We have to keep trying until it's confirmed we are relegated so based on the last few games, performances and comments taken on board from this forum the team has to be a 4123 Walton Cavare Jackson Pinnock Yiadom Gardner Potts Moncur Mahoney Mcburnie hammill Have I got it right?
Goalkeeper - I think Walton has to start, our other goalkeepers have pretty much been costing us a goal per game. If the coaching team don't think he's better or can offer more than Davies on current form then he may as well pack in because he will never make it. Defence - So long as Matt Mills is nowhere near the mach day squad then I will be happy. If Jackson is fit then he slots straight back in, if not then we go with Pinnock. I wouldn't start Cavare (because the silly sod would probably go and get himself sent off) but keep Yiadom at RB and Fryers at LB (I've been very critical of Fryers but according to a nunber of people he had a decent game yesterday so would leave the full backs alone). Agree with your midfield three of Gardner, Potts and Moncur although we know the latter will be knackered after 55/60 minutes! Up top I'm not sure whether we should give Moore a start, I think he will cause their defence problems but will his confidence be shot after yesterday's horror miss? Prior to that he'd also missed a few other really good chances. I'd probably go with what you've suggested tbh as Mahoney seemed to have a decent game with Moore to come on in the 2nd half.
Same as last time there please: Adam Davies James Bree Adam Jackson Angus MacDonald Andy Yiadom Adam Hammill Conor Hourihane Josh Scowen Ryan Kent Tom Bradshaw Ryan Williams
Wasn’t at the game yesterday so based on the last few matches I’ve seen I’d go with Davies - We need the experience at this point in the season. McCarthy-One of our best players first half of season. Seems to have been forgotten about. Jackson (if fit)- Best CB this season. Solid. If not fit then mills. Pinnock- absolutely fantastic before injury. Solid defender and can score. Lindsay needs a rest. Yiadom- From what I’ve seen, fryers has been terrible. Yids flexible enough to move to left back Gardner- Our only recognisable def mid at the club. Potts- his hard work will get him somewhere. Moncur- Knackered after 60 but our most creative player Hammill- I don’t get all the critism. Along with Moncur he can set things up and provide that special something. Moore- Havent seen his miss from yesterday but been our best player last few matches. No reason to be dropped yesterday. McBurnie- Always take mcburnie with you, he will score you goals (even from the left wing) Subs: Walton, Fryers, Lindsay, Mallan, Knasmüllner,Isgrove, Bradshaw
The team I picked tried to get mcburnie central and if Moore or Bradshaw plays that means mcb is pushed wide unless you play 442 then we don't have a strong enough central midfield 2 that's the problem really.
Wouldn’t play Walton at this stage especially with our defence ,his first team experience could shatter him for life playing behind them . Maybe next season try him out in a couple of early games but we need an experienced keeper (come on Luke )
I'd agree with this. I think Yiadom plays the left back role very well for a right footer, and whilst McCarthy isn't great a tacking (standard issue amongst our defence of late) he does like to get forward, with pace, overlapping or assisting Hammill. So him and Yids would make us more attacking from the back, it could be a gamble that backfires, but we have to throw everything at Forest. More worrying is, that we still have to have threads like this at this stage of the season. Just goes to show that we have gone almost a full season without a starting XI that effectively picks itself. We're not talking little tweaks, but personnel and formation changes game after game.
Is Jackson definitely out? If not, I'd go with him at centre back and Pinnock, who is left-footed and reasonably quick, at left-back.If he is out Pinnock to centre back and Pearson is probably the least of about half a dozen evils at left back as he can at least defend and he played there when we beat Forest at home. I'll offer my services to play with Gardner in the middle as I'm fitter, faster and can play a pass quicker than Moncur and am more skilful and agile than Potts. Failing that Hamill did reasonably well there yesterday and offers much more heart, drive, skill, pace, tackling and forward passing than either of the sloth twins. Mahoney showed enough when he was on the wing yesterday to merit another go there for me over the wretched Isgrove and Hedges could go on the other side. 4-4-1-1 with Oli central behind/with Moore.
Although forest are well clear and have won 6 more games than us, I see they've lost more than us. Maybe a bit of something in it for us, but we have to go and throw caution to the wind.