Was at the game yesterday. No positives whatsoever from the football played, although the loss may serve us well in regard to managing the expectations of fans and players (attempted positive spin, which I need to seek after yesterday's feeling of utter deflation).
With very few players to come out of the game with any credibility, who should start on Tuesday? I think 4-4-2 could work against the weaker teams at that level, although I would certainly catergorise Burnley as a weaker Championship side. I think if we are to play 4-4-2, we need a midfield enforcer, alongside the most appropriate type of player (the dynamism of Andrews against stronger sides, or the ball-carrying skills of Mavies in the games we expect to attack a lot).
Given that we don't have that type of player at the moment, I'd go for 4-4-1-1 on Tuesday. I'd ask Andrews to sweep up, and Mavies to sit relatively deep (well, deeper than usual) and carry the ball, where possible. So, my team would be:
Boggers; Mears, Knight, Mills, Alonso; Lee, Andrews, Mavies, Petrov; Eagles, N'Gog (if fit, but if not, Sordell).
So, I'm dropping Ream (at fault for the second goal, and unusually awful distribution), Ricketts (usually a solid performer, but woeful yesterday), SKD (abysmal), and Sordell if N'Gog's back (ineffective, but bright in parts). To be fair, I don't think these were necessarily the weakest players in the last match (Mavies and Petrov were dreadful, too): I've tried to balance the fact that pretty much everyone deserved to be dropped, with putting out a team that's at least strong on paper.
As an aside, I should say that Zat Knight did well yesterday. I'm no huge fan, but he was easily our best performer. People blaming him for both goals need to watch them again. First was two yards offside, and the second was Ream's fault. Also thought Mears did okay, and looked better going forward than Ricketts - so he stays, even though he'll have to pick it up, or fans will be calling for Riley in at right-back. Andrews also did okay, but nothing special.
Who starts on Tuesday?
posted on 19/8/12
There will be three changes possibly 4. Ngog will come in if fit for one of the two up top. Pratley for mavies. Eagles for a winger and mills for a cb
posted on 19/8/12
I don't think you will see a change in formation it will be seen as too early to push panic buttons
posted on 19/8/12
n'gog & mavies could be gone by tuesday
posted on 19/8/12
Not sure many will stress as much about mavies after yesterday but in his defence we aren't using him properly.
posted on 19/8/12
I'd go 4-5-1 if N'Gog in't fit ....
Bogdan, Ricketts, Mills, Knight, Mears, Chungy, Vela, Andrews, Mavies, Petrov, Marvin
posted on 19/8/12
Usually I'd question your sanity moses, for putting in Knight ahead of Ream but they were both abysmal yesterday.
posted on 19/8/12
Bogdan,Ryley,Alonso,Mills,Knight,Pratley,Andrews,Lee,Eagles,Mavies,Sordell.
Best of a bad bunch at the moment.
posted on 19/8/12
I would go with
Bogdan
Riley
Knight
Mills
Alonso
Ream
Andrews
Eagles
Petrov
Ngog/sordell (I just can't decide)
posted on 20/8/12
Mybe it was just a bad day at the office at turf moan..
I want Afobe and Sordell up front. If SKD plays its a farce....
posted on 20/8/12
Not looked at anyone else's line ups, so apologies if I repeat:
------------------------Boggers
Mears/*Riley--------Mills--------Ream-------Alonso
------------------------Andrews
CYL--------------Eagles/*Mavies--------Petrov
---------------N'Gog/*Afobe------Sordell
*Subs
I'm still not sure I would start Riley over Mears just yet. I would def play Riley at RB in all cups tho. Even though Knight played well (apparently) on Sat I wouldn't even let him near the bench. Eveytime Knight plays and SKD plays its always Knight or Knight via Boggers that boot it up the pitch and concede possession. Same goes for SKD. This league is quick and SKD just hasn't got the pace and the defence are too tempted to hit it long to him.