Stick/Twist/Surprise....?

[Torrix1889]

Thinking back to Bouncing Day I don't think many of us expected CW to name Brooks up top just behind Leon and drop Billy........but boy did it work!

With a more or less fully fit squad CW really does have a conundrum tonight...will we stick or twist or will there be another surprise? We will have done our homework on Wednesday and CW knows how Bruce likes to set his sides up.

Last 3 games have been won to 0 so common sense says don't mess with the back 3....however the "big guns" in JOC & Basham are back....do they come in and we revert to the tried and tested trio or do we stick with Cranie and Stevens alongside Egan, (providing he has shaken off his calf injury)? If we stick then that means Johnson continuing at LWB, he's done OK but personally I feel better with JOC & Stevens on that left side. Cranie has been excellent and hasn't put a foot wrong...I would say he is a better defender than Bash but Bash offers more going forward......I also think George comes back if fit, Freeman has done OK but still looks half-arsed most of the time.

Midfield will be reasonably straight-forward....Fleck & Norwood are stitched on so the choice is who to play in the attacking role.....Dowell or Duffy?

Up top you would think it has got to be Billy and either Didsy or Madine.

Could he spring a big surprise though? Could we play an extra midfielder, (Lundstram/Coutts) and push Dowell up behind a lone striker, ala Brooks/Clarke? If so that lone striker would need pace.....Scotty Hogan? Can't see it myself but who knows......I don't think anyone expected the starting line up v Reading so it shows CW isn't afraid of big changes!

Personally I think he will probably revert to type, with one, maybe tow exceptions;

Hendo

Baldock
Cranie
Egan
JOC
Stevens
Fleck
Norwood
Dowell
Sharp
Didsy

 

[Tynemouth Blade]

The obvious choice is to go with your strongest team and CW and AK know that, however I wouldn't be surprised if there was a surprise in the team sheet starting line up!

 

[Ricky]

We're certainly not predictable, I don't think the same can be said about Wednesday.

Don't rule out McGoldrick playing behind Sharp and Madine.

Anybody who'd consider keeping Johnson in for O'Connell needs a brain scan.

Basham should come back in but keeping Cranie in wouldn't be outrageous.

What I don't want is for Wilder to keep Freeman in if Baldock's fit. That would be daft. But I have a feeling that he'll start.

 

[Stretch]

We have so many options now, particularly in an attacking sense that it is almost impossible to predict.

Dowell has probably done enough to keep the shirt, where as personally I would always go with Duffy in order to give us that element of control at the top of the pitch. We might even see McG take on the 10 role with Madine/Hogan and Sharp starting.

The Pigs will look to press our midfield tonight and force us into mistakes, with Hutchinson and probably Hector sticking a foot in wherever possible. So on that basis I wouldn't be at all surprised if Wilder sticks Bash in the middle to shield Norwood, with Fleck more advanced. McG dropping deep and Sharp up top would be the preferred combo in that instance. That way the excellent Cranie keeps his spot too.

Or we could just stick with the formula that has served us so well up to now. Let them worry about us, and not vice versa.

 

[Worksop II]

Don't rule out McGoldrick playing behind Sharp and Madine.

and save Duffy for the Coup de Grace

 

[Superblades]

I’d keep with McGoldrick till half time and if like against Middlesbrough we seem to be struggling bring Madine on to change the game. I reckon Dowell will start ahead of Duffy too.

 

[Luke1993]

Gerr all forruds on and gerrit forrud and in't box

 

[Scooter_mcgavin]

We have so many options now, particularly in an attacking sense that it is almost impossible to predict.

Dowell has probably done enough to keep the shirt, where as personally I would always go with Duffy in order to give us that element of control at the top of the pitch. We might even see McG take on the 10 role with Madine/Hogan and Sharp starting.

The Pigs will look to press our midfield tonight and force us into mistakes, with Hutchinson and probably Hector sticking a foot in wherever possible. So on that basis I wouldn't be at all surprised if Wilder sticks Bash in the middle to shield Norwood, with Fleck more advanced. McG dropping deep and Sharp up top would be the preferred combo in that instance. That way the excellent Cranie keeps his spot too.

Or we could just stick with the formula that has served us so well up to now. Let them worry about us, and not vice versa.

One thing I will guarantee, he will not even contemplate what Wendy will do before picking his team. He doesn't worry too much about the opposition, he concentrates on our own strengths and lets the oppo worry about us.

The ultimate show of faith in his own playing staff.

 

[BLADES1988]

Washington up front, Lundstram in the middle and Marv on the left! SUFC Scapegoat United Football Club

 

[Simon88]

Thinking back to Bouncing Day I don't think many of us expected CW to name Brooks up top just behind Leon and drop Billy........but boy did it work!

With a more or less fully fit squad CW really does have a conundrum tonight...will we stick or twist or will there be another surprise? We will have done our homework on Wednesday and CW knows how Bruce likes to set his sides up.

Last 3 games have been won to 0 so common sense says don't mess with the back 3....however the "big guns" in JOC & Basham are back....do they come in and we revert to the tried and tested trio or do we stick with Cranie and Stevens alongside Egan, (providing he has shaken off his calf injury)? If we stick then that means Johnson continuing at LWB, he's done OK but personally I feel better with JOC & Stevens on that left side. Cranie has been excellent and hasn't put a foot wrong...I would say he is a better defender than Bash but Bash offers more going forward......I also think George comes back if fit, Freeman has done OK but still looks half-arsed most of the time.

Midfield will be reasonably straight-forward....Fleck & Norwood are stitched on so the choice is who to play in the attacking role.....Dowell or Duffy?

Up top you would think it has got to be Billy and either Didsy or Madine.

Could he spring a big surprise though? Could we play an extra midfielder, (Lundstram/Coutts) and push Dowell up behind a lone striker, ala Brooks/Clarke? If so that lone striker would need pace.....Scotty Hogan? Can't see it myself but who knows......I don't think anyone expected the starting line up v Reading so it shows CW isn't afraid of big changes!

Personally I think he will probably revert to type, with one, maybe tow exceptions;

Hendo

Baldock
Cranie
Egan
JOC
Stevens
Fleck
Norwood
Dowell
Sharp
Didsy

We all expected sharp not to play as he was injured, he wasn’t dropped. He was an un-used sub, and also an un used sub for the next couple of games from memory as he was not fit.

 

[Scooter_mcgavin]

Washington up front, Lundstram in the middle and Marv on the left! SUFC Scapegoat United Football Club

I've not minded Marv over the last couple of weeks. He might have given the ball away a few times but he's put the yards in and made a positive contribution.

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

I will be surprised if i am not surprised tonight.

 

[pommpey]

Stick with what we know and what works well for me

----------------------Henderson-----------------

-------Basham------Egan-----O'Connell-------

Baldock-----------------------------------Stevens

-------------Norwood---------Fleck---------------

--------------------------Dowell----------------------

----------McGoldrick----------Sharp--------------

Subs:

Madine or Hogan (for McGoldrick)
Duffy (for Dowell or Fleck)
Coutts (for Fleck or Norwood)

Basham, Norwood, Baldock or Stevens to pick up a yellow

2-1 to us. Pigs take lead in 15 minutes out of nowhere after us pressing

2nd half come out battling and Billy and Madine to get the two for us.

Really, I'd like to see Dowell crack one in from distance (as I am reminded he can) or Jack to get his nut to a corner which goes in like a bullet.

pommpey

 

[Luke1993]

----------------------Henderson-----------------

---Basham----------Egan---------O'Connell---

Baldock-----------------------------------Stevens

-------------Norwood---------Fleck---------------

--------------------------Dowell----------------------

----------McGoldrick----------Sharp--------------

Subs:

Madine or Hogan (for McGoldrick)
Duffy (for Dowell or Fleck)
Coutts (for Fleck or Norwood)

Basham, Norwood, Baldock or Stevens to pick up a yellow

2-1 to us. Pigs take lead in 15 minutes out of nowhere after us pressing

2nd half come out battling and Billy and Madine to get the two for us.

Really, I'd like to see Dowell crack one in from distance (as I am reminded he can) or Jack to get his nut to a corner which goes in like a bullet.

pommpey

Is that your RAB? If so, what odds did you get?

 

[SwitchBLADE Smiles]

Wednesday aren't going to sit deep against us tonight. They're the home team & Bruce knows all about derby games (unlike the previous 2 pretenders). They'll set up to beat us and will look to attack when they can.

This is a game where I feel Dowell could be a huge player for us. There will be space in between their midfield & defense for him to exploit. Also, however good Cranie has been for us since his inclusion in the side, we can't afford to not put Bash back in. He's had a couple of weeks rest so will be chomping at the bit to get back playing again. Perfect game for him to be back IMO!

O'Connell is back, which is again a huge boost for us.

McGoldrick does so much more than just be a forward for us. His workrate alone will be very important I feel. If it isn't working, then we have the plan B in Madine from the bench.

Henderson

Baldock
Basham
Egan
O'Connell
Stevens

Fleck
Norwood
Dowell

McGoldrick
Sharp

 

[pommpey]

Is that your RAB? If so, what odds did you get?

RAB?

No idea mate. I don't bet.

pommpey

 

[bertieblade]

CW has always said he could play both Dowel and Duffy.
How’s about the two of them to be given a free role behind Madine with Billy and Mcgoldrick to be brought on after 60 minutes

 

[Scooter_mcgavin]

CW has always said he could play both Dowel and Duffy.
How’s about the two of them to be given a free role behind Madine with Billy and Mcgoldrick to be brought on after 60 minutes

Billy will not be sub. Not a chance.

Also, his game has evolved so much over the past season or so. He can actually play the target man as bizarre as that sounds. He's been giving centre halves allsorts of problems with his upper body strengh, his hold up and link up play has come on leaps and bounds.

Can't remember the last time I saw him back in and fall to the floor, which was all he seemed to do last season.

 

[pommpey]

CW has always said he could play both Dowel and Duffy.
How’s about the two of them to be given a free role behind Madine with Billy and Mcgoldrick to be brought on after 60 minutes

3-4-2-1 could work and it certainly puts four into our midfield. As long as we have enough for the two wing backs followed by the 'flying centre backs' to attack. That's been the story of our season with regard overloading the opposition. The pigs will be well aware of this.

Tonight is about Bruce, for me. It's how much he knows Wilder and Knill's game and predicts what we will do. Knowing Wilder and Knill now, they will have done their homework too and will hopefully produce an output which will put these bastards to bed.

pommpey

 

[frechyblade]

We have so many options now, particularly in an attacking sense that it is almost impossible to predict.

Dowell has probably done enough to keep the shirt, where as personally I would always go with Duffy in order to give us that element of control at the top of the pitch. We might even see McG take on the 10 role with Madine/Hogan and Sharp starting.

The Pigs will look to press our midfield tonight and force us into mistakes, with Hutchinson and probably Hector sticking a foot in wherever possible. So on that basis I wouldn't be at all surprised if Wilder sticks Bash in the middle to shield Norwood, with Fleck more advanced. McG dropping deep and Sharp up top would be the preferred combo in that instance. That way the excellent Cranie keeps his spot too.

Or we could just stick with the formula that has served us so well up to now. Let them worry about us, and not vice versa.

One thing I will guarantee, he will not even contemplate what Wendy will do before picking his team. He doesn't worry too much about the opposition, he concentrates on our own strengths and lets the oppo worry about us.

The ultimate show of faith in his own playing staff.

Agree with both these.

On the other hand Bruce will have to try and work out our shape and staffing to stand any chance of nullifying us. If we can't guess which way the master will go what chance has he of working it out. Another example of the brilliant job our management team are doing in building a squad that stops other teams planning for how we will set up because of the options we have.

UTB

 

[Lmaobob]

We're certainly not predictable, I don't think the same can be said about Wednesday.

Don't rule out McGoldrick playing behind Sharp and Madine.

Anybody who'd consider keeping Johnson in for O'Connell needs a brain scan.

Basham should come back in but keeping Cranie in wouldn't be outrageous.

What I don't want is for Wilder to keep Freeman in if Baldock's fit. That would be daft. But I have a feeling that he'll start.

Agreed with the Freeman bit, think Aarons will shit all over him if Freeman starts

 

[LondonBlade89]

One thing I will guarantee, he will not even contemplate what Wendy will do before picking his team. He doesn't worry too much about the opposition, he concentrates on our own strengths and lets the oppo worry about us.

Fairly certain he will contemplate what Wendy will do before picking the team. He's not stupid.

 

[Torrix1889]

whatever happens don't put Bash in Midfield. We sit far too deep and invite teams onto us, for me that was the turning point at Villa, they were shit scared every time Dowell got the ball and he pushed them back 10 yards straight-away, he went off, Cranie came on, Bash went into midfield and all of a sudden there were gaps everywhere....

 

[Scooter_mcgavin]

Fairly certain he will contemplate what Wendy will do before picking the team. He's not stupid.

Really?

I actually don't think he will.

 

[LondonBlade89]

Really?

I actually don't think he will.

Course he will. I agree with your overall point that Wilder is more of a “let them worry about us” manager. But I think you’re going too far to suggest he won’t even contemplate what they’re doing. Wilder and Knill and the team work hard on oppo scouting.

 

[Scooter_mcgavin]

Course he will. I agree with your overall point that Wilder is more of a “let them worry about us” manager. But I think you’re going too far to suggest he won’t even contemplate what they’re doing. Wilder and Knill and the team work hard on oppo scouting.

The only time i see him chopping and changing is when we have other fixtures coming up and he sees the opposition a little weaker - like Reading for example.

Otherwise I think he just goes with what he sees as the strongest available side. Formation is generally standard, everyone in the country knows how we play. The problem they have is stopping it

 

[mattbianco1]

If O'Connell is fit then Stevens should go straight back to LWB. Basham is back but Cranie has filled in very well, it will be harsh on Cranie but it has to be Basham.

Freeman for me has done enough to keep his place and has also looked more dangerous in the oppositions box. I love Baldock but would like Freeman keep his jersey.

I would go like this:

Hendo
Bash - Egan - JOC
Freeman - Norwood - Fleck - Stevens
Dowell
Sharp - Madine/McGoldrick

Subs: Hogan, Baldock, Moore, Coutts, Madine/McGoldrick, Duffy, Cranie​

 

[ChemEngBlade]

Madine in place of McG for me. Mcg's decision making & first touch can be very poor at times whereas Madine makes a proper shithouse of himself

 

[GrayBlade]

Thinking back to Bouncing Day I don't think many of us expected CW to name Brooks up top just behind Leon and drop Billy........but boy did it work!

With a more or less fully fit squad CW really does have a conundrum tonight...will we stick or twist or will there be another surprise? We will have done our homework on Wednesday and CW knows how Bruce likes to set his sides up.

Last 3 games have been won to 0 so common sense says don't mess with the back 3....however the "big guns" in JOC & Basham are back....do they come in and we revert to the tried and tested trio or do we stick with Cranie and Stevens alongside Egan, (providing he has shaken off his calf injury)? If we stick then that means Johnson continuing at LWB, he's done OK but personally I feel better with JOC & Stevens on that left side. Cranie has been excellent and hasn't put a foot wrong...I would say he is a better defender than Bash but Bash offers more going forward......I also think George comes back if fit, Freeman has done OK but still looks half-arsed most of the time.

Midfield will be reasonably straight-forward....Fleck & Norwood are stitched on so the choice is who to play in the attacking role.....Dowell or Duffy?

Up top you would think it has got to be Billy and either Didsy or Madine.

Could he spring a big surprise though? Could we play an extra midfielder, (Lundstram/Coutts) and push Dowell up behind a lone striker, ala Brooks/Clarke? If so that lone striker would need pace.....Scotty Hogan? Can't see it myself but who knows......I don't think anyone expected the starting line up v Reading so it shows CW isn't afraid of big changes!

Personally I think he will probably revert to type, with one, maybe tow exceptions;

Hendo

Baldock
Cranie
Egan
JOC
Stevens
Fleck
Norwood
Dowell
Sharp
Didsy

Good points but re the Sty game I don’t think Billy was ever going to play personally, remember he still missed the next two or three games. I think Wilder had him there just for his effect in the dressing room. Some have said that he might have come on if we needed a late goal, but that seems to go against everything Wilder does with injuries. Players come off at the first sign of a niggle and don’t seem to return till they’re 100%.

 

[LondonBlade89]

The only time i see him chopping and changing is when we have other fixtures coming up and he sees the opposition a little weaker - like Reading for example.

Otherwise I think he just goes with what he sees as the strongest available side. Formation is generally standard, everyone in the country knows how we play. The problem they have is stopping it

Wilder's chopping and changing is pretty much always tactical based on who we're playing.