Not sure I'd want to. However, it's looking like we'll have only 3 available central midfielders;- Potts, Moncur & Mallan. That's worrying against a side like Villa. Someone suggested playing Yiadom in the holding role which might not be a bad call....if he's still with us.
I can see us putting Pearson in there. He can tackle, quite mobile and hes a decent passer of the ball. I'd go Potts Pearson Mallan with Moore up top.
Won’t he be suspended. If we end up playing a defender in midfield when we’ve just let McGeehan, Bird and Kay all go in the same week that would be classic Barnsley! Reckon it will be Moncur, Mallan and Potts though.
Moncur played in a deeper roll at villa park last year and he was man of the match that day. Love to see him get back in form, I'm a massive fan but he has gone missing for large chunks of the game recently.
Not sure but think if you get sent off in a non- first team game, you can't play in the first team from the 14 th of the month following the date of the offence. If that's correct, he could play if selected this Saturday, against Fulham (home) on the 27th January, QPR (away) on the 3rd February and Wednesday ( home) on the 10 th February. His ban would then start from the 14 th February. If he gets three games he would therefore miss Hull City (away) on the 17th, Burton Albion ( home) on the 20th and Norwich City ( home) on the 3rd March.
With Matty James though who was in cruise control. That game was one of the only times last season we played our central midfielders in the simplified role that got us promoted from League One. Our 2 centre mids played deep keeping it simple with the wingers and fullbacks doing the attacking. I’d like to see us give it a run out again as it can be done with any type of centre mid as long as they are willing to put the graft in. And by that I dont mean run around like headless chickens Scowen/Williams/Perkins style. Just be disciplined and efficient like Connor and Brownhill were who both signed as CAM. Scowen wasn’t actually great at that particular role as he chased every ball although against Leeds at home he nailed it. Gardner did it to perfection in the 5 on Saturday. There’s no reason why the 2 centre mids can’t play that role using 2 men attacking down one side with 2 strikers in the box and another winger arriving at the back post. You then have one CM lurking for the odd 20 yarder when it suits. For me the variations of 4-5-1 where it is played to dominate possession and create chances be laws of % are only really understood by the top European managers and are so intricate only the best players who can pass like De Bruyne and finish like Aguero will be consistently successful with it. The more traditional English 4-5-1 where you contain gets you the odd result but should never be something you look to use over a season. Unfortunately our attempt at the modern day 4-5-1 usually looks like the traditional one as Bradshaw is always so isolated (agains comes down to quality of player/understanding). Everyone else gives themselves a better chance on the whole playing direct with 2 strikers in my opinion.
I mentioned in another thread , I would play Yiadom there & bring back Fryers or Mcarthy or even Williams who played very well yesterday for the under 23"s to play left back, although I realise that would be a big risk
It’s pretty ridiculous that we let both bird and McGeehan go??? I’m sure there must be a plan in place??!
I'd rather play a different formation. 442 would be fine. Mowatt has been assessed as not good enough. So have lads that left recently so why then think we could use them. Moncur has been assessed as more useful in the short term than mcgeeghan. People might not agree. I might not agree but that's the managers assessment so we have to use the players he believes are up to it. We have enough central midfielders including 3 for this weekend which is only one match. After that gardner and then match after Williams will be back. That's ample central midfielders especially if more are coming.
Be interesting. I'd still want us to stick to a specific game plan and if that means sticking someone in a position to do the job for the day rather than changing it to suit, I'd preferably do that. Davies Cavare Pinnock Lindsay Yiadom Potts Mallan Isgrove (if fit) Moncur Hammill Thiam Looking at that, we do need someone who can play as a Joe Williams or Gary Gardner for the day to slot next to Potts or Mallan. I'd like to see Moncur start in a role just off Thiam.
I'm hoping we bring somebody in B4 saturday, or we can write **** over it. Neither Potts, Mallan or Moncur can put in a tackle. Playing a player out of position not a great option, but may be better than going with those 3 in midfield.
This is what I was thinking. Circumstances mean we are a little thin in numbers for Saturday but I don't think our transfer policy can be based around Aston Villa away.
Fingers crossed Isgrove is fit otherwise we could see the spectacle of Potts "on the wing",not something anyone should be subjected to imho.
I’d go with :- Davies Cavare — Pinnock — Lindsay — Yiadom Potts — Pearson — Mallan Thiam — Moore — Hammill Subs: Townsend, McCarthy, Fryers, Moncur, Wardle, Bradshaw, Brown