Not move the moon about Fox leaving, but I would feel better if Tyrone Mings is his replacement

Think a few clubs have him on their wish list

*over

Signing Mings could be a big step in the right direction. He would be very expensive but the savings from the departure of Fox and Dias might cover it.

I hope Foxy plays tomorrow though.

4

Would have thought you would have more exciting things to do than count comments on our match thread?

6

You had such a poor comment count on the last one that I very kindly contributed and was promptly deleted and 'closed to comments'

You match thread creator is such a mard a rse

comment by ViewFromTheStudent (U1581)
posted 2 hours, 29 minutes ago
6

You had such a poor comment count on the last one that I very kindly contributed and was promptly deleted and 'closed to comments'

You match thread creator is such a mard a rse
----------------------------------------------------------------------
🎻

Grabban would be a big miss. Only forward with a bit of movement and nous last week against Brizzle. Not scored in a while now, though.

Over the last 5 games, Jack Colback is our top goal scorer

I expect a change in formation, personnel, performance, and result today.

Scrap 4-4-2 at least for now; Fox back in, Carvalho back in, Appiah starts. Last week I predicted a 4-0 win, well the MON era starts today with that 4-0 win. Goals for Grabban, Lolley, Appiah, and Benalouane.

comment by Bunk Moreland (U20074)
posted 9 hours, 55 minutes ago
Over the last 5 games, Jack Colback is our top goal scorer
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Poor reflection on the forwards. Colback takes about five shots a season!

I think he may go more 4-4-1-1 to incorporate Carvalho. He has to find a way of getting Carvalho involved without expecting him to do much of the dirty work. It’s a hard puzzle to work out fitting him in to be honest.

Is it Will? Karanka managed it pretty well for half a season. Just go one up front or play three at back if you want to play a no.10. He has to play doesn’t he?

4-4-1-1 would probably suit Carvalho but we need to get the ball to him and Grabban quickly and also get support from midfield up there too. I think our fitness and energy levels have dropped quite a bit over the last two months but hopefully Fox and Carvalho will be back re-energised.

Against a team like Wigan we HAVE to play a formation the players are comfortable with and that must include Carvalho.

Wigan are a shambles away from home as I've illustrated; go a goal down, even after beating Villa and they fold. I would bench Lolley and have Appiah on the bench with perhaps 15 minutes at the end of the game.

MON really needs a composed Fox back in the heart of defence, focussed on playing for the reds. Bidding £200k for him is a very astute move by Paul Cook, if we end up not playing him. In that respect the board need to back O'Neill by keeping Fox happy if the opposition are unsettling him.

This game is something of a crossroads for MON and he needs a win, or at least not to lose today. IMO this means getting Osborn into midfield; either down the left or centre, perhaps push Carvalho up just behind Grabban. Then play Cash wide right attacking as a pair with Janko at R/B.

Colback pushing slightly in front of Yacob who shields the defence. That team playing with confidence must surely be too much for a fragile Wigan?

Interesting Bear. If Wigan are such a shambles, why start with two DMs. I understand why you might bench him but I'd keep Lolley in on the left with Appiah starting on the right. Tell the FBs to defend and the wide men Lolley and Appiah to stay high. Move the ball forward quickly and take on their back line.

Pants

Janko, Benalouane, Fox, Robinson

Colback

Appiah Carvalho Osborn Lolley

Grabban

I didn't say it, but I meant that Colback would have a slightly more adventurous role. He has shown that he can score, rather like Bridcutt, if given the opportunity.

Fair dos; that would work in my formation. Leave Osborn out for Yacob

Whatever O’Neill does, I hope he doesn’t have square pegs in round holes like he had against Brizzle. If you are looking for intensity, play players on their preferred side. It really is that simple.

Wigan will see this as an opportunity. If they scouted last week’s game they would have noticed how easily Brizzle snuffed Forest’s momentum out. They will be looking to do something similar I would imagine. The crowd will be restless quickly if Forest don’t start with some momentum.

Appiah could be the unknown factor that MoN could throw on in the later stages that could unsettle Wigan. Hopefully he will be primed to take his opportunity if he gets it. He certainly did against Burton in the League Cup. Think the fans need someone to get them out of their seats. The seat almost moulded to my rear last week!

Come on you Tricky Trees!

⚽️🌳⚽️🌳⚽️🌳⚽️🌳⚽️🌳

Let me know the team news when it comes in, please! Stuck at work.

Grabban on the bench. Can’t say that is a very inspiring line up.

Pants
Janko newbie Robinson Osborn
Watson colback gueddy
Lolly cash
Murphy

Carvalhlo and grabban on the bench.
Can’t say it’s close to what I would of picked, tactical genius maybe?

Fox not in the team, looks to be off