So the Austrian 'Wunderkind' is not even on the bench then. Has he got his international clearance yet? If he arrived "match fit" then if he has to sit out several games will he then have to 'get up to speed'. I have never understood the contradiction from managers in football when, on the one hand, they say that fitness on the training field is one thing but it is a step up to match fitness which you can only get from playing in the 1st team and then switch round players every other game like Mallan so that they don't get a decent run of games to get match fit. I know squad rotation is the thing these days but I just don't get that contradiction. Can someone explain who understands the modern game?
Disappointed to see two defensive midfielders in his selection, i.e. Gardner and Williams. Hope I'm proved wrong.
Straight 4-4-2 no messing about, wingers getting in behind and get balls into the box, work hard together when not got the ball. It's a simple game, nowt fancy get at em from 1st whistle to the last. Proper Oakwell team performance, I'm confident today.
My thoughts exactly Vesp, 2 lads to win ball back and recycle situations on edge of box. Keep em pinned down and with 2 up top sniffing it will keep the massives on their toes.
With it being a derby & playing 2 out and out wingers & two up front I'd have gone with those two in the middle. Mallan or Moncur can be introduced later if we are chasing the game, or pushing for a winner in the last twenty.
If we can mix up our balls into the box, whip em in early occasionally it'll give the full backs nightmares. Not seen that enough of that, more chance of drawing em out to get down the line and then in behind. We're always better when our wingers are given free roles to terrorise and express themselves.
Also disappointed to see Mallan on the bench as we'll now be relying on Gardner to link with the two up front and I feel Mallan's passing and vision is just a bit better, otherwise we'll see at least one of the strikers dropping back into midfield to get the ball. Hopefully Izzy and Hammill can spread some terror out wide and the fullbacks can overlap effectively. Plenty of attacking off the bench if it doesn't work. COYR!
Not what I would have gone for. At least it's square pegs in square holes. Let's see..... Really want this to work. 3 points for us please and drag them into the mix. Will Harsley have been there last week ?
