Team for Forest (A)

[Ian Royal]

So our first duff result of the season. Some fairly obvious weaknesses in midfield and on the left flank. Some assured performances from young players.

What team would you go with?

Federici - not my preference, his distribution hasn't been the revelation it's supposed to be and his 'keeping has not particularly impressed me, especially for the second goal last night. But he's in possession and he certainly hasn't made enough mistakes to warrant dropping.
Gunter - poor game last night, but out best right back and stand in captain.
Cummings - not suited to left back, but he's actually played reasonably well.
Pearce - strong start to the season
Hector - very promising player and you don't drop a youngster after one weaker game and a mistake they get punished for.
Kuhl - composed, if a little lightweight. If protected reasonably well he could dictate games the way we're lacking right now.
Akpan - we need specialist midfielders and Akpan has not been as bad as his detractors want to make out.
Blackman - most skillful attacking threat needs to work on his decision making though
Cox - bit bulky but he's linking up reasonable well with the front players and hopefully he can kick on after a goal.
Obita - we need someone who can play wide on the left, either at full back or forward.
Pogrebnyak - well, he's the only choice really. And he's held up well.

...................Federici
..Gunter...Hector..Pearce...Cummings
................Akpan....Kuhl
Blackman..........Cox..................Obita
..................Pogrebnyak

Subs: McCarthy, Cooper, Griffin/Tanner, Tshibola, Taylor, Edwards, Mackie

For those worried about too many new Academy graduates being in the side at once. It's no more than any other game this season.

[P!ssed Off]

Mackie is ineligible.

[Ian Royal]

Tanner then.

[P!ssed Off]

..................Federici
Gunter...Hector........Pearce...Obita
........Norwood.........Kuhl
Blackman.........Cox.............Edwards
................Pogrebnyak

Subs: McCarthy, Cooper, Cummings, Tshibola, Akpan, Taylor, Tanner

[maffff]

Want

Feds
Gunts Hector Pearce Obita
Kuhl Akpan*
Blackman Tanner
Cox Pog

*Norwood if he were in and eligible.

Expect
Feds
Gunts Hecs Pearcs Cummins
Akpan Obita
Blackman Cox Taylor
Pog

I'd also seriously love to see us get that Swedish LCB if we're after him. Sounds like he could complement Pearce and let Pearce go back to RCB

[SCIAG]

Something like:

Federici; Gunter, Hector, Pearce, Obita; Kuhl, Norwood*; Taylor, Cox, Blackman; Pogrebnyak
Subs: McCarthy, Cooper, Cummings, Tshibola*, Tanner, Edwards, Stacey
*or Akpan

Just to clarify, that's Taylor on the right and Blackman on the left.

IMO Taylor has the best delivery of any of our wide options (except Obita, but we need him at left back). We've been lacking a final ball, stick him on the right where he offers more width and can send outswinging crosses in.
Blackman should give us a bit more width on the left. We might lose his direct running to an extent but let's give it a go. If it isn't working then take one of them off at half time and stick Stacey or Tanner on.

[sandman]

So our first duff result of the season. Some fairly obvious weaknesses in midfield and on the left flank. Some assured performances from young players.

What team would you go with?

Federici - not my preference, his distribution hasn't been the revelation it's supposed to be and his 'keeping has not particularly impressed me, especially for the second goal last night. But he's in possession and he certainly hasn't made enough mistakes to warrant dropping.
Gunter - poor game last night, but out best right back and stand in captain.
Cummings - not suited to left back, but he's actually played reasonably well.
Pearce - strong start to the season
Hector - very promising player and you don't drop a youngster after one weaker game and a mistake they get punished for.
Kuhl - composed, if a little lightweight. If protected reasonably well he could dictate games the way we're lacking right now.
Akpan - we need specialist midfielders and Akpan has not been as bad as his detractors want to make out.
Blackman - most skillful attacking threat needs to work on his decision making though
Cox - bit bulky but he's linking up reasonable well with the front players and hopefully he can kick on after a goal.
Obita - we need someone who can play wide on the left, either at full back or forward.
Pogrebnyak - well, he's the only choice really. And he's held up well.

...................Federici
..Gunter...Hector..Pearce...Cummings
................Akpan....Kuhl
Blackman..........Cox..................Obita
..................Pogrebnyak

Subs: McCarthy, Cooper, Griffin/Tanner, Tshibola, Taylor, Edwards, Mackie

For those worried about too many new Academy graduates being in the side at once. It's no more than any other game this season.

Federici's distribution has been fine and certainly an upgrade on Mccarthy. Too many times defenders aren't getting distance on their headers and we don't get close enough to pick up the second ball.

Fed

Gunter
Hector
Pearce
Obita

Blackman
Akpan
Kuhl
Edwards
Cox

Pog

Subs: Andersen, Cummings, Ferdinand, Stacey, Norwood, Taylor, Tanner

[Loyal royal 247]

Feds

Gunter Pearce Ferdinand obita

Kuhl Norwood

Blackman Cox Tanner

Mackie

[windermere_royal]

..................Federici.......................

Gunter...Pearce.....Ferdinand...Obita

.................Hector..................

Blackman...Kuhl...Norwood...Edward

................Pog...............
..

[USA_Loyal_Royal]

feds
gunter, pearce, hector, cummings
kuhl, norwood
blackman, cox, obita
pog

[EarleyRoyal16]

Federici

Gunter
Hector
Pearce
Obita

Kuhl
Norwood

Blackman
Cox
Taylor

Pog

[winchester_royal]

Federici

Gunter
Pearce
Hec
Obita

Norwood
Akpan

Blackman
Tanner
Cox

Pog

Don't think Adkins will throw Kuhl in for this game tbh. Doubt he'll use Tanner either, his selection is just wishful thinking on my part.

[Samrfc01]

Everyone that moans about Akpan, surely he offers more than Taylor. Taylor has just been bang average and doesn't really do much in my opinion. We have much better players for his position as well.

[Royal Biscuits]

Federici

Gunter | Hector | Pearce | Obita

Akpan | Norwood

Blackman | Cox | Taylor

Pogrebnyak

I would be perfectly happy to see Cummings in for Taylor. I'd be tempted to start Kuhl but I think him and Norwood could be too lightweight together, also two players making their full debuts together in central midfield could be disruptive.

[paultheroyal]

.................Federici.......................

Gunter...Hector.....Pearce...Obita

.....Norwood........Akpan..........

.................Kuhl......................
Blackman.......................,,,,,.Cox

................Pog.........................

[Royal Ginger]

------------------Federici------------------
Gunter----Hector---Pearce---Cummings
-----------Norwood-----Obita-------------
Blackman---------------------------Taylor
-------------------------Cox----------------
-------------Pogrebnyak-------------------

Subs: McCarthy, Ferdinand, Kuhl, Akpan, Edwards, Tshibola, Tanner

[genome]

It will most likely be

Federici

Obita
Hector
Pearce
Gunter

Norwood
Akpan

Taylor
Cox
Blackman

Pogrebnyak

[Royals and Racers]

Reading FC @ReadingFC · 6s

TEAM NEWS: Two changes for the Royals as Ryan Edwards and Aaron Kuhl start in place of Pavel Pogrebnyak and Hope Apkan.
Pog calf injury
Subs: McCarthy, Cooper, Akpan, Tshibola, Norwood, Stacey, Tanner

[genome]

Royals XI: Federici, Gunter (C), Cummings, Hector, Pearce, Obita, Kuhl, Blackman Taylor, Edwards, Cox

This could be interesting

[MmmMonsterMunch]

Expecting a tonking but we'll see.

Good debate on BBCRB about what the hell the sports scientists are doing now Pog is also injured...I'd love to know as this is getting ridiculous now.