lake district canary 4,531 Posted November 17, 2015 Our team and formation is quite difficult to predict nowadays, as we have that many good players who can do the job - Wisdom and O''Neill are up there with the rest after the last game. Makes guessing the team more interesting. I''ll go for a solid looking team, full of experience, with Wes and/or Redmond able to come on if needed later in the game. Could have put O''Neil in there instead of Tettey, but think we will need his pace against the Chelsea players. Ruddy Bennett Martin Bassong Wisdom Tettey Mulumbu Olsson Jarvis Brady MbokaniAny takers? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZLF 274 Posted November 17, 2015 i think jarvis will still be out but agree its likely to be a 541 formation. RuddyWisdom Bennett Martin Seb Olsson Howson Tettey Mulumbu Brady Mbokani Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jacko 0 Posted November 17, 2015 I think if we do go five at the back then the most likely team will be:----------------------------Ruddy----------------------------------------Martin------Bennett-----Bassong-----------Wisdom------------------------------------------Olsson-------------------Mulumbu---------Tettey-----------------Howson---------------------------------------------Brady-------------------------Jerome----------------------------Alex Neil alluded to the fact that even if Mbokani had been fit for the Man City game then Jerome would have got the nod instead. I think in games where we aren''t going to see much of the ball that Jerome''s work rate is high valued by Neil as he really defends from the front. Mbokani is more a penalty box striker in that regard, although still a good all rounder.The other factor of course is that Mbokani and Mulumbu have travelled long distances this week. So it may be that Gary O''Neil continues instead of Mulumbu. I would have no objection to that. He was very good at Everton and against Swansea. As much as I love Hoolahan I don''t think this is a game for the little Wizard. He needs us to have decent possession around the opponent''s goal to really dictate games as he can. If he''s picking it up a long way from their goal, he''s largely nullified. Breaking at pace is the order of the day on Saturday. Although given Neil''s increasing penchant for the unpredictable, he may surprise us all completely on Saturday. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lessingham Canary 99 Posted November 17, 2015 You are all forgetting Russell Martin is suspended, still got Chelsea and Arsenal to go.Park the bus, I hope........... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jacko 0 Posted November 17, 2015 No he isn''t. 3 game bans only apply for instances of violent conduct. Denying a clear goal scoring opportunity is 1 match only. Russ is available and ready too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lessingham Canary 99 Posted November 17, 2015 Stand corrected then, thought a straight Red was 3 matches, guess he will be on the bus then, if so. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jacko 0 Posted November 17, 2015 Unfortunately I speak from experience of having been sent off twice in my time for denying goalscoring opportunities! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crabbycanary3 994 Posted November 17, 2015 Jacko - perhaps I may be bold enough to suggest that you grab the keepers shirt next time. Playing outfield may not be your forte Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jacko 0 Posted November 17, 2015 I''d make Michael Theoklitos look Gordon Banks I fear. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Number9 272 Posted November 17, 2015 A key point is that AN has now got the team in a position where Jose will be guessing on two or three different formations that we might play.We now have options, looking forward to see what team / formation is put out, AN May surprise us again, I''m happy that Jose will be surprised also. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tumbleweed 106 Posted November 17, 2015 I can''t see 5 at the back and both Tettey and Mulumbu for this one, we need a threat and Terry/Cahill have looked vulnerable. We''d just seem to be inviting them onto us with no real outlet. May see Hoolahan or Howson more centrally to fill that hole behind CJ. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smooth 114 Posted November 17, 2015 I think the key is that Redmond and Brady need to play.We need wide men with pace to get up to mbokani. Mulumbu and tettey ideal with maybe o''neil as a wise head. If we only have one wide player with pace then we cannot break in the way we will need to.Howson to come on later if we want a little more forward play, VOO may even be on the bench. So choices but play solid and bring on a little more flair later.Mbokani could be that star though ready for a game against Chelsea.Defence should be four at the back I cannot see a five working as our communication isn''t the best with four and I can see so many moves where we play them onside. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Canary Jedi 579 Posted November 17, 2015 No parking the bus, defend and counter attack - We can win this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tetteys Jig 830 Posted November 17, 2015 Redmond had that knock as well.I can see us playing:RuddyBrady, Wisdom, Bennett, Bassong, OlssonHowson, Mulumbu, TetteyHoolahanMbokani Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HampsteadCanary 0 Posted November 17, 2015 What about:RuddyBrady Martin Bennett Bassong OlssonMulumbu TetteyHoolahanJerome/Mbokani GrabbanSo a 3-4-1-2 designed to stay solid but make as much use of Hoolahan as possible. Wes was devastating when we played Holt and Martin in front of him, this is a way of playing him with options in front and out wide without compromising our defence. Wes has been good at tackling back as well recently, and I think actually puts himself about more than Howson ironically. I''d love to see what Hooper would be like alongside the beast Mbokani as he looked his best when with Elmander. I guess we won''t know til January, maybe never! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fuzzar 1,702 Posted November 17, 2015 I agree with TJ. I can see Brady at RWB again to counter Hazard who likes to cut inside where Brady will be strong.And I see no reason why Martin would get straight back in. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firststeps 0 Posted November 17, 2015 I will be anoyed if Martin gets back in, HE''S NOT GOOD ENOUGH!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ray 111 Posted November 17, 2015 Stand by to be annoyed firststeps.I''d be amazed if he doesn''t start, but stranger things happen at sea, because HE IS GOOD ENOUGH.Why do you think it was him who made the save, why do you think he is more often than not the last man, it''s because he is in the right position. Does he always succeed? No. But he is always there or thereabouts, covering for others. On top of which he''s our 2nd top scorer I believe. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GJL Mid-Norfolk Canary 1,753 Posted November 17, 2015 RuddyWisdom Bennett Bassong Olsson Tettey MulumbuHowson Hoolahan Brady MBokani...thats solid enough to not have to go 5 at the back.....plus we''re more likely to get a result with Martin off the pitch than on it..besides all of this though, do Chelsea warrant playing 5 accross the back against?.....theyre where they are for a reason. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tumbleweed 106 Posted November 18, 2015 I like GJL''s team for this one.Willian is their main man in form, so keep him quiet and we''ll increase the chance of a result. Hazard could explode into life at any moment and is always a danger, so Olson and Wisdom need to be careful about getting too far forward.However Costa is, for me, the biggest worry. Again not in the best form, but I wonder how Seb will cope with is constant shenanigans. Heresy it may seem, but I''d actually be tempted to put RM in there alongside RB just because we need to have 11 on at all times and I just worry that Costa will get Seb sent off, just like how he wound up the Arsenal players a few weeks back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alex Moss 2,165 Posted November 18, 2015 My biggest concern is that during the international break the intense media pressure on Mourinho etc has somewhat died down and this may help Chelsea play with a little more freedom this Saturday. It''s so hard to call as Chelsea have not lived up to anywhere near their expectations so far this season and appear there for the taking, however we know what players like Hazard and Costa are capable of. That said, we also have game changers in our squad, and are quite capable of taking all 3 points - literally anything can happen in this match! I do hope the ref is firm with Costa though - his antics at times this season have been nothing short of a disgrace. I think we could nick this 2-1. OTBC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alex Moss 2,165 Posted November 18, 2015 I see on the Chelsea message board ''The Shed End'' that one of their supporters has called us ''one of the worst teams in the league''. Funny that, because last time I looked, we''re above them in the table so what does that make them?. They''re relegation candidates at this stage whichever way you want to dress it up - have heard the saying ''they''re too big to go down'' so many times, but the reality is that the Championship is littered with big name casualties that were also in their day regarded as ''too big to go down''. Football is a funny old game and I hope we give their more arrogant supporters a taste of humble pie - Man City away was as tough as it''ll get surely, and we only lost that narrowly late on. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy G 10 Posted November 18, 2015 Looking at their last game, the best way to keep Costa quiet is to wind him up, he then becomes more focused on the player than the game.I Think 4 at the back would be fine for this game:Wisdom - Bennett - Bassong -Olsson Tettey - MulumbuRedmond/Howson Brady Hoolahan Jerome Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Redders Right Foot 22 Posted November 18, 2015 [quote user="Jacko"]I think if we do go five at the back then the most likely team will be:----------------------------Ruddy----------------------------------------Martin------Bennett-----Bassong-----------Wisdom------------------------------------------Olsson-------------------Mulumbu---------Tettey-----------------Howson---------------------------------------------Brady-------------------------Jerome----------------------------Alex Neil alluded to the fact that even if Mbokani had been fit for the Man City game then Jerome would have got the nod instead. I think in games where we aren''t going to see much of the ball that Jerome''s work rate is high valued by Neil as he really defends from the front. Mbokani is more a penalty box striker in that regard, although still a good all rounder.The other factor of course is that Mbokani and Mulumbu have travelled long distances this week. So it may be that Gary O''Neil continues instead of Mulumbu. I would have no objection to that. He was very good at Everton and against Swansea. As much as I love Hoolahan I don''t think this is a game for the little Wizard. He needs us to have decent possession around the opponent''s goal to really dictate games as he can. If he''s picking it up a long way from their goal, he''s largely nullified. Breaking at pace is the order of the day on Saturday. Although given Neil''s increasing penchant for the unpredictable, he may surprise us all completely on Saturday.[/quote]But, with how this season has panned out - Mbokani has made more of his opportunity in front of goal. Jerome has missed a number of sitters, and in a game where we will only get a few chances, Mbokani ideally needs to be our starter. Disclaimer: In no way is this a "I hate CamJam" post or me trying to use him as an escape goat. His workrate is second to none- but right now he should be our #2 choice behind Mbokani Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yelloow Since 72 54 Posted November 18, 2015 Even before reading through this I had chosen Jacko''s line-up:----------------------------Ruddy--------------------------- -------------Martin------Bennett-----Bassong----------- Wisdom------------------------------------------Olsson-- -----------------Mulumbu---------Tettey----------------- Howson---------------------------------------------Brady -------------------------Jerome----------------------------It isn''t about parking the bus, it''s about frustrating the technical skills of the Chelski players. With 3 at the back, Wisdom and Olsson will be able to move forward on the flanks and Mulumbu becomes a deep AM when we have the ball, with Tettey remaining as the pivot player in front of the defence. Howson and Brady both track back well when the ball is lost and then can break with pace to support Jerome on the counter-attack when the ball is won. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Jenkins 0 Posted November 18, 2015 With that set up Whitts would be a better bet than Wisdom IMO.He is better going forward and does pose a threat. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yelloow Since 72 54 Posted November 18, 2015 That''s a fair point, Mr J, but away at Chelsea I suspect AN will go for the more defensive option, with Wisdom and Olsson venturing to around the middle of the pitch but ready to get back to defend if the ball is lost. Whitts is not as well suited to that scenario, IMO. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Jenkins 0 Posted November 18, 2015 Yelloow Since 72 wrote the following post at 18/11/2015 6:04 PM:That''s a fair point, Mr J, but away at Chelsea I suspect AN will go for the more defensive option, with Wisdom and Olsson venturing to around the middle of the pitch but ready to get back to defend if the ball is lost. Whitts is not as well suited to that scenario, IMO. To be honest Yellow if they can''t go beyond midfield we are in fact parking the bus! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Highland Canary 76 Posted November 18, 2015 We''ve likely only got Redmond for a few more games. Whoever else, he should start while we still have the option. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GJP 79 Posted November 18, 2015 Though the flip side is that we need to get used to playing without him and need to play those who are focussed on NCFC.But that would only be the case if we knew or strongly suspected he was off. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites