SSN say Buzz should be fit for Saturday, if he plays at least we will have someone who is good at dead ball situations and a bit of creativity so lets keep fingers crossed. Should stop Joey wasting free kicks and corners.
I want to see Taiwo have a pop at a couple, he tried to take a couple against Wolves but Bad Breath Barton wouldn't let him.
Hope he can! Then if Gabbi is fit too,we could play: -----------Kenny or Cerny------------ Onouha----Anton----Gabbi (Hall)------Taiwo Barton-----Buz-----Derry-------Traore ---------------Adel-----Zamora--------- Or Derry on the bench, SWP or Mackie at RM, and Barton in CM. But reckon we may be better defensively with Derry in a holding position in front of the back 4, and Barton at RM helping Onouha keeping Hoillet (sp?) quiet.
I think MH will pick this: --------------Kenny--------------- Onouha --- Ferdy -- Gabby --Taiwo SWP --- Barton --- Derry --- Buz ------------Adel------------------ ---------------Zamora------------ Possibly Traore in place of Buzz (which is what I'd do!)
--------------Kenny--------------- Onouha --Hall-- Ferninand---Taiwo SWP --- Barton --- Buz---Traore Taarabt Zamora
Oddballs looks more balanced there. I think Dezza is finding it very difficult at this level. As bad as Phillips is, I'd have him, Mackie or Smith somewhere in the team with Derry on the bench. Its lucky we have a relatively decent squad with all the absentees we're having every week.
Kenny Onuoha Ferdinand Hall Taiwo SWP Barton Buzsaky Traore Taarabt Zamora That would be my starting 11..
Paddy looks hopelessly out of position there Elliott, we have to play him more centrally, where the goal is.
A lot of people are picking this midfield, but it's very lightweight!! I'd put Derry in with Barton to give us more steel. We're at freezing cold, grim up north Blackburn....not at home on a nice warm, sunny day!!
--------------------Kenny----------------- Onuoha--Ferdinand--Gabbidon--Taiwo -----SWP--Barton--Buzsaky--Smith---- -------------Taarabt----------------------- -----------------------Zamora------------- Looking at MH's previous selections I think Gabbi, if fit, will play and Smith may start on the left. The hint that Adel will play up front may be a red herring for Steve Kean's benefit but probably looks our best option with the state of our forwards at present...
Barton can't play on the wing, he struggles enough playing in his natural position the centre. Put he on the right means no supply from the right, having said that putting SWP on the right seems to mean no supply from the right as well.... For me DT's team. Buz will hopefully provide the missing link in midfield, passing the ball, coming back to get from Defense, leaving Barton to be the thug he is. SWP needs to start working as a winger providing the crosses getting to the line, widening the pitch. While I'm not an SWP basher he really needs to start showing a little more.
I just think Derry is becoming a liability at this level. Orr will be giving them the lowdown on our weaknesses and Derry would be a target...
I do agree with that, I just don't think we have any choice other than to play him. Then when Diakite arrives, hope and pray he's decent!!
Barton and Derry together seems to mean no possession in midfield, for me one has to go in favor of someone who can use the ball and keep possession,options limited, if Buz is fit really has to be him. When we have the ball they can't score (hopefully!), retaining possession has been aweful in the last couple of games, can't win a game without the ball so must be fixed.
Vale...I'd play Buzz in the same position as Taarabt played against Wolves. This would give us some creativity and possession in midfield. I just feel that, with Barton now a reformed powder-puff, we need some steel in the middle!
This. Think we need to be more solid, agree Derry is slow but until Diakite comes I think we need his defensive strentghs particularly Blackburn away - I don't think they have the quickest midfield, attackers around! I'd have Barton out right to help Onouha with Houillet who is a danger.
Agreed Rangercol. Only heard the Wolves game, so not sure how that looked. Went to Villa and witnessed the midfield. Granted we looked ok at first, but when pressed (which happens more often than not) we look fragile. No teeth and no ball retention. SWP was particularly worrying on he left, exposed Taiwo IMHO. Runs into trouble most of the time, falls over and gives a 10 yard head start to the counter. Put my head in my hands at the awful through ball to cisse - should have een through on goal and bagged a brace on debut. Barton rarely got stuck in (reformed powder puff?), leaving Keane to boss the line and Mackie has started to resemble a headless chicken. (have been a big fan of JM,but the more I see him, I am not seeing the skill to match the effort he puts in). Barton needs to find a balance, aggressive/assertive without getting red carded; buzz to repeat wigan performance; SWP -wide right and get early crosses in before being tackled; replace with JM for some legs in the second half. Bring Traore on to worry Orr, but not sure Traore and SWP should be on the pitch at the same time -
