Wes, Redmond or both?

[Suffolk Canary]

Last month or so we've seen AN tinker with the starting XI, usually starting Wes with Redmond only recently starting games regularly. I know it's easy to saw play both after they were both brilliant on saturday, but i'm not sure it's such an obvious question.

Ipswich didn't have the quality to match, so we could afford to play both. But Boro are a far superior team, who will try to over-run us in midfield. Having Wes and Redmond could leave us a bit lightweight. I wonder whether AN will do what he did when we played them last, with Howson on the right midfield to give us some more muscle. 

 

[Paul Handscombe]

                        Ruddy

Whitaker    Martin   Bassong   Olson

                      Tettey

      Howson              Johnson

                   Hoolahan      

            Jerome            Hooper

If he goes with 2 up top

If however he goes with just the one then:

                       Ruddy

Whitaker    Martin   Bassong   Olson

                      Tettey

Redmond      Howson    Johnson

                                Hoolahan

                      Jerome

 

[TA Canary]

It's a tough call. Matches like this usually start as cagey affairs until someone scores, so in my opinion I'd rather have players who can help us keep hold of the ball and have the ability to create chances - the answer is both Redmond and Hoolahan for me. To get past Boro's defense we'll need all the creativity we can get.
 
It's probably more sensible to keep one of them on the bench to bring on if we need to score, luckily it's not a decision I have to make.

 

[Dubai Mark]

Considering the strength of the team we are playing, then initially at least we can only afford one of them and for me that has to Redmond due to his pace...providing he uses it. Bring Wes on for "the shitty little club" later on when there is more space available for him to play his game. Both on their day could be match winners for us........although I really have a gut feeling that it will be Hooper who notches the important goal should we win. 

 

[Din]

I personally would play the same side that beat Ipswich on Saturday, I know that might be slightly attacking, but Middlesbrough also play an attacking formation, and I think that going defensive and trying to hit them on the counter would ultimately end up with them running out comfortable winners, as I can't see us holding them off for 90 minutes. 

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

                       Ruddy

Whitaker    Martin   Bassong   Olson

                      Tettey

Redmond      Howson    Johnson

                                Hoolahan

                      Jerome

This ^

Think we have to play our best players, no guts, no glory.

Jerome has lead the line very well this season, let him continue. Wes to unpick the lock, Redders to capitalse if they leave the back door open.

If Boro play a deep defensive line like they did at Carrow Road Redmond can be somewhat ineffective due to a lack of space to exploit - you then need Wes to be able to carve them open.

If they push up and leave lots of space Redmond could have a field day.

We dont know what Boro are going to do and we cant risk getting the tactics wrong this time. With both of them in the team we have an answer to whatever their strategy is. Leave one out and they can nullify our main threat.

We are poor at breaking teams down who play defensively and deep without Wes.

With this midfield, we have a variety of ways to attack without compromising solidity

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

My main worry is that if we only have one of them Boro can adapt their tactics to nullify, whereas with both on the pitch they'll be threatened whatever we do.

No Wes and Redmond on the pitch Id simply play a deep line. No pace in the side and a lone striker, Id push up. Both, then you're worrying about Redmond's pace if you push up, and allowing Wes space if you drop back.

Wes to exploit space in front of their defence, Redmond behind it. Omitting one lets them set a clear gameplan.

We cant afford to let Boro get the upper hand tactically again

 

[GJP]

Thought it was AN's biggest (and maybe only real) mistake benching Redmond against Boro. Played into their hands.

 

[Canaryboy]

If I had to choose one or the other, I think we need to be starting Redmond in this game. Especially as we will probably have Grabban on the bench if we need to bring on somebody with a bit of pace against tired legs towards the end of the game (or extra time!). 

 

[TA Canary]

This ^

Agreed, and I'd add that Wes and Redmond should be encouraged to roam around in the final third with Howson and Tettey ready to cover when they do.

Let the Boro defense worry.

 

[Yellow Fever]

I've gone for both as once again the first goal will be crucial. I think it could be more of a 4-1-4-1 which AN favours, with Howson and Wes in the middle of the 4. That makes it more difficult for them to mark Wes out of the game.

 

[Suffolk Canary]

And to think i considered playing Howson on the right....   I think i definitely deserve to be in the stands and not in the dugout!  :lol: