Team for next game

[Brian Fantana]

So, in light of our recent performance of two halves and the fact we have another game within four days, would anyone make any changes?

I think so far it has been fair to say (Wolves excluded) that the settled team has been impossible to change, each player has done their job brilliantly and we have shown no obvious weaknesses. However, I think the Cardiff game was the first time players had come up short and opened the door for their competition. 

Of those who played I think Bradders, Hoolahan and Lafferty are in themost vulnerable positions ; to be fair I am not saying they played poorly for the whole game but I did think they were not up to the high standards they had set themselves.

Bradders (like many) had a shocking first half, his second was better but it still did not have the quality he had displayed in the previous good run of games. With Gary O'neil now settled in the squad and having played a bit part it would be possible to give Bradders a rest and see what GO can do.

Hoolahan was very good in the second half and looked busy for the goals but at times, especially when the game is going against us, he does have a tendency to give the ball away in important areas. I think Brentford is going to be a hard game, they have started well and it is going to require us to keep our performance level up. If we did drop him we would miss his quality but maybe a rest would do him well.

Finally Lafferty, I think he has been very good so far despite clearly suffering from being played out of position. In the first two games especially he looked absolute quality and was one of the few players to come out of the Wolves game with any credit. He is clearly skilful but if we are going to play the 4-2-3-1 that has served us to well we might be best seeing if we can find a better fit for the wide position. The obvious candidate to have a run instead in Cameron Jerome but I do wonder if he is the answer from the start of games in the wide position. His Cardiff performance was exceptional but the game was 45 minutes old and we pushed on with nothing to lose, this created space and allowed him to be so influential.

So, all in I think I would start Jerome in place of Lafferty and see how that goes; as said above I think this is hard on Lafferty but after Saturday it would be impossible not to start with CJ. Other than that I would go with the same team but have a word in a few ears pointing out that we have a very good squad and as soon as performances drop, like they did on Saturday then there are options.

Any views?

 

[Din]

For me:

Ruddy​

Martin Turner Hooiveld Olsson​

Tettey Johnson​

Redmond Hoolahan Jerome​

Grabban​

 ​

Jerome in for Lafferty being the only change. Harsh on Lafferty, because he was good in that first half against Cardiff. But Jerome was given an opportunity and took it with both hands, and fully deserves to be in the team next game.

 

[Brian Fantana]

For me:

Ruddy​

Martin Turner Hooiveld Olsson​

Tettey Johnson​

Redmond Hoolahan Jerome​

Grabban​

 ​

Jerome in for Lafferty being the only change. Harsh on Lafferty, because he was good in that first half against Cardiff. But Jerome was given an opportunity and took it with both hands, and fully deserves to be in the team next game.

I agree it would be harsh on Lafferty, I did hear some starting to question him but for me he has genuine skill and creativity and a bite to his game that is good for us, clearly a competitor. 

 

[Keckers]

For me:

Ruddy

Martin Turner Hooiveld Olsson

Tettey Johnson

Redmond Hoolahan Jerome

Grabban

Jerome in for Lafferty being the only change. Harsh on Lafferty, because he was good in that first half against Cardiff. But Jerome was given an opportunity and took it with both hands, and fully deserves to be in the team next game.

That's a really attacking line-up. I'm with you on the Lafferty / Jerome question and to be honest I can't pick from them, but Jerome showed a lot of energy and away from home that is key so height have the edge.

I'm not sure about Wes. I love the little guy but not convinced that he is a starter away from home. Maybe play Jerome for Wes and keep Laffs wide, then have Wes as a 60 min sub.

I'd also switch Martin for Whits. It's no secret that I prefer Whits and apart from his pace I think he's a better FB.

So maybe two changes for me.

Ruddy

Whits Hooiveld Turner Olsson

Tettey Johno

Redmond Jerome Laffs

Grabban

 

[Salopian]

I agree with Sir Humphrey, that on Saturday we slipped back into our old bad ways. At half time we had given away two goals from misplaced passes and a failure to close down properly, and we had something like 10 chances despite this but manager only about two on target, and with Marshall a very good keeper... BJ had shown a deftness and good technique in his two goals earlier, but was back to blasting it over on Saturday.

Perhaps he and one or two others could have a rest on Tuesday, replaced on that occasion by fresh legs - O'Neill, who looked good and Vadis. The latter could replace Redders for a break - the little man has run miles at speed over the last couple of weeks.

The philosophy or not changing a winning side is a good one,  but with two games each and a very good squad, perhaps one or two players could be rested, if not on Tuesday then on Saturday.

 

[Yellow Fever]

Jerome admits that he's not completely match-fit yet, so doubt he will start. Both he and Odjidja to come on later though.

 

[eatonparkboy]

I have no knowledge of players fitness so that is one part of my prediction that is under question. If Jerome is fit, and he did play a whole half so there is no reason to think he cannot start the game, then I think Saturdays second half formation is the one to start the game with.

I think we are all pretty well convinced we have the best squad in the division. So I believe the manager can look at 14 players for 90 minutes. But I am convinced that 4-4-2 is our best option at the moment and believe that Jerome should help Grabban up front and make sure the ball stays up there longer than it did first half Saturday.

I believe we have the pace and power in full back areas so I would play Hoolahan in the narrow left side of midfield knowing that Olsson has the ability to play almost out and out left midfield.

I would go for:

Ruddy
Martin Hooiveld Turner Olsson
Tettey Johnson
Redmond Hoolahan
Grabban Jerome

But that is just the way I typed them. I think they would be fluid within that line up. For instance, Tettey is getting far further forward than the last two seasons and the skill he showed for the third goal is just what is needed around opponents goal areas.

 

[Jimmy smith]

Jerome admits that he's not completely match-fit yet, so doubt he will start. Both he and Odjidja to come on later though.

Where did he say that? Lafferty is a doubt tonight so I'd imagine Jerome will be pushing to start.

 

[Yellow Fever]

It was in an interview, JS. He talked about his lack of games for Stoke and then commented that "I'm getting fitter all the time". Lafferty took a knock on his ankle, which has some swelling, so Adams could well start Jerome if he doesn't want to risk Lafferty, with Josh Murphy able to come on if Jerome tires. If Jerome were to play in the hole, then any of Wes, Odjidja or Loza could come on if needed. What a lot of choices Adams has to make!

 

[ZLF]

The back 7 to remain unchanged for me.  Although it would be nice to be more secure down the flanks,   all 4 full backs have been caught out for goals so far this season - however I do think sats choice is marginally the best we have.

Given the influence wes had in the second half I simply cant see him being dropped for this one;    I suspect the manager is only considering whether to go with lafferty or jerome to start - if laff has a knock then I think it wil be jerome.

Personally I think Grabban is looking the weakest link over the last couple of games (I know, despite 5 goals in 6 games!) and would consider keeping lafferty (if fit) and starting with Jerome as the striker. 

 

[Jimmy smith]

The back 7 to remain unchanged for me.  Although it would be nice to be more secure down the flanks,   all 4 full backs have been caught out for goals so far this season - however I do think sats choice is marginally the best we have.

Given the influence wes had in the second half I simply cant see him being dropped for this one;    I suspect the manager is only considering whether to go with lafferty or jerome to start - if laff has a knock then I think it wil be jerome.

Personally I think Grabban is looking the weakest link over the last couple of games (I know, despite 5 goals in 6 games!) and would consider keeping lafferty (if fit) and starting with Jerome as the striker. 

I think we need the directness Grabban provides. He practically scored on Sat (Turner nicked his goalbound scuff), got an assist for Olsson and his header versus Bournemouth was very well taken.

I'd imagine Brentford will have some slow centre backs that will be worried sick about the prospect of facing Jerome and Grabban so I think that's what we should go with. Redmond and Wes can provide the spark and Johnno and Tettey the engine.