spencer 1970 207 Posted March 11, 2012 (its so nice to have it in all in one place)So...Team? Does Wilbrahamovich deserve a start? I''d say not yet, lets do that when we are mathematically safe. I wasnt at the Stoke game so cant comment on Howson yet. R.Bennett? mmm? the current 2 have been pretty decent so I''d say...RuddyNaughton Ward Whitbread Drury (switch Naughts and put martin in if Adam is injured)Fox, Pilks, Hoolahan, Surman,Holt, Jackson.It''s the best passing team we have, and I reckon that is key against Wigan. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Christov 3 Posted March 11, 2012 Can''t really argue with that team.If Morison is over his injury I may start him instead of Jackson. I dear say Lambert will surprise us though! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pete 320 Posted March 11, 2012 Naughton to stay LB to counteract Moses,Wiga\n''s only class act. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Christov 3 Posted March 11, 2012 Where does Moses play as he gave Russ a torrid time on the opening day when he played left wing. Is he like Pilks and can play either side? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
I am a Banana 0 Posted March 11, 2012 How about a 4-3-3 set up like Swansea to really attack Wigan?RuddyNaughton Whitbread Ward(ayala if fit, read he was fit im sure) Drury FoxHoolahan, SurmanBenno Pilks Holt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bovril 219 Posted March 11, 2012 Agree Moses is their most dangerous player, can be a real handful. Stick Naughton on whatever side the former is playing. Rodallega blows hot and cold and other then a few great long-range efforts that''s their goal threat dealt with.The other end relies on Al Habsi making wonder saves although he''s not great on crosses. I''d start with Holt and Morison and once more bombard the box. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gingerpele 0 Posted March 11, 2012 [quote user="pete"]Naughton to stay LB to counteract Moses,Wiga\n''s only class act.[/quote]Drury will be able to deal with Moses. Plus Moses could be playing either side, or in the middle. I think Drury is still the best defensive full back we have at the club, the other three are only ''better'' because of there all round game, Drury was never that good at attacking, but now he''s just not got it in him at all really.No idea what team Lambert will play, I think he''ll go back to the diamond today though. Maybe with Howson at the top. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Legend Iwan 30 Posted March 11, 2012 As long as we don''t play the diamond formation (now waits for Lambert to do that and we win convincingly) then I''m sure we should pick up all three points. Fox and Hoolahan to both start would be nice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nuff Said 5,161 Posted March 11, 2012 The key point for me is whether Fox will start, I thought we were miles better at Stoke once he came on. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Largey24 0 Posted March 11, 2012 RuddyNaughton, Whitbread, Ward, DruryFoxPilkington, Surman,HoolahanHolt, JacksonSubs: Steer, R Martin, R Bennett, Johnson, E Bennett, Morison, WilbrahamThat''s my squad for today! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fiery Zac 1,066 Posted March 11, 2012 -----------------Ruddy-----------------Naughton---Ward---Whitbread---DruryBennett-----Fox---Surman----Pilkington-------------Holt---Morison------------Possibly Johnson in the centre with Pilks on the right and Surman on the left but this is the team id like to see. Bennett to help out Naughton with the threat of Moses (or swap him with Pilks if Moses is playing on the right) and two target men up front to start with to get at them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sing up the river end 0 Posted March 11, 2012 Most of these teams don''t include Howson,I would be very surprised if Sir Paul doesn''t start him.Hopefully he will play Fox,as he seems to be the key to if we pass/play very well or not.I thinkRuddyNaughton-Ward-Whitbread-DruryPilks-Fox-Howson-SurmanHolt-Wilbraham Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Excited Canary 19 Posted March 11, 2012 451. RuddyNaughton Whitbread Ward Drury RM Bennett CM Fox LM Surman CAM Hoolahan CAM Howson ST Holt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZLF 274 Posted March 11, 2012 I would start with RuddyNaughton Whitbread Bennett Drury Fox Pilkington Surman Hoolahan Holt Morison SubsSteer; Martin, Barnett, Bennett, Howson, Jackson, Wilbraham (Vaughan if fit) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZLF 274 Posted March 11, 2012 ps - def dont want to see Holt start as the lone striker - his performances in the role are amongst his poorest, he has yet to score in that role and our record is not great with him at the tip. IF we are go play a 5 man midfield I feel it should be Morison - but diamond 442 with our two top scorers starting for me Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PurpleCanary 5,580 Posted March 11, 2012 Not sure about the precise personnel, but either a 4-4-2 or (my vague preference) some variation on 4-4-1-1. Not the (over-) attacking 4-3-1-2 that I am sure Lambert will choose...[;)] Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Number 9 0 Posted March 11, 2012 I think attitude today is as important as the player''s named on team sheet. We should be totally at it and in their face from first minute, when we score, just keep at it and try to send them down.We have to dominate from start to finish and kill their spirit.Wad do I know anyway.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ozbarclay 0 Posted March 11, 2012 yeah... an early goal would really hurt them Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gingerpele 0 Posted March 11, 2012 So actual team is:#ncfc starting 11 v Wigan - Ruddy, Drury, Whitbread, Crofts, Holt (C), Jackson, Surman, Hoolahan, Fox, Ward, Naughton.That would be the diamond I should think. See what Crofts is like now, hasn''t played for a while (or at least seems like he hasn''t played for a while).#ncfc subs - Steer, Martin, Johnson, Morison, Pilkington, Bennett, Wilbraham.No Howson... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
priceyrice 123 Posted March 11, 2012 Not really a fan of the diamond in the prem, but if the midfield clicks it can work well. It''s quite interesting to see that we are 2/3 of the season in and our starting line-up is almost identical to what it was in the champ. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rock bus 854 Posted March 11, 2012 must admit, have some concerns and does look very cahmpionship like.i like the threat of both pilkington and bennet and woukd rather see them at the expense of crofts and dare i say it hoolahanhaving said that, put a lot more faith in lamberts judgement over mine!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yoda 0 Posted March 11, 2012 Don''t like the look of that team , no width . Bloody diamond . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Legend Iwan 30 Posted March 11, 2012 [quote user="Legend Iwan"]As long as we don''t play the diamond formation (now waits for Lambert to do that and we win convincingly) then I''m sure we should pick up all three points. Fox and Hoolahan to both start would be nice.[/quote]Hopefully the latter will come true now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bovril 219 Posted March 11, 2012 The diamond (and hence Wes) is extremely effective against the smaller sides.Bottom of the table: 4-1-2-1-2Mid-table: 4-4-2Top of the table: 4-5-1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gingerpele 0 Posted March 11, 2012 Can''t believe people don''t have faith in the diamond, its been Lambert''s go to formation, and has worked in the premiership... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rock bus 854 Posted March 11, 2012 just feel the diamond is totally reliant on hoolahangreat if he is on from but if its one of those days when things dont work for him we struggle Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Legend Iwan 30 Posted March 11, 2012 GP, cast your mind back to the away game at Wigna right at the start of the season. Remember how effective the diamond was then? Yes, we have grown as a club, team bonding etc. However, I am quite apprehensive about its use against Wigan. But like I said, I would much rather Lambert proved me wrong and we win convincingly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gingerpele 0 Posted March 11, 2012 We were better than Wigan that day, drew because of a 50/50 penalty decision, after a silly mistake from De Laet. It was most of the players, and the managers first premiership game.Anyway, the formation barley matters, we still operate in a similar fashion. When we play with two wingers, they don''t spend the whole game pushing past the full backs and whipping in crosses do they? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZLF 274 Posted March 11, 2012 I am ok with the diamond - depending on who is in the line up.I dont think we peform well with Crofts starting in the middle of the park where we now lack pace. Beyond that its a solid enough team and should take care of wigan but would much prefer to have pilkington starting instead. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites