Team v Middlesbrough [H]

[HeCanDoMagic]

Late fitness test for one of the main players in the team will determine whether its normal set up (Crainie for Bash) or having to put a few square pegs in round holes

Guessing Baldock.

 

[Houston_Blade]

Do I stay up and watch this tonight or go to bed? I'll probably not fall asleep if I go to bed as I'll be checking the score every 2 mins but if I stay up and we're shit I'll be annoyed. KO at 11pm.

 

[Champagneblade]

Saw Ball_Sup (Phil) say yesterday that Kean Bryan came off early in the U23 game (planned; not injury) so will likely be Crainie's replacement on the bench. Lundstram (and Washington) played a full game I think so doubt he'll be in the mix.

That would make sense wouldn't it? Would cover for the left hand side loss of Johnson and the loss of a third centre half in Crainie. If he comes in then no space for Freeman and Coutts back in also. If anything happens to Baldock or Crainie then Stearman is there with Crainie to RWB if Baldock goes off. Washington drops to allow Hogan back in.

 

[Champagneblade]

Personally I'd make just 2 changes (1 enforced) from Villa: Cranie in for Bash and Duffy for Dowell. Duffy over Dowell as Middlesbrough won't give us much space to attack and won't get caught; personally I think this is where Duffy's intelligence comes in. Starting Madine over Mcgoldrick might be harsh on our second highest goal scorer, but Madine was excellent against Villa and also gives us a bit more presence for both ends of the pitch.

That's the main call. The more I think on it, the more it makes sense to keep Madine in with them being a big side. No point playing well and shitting ourselves every time they have a set piece because we have 5-footers marking six-footers.

It will be easier for Dowell to build on his last game by starting rather than being dropped straight away. Likewise in a potentially tight game, he is one midfielder with a very decent scoring record. 9 or 10 in 43 not to be sniffed at. Could come in very uswful. Duffy there to add composure late on and a more likely sub to make an impact than Dowell I think.

Think I've convinced myself now. Same team except Cranie for Bash. Bash, Johnson, Washington out, Bryan, Coutts, Hogan in.

 

[Ricky]

Late fitness test for one of the main players in the team will determine whether its normal set up (Crainie for Bash) or having to put a few square pegs in round holes

Could that be Stevens?

With no Johnson available that would mean a square peg at LWB. Hopefully Freeman, not Bryan or anyone else.

If for whatever reason we can't select any of the usual wing backs, then please can we just go to 4 at the back. Imagine Cranie RWB and Baldock LWB.... no thank you.

If we have to make any additional changes as well as just Cranie then I predict nothing but defeat.

 

[Killamarshblades]

Could that be Stevens?

With no Johnson available that would mean a square peg at LWB. Hopefully Freeman, not Bryan or anyone else.

If for whatever reason we can't select any of the usual wing backs, then please can we just go to 4 at the back. Imagine Cranie RWB and Baldock LWB.... no thank you.

If we have to make any additional changes as well as just Cranie then I predict nothing but defeat.

Heard JOC could miss out. Which would mean Stevens to back 3 (as left sided CB), Dowell to wing back. Cranie replace Bash. Duffy in the hole. If JOC fit, none of the above would apply

 

[Ricky]

Heard JOC could miss out. Which would mean Stevens to back 3 (as left sided CB), Dowell to wing back. Cranie replace Bash. Duffy in the hole. If JOC fit, none of the above would apply

We're fucked if O'Connell's out along with Basham. One of few players we've not got adequate cover for. We gambled on him staying fit right from the start of the season.

 

[Torrix1889]

Some interesting scenarios.....with any Pulis side rightly labelled as "industrial" I think Madine is certain to start....he has more physical presence in either box than Didzy, that said, Didzy tracks back more than any other forward. Hogan will have to settle for the bench again to start but I can see his pace being used at some point.

Dowell edges it in midfield for me over Duffy, I thought he was excellent against Villa, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Lundstram in tonight as well....

If JOC is unfit then I can't see anything other than a switch to a back 4 and Stearman comes in for Bash alongside Egan with Enda LB and George or Cranie at RB.....a back 3 of Cranie, Egan and Enda doesn't fill me with confidence at all....unless Bryan makes an appearance, although I can't see it, (could be on the bench though instead of Johnson).

4-3-1-2 possibly....(if JOC is out)

Hendo
Baldock/Cranie, Egan, Stearman, Enda
Fleck, Norwood, Lundstram
Dowell
Madine, Sharp

 

[B.Lade]

I want what is best for our team. It means far more than juvenile preferences for certain players and unpleasant prejudice against others. You should grow up and try it.

You're definitely a troll Pinchy. No doubt about it

 

[Killamarshblades]

Some interesting scenarios.....with any Pulis side rightly labelled as "industrial" I think Madine is certain to start....he has more physical presence in either box than Didzy, that said, Didzy tracks back more than any other forward. Hogan will have to settle for the bench again to start but I can see his pace being used at some point.

Dowell edges it in midfield for me over Duffy, I thought he was excellent against Villa, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Lundstram in tonight as well....

If JOC is unfit then I can't see anything other than a switch to a back 4 and Stearman comes in for Bash alongside Egan with Enda LB and George or Cranie at RB.....a back 3 of Cranie, Egan and Enda doesn't fill me with confidence at all....unless Bryan makes an appearance, although I can't see it, (could be on the bench though instead of Johnson).

4-3-1-2 possibly....(if JOC is out)

Hendo
Baldock/Cranie, Egan, Stearman, Enda
Fleck, Norwood, Lundstram
Dowell
Madine, Sharp

That would make a lot of sense, and would be more 'defensively sound'. With Stevens and Dowell where i suggested it's a pretty much all out attack down the left as per normal, might just surprise them. Then again, teams always know what the oppo are doing way as players / staff always pass on info to others

 

[spongebobblade]

We changed a convincingly winning team AT Villa. Madine and Dowell were vital to that. Two of our best four players along with Billy and George. No subs; No collapse. I’m quite sure of that.

Start the team that was on its way to a very impressive victory. It’s not a difficult concept.

Madine wouldn’t have lasted 90 minutes. He came off because he was blowing out of his arse after an hour. He had an excellent game but to say we drew because he was subbed is crackers. He’d given his all and had little if nothing left in the tank

 

[Torrix1889]

Madine wouldn’t have lasted 90 minutes. He came off because he was blowing out of his arse after an hour. He had an excellent game but to say we drew because he was subbed is crackers. He’d given his all and had little if nothing left in the tank

Agree Madine was shot. We drew though, (forgetting the individual errors) because Dowell came off for Cranie and Bash went into Midfield.....Villa were terrified of Dowell, every time he had the ball they were automatically on the back foot......he went off and Bash sat deeper and was no way near the same threat going forward.....Villa then exploited the gaps and Whelen started to dictate and dominate the play. Had we changed Dowell for Duffy I'm sure we would have continued to boss the centre of the park...

 

[Topplayersleave]

McGoldrick and Duffy for me would be best,
Dowell and Madine on when we get a three goal lead

 

[Ricky]

If we're defending a lead late on, may I make the radical suggestion of taking Norwood off, for the first time ever.

Having someone more adept defensively than him and keeping an attacking midfielder on the pitch is preferable to going to the dreaded flat 3.

 

[wavy-blade]

Wish we had Brooks , both goals last year against boro were brill but thw 2nd was fantastic , i bet that defender is still sliding now a year later !

 

[norfolkblade]

Late fitness test for one of the main players in the team will determine whether its normal set up (Crainie for Bash) or having to put a few square pegs in round holes

No JOC in the line-up so that would appear to answer the teaser you've put here

 

[JayGreen17]

Worried about the defence with Middlesbrough height and power up top, like Wilder has just said we will need to just go for it. Come on boys! Let’s do this.

 

[spongebobblade]

Agree Madine was shot. We drew though, (forgetting the individual errors) because Dowell came off for Cranie and Bash went into Midfield.....Villa were terrified of Dowell, every time he had the ball they were automatically on the back foot......he went off and Bash sat deeper and was no way near the same threat going forward.....Villa then exploited the gaps and Whelen started to dictate and dominate the play. Had we changed Dowell for Duffy I'm sure we would have continued to boss the centre of the park...

Exactly what I said after the game

 

[wizadry]

Boro NOT strong in the air ? You obviously didntgo to Middlesbrough early in the season when we were 3.0 down all from headers and set pieces !!

As I said, they’re not as strong in the air as people make out.