Team for Watford (A)

[andrew1957]

I'd bring Armstrong back in the midfield, and start NHunt ahead of Long, alongside Church.

Strongly tempted with Hunt in for Long.

Why would you and others want to drop our best player over the last two games - Long? I am sure you will find that his is the first name on the team sheet at the moment.

[Far Canal]

---------------------- FLAPPERICI ----------------------

Griffin -------- ZURAB ------ PEARCE -------- HARTE

McANUFF ------ KARACAN ---- TABB ------ McANUFF

------------------ HUNT ------ LONG -------------------

So you're a bit of a McAnuff fan then, RR.

[Ian Royal]

I'd bring Armstrong back in the midfield, and start NHunt ahead of Long, alongside Church.

Strongly tempted with Hunt in for Long.

Why would you and others want to drop our best player over the last two games - Long? I am sure you will find that his is the first name on the team sheet at the moment.

Because he's shit at scoring goals that aren't from the spot right now and I don't rate him especially highly. But as you can see from my team, I resisted the temptation because of the good work he's been doing recently.

[andrew1957]

Things to think about after the Jekyll & Hyde performance on Saturday, particularly the defence which has now conceded 3 goals in 3 out of the last 4 games, and up front where Kebe could be fit but does he replace one of a front 3 who seem to be clicking.

For me...

Federici

Armstrong
Pearce
Zurab
Griffin

McAnuff (c)
Tabb
Karacan

Hunt

Church
Long


I think the time's come to change the back 4, Armstrong is a defender that if fully fit is both a better defender and more able to get up and support the wingers then Harte. Mills to me looks ragged and something's not right with him so it's time for Pearce to get a run out, McAnuff seems to be the next in line for the armband so give it to him or Griff.

Midfield wise Tabb deserves a chance alongside Karacan and I keep Hunt in for Kebe both due to the formers goalscoring form and the laters questionable fitness. Then up front it's the same two.

Your suggestions look pretty much spot on for me. We HAVE to make changes at the back. Mills has not looked anything like the player of last year and Pearce was playing well when he was dropped. Irrespective of his offensive attributes I think Harte has to be sacrificed to make us stronger at the back and Armstrong is a much better defender.

I am concerned about dropping Howard (but he is erratic) so giving Tabb and Karacan one game together to see if it works might be worth a risk.

[roadrunner]

---------------------- FLAPPERICI ----------------------

Griffin -------- ZURAB ------ PEARCE -------- HARTE

McANUFF ------ KARACAN ---- TABB ------ McANUFF

------------------ HUNT ------ LONG -------------------

So, you're a bit of a MacAnuff fab then, RR.

On his day he's superb, he just doesn't have enough of these days and that's sadly been the story of his career. We aren't blessed with quality options to replace him, although Antonio perhaps should come in to give Jobi a kick up the arse.

[glass half full]

---------------------- FLAPPERICI ----------------------

Griffin -------- ZURAB ------ PEARCE -------- HARTE

McANUFF ------ KARACAN ---- TABB ------ McANUFF

------------------ HUNT ------ LONG -------------------

So, you're a bit of a MacAnuff fab then, RR.

On his day he's superb, he just doesn't have enough of these days and that's sadly been the story of his career. We aren't blessed with quality options to replace him, although Antonio perhaps should come in to give Jobi a kick up the arse.

McAnuff does have a split personality...

[Snowball]

We are on 27 goals, one less than the 106 team were after 17 games

And they had Kitson-Doyle-Lita and supply from Little, Shorey, Sidwell

EDIT. Sorry pressed the button early, but the point is we are scoring a bag-ful of goals
AND missing a lot of chances, so making-chances-wise we are quite good recently

IMO there's been a change of emphasis for the last four games (and maybe Burnley too)
where we've started expressing ourselves and going for it but being more open

So we've had bag-loads of chances

12 (09) versus 04 (05) result 3-3 against the club now 8th
06 (08) versus 04 (07) result 1-1 against the club now top
05 (02) versus 05 (07) result 1-3 against the club now second
04 (05) versus 05 (07) result 4-3 against the club now 7th
10 (06) versus 04 (10) result 4-0 against the club now 6th

37 (30) That's 37 shots on target 30 off and 13 goals in 5 games. Hot stuff.

I see we had 11 (04) versus Bristol too after looking toothless against Swansea.

Over the last 6 games, only Cardiff have scored more goals

Over the last FIVE games we are top scorers in the league ahead of Cardiff, Leeds, Doncaster

Seems to me that the manager has changed tactics big time

[Ian Royal]

Interestingly those last five games coincide with Howard coming back into the side. And Howard came on on 61 against Bristol... did we pick up as the game went on in that one? I haven't seen it.

Just saying like...

[Snowball]

Interestingly those last five games coincide with Howard coming back into the side. And Howard came on on 61 against Bristol... did we pick up as the game went on in that one? I haven't seen it.

Just saying like...

I think we did, if I remember the reports. He makes chances but doesn't dominate the midfield, so makes sense.

How many goals has he made in these 5?


Church versus Doncaster (he put Antonio through)
His FC for Mills versus Doncaster
Church versus Burnley (almost identical ball)
His corner for Harte's goal

[Ian Royal]

those are the ones I have just noted on my super sad spreadsheet.

[PEARCEY]

I'd certainly like to see Pearce in for Mills but that does mean our back four is as slow as an arthritic snail whose just heavily over-eaten.
I'd also like Tabb in for Howard and keep the changes to that and hope for the best really.

Cummings?


Serious question

Yes. Still big reservations and his pace can only go some way to compensating for three slow defenders alongside but as with Pearce he was unlucky to get dropped.

[Snowball]

I suspect we'll get the same back four but
that they'll be tighter after a rocket


at most it will be one change

[Snowball]

those are the ones I have just noted on my super sad spreadsheet.

[loyalroyal4life]

--------------------- FLAPPERICI ----------------------

GRIFFIN -------- ZURAB ------ MILLS-------- ARMSTRONG

KEBE ------ KARACAN ---- TABB ------ McANUFF

------------------ HUNT ------ LONG -------------------

[Kitson12]

His FC for Mills versus Doncaster

Didn't Harte put this free-kick in, sorry to be pedantic, and it was nodded back across goal.

[Snowball]

His FC for Mills versus Doncaster

Didn't Harte put this free-kick in, sorry to be pedantic, and it was nodded back across goal.

That was what I thought

But OS says Howard, so presumed I'd got it wrong

[Kitson12]

His FC for Mills versus Doncaster

Didn't Harte put this free-kick in, sorry to be pedantic, and it was nodded back across goal.

That was what I thought

But OS says Howard, so presumed I'd got it wrong

Just watched the highlights, deffo Harte.

[Snowball]

Thanks, another plus for my Harte campaign

[Elmer Park]

I think McDermott will stick with the same back four and that the full backs particularly are pretty safe in the Manager's eyes. If things continue to go wrong in this match my view is that he will bring in Pearce for Zurab for the following game. Beyond that I am not too sure what I think he will do against Watford and only McAnuff, Karacan, Long and Kebe (if he is fully fit) are certain starters outside of the goalkeeper and defence in my opinion.

This is indicative of our problem We are half way through the season and due to the wrong blend of players in the squad and the individual players inconsistency the Manager hasn't been able to establish a first choice eleven or even settle on our best formation.

[Terminal Boardom]

I think McDermott will stick with the same back four and that the full backs particularly are pretty safe in the Manager's eyes. If things continue to go wrong in this match my view is that he will bring in Pearce for Zurab for the following game. Beyond that I am not too sure what I think he will do against Watford and only McAnuff, Karacan, Long and Kebe (if he is fully fit) are certain starters outside of the goalkeeper and defence in my opinion.

This is indicative of our problem We are half way through the season and due to the wrong blend of players in the squad and the individual players inconsistency the Manager hasn't been able to establish a first choice eleven or even settle on our best formation.

Plus he is hardly being supported by the higher echelons in the club when it comes to strengthening areas that need refreshing.