Selection dilemma: Up front vs Southampton

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Assuming we play 4-5-1 vs S'oton, who would you pick up front?

  • Total voters
    105
  • Poll closed .



Not sure we will need to worry about strikers, a defence that can defend would be good.
 
As close as possible to last years cup team:-

------------------Howard
Flynn Basham McEvely Harris
JCR Scougall Doyle Reed Murphy
-------------------Baxter

Subs:- Turner, McGahey, Cuvelier, K.Wallace, McNulty, Adams, Higdon
 
It's the cup so it has to be Porter to put away a penalty. :)
 
Sounded like NC hinted at Mcnulty featuring in his interview,when he said about having one eye on Tuesday night...could well be the False 9 formation,although can see him going for Higdon with the hope he can hold it up for the midfielders to get into more advanced and provide a platform.
Wouldn't mind seeing Mcnulty given a go up top to be honest.
 
I've gone McNulty as he seems the most capable of nicking a goal against the run of play. I think both Baxter and Murphy could do well but they're needed elsewhere. We don't currently have anyone to replace Murphy out wide so we can't involve him more and use him to stretch their defence with a move centrally. I think Baxter would be most useful in that deep lying role, helping keep possession occasionally so we're not completely over run in midfield.
 
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McNulty because whilst his hold up play is poor, it's genuinely no worse than the others'. But he's mobile, a pest and has an eye for goal. None of the others can say that.
 
McNuts worked his knackers off at West Ham in that role and forced the own goal. Be good to see him start against Saints.
 



Southampton have to make changes up front too - Pelle is suspended after picking up another booking at the weekend.

Schneiderlin is a big player for them and is a doubt too.
 
Baxter for me, he works better in a system when we are counter attacking. To me its not just who plays upfront its also where we play Murphy. He is our best player this season by far but I think he will struggle against Clyne (should he play) maybe we should start him on the right?
 
e17blade said:
Southampton have to make changes up front too - Pelle is suspended after picking up another booking at the weekend.

Schneiderlin is a big player for them and is a doubt too.
Click to expand...

Delighted that Pelle is out suspended, they don't have anyone similar to replace him and he's started every match this season. Four straight defeats, and a key match vs Everton four days later, followed by a very difficult period:

C Palace A
Chelsea H
Arsenal H
Man Utd A
Newcastle A

It's not unthinkable that Koeman will choose to rest another couple of first teamers.
 
MBoreman said:
I've gone McNulty as he seems the most capable of nicking a goal against the run of play. I think both Baxter and Murphy could do well but they're needed elsewhere. We don't currently have anyone to replace Murphy out wide so we can't involve him more and use him to stretch their defence with a move centrally. I think Baxter would be most useful in that deep lying role, helping keep possession occasionally so we're not completely over run in midfield.
Click to expand...

I think one of the main arguments for using Baxter up front is that will mean he won't be in midfield. I think it's vital that we have enough work rate in midfield. I think Sothall_Blade 's team is good, although lack of height is an obvious weakness.
 
Howard

Flynn - Basham - McEv - Harris

- - - - - Doyle - - K Wallace

Murphy - - - Reed - - - - - Baxter

- - - - - - - - - McNulty - - - - - - -
 
Do we want to be showing off young Reed so he can be sold even quicker than all the other talent we've produced in recent years?
 
Punk Blade said:
Do we want to be showing off young Reed so he can be sold even quicker than all the other talent we've produced in recent years?
Click to expand...

It will not be lost on any Premier League football club that young Reed is already a good footballer - they ALREADY know.

Even Aston Villa will not be able to hang onto Benteke and we won't be able to hang onto Reed probably longer that 3-4 years.
Spurs paid £10M for Kyles x2 - that sort of money makes the decision, and lets be certain about any young kid - 1000's have looked good as a nipper and have bot progressed through to a first team.

The best we can do with Reed is get out of this division quickly and put him on a better contract and see how he develops. Steven Quinn was also very good at this age, but he didn't progress as much as he promised. Without question Reed is better, but agents unfortunately start tapping these kids and their parents really early - Jordan Slew ring a bell?

UTB
 
Rossb123 said:
Baxter for me, he works better in a system when we are counter attacking. To me its not just who plays upfront its also where we play Murphy. He is our best player this season by far but I think he will struggle against Clyne (should he play) maybe we should start him on the right?
Click to expand...
Interesting analysis on Murphy and quite right too.What i would say is Bertrand is just as good and as quick on the other side,what i think i'd be inclyned;) to do is put Murphy up top with McNulty and put Harris on the left with McEveley behind him,put Flynn on the right with Alcock behind him if fit,this would nullify the threat they possess from both full backs,Basham and McGahey at CB with Doyle and Reed in the middle,with the option in the game of putting Basham in there to make a three with the other players on the pitch being able to make a back four if a tactical change is required.Tadic is another classy player they have who likes to drift outwide to pick it up and cut inside,so if he plays he is the one to watch out for imo.
 
I that the actual team for tommoz??
Sothall_Blade said:
As close as possible to last years cup team:-

------------------Howard
Flynn Basham McEvely Harris
JCR Scougall Doyle Reed Murphy
-------------------Baxter

Subs:- Turner, McGahey, Cuvelier, K.Wallace, McNulty, Adams, Higdon
Click to expand...
 
Bergen Blade said:
I think one of the main arguments for using Baxter up front is that will mean he won't be in midfield. I think it's vital that we have enough work rate in midfield. I think Sothall_Blade 's team is good, although lack of height is an obvious weakness.
Click to expand...
I don't think it would be a huge issue in a midfield three, his composure would outweigh it I think. Get your point though. I do like Murphy up front, he's been ineffective out wide lately.

I liked us going with 4-1-2-1-2 the other day. Good fluidity between Murphy/Baxter/Wallace and to a lesser extent Murphy and the strikers. Swap McNulty for Higdon and I'd try that more. It could work well tonight as would make sure the game remains narrow, albeit our wingers were key last season. Even so Doyle sitting, Baxter and Wallace, then Murphy would be tempting for me.
 
MBoreman said:
I don't think it would be a huge issue in a midfield three, his composure would outweigh it I think. Get your point though. I do like Murphy up front, he's been ineffective out wide lately.

I liked us going with 4-1-2-1-2 the other day. Good fluidity between Murphy/Baxter/Wallace and to a lesser extent Murphy and the strikers. Swap McNulty for Higdon and I'd try that more. It could work well tonight as would make sure the game remains narrow, albeit our wingers were key last season. Even so Doyle sitting, Baxter and Wallace, then Murphy would be tempting for me.
Click to expand...

Clough laughed at the thought of playing it tonight...
 
Bergen Blade said:
Clough laughed at the thought of playing it tonight...
Click to expand...
Yeah, in hindsight that was a stupid comment. As I wrote It i thought, why play two up top, and secondly the Murphy free role wouldn't work. Basically have no idea why I ever said it. Sincere apologies.
 



I'd like to take this opportunity to point and laugh at the 41 who didn't vote for Sparky. Especially those who voted Higdon!
 
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