Phillips is a difficult call. He goes through vast periods of doing nothing but will then suddenly score or assist. Id keep Phillips as a wild card though can see why you’d feel differently. I struggle to see a midfield with both Kane and Benson in working effectively. Too similar with the same weaknesses and strengths.
Benny Bloom is predicting we'll just edge it, and meet the Fowls in the Final at Wembley. Well that's good to hear, but we've got to step up now, we can't be treating these games half heartedly anymore. Mads should be back, and that's an interesting suggestion of dropping Cole, and bringing in Watters.
I think the team picks itself. Long term I think we should start looking at Benson as a right wing back, his delivery yesterday was brilliant
It's a worry the goals are drying up for our attackers. Cole hasn't scored in four. Norwood has one in five. Tedic hasn't scored in three games. Watters has two goals in his last nine matches. We've also let in nine goals in just three games. We have been running out of steam for the past month. I just hope they can find their old form and fast.
Just had a look at the teams from the two league games against Bolton, where we failed to score in either. And he was a late sub in the away game, and didn’t feature at all at home. Given Bolton’s defensive record, his ability from range and the number of assists he has as well means he’ll be an important player for the tie. He’ll need to do more to support his wing back in defence though. Cole is a dilemma. Not scored in his last 4, and only scored 2 away from home all season. On the flip side, him and Norwood is our best overall partnership. Think it will be Norwood and Cole starting, but I’d have no complaints if Tedic came in for Cole
No denying that Cole and Phillips have had very good seasons. Just making the point that neither are in good form at the moment. Bolton are a very physical side and Watters might just be a better starting option in my opinion.
Remember little Lee saying that's why he didn't like 3-5-2. The fact you get done by the ball over the pressing wingbacks gets you every time.
But his overall play when he came on was extremely disappointing. Never really got into the game and to be honest it would have been easy to forget he'd come on. To be fair that's the case for pretty much all of the subs who didn't exactly earn their wages again
There's a vulnerability with every formation. Can get in behind wing backs, can be overrun in midfield if you play 4-4-2, can leave full backs exposed if you play 4-3-3 and so on. That's where Val was so good. He had a plan to both prevent the vulnerability being exposed but also deal with it when it was. Of course, it didn't always work, but it did more often than not. Duff has to figure out the plan for that ball over the top, because Bolton will play it over and over again, like they did at Oakwell. Corners need sorting as well.
Cole has looked lightweight and powder puff all season, yesterday Williams, Kane and Phillips were woeful especially Kane he kept giving the ball away. Whoever Duff picks will have to turn up irrespective of form in the last few games, I also expect Mads too start.
Not quite sure about some of your facts , Norwood scored 2 at MK last week ,gherefore 2 in 5 , so did Watters therefore Watters has 2 in 2 not 2 in 9 and came off the bench in these games so has not had a lot of game time .
