Didn't manage to get along to the game at the weekend but have watched the highlights. Everytime I have watched GMS for United he has looked dangerous out on the left side. He puts in a quality delivery. During Saturdays game he fed Dixon on the left for the cross that led to the goal and he also put in a decent cross that led to United's claim for a penalty at the end.
We need to ditch one of our central midfialders and play a more balanced midfield. I am not in favour of playing people out of position just to accommodate them in the team. I certainly feel that GMS deserves a run of games on the left of midfield.
After the international brek I would like to see if all fit:
Pernis
Watson Gunning Dillon Dixon
Flood Rankin Swanson GMS
Daly Russell/Dalla Valle
Can't decide between Russell and Dalla Valle at the moment.
Thoughts?
GaMackay Steven
posted on 3/10/11
He didn't really get much time on the park (again) but I was actually saying something similar at the game on Saturday. He came on against Sainties and really helped change the game, putting in decent deliveries and giving us a far better shape with him on the left and Swanson on the right. However, Houston hasn't deemed to give him a chance. At least he had a bit of urgency when he came on which was fairly unique to him on Saturday.
I'd start him next week and give us the attacking 4-4-2 that we need.
posted on 3/10/11
I cannot believe you would want Watson at right back. He is worse than useless. It looks like he is running in treacle, his crosses are rank. He is just wrong in so many ways. Dillon should be right back and Kenneth (yes Kenneth) in Central Defense.
You would then have a central midfield of Flood, Rankin and Robertson with Swanson playing just behind the front two of however.
Apart from that I agree with everything said previously
posted on 3/10/11
I think that Kenneth is a good centre half when he defends properly By this I mean clear his lines, win his fair share of headers and be strong in the tackle. Too many times this season he has tried to be too clever in defence. Examples are the pen on saturday and Sandaza's 2nd goal away at Saints. He tries to play long world cup balls when there is a simple pass into the midfield. Give him credit I thought he was briliant when down to ten men against Rangers. He was commanding and assured but I want to see this on a regular basis. I feel Watson has done ok when I have watched him. Robertson is having a difficult time in the team at the moment and I feel needs to sit on the bench and sort his head out. Too many wasted passes and since returning from injury he seems to be reluctant to go fully committed to 50/50 tackles.
I don't want to slag off United players as I am a fan of the club. I do feel that the starting 11 needs to have a better balance and be freshened up. Dillon was our player of the season at CB last year and GK may pull his finger out if dropped for a few games.
posted on 3/10/11
I think Kenneth is just horribly inconsistent. Sometimes I genuinely think he is a very very good centre half. Other times he's truly hopeless.
How he finds the consistency is the big question.
posted on 3/10/11
I have been saying this for ages on here and on Dundee United mad. GMS left, Rankin left centre, Allan/Armstrong right centre and Swanson right. That is something along our strongest midfield IMO. The defence would be Watson, Dillon, Gunning and Dixon. Front two of Daly and Russell. Keeper anyone but Pernis at the moment, however we seem to only have one keeper at present!! Alan Combe to sign a short-term deal if he ain't got the baws to play any other keeper.
Scott Allan has to be considered now. Reasons being he can keep the ball and create. Robertson and Flood are getting close to being crowned the next "Mark Kerr" .
What Houston did with Dow on Saturday was shocking. Was this not the boy that replaced LDV in the Rangers game and did well. Yet he gets punted on the wing and continually switched with Swanson. If he is to be played, give him 90 minutes upfront or on the wing, on one side.
Can maybe see why Scott Allan wants out, the cracks and favouritism are starting to appear crystal clear.
posted on 3/10/11
I read on skysports today that West Brom have had a bid for Scott Allan rejected. They want to try and get it done quickly so that they get him before the other interested clubs in january. I like Willo Flood and think that he is starting to get back to full fitness after a horendous injury. He will come good and maybe needs a run of games in the same position. Maybe centrally and not wide as I earlier stated.
Dow and Russell must be played as strikers when they are on the field. Competition for places up front is healthy and I think we have enough midfielders with GMS, Rankin, Armstrong, Flood, Robertson, Swanson, Douglas and Allan if he is to be considered.
When you look at the names on paper then we should be able to field a team at home that would give most teams a hard game. Saturday was not good enough and as I said earlier we must go with balance in the midfield and two up front. If that means leaving an experienced player out for one of the young lads then so be it. Work harder in training and when you get on the park to win your place back!
The next game away to Aberdeen has become massive now with the results of the teams below us on Saturday.
posted on 3/10/11
A lot of Kenneth's pishness is down to not having someone effective infront of him - when Scott Robertson is in midfield the opposition can just waltz past him and run at Kenneth - which, being a 6'4" lump, he can't defend against.
The other part is down to him thinking he's a footballer. He's not, he's a defender. Do your main job first and then worry about trying fancy passes or skillful moves.
posted on 4/10/11
under Houston all we are going to get is a formation set out for 0-0. sack him now. he is clueless.