The rest of the season

[lake district canary 4,830]

It''s a bit quiet on here at the moment, a bit surprising after the defeat on Saturday.  Not much anger or recrimination.  Maybe it''s a good thing there is not much anger, because it might mean we all think the same - no 7-0 drubbing - just a good performance spoiled by a couple of errors.  We were effective and did as well as a lot of teams will do against MC this season, so that bodes well for the rest of the season.   We were in there with a shout and can take that performance into the next game.   Imo AN will have to rest one or two players now, because we have able bodied back ups and with a decent backup goalkeeper in Rudd, and plenty of choice in midfield, we can ring the changes.  So for Swansea and looking forwards, Rudd will benefit from the experience of being given a start in the PL - and wouldn''t let us down and Ofoe in there too - he has to be given a start sometime too imo. Maybe -                 RuddWhittaker Bennett Bassong Olsson  Ofoe Tettey Mulumbu Brady                Hoolahan                MbokaniWhoever is picked, if we cut out the errors and keep the ball like we did at Everton, we will be ok.  AN has proved he can adapt and make effective formations for different situations now - so we can cut out the AN naive stuff - he is the main man - and there are plenty of games to go to build confidence and get points.

[AJ 1,359]

We had the same problems last year with lack of concentration etc. but it was less exposed in the championship largely due to the fact we simply had better players. It makes it so frustrating we didn''t add to our defensive side of the squad in the summer whilst largely doing good business in other positions.

In fairness we have a pretty international defence with Brady, Martin, Whittaker and Olsson representing their countries recently. Whilst I like the squad we have that extra Premiership quality would go a long way into turning draws and losses into wins. Liverpool are a great example back when they finished 2nd a few seasons ago - they rarely thrashed anyone (aside of us of course!) but won a LOT of games by the odd goal - Southampton are another example. Cut out the crap and we''ll be okay. But I do fear only by the skin of our teeth on current form. Hopefully January can change things - but only if we''re willing to spend the right money to get the quality.

[The Great Drinkell 51]

January buys are normally expensive and rarely fall straight into place (I know there are exceptions) we only need a couple of players at the most in Jan - then hopefully we can build again for next season.

[Hoola Han Solo 448]

"It''s a bit quiet on here at the moment"

... And you want some attention.

The OP has no incisive football knowledge, it''s just an excercise in stating the obvious.

As for the team, I really can''t see Ofoe coming into contention if he''s not even made a Premier League squad this season.

Personally I''d go for:

Rudd - a lack of experience has been bought up, but he''s got more experience than John Ruddy at this age. As for the risk factor, it''s about the same as putting JR in at the moment. Making errors all over the place

Wisdom - injury permitting. The fact that AN put in a left sided midfield player at right back against City tells you about his confidence in Whittaker at the moment

Bennett/Bassong - no explanation required

Brady - so we can put Jarvis further up - these two have a decent partnership developing

Redmond - Swansea will play two dangerous wingers and so should we. Mustn''t be fearful, must put out our best players. Biggest goal threat

Tettey - back four shield

Mulumbu - he''s looked OK so far and should be getting close to full match fitness

Dorrans - moves the ball well. Howson needs dropping, he''s been poor recently

Jarvis - an out and out winger, probably our only true one

Hoolahan - still our most creative player. Enough said

Jerome - a goal would have given him a bit of confidence. Gets through a lot of work. Deserves a start

[Paul Spector 0]

Wes Hooly Fan - think your team relies upon us managing to sneak 12 players onto the pitch without the officials noticing!

But it might be our best chance...

[Hoola Han Solo 448]

Picking just 11 players has been where AN has been going wrong all season

[Move Klose 303]

Rudd

Wisdom R.Bennett Bassong Olsson

Tettey Mulumbu

Redmond Hoolahan Brady

M''Bokani

[Paul Spector 0]

[quote user="Oh Cameron Jeroooooooome"]Rudd

Wisdom R.Bennett Bassong Olsson

Tettey Mulumbu

Redmond Hoolahan Brady

M''Bokani[/quote]

I would go with something very similar to this. Only possible amendment would be Jarvis in for Olsson (and Brady moved to LB) - dependent upon whether Jarvis is fit in time.

[AmericanNorwichFan 0]

I like having Jarvis off the bench to run at players late in the game when the legs are tiring. Although I agree he and Brady are building a relationship, Olsson is too valuable to bench and there''s no way we can bench Brady.

[The Bristol Nest 597]

So Hooly Fan states that Lakey has no incisive football knowedge  he promptly picks 12 players......class.

[Hoola Han Solo 448]

My foot hurts from where I''ve shot myself in it

[Indy 3,471]

I really don''t think it matters much at the moment, it seams that our lack of leadership / communication on the pitch leads to stupid mistakes like Ruddy this past weekend.

I''m not too worried as I had my doubts we would cope this season with the defenders we went in with.

But really pleased we have scored as many as we have, we have goals in us!

If we could some how find that balance or a gem of a defender we might be OK, but I''m just enjoying each game as it comes, if we lose so be it, Championship is not that bad how strong we would be.

So yes we could drop Ruddy, but would that eradicate the defensive lapses? We could play 5 at the back but we still allow goals, we are up against big clubs with big budgets.