Firstly, id like to say congratulations to the Reds for the fine win on Saturday. It wasn't a memorable performance by any means (actually i want to forget it rather quickly) but the main thing was getting the 3 points, with 4 new players entering the team, the squad was never going to play a fluent game of football, but as time goes on im confident this will become alot better as the players brought in are all solid footballers who i believe can add alot to the team. Nerves played there part but we got the win, now onto tonight... I really felt for Leon Knight on Saturday, at 5ft4 the guy isnt going to win alot in the air (surprisingly he did win a few headers against De Vos) yet time and time again the Barnsley backline did nothing but pump high ball after high ball upto him. What could he do? He chased down lost cause after lost cause champion-style, but if we are going to get the best out of him, we need to get the ball into his feet and get him running at defenders and/or onto through balls. That's where he has truly shined in the past. We now have a solid midfield in my opinion, both McCann and Howard are brilliant playmakers for this division, both equally capable of chipping in with 10+ goals a season. Wallwork and Togwell are tough tackling hard men who will work their socks off and in young Reid we have a nifty winger to step into the shoes of McIndoe. I like Nardiello and i would like to see him given a extended run into the team, but i think Hayes or Richards would be a better partner for Knight. That's just my opinion. Lets get behind the reds tonight and saturday. COME ON!!
Agreed. If Togwell/Wallork are our midfield, then there's no point in playing Nardiello as it will be long ball after long ball. If Howard plays alongside one of the above, then Nardiello should start alongside Knight, as Lager Brian has the ability to play passes where Kinght/Nardy want it. Richards struggles to reach Howard's wavelength at times. If McCann is injured, then Reid should start ont left, if McCann plays, i'd still want Reid to start, which means that Hayes has to go. Defence looks ok with Wallwork protecting it. So depending on Hassell's fitness, he or Austin start. Summary: If Midfield is Wallwork/Togwell, then it has to be Knight/Richards up top. If midfield is Howard and Wallwork or Howard and Togwell, then Knight/Nardy play. I'd prefer Bri to play though.
