can surely increase their understanding. Davies has strength, Done is just amazing at marauding, in fact, like nobody I've seen.

I guess that is why we leave it to the experts and I do by the way count Nigel and his team as experts, but I would love to hear your thoughts, or the common consensus.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Can we get away with a 4-5-2 - it might suit us down to the ground.

 

[Gavlar]

I prefer a 1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1 formation

 

[Bergen Blade]

I think this would have been interesting:

Howard

Brayford --- Kennedy - McEveley --- Harris

Coutts
Basham ----- Scougall
--------- Done -------------------------- Murphy
S.Davies​

Done starting on the right, but urged to get into the box and link up with Davies. Brayford responsible for keeping width/getting crosses in down that side. Competetive midfield, who are also fit enough to get forward. There are potentially a lot of goalscorers, with all of Murphy, Done and Davies included. I would be pretty confident going into the play off final if that was Clough's selection.

 

[Woodwardfan]

3-5-2 ( Two midfield sweepers, Brayford can still push on)

Brayford Basham Kennedy

Doyle Harris
Flynn Baxter Murphy

Davies Done

4-4-2 ( Full backs push wide midfielders up the pitch throughout)

Brayford Kennedy Basham Harris

Flynn Reed Doyle Murphy

Davies Done

4-3-3 ( Full backs push on throughout)

Brayford Kennedy Basham Harris

Flynn Doyle Reed

Done Davies Murphy


This is League 1 not Champions League. We over-rate the opposition.

 

[Going up]

I think this would have been interesting:

Howard

Brayford --- Kennedy - McEveley --- Harris

Coutts
Basham ----- Scougall
--------- Done -------------------------- Murphy
S.Davies​

Done starting on the right, but urged to get into the box and link up with Davies. Brayford responsible for keeping width/getting crosses in down that side. Competetive midfield, who are also fit enough to get forward. There are potentially a lot of goalscorers, with all of Murphy, Done and Davies included. I would be pretty confident going into the play off final if that was Clough's selection.

I like it. Would you prefer Scougs over Holt though, who seems to be scoring and flying atm?

 

[wakefieldblade]

I think this would have been interesting:

Howard

Brayford --- Kennedy - McEveley --- Harris

Coutts
Basham ----- Scougall
--------- Done -------------------------- Murphy
S.Davies​

Done starting on the right, but urged to get into the box and link up with Davies. Brayford responsible for keeping width/getting crosses in down that side. Competetive midfield, who are also fit enough to get forward. There are potentially a lot of goalscorers, with all of Murphy, Done and Davies included. I would be pretty confident going into the play off final if that was Clough's selection.

I think this team would work well in the playoffs. My only concern is McEveley, I really don't rate the lad and he is so error-prone so id go with Freeman in the team and play brayford at CB I reckon. Also, based on form and goal scoring ability i'd have to play Holt over Scougall.

Howard

Freeman-Kennedy-Brayford-Harris

Basham - Coutts - Holt

Done - Murphy

Davies

 

[Going up]

I think this team would work well in the playoffs. My only concern is McEveley, I really don't rate the lad and he is so error-prone so id go with Freeman in the team and play brayford at CB I reckon. Also, based on form and goal scoring ability i'd have to play Holt over Scougall.

Howard

Freeman-Kennedy-Brayford-Harris

Basham - Coutts - Holt

Done - Murphy

Davies

I think we are about right. Just leaves no room for Flynn, who has been excellent lately.

Would be nice to have 12 on the pitch.

 

[Cyprus Blade]

Howard

Brayford --- Kennedy - McEveley --- Harris

Coutts
Basham ----- Scougall
--------- Done -------------------------- Murphy
S.Davies

On this seasons showing I don't think Scougall merits a starting berth personally, nor does Baxter. Subs bench with Doyle.

Equally McEveley doesn't fill me with confidence and I think Freeman has performed reasonably well since coming in so I would go with Brayford at CH with reservations. Flynn I think has played well this season and can contribute defensively as well as providing an outlet for midfield (runs his socks off). I would go with Done in an AM role on the basis that he is in there to get forward as much as possible to link with Davies. Coutts in on the strength of the Barnsley game. My pick would be 4 4 1 1

Howard
Freeman Brayford Kennedy Harris
Flynn Coutts,Basham, Murphy
Done
S Davies

 

[Lane Ender]

On this seasons showing I don't think Scougall merits a starting berth personally, nor does Baxter. Subs bench with Doyle.

Equally McEveley doesn't fill me with confidence and I think Freeman has performed reasonably well since coming in so I would go with Brayford at CH with reservations. Flynn I think has played well this season and can contribute defensively as well as providing an outlet for midfield (runs his socks off). I would go with Done in an AM role on the basis that he is in there to get forward as much as possible to link with Davies. Coutts in on the strength of the Barnsley game. My pick would be 4 4 1 1

Howard
Freeman Brayford Kennedy Harris
Flynn Coutts,Basham, Murphy
Done
S Davies

That's probably our strongest starting line up.
Baxter doesn't warrant a starting place.
Mceverly is a liability
Don't get carried away with Holt

 

[Bergen Blade]

I like it. Would you prefer Scougs over Holt though, who seems to be scoring and flying atm?

Agree that Holt's finishing is better than Scougall's.

Overall I think Scougall, if he finds his best form, has more to his game and will give us energy, pace and directness. He also closes down better, which will make us better equipped to win the midfield battle.

With Brayford and Harris as attacking full backs and those three goal threats in the forward positions, coupled with better playmaking from Coutts, compared to Doyle, I think there's reason to hope that Scougall will find more room and be more effective than he was earlier in the season.

 

[Bergen Blade]

I think this team would work well in the playoffs. My only concern is McEveley, I really don't rate the lad and he is so error-prone so id go with Freeman in the team and play brayford at CB I reckon. Also, based on form and goal scoring ability i'd have to play Holt over Scougall.

Howard

Freeman-Kennedy-Brayford-Harris

Basham - Coutts - Holt

Done - Murphy

Davies

Personally I think McEveley has got too much criticism. In terms of sloppy mistakes Basham has made more from centre half, but he's not been punished that often. I think McEveley will do well if we have a solid, hard working midfield in front of him, that's not always been the case this season. Having said that the option of Brayford at centre half with Freeman at right back is not a bad one either.

 

[Going up]

Agree that Holt's finishing is better than Scougall's.

Overall I think Scougall, if he finds his best form, has more to his game and will give us energy, pace and directness. He also closes down better, which will make us better equipped to win the midfield battle.

With Brayford and Harris as attacking full backs and those three goal threats in the forward positions, coupled with better playmaking from Coutts, compared to Doyle, I think there's reason to hope that Scougall will find more room and be more effective than he was earlier in the season.

Thanks. I can see that with Scougs if he comes into form and is 100% fit. The early season injuries seemed to hamper him this year.

Last thing Bergen. That leaves no room for Flynn. He has been in excellent form lately.

I assume that you see Done as more goal threat and the Beard as the extra "wingman". Then Flynn to come off the bench at some point.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Thanks. I can see that with Scougs if he comes into form and is 100% fit. The early season injuries seemed to hamper him this year.

Last thing Bergen. That leaves no room for Flynn. He has been in excellent form lately.

I assume that you see Done as more goal threat and the Beard as the extra "wingman". Then Flynn to come off the bench at some point.

Yes, it's a wish to see Done, Davies and Murphy in the same team, but not lose the three man central midfield that we seem dependent on, if we are going to earn the right to play and remain solid defensively.

 

[Going up]

Yes, it's a wish to see Done, Davies and Murphy in the same team, but not lose the three man central midfield that we seem dependent on, if we are going to earn the right to play and remain solid defensively.

That, I totally agree with. It is now a testament to the team that we now have Flynn, Baxter, Holt, Che, MMc N and I would include Ben Davies, as he can sub almost anywhere and should there be a lot of fouls and free kicks during the playoffs, in a fabulous bench.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Personally I think McEveley has got too much criticism. In terms of sloppy mistakes Basham has made more from centre half, but he's not been punished that often. I think McEveley will do well if we have a solid, hard working midfield in front of him, that's not always been the case this season. Having said that the option of Brayford at centre half with Freeman at right back is not a bad one either.

Interesting.

For me and Foulkes Jr Sr whenever McEveley plays dangerous situations arise either when he loses his man, or as I've said a few times, when he gets under the ball. It did occur to me that given his support elsewhere that maybe we're just watching and focusing on the mistakes. There was a time on Tuesday when he covered at left back and he played that situation very well.

Bash dives in which is not great either. He did it against Crewe, and we were punished for that. Did it again on Tuesday - but that really was a night for getting away with things

 

[groveblade]

I think this would have been interesting:

Howard

Brayford --- Kennedy - McEveley --- Harris

Coutts
Basham ----- Scougall
--------- Done -------------------------- Murphy
S.Davies​

Done starting on the right, but urged to get into the box and link up with Davies. Brayford responsible for keeping width/getting crosses in down that side. Competetive midfield, who are also fit enough to get forward. There are potentially a lot of goalscorers, with all of Murphy, Done and Davies included. I would be pretty confident going into the play off final if that was Clough's selection.

I like the look of that side - and even more so if J Wallace was to (by some miracle) get fit then I'd put him in midfield instead of Basham and put Basham in McEveley's place.

Further options would be Flynn instead of Done and Doyle (or even Baxter) instead of Coutts - depending on players' form, opposition, state of the game etc etc..

 

[blade too long]

442433451
As all numbers in spain are 9 numbers I rung it and got a launderette in Salamanca

 

[Bladepicker]

442/433/451...

Is a Hotpoint Fridge Freezer at Argos isn't it?

 

[FTPE]

I think this would have been interesting:

Howard

Brayford --- Kennedy - McEveley --- Harris

Coutts
Basham ----- Scougall
--------- Done -------------------------- Murphy
S.Davies​

Done starting on the right, but urged to get into the box and link up with Davies. Brayford responsible for keeping width/getting crosses in down that side. Competetive midfield, who are also fit enough to get forward. There are potentially a lot of goalscorers, with all of Murphy, Done and Davies included. I would be pretty confident going into the play off final if that was Clough's selection.

I like it. I like it a lot.
I'd be tempted to play basham deeper and put Jose in bashams spot but he's too inconsistent to start in a knockout game like the playoffs, so yeah I'm fully behind your 11

 

[Revolution]

I think this would have been interesting:

Howard

Brayford --- Kennedy - McEveley --- Harris

Coutts
Basham ----- Scougall
--------- Done -------------------------- Murphy
S.Davies​

Done starting on the right, but urged to get into the box and link up with Davies. Brayford responsible for keeping width/getting crosses in down that side. Competetive midfield, who are also fit enough to get forward. There are potentially a lot of goalscorers, with all of Murphy, Done and Davies included. I would be pretty confident going into the play off final if that was Clough's selection.

The major problem with this team is that, based on what we have seen so far, it has no goals or creativity in the midfield 3.

As others have said, you want Holt in there instead of Scougall, who has done nothing this season to merit a starting place at this point without someone else losing form completely or getting injured.

I would also prefer Brayford on the right but if it were up to me I would go with Freeman there and Brayford in the middle to keep McEveley out of the side. He has been error prone since Christmas.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Whichever formation we play let's be thankful that we have 3 strikers ( Davies, Done and McNulty) on the books should we get to Wembley, therefore we have options and we have cover for injuries and suspensions.

 

[Bergen Blade]

The major problem with this team is that, based on what we have seen so far, it has no goals or creativity in the midfield 3.

As others have said, you want Holt in there instead of Scougall, who has done nothing this season to merit a starting place at this point without someone else losing form completely or getting injured.

I would also prefer Brayford on the right but if it were up to me I would go with Freeman there and Brayford in the middle to keep McEveley out of the side. He has been error prone since Christmas.

I don't think you should always select a team based on individual merit alone, sometimes it's worthwhile picking a team based on what you think they can achieve collectively.

It is a fact that Basham, Coutts and Scougall haven't scored a lot of goals this season. But they haven't played together at all. And a lot of other variables have changed as well since we tried Basham and Scougall as midfield runners earlier in the season.

• We've got overlapping full backs on both sides, Brayford or Freeman for Alcock is a big change in terms of attacking attributes.
• Coutts is a much better holding playmaker than Doyle, will be able to hold the ball before picking a forward pass and this could mean a lot for B&S, as maybe no longer their runs will not just end into the defensive sack of the opposition, there may be openings and they may get the ball as they are running into space more often
• The attacking, well balanced and goal scoring trio of Murphy, S. Davies and Done in front of the midfield could also have a huge impact on the kind of space that will open up for running midfielders
• Basham looks a lot more confident than he did earlier in the season.
• Scougall has made a goal scoring return for the U21s.

The main thing for me though is that I think that trio will help us win the midfield battle and allow us to play.

Basically, we haven't seen the above team fail, and as I see it there are potentially a lot of gains if we try it.

 

[Revolution]

I don't think you should always select a team based on individual merit alone, sometimes it's worthwhile picking a team based on what you think they can achieve collectively.

It is a fact that Basham, Coutts and Scougall haven't scored a lot of goals this season. But they haven't played together at all. And a lot of other variables have changed as well since we tried Basham and Scougall as midfield runners earlier in the season.

• We've got overlapping full backs on both sides, Brayford or Freeman for Alcock is a big change in terms of attacking attributes.
• Coutts is a much better holding playmaker than Doyle, will be able to hold the ball before picking a forward pass and this could mean a lot for B&S, as maybe no longer their runs will not just end into the defensive sack of the opposition, there may be openings and they may get the ball as they are running into space more often
• The attacking, well balanced and goal scoring trio of Murphy, S. Davies and Done in front of the midfield could also have a huge impact on the kind of space that will open up for running midfielders
• Basham looks a lot more confident than he did earlier in the season.
• Scougall has made a goal scoring return for the U21s.

The main thing for me though is that I think that trio will help us win the midfield battle and allow us to play.

Basically, we haven't seen the above team fail, and as I see it there are potentially a lot of gains if we try it.

I agree that we are getting goals from other sources now and the team is in better shape to overcome a non scoring contribution from the midfield 3.

But the elephant in the room is you advocate leaving out Holt - who is scoring in the first team - for a similar player who has not played meaningful minutes for months, and has no goalscoring form. That isn't logical.

And we have not seen that team fail, but we have seen Scougall fail this season. I would not pick him before Holt, or Baxter for that matter.

 

[Bergen Blade]

I agree that we are getting goals from other sources now and the team is in better shape to overcome a non scoring contribution from the midfield 3.

But the elephant in the room is you advocate leaving out Holt - who is scoring in the first team - for a similar player who has not played meaningful minutes for months, and has no goalscoring form. That isn't logical.

And we have not seen that team fail, but we have seen Scougall fail this season. I would not pick him before Holt, or Baxter for that matter.

Jamie Murphy was another who failed for large parts of last season, then variables changed and he found form. Scougall did well last season, then variables changed and he struggled. Not the shape of the team is different again, and in my opinion, the suggested team is similar in balance to the Doyle-Coady-Scougall that worked so well last season.

We lose a bit of aggression and tackling for swapping Coutts with Doyle, but we get a bit more of that by swapping Basham for Coady. We lose a bit of composure and passing by swapping Basham for Coady, but we gain a bit more of that by using Coutts for Doyle. In sum, hopefully it'll be successful like last season, at least it should be more competetive.

Scougall, rather than Holt, is a personal preference, based on who I think will make us achieve more when they're in good form, but they are quite similar as types and that's a good situation to have. I'll be happy to see Holt start the next game(s), but hope that Scougall will come on as sub and gradually show that he's ready to give us more.

Baxter, though, in that system, would change the dynamics completely, and is not the way to go.

 

[finlaytheblade]

Yes, it's a wish to see Done, Davies and Murphy in the same team, but not lose the three man central midfield that we seem dependent on, if we are going to earn the right to play and remain solid defensively.

i think your right bergen done on the right gives him the option to cut in on his favoured left foot and even make it two up top
when conditions are right . Murphy is better on the left as he can come inside and take advantage of being right footed with Davies up top all this gives us options in an attacking sense it also keeps the opposition fullbacks busy which stops teams like Swindon (who play with a back 3) using there backs as attackers,i also think it will be swindon we meet if we get in play offs
semi home and away