The Shape of the Squad

[Youngand70]

With the exception of Billy where are the two "strikers"? Brewster and McBurnie fooked up by Wilder and regular members of the ever increasing injury list, the youngsters no where near top end of the Championship standard. When will Hecky realise that "goals equal prizes" and of course he won't get any help from "Prince I want to sell my toy and breed camels". The way things are going we will soon have a team full of midfielders!!!

 

[Kev Gee]

With the exception of Billy where are the two "strikers"? Brewster and McBurnie fooked up by Wilder and regular members of the ever increasing injury list, the youngsters no where near top end of the Championship standard. When will Hecky realise that "goals equal prizes" and of course he won't get any help from "Prince I want to sell my toy and breed camels". The way things are going we will soon have a team full of midfielders!!!

Some good money in breeding camels tbh.

 

[brownblade]

With the exception of Billy where are the two "strikers"? Brewster and McBurnie fooked up by Wilder and regular members of the ever increasing injury list, the youngsters no where near top end of the Championship standard. When will Hecky realise that "goals equal prizes" and of course he won't get any help from "Prince I want to sell my toy and breed camels". The way things are going we will soon have a team full of midfielders!!!

Wtf?

 

[Champagneblade]

All hail Hecky's PowerPoint skills!

I'm intrigued what we are telling these guys.

But by the same token, we must have a plan.

Hecky has a reputation as being good with young players and that was only enhanced with Gibbs-White. We've made a 10m player with promise into a 25m player.

I'm enthused with what comes next because he hasn't sat down with Khadra, Doyle and McAtee telling them we're playing with one no 10 and they're all it.

With the current formation, there are 5 forward positions. At present it is unthinkable that N'Diaye won't start and it's probably the same with Berge. You have to say it's very unlikely Norwood is getting dropped either.

So that means if McAtee also starts and so does Khadra then that's your lot.

You're potentially looking at some sort of diamond with Norwood deep, McAtee on the left, Berge on the right and Khadra just off N'Diaye or Khadra as an impact sub and N'Diaye just off either Brewster or Sharp or Jebbison.

You've then also got Coulibaly as a potential player and also a returning Doyle.

Despite Ozzy and Fleck featuring the other day, I'm not sure how they would get anyway near that team if we're going to avoid pissing off Man City and not immediately alienating Khadra.

Unless we plan to move to 4-2-3-1, creating an additional forward berth, though there doesn't marry up that well with signing Bash on for two more years as well as recruiting Ahmedhodžić and Clark.

 

[El Volví]

Some good money in breeding camels tbh.

 

[BushBlade]

All hail Hecky's PowerPoint skills!

I'm intrigued what we are telling these guys.

But by the same token, we must have a plan.

Hecky has a reputation as being good with young players and that was only enhanced with Gibbs-White. We've made a 10m player with promise into a 25m player.

I'm enthused with what comes next because he hasn't sat down with Khadra, Doyle and McAtee telling them we're playing with one no 10 and they're all it.

With the current formation, there are 5 forward positions. At present it is unthinkable that N'Diaye won't start and it's probably the same with Berge. You have to say it's very unlikely Norwood is getting dropped either.

So that means if McAtee also starts and so does Khadra then that's your lot.

You're potentially looking at some sort of diamond with Norwood deep, McAtee on the left, Berge on the right and Khadra just off N'Diaye or Khadra as an impact sub and N'Diaye just off either Brewster or Sharp or Jebbison.

You've then also got Coulibaly as a potential player and also a returning Doyle.

Despite Ozzy and Fleck featuring the other day, I'm not sure how they would get anyway near that team if we're going to avoid pissing off Man City and not immediately alienating Khadra.

Unless we plan to move to 4-2-3-1, creating an additional forward berth, though there doesn't marry up that well with signing Bash on for two more years as well as recruiting Ahmedhodžić and Clark.

I’m trying not to think too much about it. You can end up going round in circles and, the window isn’t shut yet. The McAtee deal happened quite quickly and it’s possible that we’ve been negotiating on the quiet for longer. We don’t know what other negotiations we’ve been having, particularly in terms of players going out. We could well yet see some departures. I still think Berge might be on his way and with Fleck and Norwood, we’re in a bit of a shit or get off the pot scenario. It’s not usually a good thing to rely on players in the last year of their contract, their mind isn’t fully on it and they’re conscious an injury could prevent them from getting a new club.

So, at some point decisions have to be made on whether or not to extend their contracts or tell them you’d consider letting them go if they can find a new club. Same with Stevens but, IMO, we should be telling him to look for another club because his chances will be very limited. (Particularly as some are saying Khadra can play LWB).

For me, it’s a case of wait and see; how we line up on Saturday and the forthcoming games, who leaves and if anyone else comes in. At the moment it’s like trying to read a map with a page missing. We don’t even know if Anel can play in a four with Egan, which would add another dimension to the possibilities.

 

[Ndiayewillalwaysloveyou]

All hail Hecky's PowerPoint skills!

I'm intrigued what we are telling these guys.

But by the same token, we must have a plan.

Hecky has a reputation as being good with young players and that was only enhanced with Gibbs-White. We've made a 10m player with promise into a 25m player.

I'm enthused with what comes next because he hasn't sat down with Khadra, Doyle and McAtee telling them we're playing with one no 10 and they're all it.

With the current formation, there are 5 forward positions. At present it is unthinkable that N'Diaye won't start and it's probably the same with Berge. You have to say it's very unlikely Norwood is getting dropped either.

So that means if McAtee also starts and so does Khadra then that's your lot.

You're potentially looking at some sort of diamond with Norwood deep, McAtee on the left, Berge on the right and Khadra just off N'Diaye or Khadra as an impact sub and N'Diaye just off either Brewster or Sharp or Jebbison.

You've then also got Coulibaly as a potential player and also a returning Doyle.

Despite Ozzy and Fleck featuring the other day, I'm not sure how they would get anyway near that team if we're going to avoid pissing off Man City and not immediately alienating Khadra.

Unless we plan to move to 4-2-3-1, creating an additional forward berth, though there doesn't marry up that well with signing Bash on for two more years as well as recruiting Ahmedhodžić and Clark.

No way has Doyle been brought in as an attacking player when we have Berge, Ndiaye, Khadra and McAtee. One of the CM for Tommy.

 

[sufcboy95]

Reckon we’re a ball winning midfielder away from having a top 2 team.

 

[LewishamBlade]

Heckie seems to trust 1 game in 3 decent I don't want to be here walking football berg

Little grinning jimmy No legs, legs goneand a liability every tackle 1 in 5 good games

Mr pointy Arms, you pick up what I failed to do, wonder ping another 1 in 4 good games king of the miss pass.

Terrible trio

Get City lads in plus bash
We have plenty of pace up front now apart from Billy but thats never been his game, Billy scores goals, Our front line needs service and those 3 can't seem to provide it

I've tried running this through the translator, but no dice.

 

[Torrix1889]

If all fit and no-one goes;

Wes
Anel Egan Clark
Bogle Berge Doyle RND
Ndiaye/Khadra McAtee
Brewster

 

[Aston max]

3-3-3-1

........................Wes
.............Anel...Egan...Clark
Baldock.............................Lowe
.......................Berge
........Khadra...Ndiaye...McAtee.
.......................Sharp

4-2-3-1
.........................Wes
Baldock.....Anel...Egan....Lowe
..................Berge....Doyle
........Khadra...Ndiaye...McAtee.
.......................Sharp

3-4-3

.........................Wes.
..............Anel...Egan....Clark
Baldock....Berge....Doyle......Lowe
........Khadra...Ndiaye...McAtee


3-4-2-1

........................Wes.
..............Anel...Egan....Clark
Baldock....Berge....Doyle......Lowe
........Khadra.................Ndiaye.
.......................Sharp

3rd one with Doyle more of a CDM
To Free up berge to support that front 3

 

[Wizard]

All hail Hecky's PowerPoint skills!

I'm intrigued what we are telling these guys.

But by the same token, we must have a plan.

Hecky has a reputation as being good with young players and that was only enhanced with Gibbs-White. We've made a 10m player with promise into a 25m player.

I'm enthused with what comes next because he hasn't sat down with Khadra, Doyle and McAtee telling them we're playing with one no 10 and they're all it.

With the current formation, there are 5 forward positions. At present it is unthinkable that N'Diaye won't start and it's probably the same with Berge. You have to say it's very unlikely Norwood is getting dropped either.

So that means if McAtee also starts and so does Khadra then that's your lot.

You're potentially looking at some sort of diamond with Norwood deep, McAtee on the left, Berge on the right and Khadra just off N'Diaye or Khadra as an impact sub and N'Diaye just off either Brewster or Sharp or Jebbison.

You've then also got Coulibaly as a potential player and also a returning Doyle.

Despite Ozzy and Fleck featuring the other day, I'm not sure how they would get anyway near that team if we're going to avoid pissing off Man City and not immediately alienating Khadra.

Unless we plan to move to 4-2-3-1, creating an additional forward berth, though there doesn't marry up that well with signing Bash on for two more years as well as recruiting Ahmedhodžić and Clark.

With our current setup we basically play with 5 defenders, 2 mids, and some arrangement of 3 attackers. Even though this basically means we have 1 less attacker it can counterintuitively mean that while they are on the pitch they have more freedom to be creative than they would do otherwise (see MGW's flicks and tricks), with the rest of our structure being solid behind them. Similarly to Ndiaye, last season was Khadra's first in senior football and he was exciting but inconsistent for Blackburn. McAtee is now in that position this year where he's getting his first proper experience of the men's game. I agree that at the minute there's no way that Berge and Ndiaye don't start and we know that their best roles are as the 10s either side of a striker so for the moment I think that's how we'll line up with Khadra and McAtee coming off the bench. However, within this arrangement there's a lot of room for flexibility. They can be switched around for certain games or Berge could be moved back into midfield which might limit him but allow us to fit one of McAtee/Khadra in as the other 10. There's also the chance that Ndiaye could get minutes up top with McAtee/Khadra filling his spot on the left. Whatever we do, we now have a lot of options and there will be plenty of minutes for everyone whether that be coming off the bench or rotating in from the start. Football is a squad game and swapping players in and out allows you to keep them fresh and maintain intensity. For instance, last season for Man City none of Sterling, Jesus, Foden, Mahrez or Grealish started more than 24 premier league games; Sterling 23 (7), Jesus 21 (7), Foden 24 (4), Mahrez 15 (13), Grealish 22 (4). That's the extreme end of the scale and obviously they're playing in all the cup competitions as well but it illustrates the point.

Berge could also leave but I'd rather not think about it.

 

[Brewster Cost £70 million]

With the exception of Billy where are the two "strikers"? Brewster and McBurnie fooked up by Wilder and regular members of the ever increasing injury list, the youngsters no where near top end of the Championship standard. When will Hecky realise that "goals equal prizes" and of course he won't get any help from "Prince I want to sell my toy and breed camels". The way things are going we will soon have a team full of midfielders!!!

How much did we spend and Anel 3 million possibly rising to 5 million its folk like you that'll never be happy with the prince and what he does

 

[Isaw Joeshaw]

3-3-3-1

........................Wes
.............Anel...Egan...Clark
Baldock.............................Lowe
.......................Berge
........Khadra...Ndiaye...McAtee.
.......................Sharp

4-2-3-1
.........................Wes
Baldock.....Anel...Egan....Lowe
..................Berge....Doyle
........Khadra...Ndiaye...McAtee.
.......................Sharp

3-4-3

.........................Wes.
..............Anel...Egan....Clark
Baldock....Berge....Doyle......Lowe
........Khadra...Ndiaye...McAtee


3-4-2-1

........................Wes.
..............Anel...Egan....Clark
Baldock....Berge....Doyle......Lowe
........Khadra.................Ndiaye.
.......................Sharp

I like very much your line up in the 4-2-3-1 formation and it is one I am a big fan of .

The only change I would make would be RND for Lowe , whose performance against Watford was as bad as I’ve seen from a Blades player in many a long year and that’s saying something .

Were it to happen , I’d love to be in the opposition dressing room and see the look on the defenders faces when told that they will be up against 4 attackers and that they are Khadra , Ndiaye , McAtee and Billy Sharp .

 

[Ron_Justice]

Khadra might be a bit of a Shoe Horn in and I'd imagine Ndiaye and McAtee would be interchangeable asn would Billy and Brewster/Jebbo. The main point was seeing if there's a way for Anel could play as a lone CDM, allowing 3 CAM's and a lone Striker.

Link to site to make pretty pictures, in case anyone else cares - https://fmdataba.com/squad/

 

[Nicesheffielder]

Distinct whiff of pork coming from some 'nice' posters on this thread do you not think?
UTB

Everytime somebody doesn't agree must be pork, so all together if ya happy and ya know it clap ya hands

 

[3Cheers4Ramirez]

Khadra at wing back is unlikely but it's a worthwhile consideration, especially with us so miraculously weak on the left

 

[Ron_Justice]

Everytime somebody doesn't agree must be pork, so all together if ya happy and ya know it clap ya hands

Every time someone's not on the club or a players back they must be a clapper.

 

[Ndiayewillalwaysloveyou]

Squad reminds me abit like Frank Lampards Derby with the attacking midfielders in Lawrence, Wilson and Mount.

 

[247Blade]

Hecky apparently has said we're done for incomings because he has no resources left ... cant be bothered much about our current wingback situation then?!

 

[Ndiayewillalwaysloveyou]

Hecky apparently has said we're done for incomings because he has no resources left ... cant be bothered much about our current wingback situation then?!

CM and ST still a concern for me. Bogle be back next month.

 

[247Blade]

CM and ST still a concern for me. Bogle be back next month.

Yes really hope so ... we've a good squad if the injury situation clears up sooner than later

 

[Mouth of the South]

I just hope not recruiting another RWB doesn't come back to bite PH - Bogle will take a while to get back up to speed (post Xmas?) and Baldock does have a habit of picking up muscular injuries.

I just hope PH's fallback should the worst happen isn't Osborn - 10/10 for attitude and effort but he can't be thought of as a solution.

I appreciate it's a difficult one though - an extra body is probably required for 6 months whereas free agents (of the required quality) will want 2 years min and clubs won't want to loan Utd players for them to sit on the bench just in case Baldock picks up a knock

 

[BrisBlade]

Given we've got so many CBs out and so many attacking mids, I would be going 4-2-3-1 particularly at home (Berge Doyle as the two with Khadra McAtee Ndiaye the three). We have the option of going more defensive with Norwood if it's not working, but I'd like to see us roll the dice. We should be swarming all over teams with the options we've got.