We have had this done to us many times this season but will Mr Inflexible change his approach?
He absolutely must go with 4-5-1 tonight - spoil the game and try and catch Cardiff on the break. If he goes with the same formation and approach as he has done for the last few months - I can only see one result and quite possibly Pearson's head on the block !
Assuming a reasonably fit squad, I would go with;
-----------------------------Schmeichel------------------------------
St Ledger---------Morgan---------Keane---------Konchesky (Schlupp?)
-----------------------------------Wellens---------------------------------------
Knockeart----------Drinkwater------------King-----------------Nugent
------------------------------------------Wood-------------------------------
Not sure whether Konchesky will make it and knowing Nugent is capable of playing wide, I would sooner have his experience over Kane. But if you believe Nugent is more likely to snatch something than Wood, the latter would have to be benched in favour of Kane or Marshall playing wider.
Formation aside, the two full-backs need to be told that they don't cross the half-way line for this one. It is absolutely essential we stay tight - a half-hearted or overly-ambitious approach would be a big mistake for which Pearson could pay the price.
Spoilers ?
posted on 12/3/13
There may well be something in playing a 4-5-1 with Wellens in tonight - we played it with James there against Hull and got a point out of it. However, is a point enough for Pearson tonight?
One thing I really don't want to see tonight is Harry Kane playing as an out-and-out winger: He simply can't do it. Either play him up front or (preferably) put him on the bench so we have a realistic option later on.
If Dyer's fit, I think there's an argument for playing:
GK
Defence
Marshall-King-Drinkwater-Dyer
Knockaert
Nugent
4-4-2 is also a solid if predictable option:
GK
Defence
Marsall-King-Drinkwater-Knockaert
Nugent-Wood
Alternatively, we could gamble on something like this:
GK
Defence
King-Drinkwater
Nugent-Kane-Knockaert playing total football and switching positions at will
Wood
So I think, despite the complaints about the strength of our bench, there are several options available to us tonight.
What I fear we'll do is play the midfield/attack (and, significantly, in the same system) as we did against Sheffield Wednesday.
posted on 12/3/13
Wellens?!
posted on 12/3/13
I hate playing with a lone striker but feel that the 4-5-1 option will be best to ensure we dont concede! I think we should be starting Gallagher tonight, someone with experience and a quality ball into the box. Set pieces may be the only way to get the ball into the net tonight as well, so we need to take our chances wisely.
posted on 12/3/13
Gallagher Wellens do you want Pearson to be sacked or something lol
posted on 12/3/13
In the absence of James, we don't have too many options for a holding midfielder - hense Wellens.
But knowing Pearson, he will give this Clifford a debut.
Now that's a real yikes
posted on 12/3/13
Kane was disaster on Saturday even playing out of position, if the lads are up for it every chance of knicking a win tonight!