Midfield Triumvirate

[Dellas Cowboys]

Having seen Foxy video clip I think there's little chance we'll see Coutts on Sunday - regrettably - so Poll!

 

[FTPE]

Brooks for me.
It leaves us very lightweight but I want Brooks floating forward with the ball not with his back to goal like when he's played up top.

 

[Rodley]

Lundstram. We need someone to sit in front or back three. Lunny is that man.

 

[Stretch]

I am less convinced he will get a ban. I honestly don't think it looks that bad but in any case it's almost impossible to determine whether an elbow was involved. We'll soon see I suppose.

As for the question.....Fleck into Coutts' role, Carrurhers into Fleck's

 

[Bruce Wayne]

More worried about the forwards TBH. Without them we could have Zidane in midfield and won't score.

 

[Esablade]

Lundstram for his strength and height against the grunters...he can pick a pass also...

 

[speedymcgeady]

Lundstram and Carter Vickers up front,Brooks just behind, Ched on't bench,and play like the old schoolyard attack and defence.....

 

[dazzlingblade]

lundstram for me without a doubt, he has grown on me every performance, think he will be an able deputy for either fleck or coutts when needed

 

[SteveBlade]

Got to be Lundstram. There is a player there, and we can't be changing our system dramatically by putting Basham in midfield, we'd get overrun. Losing the midfield battle isn't something we're used to, and we don't want to be inviting pressure in this of all games.

 

[Dnblade]

I'll be gutted to lose Coutts but we need a break playmaker type..Step forward John Lundestram.

 

[John Street West Terrace]

CCV it at centre half to pick up Fletcher & Basham centre Mid

 

[Sheffsteel]

Lundstrum is the one most similiar to Coutts.

Carruthers and Brooks always look good coming on as sub.

 

[zablade]

The one thing I can say about the Pigs midfield is it looks pretty quick that would worry me if we picked Lundstram I think he would get the runaround.

I'd push Bash up and bring CCV into the back four.

 

[s4-blade]

Lundstram started poorly but is improving with every appearance so maybe it should be his shirt. However, I'd push Basham into midfield, not only to add some fight in there and take to battle to the grunters (in fairness, Lundstram does like a tackle too) but it will allow us to play CCV who's pace we can utilise going forward. In fact, a right flank of Baldock and CCV overlapping (overlapping centre backs? I bow to thee Chrissy Wilder) would be quick enough to skin anyone outside of the Jamaican Olympic relay team (well maybe not quite but you get the point).

 

[Fulwood Blade]

If fans want to lose the game then play Sami if Coutts does happen to get a ban, although I'm on the side of he won't get a ban.

If fans want to try and not lose the game then play Lundstram.

Sami is a no 10, that's why he plays in that position. He was tried in the Coutts role once last season at P'boro and wasn't very effective. He needs to be given no defensive responsibilities.

Wednesday are no mugs and on their own patch and we need to be solid. We have enough skill in the wingbacks and up top to get something, but H'boro on Sunday is not a day to be gung-ho.

Also, if Freeman is unfit as has been suggested, Baldock will actually be the better option too - very quick, likes a tackle and can defend.

UTB

 

[Harry's Game]

A lot depends on the striker situation as to whether we play 5-3-2, something I want to elaborate on later in the week.

However for the sake of the thread if Coutts is banned and we stick to three in the middle for this game (and the Wolves one for that matter) I would be inclined to go with Basham,

 

[GreasyChipBeattie]

Wouldn't be surprised to see a 4-5-1 with Donaldson up front.
Summat like this:
Blackman
Baldock - CVV - JOC - Stevens
Carruthers - Bash/Lundstrum - Duffy - Fleck - Brooks
Donaldson

 

[Harry's Game]

Wouldn't be surprised to see a 4-5-1 with Donaldson up front.
Summat like this:
Blackman
Baldock - CVV - JOC - Stevens
Carruthers - Bash/Lundstrum - Duffy - Fleck - Brooks
Donaldson

This is not far from my thinking but I would like to see who is available first.

 

[GreasyChipBeattie]

This is not far from my thinking but I would like to see who is available first.

Even if Billy is fit HG, without Coutts I could see a 4-4-2 with Brooks dropping to the bench.
I very much doubt we'd see Donaldson and Leon together though.
As you say though, need to see what's what with available players first!

 

[Ricky]

Has to be Basham or Lundstram, hard choice.

What I absolutely do not want to see is a midfield that doesn't do us justice in a footballing sense, like Monty and Doyle in 2012. But the most important thing is obviously the result, and I'm not sure Lundstram would offer us enough as a ball player to justify playing ahead of Basham, who is the safer option. So I'd probably edge towards Basham.

I also think Carter-Vickers would be well suited to playing in this game. Him at RCB and Basham in midfield should see us win the battle.

What would make it an easier decision to go without a ball player alongside Fleck is Donaldson being available (especially if Sharp isn't), then we could play Brooks behind him. Having Brooks there would compensate to an extent for the loss of Coutts' ability on the ball deeper in midfield. We'd also have a potential extra body in the middle when defending which is a bonus.

 

[John Street Bar]

If forced changes CCV. In back Bash midfield & a change Baldock > Freeman (& fingers crossed for any forwards back in)
UTB

 

[Dnblade]

Has to be Basham or Lundstram, hard choice.

What I absolutely do not want to see is a midfield that doesn't do us justice in a footballing sense, like Monty and Doyle in 2012. But the most important thing is obviously the result, and I'm not sure Lundstram would offer us enough as a ball player to justify playing ahead of Basham, who is the safer option. So I'd probably edge towards Basham.

I also think Carter-Vickers would be well suited to playing in this game. Him at RCB and Basham in midfield should see us win the battle.

What would make it an easier decision to go without a ball player alongside Fleck is Donaldson being available (especially if Sharp isn't), then we could play Brooks behind him. Having Brooks there would compensate to an extent for the loss of Coutts' ability on the ball deeper in midfield. We'd also have a potential extra body in the middle when defending which is a bonus.

I know what you mean SB...Lundstram would be a risk,but more similar type to Coutts...while Bash isn't a playmaker and I prefer him at RCB,we still see him stepping into midfield from there anyway.
Samir is an option,but would worry me slightly as he does take risks and give the ball away at times.
Agree,I wouldn't want to see us not being able to keep the ball in midfield,that's why I'd rather risk Lundstram or Samir over Bash.

 

[SwissBlade]

Lundstram, Brooks will be upfront

 

[LenTednTony]

For me, it has to be Lundstrom (sp). He was bought for this role and needs to step up to it. He is improving and the Derby might just be the game. He does like a tackle, can pick a pass and it would mean less changes to the rest of the team. We need to keep changes to a minimum.

 

[Dellas Cowboys]

Having seen Foxy video clip I think there's little chance we'll see Coutts on Sunday - regrettably - so Poll!

Interesting poll results and opinions but we can play - COUTTS