After looking at Daparkers team again I honestly think if it is correct he is LJ in disguise. Not knocking him but such a change and tactics.
Definitely ITK, then. I might have had Diamond and Sanderson start, but I am not going to argue too much. A replacement striker not on the bench, not even one of the young'uns? Covid (or hopefully Grigg and Graham sold and on the way out?)
Embleton ha to start stepping up right now, so good to see him getting another game. Seems like we’ve talked the lad up for years, hopefully he takes these chances.
Hopefully this is 4-2-2-2 as suggested as I don’t want to see O’Brien wide - want him around the box. Diamond not playing is disappointing but if the plan is to go narrow and use the full backs wide, then having him as an impact sub when we’ve been going off the boil late on may be a real benefit. I actually think Diamond can have a greater impact last 30 mins than he might of coming off after 60
I've been impressed with LJ so far and I'm not going to jump on his back, but that's a disappointing selection for me. I'd rather have seen Sanderson and Diamond in, with O’Brien up top. Hopefully he's got a good plan though and they've been working on things in training.
What is telling is we have no Gooch or Grigg, and have moved to two up top, and still no space for Graham. Also a half fit O’Nien on bench ahead of Dobson. The fact we have Sanderson and Younger on the bench covering right back suggests LJ might see O’Nien in one of those midfield 2s as well (perhaps Embletons role)
Come on lads. Thought Winchester would start but loads of games coming up. O'Brien assumably will be doing Wykes running for him.
My initial reaction was meh but if it’s a change in system then could be a master stroke. And like I say, Diamond coming on for last 30 mins against tired league 1 defenders is going to cause havoc
I'm an hour ahead here and have to keep doing a time check or I get mixed up ... ... and I haven't opened my first can yet!
4/4/2 line up, with no pace, plenty on the bench tho, and I guess the team that finishes the game will look a lot better than the one starting it. It will have too imo., Its a must win game and we will, just. OaU