Afternoon all,
And so its another massive game early in the season for us lot on Saturday against a very good Swansea City team, who I believe haven't conceeded a goal at the Liberty yet? Surely time for our boys to change that, and I'm pretty sure we will.
Can we keep a clean sheet?
Ask Robbo...
Team selection and I might get some stick or strange looks but I'd make Pratley captain for this one, he knows Swansea City inside out and their players so I'd put him in the firing line, because he'd want to get one over their boys and manager. I also remember this being done in the past, Anthony Barness v Charlton, I'm sure there are other examples.
If needs be Kevin Davies can be brought on for the last half an hour or so to knock their tired defenders about, like a certain Michael Ricketts did in his prime in the championship although Davies' pace goes against him, so maybe not... We've got plenty of strikers in the squad, and as we all know goals aren't really the problem, its just keeping them out at the other end.
I'd also start Kakuta just to give us something different, but I couldn't drop Petrov so he'd tuck in, or vice versa, and I'd start Muamba as I thought we missed him badly against Sunderland, and it sounded like he had a good game against Arsenal.
I'd start with 4-5-1 but it can easily change to 4-3-3 if needed.
Jussi
Steinsson
Cahill
Wheater
Gardner
Prately (Captain)
Muamba
Coker
Kakuta
Petrov
N'Gog
Subs:
Bogdan
Knight
Robbo
Mavies
Tuncay
Klasnic
K. Davies
If I were Coyle...
posted on 27/10/11
Agree with that for the most part, but I would make 1 change. Cannot fathom how badly Steinsson would get owned by Sinclair if we start him. He was god knows where for Tu-Yung's goal for Arsenal and we cannot afford Swansea the same. I've heard NRC played a fair old few games at right back for Villa, I would play him there If Boyata can't. Bring in Mavies to the midfield and that gives us a bit of technical ability in the middle as well.
One thing I would also like to see, but maybe wouldn't do here is put Klasnic in the loan striker role and put Ngog out right with Kakuta on the left or visa versa. Despite his miss against Arsenal (which we all know was just the rust from not playing for 4 games) he is two deadly to not have in the box if we have two tricky players on the outside cutting back balls and drilling crosses in.
posted on 27/10/11
I agree with your team, but wouldn't have Pratley as our captain, I personally don't think he is captain material.
I would go for either Cahill or Reo Coker are a better bet IMO.
posted on 27/10/11
I don't think for one minute that Robbo can be considered as they have Sinclair and Dyer on the wings and both of them are flying machines. Hopefully Bibi will be fit after his efforts at the Emirates as he must be a better bet.
Furthermore, from all accounts the set up of 4-5-1 (or 4-3-3 dependent on whether we were attacking or defending worked very well against Arsenal so I would stick with the same team.
I know that this means leaving out some favourites but against Sunderland they were absolutely spineless in the second half. On Tuesday they all played as though they meant it and at the very least they deserve another chance. Swansea also play a very good passing game so we have to people in like Muamba who will get a foot in to break up play before they pass us off the park.
We certainly afford to play anyone who isn't prepared to give 100% and work hard for the whole 90 minutes.
posted on 27/10/11
Muamba & NRC in mid - with Mavies the option off the bench.
Gardner has to start.
Hopefully the Sunderland farce has given the players a good kick up the 'arris.
posted on 27/10/11
I would have practiced defending all week. Set pieces who picks up who etc. I would make it clear that if you don't concede you don't lose. 0-0 will do for a start. You can fluke a goal last minute will do at the moment. Clean sheets are required now. No fancy attacking football grit at the back letting your opponents know they will have to knock down walls to score.
posted on 27/10/11
Petrov1, how can you not be sure thats what we have been doing?
posted on 27/10/11
God Moses I said if I was coyle which is the article. He may well have done well actually he should have done it a while ago. If he has been doing he needs to change whatever he is doing as it has not worked
posted on 27/10/11
Not sure why Eagles is out the squad altogether?
If its 5 in midfield I really believe we need wingers..
posted on 27/10/11
Would have eagles over pratley. For me he looks n
Just like a quicker Gavin McCann.
posted on 28/10/11
If I were Coyle... i would wrap every player in bubble wrap
Boyota maybe out for 6 weeks - ahhhhhhhhhh!