Bonkers match....any changes required?

[Benny and the Blades]

PS.
They had 7 shots, 6 on target and 5 goals, mind you the 1 Blackman stopped was a good save so it's OK ...

 

[Ihadadream]

Baldock needs to be fit we miss a recognised WB to give us that balance and allow Bash to go back into the 3 on the right hand side meaning CCV can go back in the centre probably at the expense of JW, that gives him the option to play 3 ways as opposed to 2 if he is on the right when you watch the middle CB plays the simple ball every time and primary job is to win the ball and defend, Lundstrum will adjust to the Coutts role in time they are big boots to fill mind, but we’ll return to winning ways Saturday without doubt

 

[YouFUMS]

If Baldock was anywhere close to being fit, then I think he may have been on the bench last night. The fact that he wasn't makes me think that it's unlikely he'll start on Saturday.
If last nights starting eleven are fit to go again on Saturday, then I wouldn't change a thing. Lundstram needs a run of games if he's CW's preferred replacement for Coutts, and I thought he did OK last night.
CCV was playing really well prior to last nights game, so I think we need to stick with him and give him chance to get over a bad game.

 

[Keen Blade]

Interesting that people are saying we need new players and more pace yet it was the way we played upfront later in the game that concerned me last night. At times in the first half we got forward reasonably quickly with a few passes and a shot as witnessed by our first two goals, but the more the game went on the more we would work the ball slowly up the flanks, our forwards would be like statues, no pass on, so the ball comes back to the half way line. (Something Fulham didn't do, lots of movement off the ball and looking to go forward quickly with each pass). Poor old Lundstrummy gets the ball at his feet on the half way line and looks up and again all up front like statues and man marked except except Flecky and the option of going sideways. Even a world class midfielder would struggle with no movement and no much on.

Can't help thinking we need more movement off the ball up front to create space, runs, and earlier efforts on goal, like Fulham and less of this lets go back the half way line stuff. Taking ages to get it into the box and behaving like statues just allows the opposition to man mark our forwards too easily.

Just have a look at how much Billy Sharp moves these days , it won't take you long.

 

[Revolution]

Interesting that people are saying we need new players and more pace yet it was the way we played upfront later in the game that concerned me last night. At times in the first half we got forward reasonably quickly with a few passes and a shot as witnessed by our first two goals, but the more the game went on the more we would work the ball slowly up the flanks, our forwards would be like statues, no pass on, so the ball comes back to the half way line. (Something Fulham didn't do, lots of movement off the ball and looking to go forward quickly with each pass). Poor old Lundstrummy gets the ball at his feet on the half way line and looks up and again all up front like statues and man marked except except Flecky and the option of going sideways. Even a world class midfielder would struggle with no movement and no much on.

Can't help thinking we need more movement off the ball up front to create space, runs, and earlier efforts on goal, like Fulham and less of this lets go back the half way line stuff. Taking ages to get it into the box and behaving like statues just allows the opposition to man mark our forwards too easily.

I understand what you're saying but that forward line has scored 10 goals in the last 3 games between them, and Sharp has assisted 2 of Clarke's goals and won the penalty he himself converted.

Our forwards must be doing something right. And the shift that they put in on Tuesday should have been enough to win the game.

 

[DazBlade88]

PS.
They had 7 shots, 6 on target and 5 goals, mind you the 1 Blackman stopped was a good save so it's OK ...

Just shows how misleading stats can be sometimes.

 

[raimond]

Am I going bonkers, or did Gary Sinclair (or whoever) forget to give us the cue for the first line of the GCB at the start of the game?

All his fault

 

[CaptainMorgans]

I think it's important in football (but also any work environment) to ensure that people don't live in constant fear of losing their place (or job) due to a mistake. Footballer's thrive off confidence. If last year we dropped Billy Sharp when he went through his "baron" spell, would that have sent the right message? Would Sharp have performed as well. He probably felt like he owed Wilder for keeping the faith with him. We all know what happened next.

The same goes for CCV. He's a young lad. Man of the match at Burton, growing in confidence. On Tuesday he came up against players with pace to burn. His early mistake was a howler and unfortunately his head went completely. This will happen, he's a teenager, but now isn't the time to drop him. In fact, Birmingham (a struggling team), at home, represents the perfect opportunity to let the lad rebuild his confidence. If CCV meets Che in a 50/50 and puts the little **** on his arse early doors, the crowd will be behind him and he will feel 10ft tall again.

It's important not to panic in these situations, it seeps down into the players. Now more than ever, with the injury to Coutts (one of our two most important players), we need the management to show calm (which they are doing). Back Lundstram again. Bring Baldock back in and put Basham to centre half. No other changes.

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

-----------Blackman-------------
----Basham--CCV---JOC----
Baldock---------------Stevens
-----Lundstram---Fleck-------
---------------Duffy--------------
-------Clarke-----Sharp-------

Too sensible, wheres the out of position players and knee jerk overhaul?

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

Baldock needs to be fit we miss a recognised WB to give us that balance and allow Bash to go back into the 3 on the right hand side meaning CCV can go back in the centre probably at the expense of JW, that gives him the option to play 3 ways as opposed to 2 if he is on the right when you watch the middle CB plays the simple ball every time and primary job is to win the ball and defend, Lundstrum will adjust to the Coutts role in time they are big boots to fill mind, but we’ll return to winning ways Saturday without doubt

Bang on.

Basham playing as the overlapping centre half with Baldock is something we miss.

 

[Pinchy]

I haven't seen anything as mad as that since the Battle of Bramall Lane to be honest. Shocking defending at times but also mistakes, strokes of luck and misfortune and let's not forget some genuinely quality pieces of play. We missed Coutts no doubt but I don't think the number of goals conceded is down to him, and our defence in general had an off night.

I don't think Brum have the same capability to punish us like Fulham did and a heavy defeat against Boro tonight could really dampen any misplaced confidence they may have.

Lots of ifs buts and maybes involved but here a few things to ponder in respect of any changes.

I think it is crucial that we have Baldock back. Bash gives everything and is a decent enough RWB but I wonder if last night would have turned out the same with him at CB or even in midfield. I think their counter attacks would have met more resistance had he been lurking somewhere rather than being out on the wing and having to track back.

CCV has been very good so far but he has a habit of slipping, I think he has done it several times now and on most occasions we have got away with it but not last night. Harsh to drop the lad but the questions needs to be asked.

Lundstrum did ok under the weight of expectation but in all honesty didn't really get to grips with the game. Again, it might seem harsh to drop him, based on one performance but it's also right that we explore all options while we can before the window opens again. We may just hit on the winning formula from what we already have, and that may include Lundstram, or it may be someone else.

Duffy has been one of our best this season so far but he was off it last night, tiredness maybe or perhaps just more susceptive to Coutts' absence? Not sure if he wasn't finding the space that he normally does or if the ball just wasn't reaching him? Everything seemed to happen so quickly last night that I struggled to keep track of individual players at times.



So with all this in mind would you like to see the same 11 go again or do we freshen it up for Saturday?



If Baldock is fit then I would go with this line up:

........................................................................Blackman.....................................................................................
......................................Steerman......................Wright........................JOC........................................................
Baldock...................................................................................................................................................Stevens
...........................................Basham............................................Fleck................................................................
..........................................................................Brooks....................................................................................................................................Sharp..............................................Clarke...............................................................


Bash give us athleticism and bite in the middle which affords more freedom to Fleck and Brooks to cause havoc. Steerman won't overlap [much] as a CB but Bash likes to get forward anyway, certainly more than Coutts ever did meaning we leave Wright and Steerman back most of the time to provide solidity. JOC will carry on as normal down the left and Fleck can drop deep as required.


If Baldock isn't fit then:


........................................................................Blackman.....................................................................................
......................................Steerman......................Wright........................JOC........................................................
Basham..................................................................................................................................................Stevens
...........................................Carruthers............................................Fleck............................................................
..........................................................................Duffy....................................................................................................................................Sharp..............................................Clarke..................................................................

Some may say that Carruthers isn't suited to a deeper role but I would disagree. He looks much more assured on the ball than Lundstram and can certainly drift past a player out of trouble. Duffy also tracks back more than Brooks so we get a little more bite back into the centre.


Harsh on those dropped I know but as said above, we have the squad to use and should use it. Steerman really shouldn't be sitting on the bench for too long if he is fit and in my opinion Carruthers is a better player than Lundtram on what I have seen.


Either way, can't wait for Saturday!

Edit - every time I try and put a formation on this sight the formatting goes all titty side up. But I am sure you get the idea.

Left-footed Jake at Right Centre-Back? CCV left out for a moment of madness after a supreme performance in the previous game? Wright doesn’t have to be shoe-horned in at all costs, he really doesn’t.

 

[Pinchy]

Bang on.

Basham playing as the overlapping centre half with Baldock is something we miss.

It certainly is. Bash and Jack the Hat either side of Stearman or CCV is the obvious common sense choice. Or we could panic in best Bladey tradition because we’ve lost a game,

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

It certainly is. Bash and Jack the Hat either side of Stearman or CCV is the obvious common sense choice. Or we could panic in best Bladey tradition because we’ve lost a game,

The number of line ups people are posting that omit Duffy is worrying.

 

[Stretch]

Left-footed Jake at Right Centre-Back? CCV left out for a moment of madness after a supreme performance in the previous game? Wright doesn’t have to be shoe-horned in at all costs, he really doesn’t.

Wright is the central CB in both lineups.

Re CCV, there have been a few 'moments' in my opinion