KeelansGlove 0 Posted April 30, 2013 We all pray that Bassong is fit for Saturday. With both him and Turner out its almost unthinkable. My team would be as follows. We know Villa can attack just as we know they are not great at defending. we need to be resolute at the back and get the ball into there box at every opportunity. I would bring back Ruddy not because Bunn has done anything wrong but his size could be vital up against Benteke. RuddyMartin Bennett Bassong WhittakerTettey JohnsonSnoddgrass PilkingtonHolt Kamara with Becchio E Bennett and Wes all waiting on the bench should they be needed.If Bassong is missing I would bring back Garrido and bring Martin inside but I would think we would need a miracle to get anything. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nicko 0 Posted April 30, 2013 We have to assume Turner is out. Sticking with Bassong because he''s always limping anyway! We can''t stick with Ryan Bennett because he was uneasy against Stoke, and played hoofball with them, which they love.BunnWhittaker Martin Basssong Garrido Tettey JohnsonSnoddy Pilkington Hoolahan HoltI can''t take anymore of Kamara. Use him as an impact sub if needs be. And also if either Snoddy or Pilkington are ineffective then bring Bennett in. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim Smith 2,319 Posted April 30, 2013 We have to revert to what worked for us so well earlier in the season including when we largely outplayed Villa at Villa Park. We''ve moved away from what served us so well and have not really had a settled team shape or pattern of play for the last 2 months.For me its therefore back to 4-2-3-1, drop Howson and bring back Pilks and Wes/Benno to play behind Holt with Snoddy on the other flank.We do not keep possession well enough in a 4-4-2 or this weird 4-3-3 he''s been playing.Back to basics, 1 off game - lets do these ****! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
norfolkbroadslim 223 Posted April 30, 2013 Ruddy back would be a morale boost. I think we''ll win 3-1 and I think Holt will get a brace. [Y] Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gingerpele 0 Posted April 30, 2013 Ruddy (Not because Bunn deserves to be dropped, but because Ruddy needs to play, and moral boost for defence and crowd)Martin, Bennett, Bassong, Garrido (If Bassong isn''t fit, i''d not play Bennett, and go for Martin/Barnett CB partnership)Bennett, Tettey, Johnson, PilksHolt, BecchioGive Becchio a start, play two wingers with the aim of providing crosses for Bechhio and Holt. Drop Snodgrass for once after another display of pointless aimless useless deliveries. Happens far to often, he''s either inch perfect or way way off. Bennett has the ability to cross into dangerous areas giving players a chance. Tettey and Johnson to hold the midfield to allow more attacking intent down the wings. Plus Howson is pretty useless while he''s not getting forward at all. He''s decent passer, and chasing down players, but he excels when he bursts forward. And just isn''t doing that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KeelansGlove 0 Posted April 30, 2013 I think the most critical thing is solid defence against an all out attack minded team , ie 2 defensive midfielders and 2 up front against a team that defends like Norwich last season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AJ 1,221 Posted April 30, 2013 Idealistically;RuddyWhittaker Bennett Seb GarridoTettey JohnsonSnoddy Hoolahoop PilksKamara Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kanadyan Kanary 121 Posted April 30, 2013 I would play things differently and go with 3 central defenders (Martin in a sweeping role) to combat their 3 main attackers. This would also allow the full backs to push forward more and support the wingers, which has been despearately lacking in our game as they have had to focus more on defensive duties. I wouldn''t play Holt up front (1 goal in 16 and poor performance stats) and would stick with Kamara, with Wes playing off him. Bunn or Ruddy (both can do the job) Bennett Martin BassongWhittaker Garrido JohnsonSnodgrass Pilkington Hoolahan Kamara Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZLF 274 Posted April 30, 2013 [quote user="Kanadyan Kanary"]I would play things differently and go with 3 central defenders (Martin in a sweeping role) to combat their 3 main attackers. This would also allow the full backs to push forward more and support the wingers, which has been despearately lacking in our game as they have had to focus more on defensive duties. I wouldn''t play Holt up front (1 goal in 16 and poor performance stats) and would stick with Kamara, with Wes playing off him. Bunn or Ruddy (both can do the job) Bennett Martin BassongWhittaker Garrido JohnsonSnodgrass Pilkington Hoolahan Kamara [/quote] If playing 3-5-1-1 I would be a little more adventurous and use snodgrass and Bennett as the wing backs, both have a fantastic work ethic, tackle and get forward better. Ruddy Barnett Martin BennettSnodgrass Bennett Tettey Johnson Pilkington Wessi Kamara Is now the time to try a new formation? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pete 319 Posted April 30, 2013 I was thinking along these lines to deal with the threat of Benteke, Weimann and Agbonlahor even if Bassong makes it, put big CB to go against Benteke either Bassong or Barnett alongside on right R Martin on left S Whittaker. Two wing backs on right I would go with Elliott Bennet who can play defensively and go forward to support Snoddy on left Garrido or Pilks dependent on whether one or two strikers. In the middle Johnson and Howson with Snodgrass and Pilks with Grant up top or if two up top KK and GH as joint strikers to pressurise suspect defence BJ, JH and RS. Formation as follows Bunn/Ruddy Martin Bassong/Barnett Whittaker E Bennett Garrido/Pilks JohnsonSnodgrass Howson Pilks Holt Although defensive will allow City to attack Villa and get at their defence. Wing Backs to counter Weimann and Agbonlahor. CB''s can double up to deal with Benteke. Without Turner and Bassong will lose out on height at back and at corners/free kicks. May be happy with GH on his own after all City have been limited as an attacking force. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GJP 79 Posted April 30, 2013 [quote user="ZippersLeftFoot"][quote user="Kanadyan Kanary"]I would play things differently and go with 3 central defenders (Martin in a sweeping role) to combat their 3 main attackers. This would also allow the full backs to push forward more and support the wingers, which has been despearately lacking in our game as they have had to focus more on defensive duties. I wouldn''t play Holt up front (1 goal in 16 and poor performance stats) and would stick with Kamara, with Wes playing off him. Bunn or Ruddy (both can do the job) Bennett Martin BassongWhittaker Garrido JohnsonSnodgrass Pilkington Hoolahan Kamara [/quote] If playing 3-5-1-1 I would be a little more adventurous and use snodgrass and Bennett as the wing backs, both have a fantastic work ethic, tackle and get forward better. Ruddy Barnett Martin BennettSnodgrass Bennett Tettey Johnson Pilkington Wessi Kamara Is now the time to try a new formation?[/quote]Surely if you were to play that you''d have to play Howson where Johnson is or put Johnson at the base and Tettey on the right hand side but clearly Johnson on the left side would make the balance wrong. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AJ 1,221 Posted April 30, 2013 Whilst I think Bennett would make a fantastic wing-back, I just don''t think Snoddy would do the same. He''s an out and out winger, we wouldn''t get the best out of him sitting that deep. Why not play Whittaker in that position, and then play Snoddy ahead of one of Tettey or Johnson? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim Smith 2,319 Posted April 30, 2013 Surely a game of this magnitude is not one to suddenly try 3 at the back, a formation that (as far as I can recall) has not worked at all for us when we''ve tried in in the last 2 seasons.Got to be 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2. My preference would be the former for this one but i think its important we have extra numbers in midfield as Villa will probably play 4-3-3. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AJ 1,221 Posted April 30, 2013 4-2-3-1 would be a good formation to combat a 4-3-3 though.And I think playing an attacking three across the middle will worry Villa as much as they worry us, especially if it is Snoddy Hoolahoop and Pilks across that three. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AJ 1,221 Posted April 30, 2013 When looking at this tactical side of things, it''s such a shame we don''t have a goal scoring player in our side, we would be so much further up the table if we did. Hopefully RVW will make a huge impact next year Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kanadyan Kanary 121 Posted April 30, 2013 Can''t help thinking that in a strange way that makes us more defensive as the wing backs may end up spending more time defending and I don''t think Bennett is effective on the left. I still see the wingers with a need to play high up the pitch but supported by the full backs so that we have more options to deliver crosses. With three at the back and Johnson playing at the base of a diamond, should provide sufficient cover for the full backs to push forward. I think Garrido has a mean cross on him from the left but it is all a bit too rare. Whittaker can also deliver a ball but he is better on the right. The problem with my formation is that we still lack someone that can pass the ball freely from the back/middle of the park but we''ve been lacking that all season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Row D Seat 7 0 Posted April 30, 2013 Bassong I fear, won''t be fit.My 11 would be:RuddyWhittaker R. Martin R. Bennett GarridoJohnson TetteySnodgrass PilkingtonBecchio Holt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kanadyan Kanary 121 Posted April 30, 2013 Jim Smith wrote the following post at 30/04/2013 11:58 AM: Got to be 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2. My preference would be the former for this one but i think its important we have extra numbers in midfield as Villa will probably play 4-3-3..... because that formation has worked so well for us all season, particularly on the goal scoring front? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
birchfest 397 Posted April 30, 2013 Ruddy Whittaker R. Martin Bassong Garrido Johnson Howson Snodgrass Pilkington Holt Kamara Hoolahan, Becchio, Bennet the subs to go on if this doesnt work. Ruddy to lift the crowd Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
morty 0 Posted April 30, 2013 [quote user="Row D Seat 7"]Bassong I fear, won''t be fit.My 11 would be:RuddyWhittaker R. Martin R. Bennett GarridoJohnson TetteySnodgrass PilkingtonBecchio Holt[/quote]Bassong will be fit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites