Madine

[SUFC Guy]

Would you start him on wednesday night v Brum ? Think I would as at away matches he gives us that outlet when we are under pressure
Maybe Hogan to start as well ?

Damned if you do, damned if you don't

 

[guancheblade]

David McGoldrick
I would similarly rest McGoldrick away at Birmingham and bring in Madine to start. He seemingly doesn’t require the same level of protection as Duffy, but Wilder may also consider resting him away at Hull for Madine and at home to Ipswich to give Hogan a run out.

I strongly disagree. I don't think the final home game and penultimate game of the season is the appropriate moment to give someone else "a run out".

Put out our best and proven first 11 against Ipswich (the final fixture is a week later so plenty of rest time), try and get a big win and pile the pressure on Leeds who play the next day.

 

[KoppedOff]

Sharp and McG. Same 11 barring any knocks or if JOC is available.

Madine is plan B and will come in handy off the bench especially against Millwall, but even then I wouldnt be starting him. Dont get the mentality of trying to match big direct sides- whats the point of playing to their strengths? Why not just play our game and football them to death? Especially at home. If it isnt working, then we’ve got the option of Madine to change stuff up. I do like the idea of him coming on when were winning though; he holds the ball up well, takes the pressure of the defence and is a big asset defending set pieces. He would have been good to have on for the last 15 against Bristol.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

I strongly disagree. I don't think the final home game and penultimate game of the season is the appropriate moment to give someone else "a run out".

Put out our best and proven first 11 against Ipswich (the final fixture is a week later so plenty of rest time), try and get a big win and pile the pressure on Leeds who play the next day.

Maybe I used the wrong language. None of this would be in order to “give someone a run out.” It’s making sure we get the maximum we can out of the resources available, taking into consideration all of the other factors mentioned in my post - fatigue, injury records etc..

Ipswich at home seems a good opportunity to give Sharp and McGoldrick a bit of extra recuperation time before a final day at Stoke.

Hogan and Madine did excellently against Reading at home, I would expect a similar display from them.

 

[BushBlade]

Maybe I used the wrong language. None of this would be in order to “give someone a run out.” It’s making sure we get the maximum we can out of the resources available, taking into consideration all of the other factors mentioned in my post - fatigue, injury records etc..

Ipswich at home seems a good opportunity to give Sharp and McGoldrick a bit of extra recuperation time before a final day at Stoke.

Hogan and Madine did excellently against Reading at home, I would expect a similar display from them.

They get a week off between Ipswich and Stoke. If they’re knackered after the Hull game, fair enough but if not, they should start against Ipswich. Assuming we’re still on for the automatics.

 

[Bill Johnson]

We have 5 crucial games in the space of 17 days.

The keeper and the defence (more or less) picks itself (Crainie through his excellence presents some uncertainty). Fleck & Norwood also have to start as, unfortunately, we don’t have understudies who are anywhere near their level at present (it can’t be emphasised enough how crucial it is that these two stay fit for us).

At the top of the pitch, I think most would accept that it’s clear now, after 40 games, that we perform at our best when McGoldrick, Sharp and Duffy are all on-song in the same starting XI.

However, it’s also apparent that Wilder is wise in the knowledge that these 3 are prone to fatigue / knocks - with age and / or injury records working against them in periods of fixture pile ups.

History tells us, therefore, that Wilder will, rightly, try to protect Duffy, McGoldrick and (to a lesser extent) Sharp during this crucial period.

Mark Duffy
I think a sensible way to manage Duffy through this period of games would be to not start him in back-to-back fixtures within a 3 day period.
This means he would start our games at home to Millwall, Forest, Ipswich and start away at Stoke and would drop to the bench for the away fixtures against Birmingham and Hull.
This works nicely given that we’ve had a recent tendency to only use Duffy, if needed, with 25 minutes remaining away from home.

David McGoldrick
I would similarly rest McGoldrick away at Birmingham and bring in Madine to start. He seemingly doesn’t require the same level of protection as Duffy, but Wilder may also consider resting him away at Hull for Madine and at home to Ipswich to give Hogan a run out.

Billy Sharp
I would only consider resting Sharp against Ipswich at home. His leadership skills are too important at this stage of the season and his fitness levels seem to be of a quality that he is able to cope quite well anyway.

In summary, availability permitting, I see us finishing something like this;

Starting Front 3
Birmingham - Dowell, Sharp, Madine
Millwall - Duffy, Sharp, McGoldrick
Forest - Duffy, Sharp, McGoldrick
Hull - Dowell, Sharp, Madine
Ipswich - Duffy, Hogan, Madine
Stoke - Duffy, Sharp, McGoldrick

6 games in 26 days.
If we get it right they then get as long a rest as they want.

 

[Bill Johnson]

Maybe I used the wrong language. None of this would be in order to “give someone a run out.” It’s making sure we get the maximum we can out of the resources available, taking into consideration all of the other factors mentioned in my post - fatigue, injury records etc..

Ipswich at home seems a good opportunity to give Sharp and McGoldrick a bit of extra recuperation time before a final day at Stoke.

Hogan and Madine did excellently against Reading at home, I would expect a similar display from them.

A victory against Ipswich could seal autos.
You wouldn't play your leading goalscorer?

 

[Pinchy]

I don’t think Birmingham have any fit midfielders so I want Duffy finding pockets

 

[Boxer Blade]

I presume everybody else has 6 games in 26 days as well including leeds

 

[John Street West Terrace]

Same side as Sat in terms of front 2 poss JOC back them having more of a physical presence with Jutewietz ( or however you spell the big lads name ) , with the option of Hogan / Madine later in game . I think with Hogan being on loan from Villa maybe be a story line in the making there ?
Predict another tight game after my successful Sat score line , heart says 2-1 to us , head says 1-1

 

[Bill Johnson]

I presume everybody else has 6 games in 26 days as well including leeds

Leeds 6 in 27 mate. They play tonight.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

A victory against Ipswich could seal autos.
You wouldn't play your leading goalscorer?

No. I’d trust in the squad to get the job done. They’ve proven to us before they can do it (Reading).

However, I did say that I would start Sharp in 5 out of our remaining 6 games. I’d be surprised if Wilder starts him in all 6, he has a tendency to rest him occasionally. Ipswich would seem the best day to do it, with him coming off the bench if required.

We are where we are through careful management of our squad. It’s not as simple as always putting out your strongest XI. We have players at the top of the field who are either ageing, or have poor injury records. They will need to be looked after during the 5 games in 17 days period, or they will burn out.

 

[Ranmoorblade]

Madine on the bench for me, he doesn’t deserve a start after getting sent off.

 

[Keen Blade]

Same side as Sat in terms of front 2 poss JOC back them having more of a physical presence with Jutewietz ( or however you spell the big lads name ) , with the option of Hogan / Madine later in game . I think with Hogan being on loan from Villa maybe be a story line in the making there ?
Predict another tight game after my successful Sat score line , heart says 2-1 to us , head says 1-1

Your head was right !
What does it say about our chances of auto now ?