what would you try now

I think St Ledger should be dropped because he had a poor game; couldn't deal with Maynard and was always 2 yards behind Bamba so we couldn't play him offside. Nicky was very clever in that he targeted SSL and played in his pocket if you like and he couldn't deal with him. And the less said about their 2nd goal the better I think.

One thing I would definitely do is play the diamond formation because that is when we have played our best football and it gives us more option in midfield when we're trying to pass it through midfield and it won't leave Nugent isolated. I'm very surprised Sven didn't use it when Waggy came on. I would partner Vassell with Nugent because I think they would work well with Nugent holding it up and Vassell looking to run in behind and it is undoubtedly Darius' best position and he'll be fired up with a point to prove. It was a typical Lloyd Dyer performance for me last night. He had pace and sometimes did get past his full-back but then the ball ended up nearer to the steward than the striker and until his final ball improves he shouldn't be in the team.

Wouldn't drop Fernandes as Apple has done because, especially in away games, you need someone who can win the ball back quickly and will break up midfield attacks and Fernandes is perfectly suited to being the deepest sitting player in the diamond. I didn't think it was a penalty to be honest and I thought he got a toe on the ball. I'd stick with Wellens because, although he wasn't on top form yesterday, we all know what he is capable of and he rarely has more than two bad games on the spin. I do think we need more creativity in midfield (and the diamond should help with that) and I have a feeling the player who could provide that is Michael Johnson. Very gifted footballer but not 100% fit so wouldn't start him but should definitely be on the bench to come on and change the game because he is certainly capable.

Schmeichel
Peltier - Mills - Bamba - Konchesky
Fernandes
King - Wellens
Gallagher
Vassell - Nugent

Subs:
St Ledger
Abe
Danns
Johnson
Howard

I'd play the same team, with Vassell in for Dyer, and Schlupp on the bench.

I agree with Cantle, although the question of centre back is now interesting. Do we play Mills and replace St. Ledger after one match (and a match-losing mistake) or do we play St. Ledger and be inconsistent in our treatment of Mills? (i.e. he gets dropped after one bad game but St. Ledger stays.)

I know that none of us are managers (or I assume qualified coaches) but almost to a man (or woman) can see that 4-4-2 and the diamond would make more sense.

Dungeon. We play Mills and Bamba for the next 10 games.

If after this time it's not working we change it for more than 1 game.

I'm astonished Mills was dropped. A settled defence becomes a solid defence. Mills (one of the best defenders in the division last year) has not become a bad player overnight. Why on earth he was dropped for last night's game is beyond me. What message is Sven giving everyone - on one hand it's "go out and express yourself, be brave" and on the other it's "make one mistake and you're out of here"!!!

Sven made Mills captain, and then dropped him.

I don't understand why someone would do this and I don't understand why this hasn't been more of a asking point! How often does John Terry get left out at Chelski, Gerrard at Liverpool? The answer is they don't. If fit, they play.

Merseyside - I agree. My only reasoning for him being dropped last night was that perhaps Sven thought his head wasn't in the right place in training. I don't recall anyone on here asking for him to be replaced, and we fans are usually way in front of the manager for that!

_____________Schmeichel ____________________

Peltier______Mills________Bamba______Konchesky


__________Wellens________Fernandes_________

Vassell/Dyer_________________________Gallagher

______________________King_________________

_____________Nugent________________________


4-4-2, 4-5-1, 4-2-2-1-1, don't really give a toss what it's called. All I know is the last time we played really, really good football was against Derby away.

We had Vassell and Gallagher down the wings actually getting chalk on their boots and cutting in when space opened up; two midfields playing in the middle; and King playing in the pocket behind Yakubu.

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Elmondy, your comment is spot on!

i agree 4-4-2 diamond would be the best way to go.
This from Greatness_Since_1884 is what im thinking
Schmeichel
Peltier - Mills - Bamba - Konchesky
Fernandes
King - Wellens
Gallagher
Vassell - Nugent

Just think we need a great goalscorer to replace vassell.