Team v Reading

[mattbianco1]

Based on the injuries and suspensions and the fact we have WBA the week after, i'd go like this:

Henderson
Cranie - Egan - JOC/Stearman
Freeman/Baldock - Norwood - Fleck - Stevens
Duffy
Madine - Hogan

McG and Dowell as options to change game if needed.​

 

[ChemEngBlade]

Every game is a must-win at this point, whether we be playing Reading or WBA. Can't see the team being changed much from the one which started the second half last night if players are still out and to be fair, it'd be unfair on those who did play the second half to get dropped because that was a proper performance

 

[guancheblade]

When do we learn? Never drop Sharp!!

 

[mattbianco1]

When do we learn? Never drop Sharp!!

"rest"

 

[FleaPitBlade]

Given that Norwood is 1 booking short of a suspension, and we have WBA and Them away following on, I could make a case for Coutts starting this one.

 

[Ricky]

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

- - - - -Stearman - - Egan - - O'Connell

Cranie - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Stevens

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

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

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


Subs: Moore, Freeman, Johnson, Coutts, Duffy, Hogan, Madine

 

[mattbianco1]

Given that Norwood is 1 booking short of a suspension, and we have WBA and Them away following on, I could make a case for Coutts starting this one.

According to soccerbase, he's on 8 bookings.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

"rest"

To hell with that. If we start taking games like this for granted we’re in for problems. It’s also a team he seems to score against. If we’re winning after an hour, that might be the time for Hogan, but I’d avoid resting anyone if possible. Play our strongest team and sub when required.

 

[Almosthuman]

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

- - - - -Stearman - - Egan - - O'Connell

Cranie - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Stevens

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

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

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


Subs: Moore, Freeman, Johnson, Coutts, Duffy, Hogan, Madine

Bash not even in the team?

 

[FTPE]

I'd rest Ollie if he's that close to a suspension, give Coutts a run out.
I understand why we would rest/save Billy too but he's a confidence player so let him build on it.
It's the player behind the front two that I'm not sure of. Huge Duffy fan, really impressed with Dowell there but McG linking up play is also working extremely well (albeit a tad too attacking to start the game).

 

[Bladesthorpe]

Bash not even in the team?

He's still suspended

 

[Chali 2na]

"rest"

He doesn't look like he needs resting.

 

[Almosthuman]

He's still suspended

Thought was only 1 match

 

[BushBlade]

"rest"

He doesn’t need a rest. He’s a footballer, not me Nan

 

[Bladesthorpe]

Thought was only 1 match

10 bookings results in 2 match ban.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

I find some of the teams put forward quite illuminating at times as to why certain players aren't picked.

Looking beyond at West Brom when we have a tough game with Reading is bonkers - it's all about the here and now.

The game v Boro demanded certain changes before and during the game and we coped very well against a pretty average opposition - Leeds or Norwich wouldn't have been that accommodating.

We shouldn't lose sight of what has got us to where we are, especially at HOME to Reading who even though are 4th from bottom, still want to try and play football.

We play our A team if available - we take the game to them and play our football the proper way.

Now is no time for experimenting - West Brom is the week after and it includes them playing away on Tuesday to QPR.

Concentrate on Reading - see how West Brom fair at Villa & QPR and then decide on who to play. They could go into that game with us under severe pressure which could play into our hands.

UTB

 

[Plymouthblade]

Must win game again as said, no resting for me 4-0 up maybe change it don’t want another villa park result, no complacency at all if we to reach the promised land

 

[sheffielder]

There is a week until we play West Brom and I have no idea when Hogan last started a game, so it is madness to drop Sharp until his performance warrant him being dropped/rested.

 

[Ricky]

No room for complacency at all. Since the new manager came in Reading have been solid. Their last 4 games:

Bolton 1-1 Reading
Reading 0-0 Aston Villa
Wednesday 0-0 Reading
Reading 2-1 Blackburn

 

[Bobby b]

The amount of points we would get for beating Reading is exactly the same as for beating WBA resting players for the game after next is suicidal, plus if last night taught us anything it's that the squad is stronger nowadays enough for 2 influential players to be missing and still win a top 6 side, plus, unlike even earlier in the season we have a plan B and possibly planC, so if we lost a player through suspension or injury I'd be less worried than I would be 7 or 8 games ago

 

[Pinchy]

There are no ‘must win’ games at this stage of the season. It’s a fans’ fallacy. By proclaiming ‘must win’ every match, you simply make disappointment inevitable. The season will still be alive and well if we don’t beat Reading.

We’ll win, lose and draw before the end of the season. There’ll be unexpected results both for and against us along the way. Other clubs () will win, lose and draw too.

Let’s get the best we can out of each game in turn and see where we finish.

 

[Stretch]

........................Hendo........................

.........Egan.....Stearman.....JOC........

Cranie...................................Stevens

........................Coutts........................

.............Duffy.................Fleck............

............Madine............Sharp.............

Bench:
Moore
Johnson
Norwood
Dowell
McG
Hogan


This is assuming that Baldock is out and JOC is fit of course. If the latter is not the case then Dowell in at LWB and Stevens to LCB as v Boro.

I am benching Norwood simply due to the yellow card situation and I think Coutts will be able to handle this one. Plus it would be nice to see the old trio back together. I reckon they can still spank out a tune.

Harsh on McG and Dowell to be benched but I still think Duffy is our best attacking playmaker to start home games where we will dominate most of the possession. Others will disagree of course.

 

[neverknowinglywrong]

Based on the injuries and suspensions and the fact we have WBA the week after, i'd go like this:

Henderson
Cranie - Egan - JOC/Stearman
Freeman/Baldock - Norwood - Fleck - Stevens
Duffy
Madine - Hogan

McG and Dowell as options to change game if needed.​

I don't want to see Freeman in a shirt again. No pissing about for the next game and the next game, Strongest team we can field and 3-4 goals added to goal diff. UTB

 

[S64 Blade]

No room for complacency at all. Since the new manager came in Reading have been solid. Their last 4 games:

Bolton 1-1 Reading
Reading 0-0 Aston Villa
Wednesday 0-0 Reading
Reading 2-1 Blackburn

Lost against the pigs though.

 

[Baaaaaaa Blades]

Depends on injuries but personally think the 2nd half team deserve to start if Jack and George are not fit

Sharp should not be rested at all unless he needs a rest . if he is not on his game in any match Hogan is ready for his chance !
he is in excellent form even when not scoring (which is rare !) his general front play is excellent and with only a few games to go till the filth , him and madine ( with Goldie behind in 2nd half) are forming a very nice partnership!

 

[Harry's Game]

......................Hendo

........Cranie....Edgan.......JOC

Freeman. Norwood fleck.....Stevens

..,..................Mcgoldrick

................Sharp.........Madine


Dowell and Duffy great options off the bench

 

[Fulwood Blade]

First thing is there should be no sentiment with Stearman - CW doesn't do sentiment.

Second - it depends if Baldock and JOC are fit.

If both are fit then it will be our A team with Crainie in for Basham.

As for Sharp - he is a predator in front of goal. Once Hogan gets up to speed and he's had a couple of weeks training then I can see Sharp being taken off for a rest if we are winning a game comfortably (like 0-3 away !!!!!) then We might see Hogan.

As for how sharp, Billy is these days - just look at the chance he created for HIMSELF in the box in the last few seconds of the first half v Boro - the control, the shimmy on the CH to find space for the shot and then actually getting a good shot away should tell everyone that he is playing at the top of his game. He needs to start every game and manage his time on the pitch in the games that we are winning.

UTB

 

[sufcboy95]

————————Henderson————————
———-Egan———stearman——-Cranie———-
Freeman—————-————————-Stevens
—————Norwood————-Fleck——————
—————-————-Duffy—————————
——————Sharp—————McGoldrick———

For me I’d go back to the 352.
Wouldn’t risk JOC far harder games coming up.
Duffy instead of dowell, as dowell looked knackered after Wednesday and also were going to have a lot of the ball so Duffys skill around the box will be better.

 

[Ricky]

With Baldock out and Freeman doing his thing, could we go to 4 at the back with Cranie at RB where he's comfortable?


- - - - - - - - Henderson

Cranie - Egan - O'Connell - Stevens

- - - - - Norwood - - - Fleck

- - - Duffy - - - - - - - - - Dowell

- - - - - Sharp - - - McGoldrick


Norwood and Fleck stay a bit deeper, allowing the full backs forward. The front 4 play with plenty of freedom and rotation. It looks good on paper but would obviously be a risk because it's untested as a starting formation.

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

Regardless of injuries or fitness tests;

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

- - - - - Egan - - - - Stearman - - - - Stevens

Cranie - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dowell

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

- - - - - - - - - - - - - Duffy - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

- - - - - - - - - Sharp - - - Madine - - - - - - - - - -

Subs: Moore, Johnson, McGoldrick, Hogan, Coutts, Lundrstam, Washington.

Setting up like that allows to to move to a 4-3-2-1 quite comfortably and seamlessly if required.

Don't push JOC and risk him for any amount of time. Madine doesn't need to justify a start after midweek.