daz 67 Posted February 10, 2015 saying why he cant play 3 times a week (due to knee injury) also seems to be a bit tactical too...."The other reasons I cannot say. That''s just between the manager and me," he said. "The gaffer spoke to me and I accepted it and there is a game on Tuesday, so we will see." http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31305882 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gordon Bennett 768 Posted February 10, 2015 Not at all surprised that he didn''t start Saturday as we were at home to a poor side, but I think he will this evening. Perfect player to bring in for away games IMO, a great shield to the back four and that is something we shouldn''t need at home unless its from the bench to close a game out. Howson, Johnson, O''Neill & VOO all offer more going forward....its about getting the balance right for each game which for me means AT will be in and out of the side. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
morty 0 Posted February 10, 2015 [quote user="Gordon Bennett"]Not at all surprised that he didn''t start Saturday as we were at home to a poor side, but I think he will this evening. Perfect player to bring in for away games IMO, a great shield to the back four and that is something we shouldn''t need at home unless its from the bench to close a game out. Howson, Johnson, O''Neill & VOO all offer more going forward....its about getting the balance right for each game which for me means AT will be in and out of the side.[/quote]I agree, and I''d bring Tettey in for Hoolahan tonight. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
birchfest 397 Posted February 10, 2015 Good see players slowly coming back into the fold after injury, VOO got an entire 90 under his belt in the under 21 yesterday so can only be a week or two off now.I agree that we need to dominate the midfield, I''d have Tetty back in to just give Howson a bit more freedom going forward, a few more defence splitting passes like Saturday for Hooper and Grabban would be great. I''d use Wes as a sub if we need someone to come on later and mix it up abit if we haven''t managed to break them down Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horse Renoir 1 Posted February 10, 2015 It''s a huge shame that it appears he''ll always be someone managing an injury. In a role limited purely to screening and breaking up play, occasionally driving forward into space, in a midfield surrounded by creative players I think he''s absolutely superb, he get''s found out a bit in a midfield two alongside another DM because he''s not a complete player but when fit he''s a massive asset to us and I''d agree I''d play him tonight, yesterday''s line up for most home games, move Howson into Hoolahan''s position with Johnson alongside Tettey for most away games Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Woodman 92 Posted February 10, 2015 interesting that some see Hoolahan as the one to be replaced. After he was subbed on Saturday, I thought we lost our ''zip'' and vitality going forward. Agreed, Howson''s passing was great and we need Johnson and Redmond in the midfield too, and I''m not sure Wes, Hooper and Grabban or Jerome is the right set up away from home. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
morty 0 Posted February 10, 2015 [quote user="Woodman"]interesting that some see Hoolahan as the one to be replaced. After he was subbed on Saturday, I thought we lost our ''zip'' and vitality going forward. Agreed, Howson''s passing was great and we need Johnson and Redmond in the midfield too, and I''m not sure Wes, Hooper and Grabban or Jerome is the right set up away from home.[/quote]Or was it that the game was already won, and we naturally took our foot off the gas a bit? Or that, indeed, the change was designed to actually do that? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hoola Han Solo 448 Posted February 10, 2015 We''ve always more zip to our play when Wes is in the team. No need to drop him against a poor Charlton side tonight. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Phantom 0 Posted February 10, 2015 If Tettey has dodgy knees I wonder of the wisdom of giving him an extended contract recently Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tetteys Jig 830 Posted February 10, 2015 With the whole Tettey issue, the only player (other than O''Neil and his broken foot) that can sit deep for us and win the 50/50''s is Johnson. I think because of that, we should give Johnson a rest tonight, keep Wes in while his confidence is up and keep the same shape as Saturday. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites