Pick your team for Charlton

[CanaryJames 0]

I would play Doherty up-front, no question. Did more than most in attack when he went up there on Tuesday.

However, I wouldn''t want to take Doherty out of defence, and leave Nelson even more exposed.

Of course, if we manage to clone Gary before the weekend, then two in central defence and 1 up-front would be very nice thanks...

[Brendo 0]

[quote user="G"]Doc used to be a striker. Why not? Should dominate the air and open up chances for Martin.[/quote]I felt the same. When he went up front last night, he won more headers in 5 minutes than Martin/Elliot (LOL) did in the whole game. I would like to try it at least.

[G 0]

[quote user="morty"][quote user="G"]Doc used to be a striker. Why not? Should dominate the air and open up chances for Martin.[/quote]

He was an awful striker, the name "Ginger Pele" is meant to be ironic lol.
[/quote]

Still, has a better idea than Nelson on what to do up front and he will knock balls down to Martin but i would prefer to see Cody in the side. I think he is strong and quick enough for us and Oli seems to be quality but against tired legs. Elliot? No thanks i don''t think i have seem him touch the ball yet.

[morty 0]

[quote user="G"]

[quote user="morty"][quote user="G"]Doc used to be a striker. Why not? Should dominate the air and open up chances for Martin.[/quote]He was an awful striker, the name "Ginger Pele" is meant to be ironic lol.[/quote]

Still, has a better idea than Nelson on what to do up front and he will knock balls down to Martin but i would prefer to see Cody in the side. I think he is strong and quick enough for us and Oli seems to be quality but against tired legs. Elliot? No thanks i don''t think i have seem him touch the ball yet.

[/quote]I would prefer to see Doc in defence where he belongs with trips upfield for set pieces.If we can get the midfield ticking properly then I reckon Martin and Elliot can do fine up front.The game was lost last night in the midfield and strikers will always look bad if they have scraps to feed off.

[G 0]

[quote user="morty"][quote user="G"]

[quote user="morty"][quote user="G"]Doc used to be a striker. Why not? Should dominate the air and open up chances for Martin.[/quote]

He was an awful striker, the name "Ginger Pele" is meant to be ironic lol.
[/quote]

Still, has a better idea than Nelson on what to do up front and he will knock balls down to Martin but i would prefer to see Cody in the side. I think he is strong and quick enough for us and Oli seems to be quality but against tired legs. Elliot? No thanks i don''t think i have seem him touch the ball yet.

[/quote]

I would prefer to see Doc in defence where he belongs with trips upfield for set pieces.

If we can get the midfield ticking properly then I reckon Martin and Elliot can do fine up front.

The game was lost last night in the midfield and strikers will always look bad if they have scraps to feed off.
[/quote]

I know Elliot isn''t getting played to his strengths but we haven''t played the balls he needs at all yet so there isn''t any point in playing him, it makes more sense playing Cody or Oli than Elliot

[morty 0]

[quote user="G"][quote user="morty"][quote user="G"]

[quote user="morty"][quote user="G"]Doc used to be a striker. Why not? Should dominate the air and open up chances for Martin.[/quote]He was an awful striker, the name "Ginger Pele" is meant to be ironic lol.[/quote]

Still, has a better idea than Nelson on what to do up front and he will knock balls down to Martin but i would prefer to see Cody in the side. I think he is strong and quick enough for us and Oli seems to be quality but against tired legs. Elliot? No thanks i don''t think i have seem him touch the ball yet.

[/quote]I would prefer to see Doc in defence where he belongs with trips upfield for set pieces.If we can get the midfield ticking properly then I reckon Martin and Elliot can do fine up front.The game was lost last night in the midfield and strikers will always look bad if they have scraps to feed off.[/quote]

I know Elliot isn''t getting played to his strengths but we haven''t played the balls he needs at all yet so there isn''t any point in playing him, it makes more sense playing Cody or Oli than Elliot

[/quote]I think that both Cody and Oli (apart from Southend) have both shown their limitations. If we can squeeze something creative out of midfield (ie if Hughes steps up to the plate) then we can give Martin and Elliot some service that will be of use to them.

[freddyf105 0]

[quote user="morty"][quote user="G"][quote user="morty"][quote user="G"]

[quote user="morty"][quote user="G"]Doc used to be a striker. Why not? Should dominate the air and open up chances for Martin.[/quote]

He was an awful striker, the name "Ginger Pele" is meant to be ironic lol.
[/quote]

Still, has a better idea than Nelson on what to do up front and he will knock balls down to Martin but i would prefer to see Cody in the side. I think he is strong and quick enough for us and Oli seems to be quality but against tired legs. Elliot? No thanks i don''t think i have seem him touch the ball yet.

[/quote]

I would prefer to see Doc in defence where he belongs with trips upfield for set pieces.

If we can get the midfield ticking properly then I reckon Martin and Elliot can do fine up front.

The game was lost last night in the midfield and strikers will always look bad if they have scraps to feed off.
[/quote]

I know Elliot isn''t getting played to his strengths but we haven''t played the balls he needs at all yet so there isn''t any point in playing him, it makes more sense playing Cody or Oli than Elliot

[/quote]

I think that both Cody and Oli (apart from Southend) have both shown their limitations. If we can squeeze something creative out of midfield (ie if Hughes steps up to the plate) then we can give Martin and Elliot some service that will be of use to them.
[/quote]

For me Elliot showed his limitations at Swindon, I''d much rather have Johnson who, from what I''ve seen, can do much more with the ball at his feet

[Jacko 0]

--------------------------Forster----------------------------

 

Spillane--------Nelson-------------Doherty-----------Drury

 

Hughes--------Russell-------------Smith-------------McNamee

 

---------------Martin--------------Johnson---------------------

 

My reasoning behind this is that Spillane is now fit and Russell Martin has been pretty dire in that couple of games. Hence I think he should lose his place for the time being.

Lappin has been left out for tactical reasons rather than form but because now Hoolahan is injured McNamee is by far our most creative midfielder. Hence we need him in the left wing position where we can utilise his abilities better. He is wasted on the right where he either has to put a cross in with his weaker foot (which Premier League wingers struggle to do let alone league 1 players) or he has beat his man and then beat him again to get it onto his left foot by which time the defence have time to regroup and the chance has passed.

Hughes starts because we only have two players capable of playing and the right hand side of midfield. The other being Korey Smith but he gives you to much in the middle of the pitch to move him. We''re away from home so playing with one out and out winger isnt the worst shout ever because of the defensive stability it brings. It was one of the few things I actually likes about the Roeder regime where would go into games with Bertrand on the left and either Hucks/Croft on the right. Results improved away from home considerably in that time such as the win against Cardiff. However later on that season he ditched it for some reason and we got crushed at Leicester. This continued the season after when he played Croft and Hoolahan leaving us exposed. Hughes can also offer some attacking threat as illustrated by the ball he provided for Chris Martin''s winner against Leeds.

As a complete wildcard if Whitbread is fit, you also have the option of putting Doherty up front instead of Johnson to offer us an aerial threat up front. That would be the only other system I would consider.

However Lambert knows best. He sees them train every day after all. I just see glimpses of squad players off the bench and in the occasional reserve fixture

[ca 1]

[quote user="CanaryJames"]I would play Doherty up-front, no question. Did more than most in attack when he went up there on Tuesday. However, I wouldn''t want to take Doherty out of defence, and leave Nelson even more exposed. Of course, if we manage to clone Gary before the weekend, then two in central defence and 1 up-front would be very nice thanks...[/quote]

 

Just you and me for Doc upfront then [:D]

[Henry 0]

                                                       ForsterR.Martin                     Doherty                             Nelson                DrurySmith                          Hughes                            Russell                 McNamee                                 C.Martin                          CodyThink that Smith is the answer to the right hand side. He doesnt seem to fit so well in the centre of a 4-4-2 at the moment, so why not use his energy in a problem position that he can actually play in. We have the Tenacity of Russell and the creativity of Hughes in the centre. This game will be won or lost in midfield i think. The defence stays the same to compensate for the big changes in midfield. Would go with the goal threat of Martin up front, along with the energy of Cody. Let Cody use his pace and enthusiasm for 55-60 mins then bring Oli on against tired legs.But then, what do i know? I thought that Lambert had the team selection spot on Tuesday night when i heard the line up [:S]

[morty 0]

I think thats the trouble though Henry, most people thought he had it spot on, myself included, which made the outcome even more baffling. It seemed the obvious team to pick in my opinion, and I''m pretty sure all the people on here carping on about how Lambert got it wrong are only being clever after the fact, I saw no threads bemoaning his team selection prior to kick off.

[ron obvious 1,514]

[quote user="cityangel"]

[quote user="CanaryJames"]I would play Doherty up-front, no question. Did more than most in attack when he went up there on Tuesday. However, I wouldn''t want to take Doherty out of defence, and leave Nelson even more exposed. Of course, if we manage to clone Gary before the weekend, then two in central defence and 1 up-front would be very nice thanks...[/quote]

 

Just you and me for Doc upfront then [:D]

[/quote]Certainly a good option, though probably not as a starter. On ''tinternet it sounded to shake things up a lot when he went up front - didn''t his flick on give Hughes a decent chance? It all depends on how it''s going ... & ...stuff ...

[DOGGER 0]

                       Forster

Francombe   Doc   Whitbread   Drury

McNamee   Adeyemi   Hughes   Dawkin

                     McVeigh

                     Martin

[7rew 0]

----------------Forster-----------------

Spillane---Doherty--Nelson-----Drury

Smith----Hughes--Russell--McNamee

---------C.Martin----Cody-------------

I think this is the way to go with the midfield as I think Smith and Russell are too similar for a central two in midfield. The other options I wouldn''t mind seeing are:

----------------Forster-----------------

Spillane---Doherty--Nelson-----Drury

Hughes---Russell--Lappin--McNamee

---------C.Martin----Cody-------------

Or:

----------------Forster------------------

Spillane---Doherty--Nelson-----Drury-

--------Smith--Russell--Lappin--------

Hughes-----------------------McNamee

----------------C.Martin-----------------

Although it seems a little harsh to drop Smith after his goal. I am not to sure of Martin as a lone striker in the third version.

[ncfc90 0]

How anybody can pick Lappin is unbelievable, you must be mad?! Please could you tell me what he offers to the team both going forward and defensively? Thanks                              ForsterSpillane       Whitbread      Nelson       DrurySmith         Hughes        Russell        McNamee                   Doherty       Martin.

[ca 1]

Was just looking at Dogger''s pick with McVeigh in the diamond formation and was wondering if that role would suit him.

What do people think?

[7rew 0]

ncfc90 wrote: "How anybody can pick Lappin is unbelievable, you must be mad?! Please could you tell me what he offers to the team both going forward and defensively? Thanks"

In a word: Balance.

Lappin doesn''t particularly embody entirely any one aspect of the midfielder - not all running (Smith), not all about massive tackles (Russell), not a creative wizard (Hoolahan), not hugging the touch line, beating his man and whipping in a quick cross (MacNamee), not driving forward through the middle (Hughes).

But, and here is the important bit, he has some of all these aspects*. You don''t notice them because he is not the best at any of them, but he is better than the others at the bits they don''t specialise in. This is why I would consider using him and I expect why he has been used so much this season.

[Syteanric 1]

[quote user="Askounin"]Julio Cesar
D.Alves G.Pique Lucio Abidal
D.Silva Xavi A.Inesta C.Ronaldo
D.Villa L.Fabiano
[/quote]

ppft!!1 dont you want to win the game? these reserve players will never get the job done!

[DOGGER 0]

[quote user="cityangel"]

Was just looking at Dogger''s pick with McVeigh in the diamond formation and was wondering if that role would suit him.

What do people think?

[/quote]

http://www.pinkun.com/cs_pinkun/cs/forums/2068962/ShowPost.aspx

 

[Bogbrush 0]

[quote user="cityangel"]

Lets assume Wes/Askou are still injured who would be in your starting 11, here''s my choice, don''t laugh.

Forster

Spillane - Whitbread - Nelson - Drury

Macnamee - Rusty - Smith - Lappin

Doc - Martin

[/quote]

Good call re Doc up front. It would be a radical move for Lambert to do that but there''s no doubt that having the big man up front against the mighty Orient suddenly made a difference.

[straighttalking 0]

I am really not looking forward to Saturday. We have not won in London on a Saturday (not including Selhurst Park or Watford as not technically in London) since we beat Chelsea 2-1 in 1993.

However I have 2 thourghts on team.

1 -

                     Forster

R. Martin      Doc      Nelson      Drury

                     Russell

Smith                                       Lappin

                     Mcveigh

         C. Martin      Johnson   

2 -

                     Forster

R. Martin      Doc      Nelson      Drury

                      Russell

Smith   Hughes       Lappin       McNamee    

                     C. Martin     

[nutty nigel 7,630]

If all bar Hoolahan are fit this would be my team :-

Forster

Martin Doherty Nelson Drury

Smith Hughes Russell Lappin

McDonald Martin

 

[ROBFLECK 132]

[quote user="morty"][quote user="Oli Oli Oli Oli"]

Forster

Spillane Doc Nelson Drury

Smith Russell Hughes Mcnamee

Martin Johnson

 

after watching orient and mk dons:

hughes playing is a must, especially against a side like charlton.

having mcnamee on his favoured left side means he can whip balls in for johnson and martin to attack, weve all seen johnsons ariel presence with the goal against southend. korey smith wide right, his position at youth and reserve level, also enabling him to cut in and defend if needed.

russell martin has been off the boil for weeks now, spillanes been on the bench for the last 4 games so id have him im.

 

[/quote]

I would go for the same, though not sure about Spillane, he hasn''t played anything other than reserves for such a long time.
[/quote] Agree with Oli x 4 and Morty , but I don''t think PL will sacrifice R Martin...

[ZLF 274]

TThe problem area first - midfield

Formation 442 or diamond?   Latter for me - we have yet to perform well startingf with a 442.  Also the midfielders that are not lamberts preferred starters have failed to perform consistently enough when starting, whether Highes, McNamee, Gill or, WLY.   So while I feel that Russell, Lappin and Smith are not playing as well as they were all three are better than the alternatives and Lamberts judgement on that is sound.   If there was one change I would consider Hughes for Rusty,  but would resist that and stick with th eteam that got us where we are.  So we are left with who plays the hole role?   OJ, McNamee, CMartin or WLY.    The only player to get near to Wes in this role has been C Martin - but without him up front we will be too poor so we need an alternative. Neither OJ or McNamee have the speed of thought, positional sense, ability with both feet or capability to pass to make the role work If its the diamond for me it has to be WLY,  he loves the ball at his feet,  would demand to be in the game and would like front and back perfectly - for 60 mins anyway. 

Defence  Doc and Nelson have been playing well and its stability in that position that is most meaningful. No change. Drury was missed when out and starts.  And for me Russell Martin has done little to warrant being dropped.  No change to the back 5.

Strikers - who partners C Martin?  Elliott, Cody, OJ?   Its a tombola for me - none have impressed when starting;  if a diamond with WLY passing I guess I want movement and pace to make space,  OJ as an impact sub, Elliott to start?  but could be any of them.

Tactical instructions?   Work your nuts off midfield and strikers,  defend from the front again as you have not done so since the Huddersfield game;  keep possession and find WLY whenever possible,   strikers play on the shoulders and move into space.  WLY - look for the midfield space,  work defensively but ALWAYS be available for a pass from the 7 players behind you.  You will be subbed.  Plan B will be depends on how the game goes;  if WLY tired but formation working striker on and CMartin drops back to continue,  - shore up with Gill or Hughes on in a 442 if winning, 442 with OJ and Mcnamee if we chase the game.

 

Fortser

RMartin  Nelson  Doc  Drury

  Smith  Rusty  Lappin

             Wly

    Martin Elliott

Subs

Rudd,  Spillane Gill, Hughes, McNamee, OJ, McDonald

[Brendo 0]

[quote user="ncfc90"]How anybody can pick Lappin is unbelievable, you must be mad?! Please could you tell me what he offers to the team both going forward and defensively? Thanks                              ForsterSpillane       Whitbread      Nelson       DrurySmith         Hughes        Russell        McNamee                   Doherty       Martin.[/quote]My team exactly. [:)]

[Jacko 0]

[quote user="morty"]I think thats the trouble though Henry, most people thought he had it spot on, myself included, which made the outcome even more baffling. It seemed the obvious team to pick in my opinion, and I''m pretty sure all the people on here carping on about how Lambert got it wrong are only being clever after the fact, I saw no threads bemoaning his team selection prior to kick off.

[/quote]

I thought it was the right decision at the time. I felt Johnson was the one guy who could give us some invention at the tip of the diamond. I even called for that team on here on Tuesday morning I''ll admit that. Maybe with hindsight it was a big ask for Johnson to pull the role which is highly specialised but there we go.

But for me it wasnt so much the tactics or the selection that were wrong. We just did''nt do the basics right. We underestimated a team fighting against relegation who frankly wanted it far more than us. As a result we were second best all over the pitch. On top of this we gave away 2 really poor goals from that pieces.

Shove all that together and you would have struggled to win with everyone fit in their correct positions.

[Ooh Ahh Lee Power 2]

Forster

Martin Nelson Doc Drury

Russell Smith Lappin

Martin Holt Elliot

[Ooh Ahh Lee Power 2]

Sorry not holt should be oli

[DOGGER 0]

[quote user="Ooh Ahh Lee Power"]Forster Martin Nelson Doc Drury Russell Smith Lappin Martin Holt Elliot[/quote]

Spot the mistake!!

[ron obvious 1,514]

It''s pretty clear that Lambert (more by luck than judgement) stumbled upon the diamond - nothing wrong with that, you can never be sure when a certain combination of players is going to work, & he had the nous to see the potential & run with it. Trouble is, as we''re now finding out, it''s a highly tuned formation which needs exactly the right players for it to work. At the mo 2 of the main components are missing, so he has to experiment - & now is not the time to be doing it! But there''s no choice.It''s different when you''ve got  a premiership squad of gifted players who can slot in different positions & play a variety of tactics, but ... well, we haven''t. Whatever Lambert tries, it''s got a fair chance of coming unstuck, & we may see some desperate subs. during the last few matches!Personally I''d start with NN''s team (only with Macca replacing Lappin), but probably end with something completely different.Hang in there peeps - we''re going to do it!OTBC!