Team Vs Swindon

[HeCanDoMagic]

I don't want this


View attachment 11564

I want this
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Backbone

For me its:

 

[oxonblade]

You say that but he has been left out a lot lately and we haven't won for a while. Could be coincidence.....or maybe we just don't have anyone better?

Doyle was rested for 5 games. We won 4. Best little run of the season? Basham only played one of these in midfield. Coutts played all 5 and was mom at Barnsley. We cannot ignore this for the play offs surely.

 

[Bladesman]

I have heard a lame JL94x4 type of rumour that Clough has fallen out with Matty Done.

Although I think given Clough's latest interview that this rumour can be filed under crap already.

 

[Lane Ender]

No idea and i don't think Clough has.

Tuesday / Wednesday then we may have a idea.

UTB

Clough has'nt had no idea all season.
Sorry couldn't resist it Clough lovers

 

[Woodwardfan]

We often refer to our form in the cups so I checked out the teams in the main games as below with forum ratings:

West Ham: Howard 9.54, Alcock 8.46, Collins 8.15, McGahey 8.18, Harris 7.29, Flynn 7.11, Basham 8.30, Doyle 8.82, B.Davies 8.85, Baxter 8.11, McNulty 8.21.
MKD: Howard 6.89, Alcock 5.89, McGahey 6.63, McEveley 7.00, Harris 6.85, B. Davies 4.79, Doyle 6.53, Reed 5.74, Scougs 5.50, Murphy 6.78, McNulty 6.11
Southampton: Howard8.66, Flynn 8.93, Bash 9.54, McEv 8.89, Harris 9.25, Ryce 8.02, Reed 9.07, Doyle 8.59, Cuvelier 8.80, Murphy 8.39, McNulty 9.67
QPR: Howard 8.56, Flynn 9.26, McEv 9.25, Kennedy 8.87, Harris 8.72, Ryce 9.28, Doyle 7.94, Reed 8.89, Scoug 8.43, Baxter 8.72, McNult 9.21
Spurs: Howard 7.68 & 7.22, Flynn 7.83 / 8.28, Bash 8.75/ 7.90, McEv 7.53/ 7.01, Harris 8.12/ 7.82, Ryce 8.03/ 5.98, Doyle 7.48/ 6.13, Scoug 7.74/ 7.26, Murphs 7.27/ 9.05, Mcnult 7.23/ 5.89, Reed one game 7.86 Baxter one game6.06

I know, get a life

Successful teams who got results. All the usuals feature strongly but maybe of note:- Reed features a lot and played well. McNulty exceptional. Campbell Ryce prominent weird that he was moved out. Did we need a right back?- Flynn exceptional. Collins rated well in the one game as did Cuvelier.

 

[Revolution]

I don't know what lineup he'll pick, but I'll say this - if we score first, and then try to sit on the 1-0 lead, we'll lose the tie, because we ain't good enough to hold the lead and we are going to need something for the away leg.

 

[wizadry]

I don't know what lineup he'll pick.

Don't worry yourself Rev, I don't think he knows

 

[Blade56]

No idea and i don't think Clough has.

Tuesday / Wednesday then we may have a idea.

UTB

Think he'll make his mind up in the polling booth

 

[itsinyerblood]

Clough has'nt had no idea all season.
Sorry couldn't resist it Clough lovers

A Pink Floyd moment - don't you mean "...hasn't had an idea all season?"

 

[Reedy1889]

Key for me is who our 3 central midfielders will be. If we go for the same setup in the centre as we did at Barnsley (with perhaps the exception of Scougall in for Holt) that'll give me alot of confidence in us being able to get a positive result, it's the best combination we have in the system we use. Personally i'd go:

(L to R) Howard, Harris, McEveley, Brayford, Freeman, Murphy, Holt/Scougall, Coutts, Basham, Flynn, S. Davies

 

[DazBlade88]

I think we'll play 9 defensive minded players and make a request to the league to play two goalkeepers because Clough is so negative.

 

[AnotherSpur]

Good luck in the play offs fellas.

Hope it all works out for you.

 

[OllyBlade]

I think it's interesting to read people's opinions on where best to play Basham.

For me his best position is centre midfield and whilst he provides probably our best option at centre half to either move Brayford out to right back or to come in for McEverley, I think the team as a whole is stronger for him in midfield.

I agree with groveblade and Worksop_Blade in terms of a line up. But I'd also consider putting Done for Flynn, but I think that may serve us better in terms of a last 30 mins sub.

_______________Howard______________
Freeman___Brayford___McEverley___Harris
__________Coutts_____Basham_________
__Flynn____________Holt_________Murphy
__________________Davies_____________

Bench: Willis, Alcock, Doyle, Scougall, Baxter, Done, McNulty

Baxter seems to do better coming off the bench at times, and him and Done coming on for 30 minutes in the second half provides us options to change a game, I just hope Nigel is positive enough in his approach to these sort of changes and we don't just try to hold on to a 1-0 if we manage to get ahead early on Thursday.

I have few expectations for these playoffs. It's us and we all know the history and we haven't played well this season. But there is still a chance and what we have this time is some forwards who might just make a difference. Davies has looked decent since he's signed and I think him leading the line works well. But a massive hope for me is Matt Done, I think he's been rested recently to try and get him into full fitness for the playoffs and I think he could well prove a difference maker.

The club has made a very good decision in the pricing for the home leg, and putting Blades in the BL upper, and I understand a lot of us don't hold out much hope, but that shouldn't stop us backing them to the hilt on Thursday.

This is the team I think should be picked too. Bench is arguably harder to judge, as in yours there's no room for Adams or JCR. I'd quite like to have both of those as options.

 

[Punk Blade]

Howard
Freeman Brayford McEveley Harris
Doyle
Flynn Basham AM Murphy
Done/McNulty
​

Attacking Midfielder could be Baxter, Scougall or Holt. Holt and Baxter are a bigger goal threat, Baxter and Scougall provide better defensive work, Scougall and Holt bring more energy/work rate. On balance I think I'd go for Scougall to start and change as required. Done has to be first pick up front. If not fit I'd prefer Sparky for his goalscoring over Davies - Davies keeping the ball better may be more important in the second leg.

I'd also be tempted to rotate Murphy, Flynn and the CF (Done would be better) during the game to make it harder to double up on Murphy and keep them guessing. Murphy remains our likely match winner and we need him fit and firing.

 

[longinthe toothblade]

Decent as Freeman has been, today really showed what we miss with Brayford stuck at centre back, some of the only bits of positivity came from his forward runs as Freeman did little going forward and everyone else who ventured out onto the right wing looked completely lost. Then Flynn came on and we actually had a round peg in a round hole for a change until Clough moved him into the middle. So Brayford at right back and Flynn on the right wing are essential. The left side is easy too, Harris at left back with Murphy in front of him. With Howard obviously in goal, it's just straight up the middle that's the problem.

Basham gets one centre back spot. McEveley is a worry far too often, but him and Basham as a pairing has been decent for most of the season, so I'd go with that as it frees up the best right back to play in his natural position. Steve Davies up front seems the most probable option with Baxter behind him, leaving just the two central midfield spots. Coutts and Holt have done an OK job there rather than having a Doyle-type in midfield.

Howard
Brayford, Basham, McEveley, Harris
Flynn, Coutts, Baxter, Holt, Murphy
S. Davies

Subs: Willis, Freeman, Doyle, Reed, Scougall, Done, McNulty

Agreed.

More or less spot on for me.

Only query I have is Coutts or Doyle

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

Dito except for Collins in for Alcock assuming Kennedy's season is over.

My fear is that Kennedy's career is over

 

[Lawrence]

I'd go for:
Howard
Freeman Bray McEv Harris
Flynny Basham Doyle Murphy
Holt
Davies
Subs: Turner, Alcock, Coutts, Baxter, Done, Adams, Davies;
Look to bring Done on has sub seeing not match fit. Hoping for two upfront. Hoping

Think Done is injured - so maybe keep him for second leg?

The back four must be: Freeman, Beard, Bash, Harris
(The reason Bash should be at centre back is he is solid and that's what we need and because NC can chose from 7 or 8 others in midfield + he can always change it - but would he?)
Flynn, Murphy must play with Doyle holding mid-field - that leaves 3 from:
Holt? Baxter? Coutts? Scooooooogle? Adams? Reed? (However I Know NC will go with Coutts instead of Doyle and Holt)

Davis will play on his own up front, and his attacking options will be Adams and McNulty on the bench.

I would like to see Scoogs during the game, he looked sharp on Sunday!

Will we be the 12th Man?

 

[itsinyerblood]

My fear is that Kennedy's career is over

Think that's a probability rather than a possibility BoSS. Of course I hope, along with many other people, that I'm wrong. So far TK has shown himself to be a consistently solid defender. Nothing flash, he keeps it simple, and is dependable. A good, good player is Terry, and if he comes through this awful period in his life it will be one of this season's finest moments......onto another significant point, I see that McNulty hasn't featured in some people's squad for the play-off's, surely he has to figure at some point?

 

[Rodley]

We often refer to our form in the cups so I checked out the teams in the main games as below with forum ratings:

West Ham: Howard 9.54, Alcock 8.46, Collins 8.15, McGahey 8.18, Harris 7.29, Flynn 7.11, Basham 8.30, Doyle 8.82, B.Davies 8.85, Baxter 8.11, McNulty 8.21.
MKD: Howard 6.89, Alcock 5.89, McGahey 6.63, McEveley 7.00, Harris 6.85, B. Davies 4.79, Doyle 6.53, Reed 5.74, Scougs 5.50, Murphy 6.78, McNulty 6.11
Southampton: Howard8.66, Flynn 8.93, Bash 9.54, McEv 8.89, Harris 9.25, Ryce 8.02, Reed 9.07, Doyle 8.59, Cuvelier 8.80, Murphy 8.39, McNulty 9.67
QPR: Howard 8.56, Flynn 9.26, McEv 9.25, Kennedy 8.87, Harris 8.72, Ryce 9.28, Doyle 7.94, Reed 8.89, Scoug 8.43, Baxter 8.72, McNult 9.21
Spurs: Howard 7.68 & 7.22, Flynn 7.83 / 8.28, Bash 8.75/ 7.90, McEv 7.53/ 7.01, Harris 8.12/ 7.82, Ryce 8.03/ 5.98, Doyle 7.48/ 6.13, Scoug 7.74/ 7.26, Murphs 7.27/ 9.05, Mcnult 7.23/ 5.89, Reed one game 7.86 Baxter one game6.06

I know, get a life

Successful teams who got results. All the usuals feature strongly but maybe of note:- Reed features a lot and played well. McNulty exceptional. Campbell Ryce prominent weird that he was moved out. Did we need a right back?- Flynn exceptional. Collins rated well in the one game as did Cuvelier.

Everyone of those teams has got at least one mobile centre midfielder in it (Basham / Scougall / Cuvelier) who can get up and down the pitch and win the ball back quickly so we can launch an attack before the opposition can sit deep. I wouldn't classify Holt as that player because he doesn't get about the pitch enough and doesn't have the tenacity.

Coutts, Doyle, Baxter and even Reed struggle to get about as much. Similarly Holt isn't that player. It's the #1 issue with the team right now, forget about centre halfs. We need at least one, maybe two mobile centre midfielders in there of that type. It helps us win the ball further up the pitch, launch attacks more quickly and bring the tempo up.

 

[curtisblades]

I think Clough will start:
Howard
Freeman, Brayford, McEveley, Harris
Basham, Coutts, Scougall
Flynn, Murphy
Davies.

I would be confident in this lineup securing a victory for us. Brayford and McEveley were solid on Saturday and are both good with the ball. Coutts, as much as many people do not recognise, controls the midfield, and is well complemented by the hard work of Bash and Scougall. Flynn and Murphy provide goal threats and Davies' hold up play is excellent and has the ability to score goals if provided with the chances. I believe we can do it, UTB!

 

[Foxy]

For me, we could really do with Bash in midfield, would like to see Brayford back at RB, but the only way we'll manage that is if Tel can make one... and if he makes it, it's not going to be a Thursday, Monday.

Flynn also has to play, regardless of the additional effort and hard work he provides, it makes us look so much more balanced.

Che as an impact sub.

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

Think that's a probability rather than a possibility BoSS. Of course I hope, along with many other people, that I'm wrong. So far TK has shown himself to be a consistently solid defender. Nothing flash, he keeps it simple, and is dependable. A good, good player is Terry, and if he comes through this awful period in his life it will be one of this season's finest moments......onto another significant point, I see that McNulty hasn't featured in some people's squad for the play-off's, surely he has to figure at some point?

Bound to - squad rotation never stops these days does it?

 

[backfour]

I'd go for:
Howard
Freeman Bray McEv Harris
Flynny Basham Doyle Murphy
Holt
Davies
Subs: Turner, Alcock, Coutts, Baxter, Done, Adams, Davies;

Look to bring Done on has sub seeing not match fit. Hoping for two upfront. Hoping

No mcnulty?

 

[MiserableBlader]

My #sufc team for tonight 4-5-1/4-3-3

Howard
Freeman Brayford McEverly Harris
Flynn Basham Holt?
JCR @Jamiemurphy89
Davies

Subs Long/Willis, Allcock, Magahey, McFadzean, Scougall, Adams, McNulty
Inj Kennedy Reed Done
Standby Khan Calvert-Lewis Diego!

- looks even stronger with my lovely formatting in it

 

[MiserableBlader]

Agreed.

More or less spot on for me.

Only query I have is Coutts or Doyle

The solution is easy.
NEITHER
LEGS FFS

 

[Slug]

Assuming that Done is not fit and Collins is still on the naughty step then 10 out of the 11 pick themselves for me. The one position i have up for debate is between Holt and Scougall but with playoff games usually being very tight i think Holts knack of grabbing a goal could prove vital.

------------------Howard-----------------
Freeman Brayford Mcevely Harris
---------------Bash Coutts-------------
Flynn------------Holt-----------Murphy
------------------Davies-----------------

 

[gavtheblade]

For me, we could really do with Bash in midfield, would like to see Brayford back at RB, but the only way we'll manage that is if Tel can make one... and if he makes it, it's not going to be a Thursday, Monday.

Flynn also has to play, regardless of the additional effort and hard work he provides, it makes us look so much more balanced.

Che as an impact sub.

Collins would fit a hole.

 

[FTPE]

For me, we could really do with Bash in midfield, would like to see Brayford back at RB, but the only way we'll manage that is if Tel can make one... and if he makes it, it's not going to be a Thursday, Monday.

Flynn also has to play, regardless of the additional effort and hard work he provides, it makes us look so much more balanced.

Che as an impact sub.

Completely agree with both points, Flynn does give the side much more balance, and while I'm desperate to get Brayford back at right back- getting Basham back in the center of midfield is more a priority in my eyes.

 

[Kenilworth]

I don't want this


View attachment 11564

I want this
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Backbone

Brilliant - you've found a picture of the lads playing in the new kit

 

[Pinchy]

Assuming that Done is not fit and Collins is still on the naughty step then 10 out of the 11 pick themselves for me. The one position i have up for debate is between Holt and Scougall but with playoff games usually being very tight i think Holts knack of grabbing a goal could prove vital.

------------------Howard-----------------
Freeman Brayford Mcevely Harris
---------------Bash Coutts-------------
Flynn------------Holt-----------Murphy
------------------Davies-----------------

That will (and should) be the team. Although I Scoogs, Jason Holt is more likely to score a vital goal.