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Post by Paul Spencer on Aug 28, 2014 10:08:46 GMT
I would be sorely tempted to include Adam in there, which would also mean including Walters, which would mean this team: Bego Bardsley Ryan Huth Pieters Whelan Adam Walters Moses Diouf Arnie Plenty of pace on the break and steel throughout the side. I don't see any problem with bringing back the Adam/Walters combo that proved to be successful last season.
It's a toss up it isn't MD?
Play Adam and you have to play Walters in the hole, which means losing Bojan.
For me it's your eleven, or you replace Walters and Adam with like for like swaps of Bojan and N-Zonzi, I really don't know which one I'd go with, probably the latter.
I'd really like to go with Moses and Odemwingine on the flanks but Odemwingie was really poor last night against a poor 4th tier side, so I guess Arnie (even though he has been poor himself this campaign) would keep his place.
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Post by Olgrligm on Aug 28, 2014 10:26:20 GMT
I would be sorely tempted to include Adam in there, which would also mean including Walters, which would mean this team: Bego Bardsley Ryan Huth Pieters Whelan Adam Walters Moses Diouf Arnie Plenty of pace on the break and steel throughout the side. I don't see any problem with bringing back the Adam/Walters combo that proved to be successful last season.
It's a toss up it isn't MD?
Play Adam and you have to play Walters in the hole, which means losing Bojan.
For me it's your eleven, or you replace Walters and Adam with like for like swaps of Bojan and N-Zonzi, I really don't know which one I'd go with, probably the latter.
I'd really like to go with Moses and Odemwingine on the flanks but Odemwingie was really poor last night against a poor 4th tier side, so I guess Arnie (even though he has been poor himself this campaign) would keep his place.
I'd forgotten about N'Zonzi and I find it very difficult to leave out a player of his quality. It's a real dilemma and I don't envy Hughes at all. I'm not sure I'd fancy Bojan for this one, it's going to be all hands on deck and I don't know if he's quite ready for that yet. I think I'd prefer to have a hard working midfield with one creative player and a ton of pace in the front three. That's without even getting into the Huth/Wilson debate!
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Aug 28, 2014 10:29:32 GMT
This is a tricky one. Very much depends on MH's mindset on whether he really believes we can get anything out of this.
Back 5 picks itself. Whelan will surely start if fit in a compact midfield. I also assume Ireland won't be fit.
I don't think MH will make wholesale changes, so it's the odd tweak.
Bego
Bardsley Ryan Wilson Pieters
Whelan Sidwell
N'Zonzi
Wingie Diouf Arnie
I'm assuming Victor will be deemed to need more fitness, but he might surprise me and play Charlie instead of Sidwell to hit our runners on the break, with N'Zonzi dropping in alongside Whelan.
They are so patient and so good at working space when men get behind the ball, I can't see anything but a defeat by at least 2. No disgrace to get beat by that amount of talent though.
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Post by cheekymatt71 on Aug 28, 2014 10:39:40 GMT
Bego Bardsley Shawcross Huth Muniesa
Whelan Adam
Wingie Walters Moses
Bojan
Bojan has the pace and skill to play on the break. Walters can do some of the holding up work and dropping into midfield to cover Adam. Wingie and Moses for more pace. Its asking a lot of Bojan for sure but could spring a surprise on the Man City defense who will be expecting us to lump it forward to Crouch/Diouf
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Post by wickerman on Aug 28, 2014 10:41:08 GMT
Why not? He did well tonight! Wilson been at fault for 2 goals we conceded in prem! His fitness stats are way off at the moment he will be coaxed back surely Are these the same ones that said he is a stone over his playing weight ?
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Post by Paul Spencer on Aug 28, 2014 10:44:07 GMT
Bego Bardsley Shawcross Huth Muniesa Whelan Adam Wingie Walters Moses Bojan Bojan has the pace and skill to play on the break. Walters can do some of the holding up work and dropping into midfield to cover Adam. Wingie and Moses for more pace. Its asking a lot of Bojan for sure but could spring a surprise on the Man City defense who will be expecting us to lump it forward to Crouch/Diouf
Yeah I nearly mentioned this as a possibility earlier, it's a really, really interesting option isn't it and I guess it's the only way you would ever see Adam and Bojan in the same starting XI.
I really can't see Hughes not starting Diouf though, especially after not giving him any pitch time at all last night.
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Post by Pugsley on Aug 28, 2014 10:48:55 GMT
Walters? Some people are clueless. Despite scoring two goals, bar Odemwingie, he was our worst player.
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Post by Paul Spencer on Aug 28, 2014 10:53:18 GMT
Walters? Some people are clueless. Despite scoring two goals, bar Odemwingie, he was our worst player. I think it's an unfortunate trade-off in getting Adam into the team Pugs.
I can't see how else you would do it and maintain a 4-2-3-1. N'Zonzi playing in the hole would leave Diouf too isolated imo.
Having said that, I don't think it's probably a trade-off that's worth it.
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Post by wearepremierleague on Aug 28, 2014 10:58:58 GMT
Bego Cameron if fit, Shawcross Huth Pieters Whelan Zonz Odemwingie Adam Arnie Walters
Diouf has failed to hold the ball up once so far, the striker needs to do it at man city or we will get stuffed.
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Post by cheekymatt71 on Aug 28, 2014 11:10:22 GMT
Bego Bardsley Shawcross Huth Muniesa Whelan Adam Wingie Walters Moses Bojan Bojan has the pace and skill to play on the break. Walters can do some of the holding up work and dropping into midfield to cover Adam. Wingie and Moses for more pace. Its asking a lot of Bojan for sure but could spring a surprise on the Man City defense who will be expecting us to lump it forward to Crouch/Diouf
Yeah I nearly mentioned this as a possibility earlier, it's a really, really interesting option isn't it and I guess it's the only way you would ever see Adam and Bojan in the same starting XI.
I really can't see Hughes not starting Diouf though, especially after not giving him any pitch time at all last night.
Agree its probably not the right game to trial this experiment! Bojan might end up a passenger we can ill afford. But maybe worth thinking about in the future.
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Post by nantwichstokie on Aug 28, 2014 11:14:46 GMT
Bego Bardsley Pieters Shawcross Wilson
N'Zonzi Sidwell Adam
Moses Odenwingie
Diouf
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Post by lostinafrenchbar on Aug 28, 2014 11:19:06 GMT
Walters, because he pisses Citeh off.
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Post by slother on Aug 28, 2014 12:06:23 GMT
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Post by willywonga16 on Aug 28, 2014 12:21:01 GMT
SJW has just cemented a place in the starting 11. 2 goals and an assist in one game. That is more than the tip tap lightweights have managed between them in two matches. Could you see any of our other forwards throwing themselves into the boots and fists to nab that first goal? We played Portsmouth pal, get a grip...
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Post by timbo1988 on Aug 28, 2014 12:21:12 GMT
Those 3 in midfield are too attacking. Who is going to be the holding midfielder? Bojan is not strong enough to play the lone central striker. No defenders on the bench.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2014 12:29:53 GMT
........Bego........
Bards..Ryan..Huth...Erik.
......Fonzy...Sidwell......
Moses....Bojan.....Arnie
.........Diouf..........
Thats what I expect the team to be.
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Post by trickydicky73 on Aug 28, 2014 12:34:02 GMT
If we are going to keep Diouf in the side he needs support. As others have said his best form has been in a front 2, so we either drop him or put someone with him.
I think this dilemma makes team selection very difficult for this match. We have to be solid yet retain the ability to hurt Citeh on the break which rules Crouch out. I think Moses has to play because he could provide Diouf with the quality service he needs.
I would like to see Muniesa involved but Hughes seems pretty set on Pieters. The thing I notice is that virtually all the posters' sides look decent. I have yet to see one that has made me grimace!
What to do with regards to Diouf is the key in my opinion.
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Post by slother on Aug 28, 2014 12:37:24 GMT
Those 3 in midfield are too attacking. Who is going to be the holding midfielder? Bojan is not strong enough to play the lone central striker. No defenders on the bench. Nzonzi is the holding midfielder. Adam and Ireland both capable of passing at range in front of the back four. No one is strong enough to play vs Man City centrebacks. We need pace and movement to stand a chance, and a forward line capable of hitting on the break. Wilson is on the bench. I would maybe sway Sidwell for Ireland but Ireland wants a start, I think.
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Post by Paul Spencer on Aug 28, 2014 12:38:45 GMT
If we are going to keep Diouf in the side he needs support. As others have said his best form has been in a front 2, so we either drop him or put someone with him. I think this dilemma makes team selection very difficult for this match. We have to be solid yet retain the ability to hurt Citeh on the break which rules Crouch out. I think Moses has to play because he could provide Diouf with the quality service he needs. I would like to see Muniesa involved but Hughes seems pretty set on Pieters. The thing I notice is that virtually all the posters' sides look decent. I have yet to see one that has made me grimace! What to do with regards to Diouf is the key in my opinion.
I think the man in the hole has to get a lot closer to him, that's why he looked so isolated against Hull.
We haven't seen Bojan play behind Diouf yet and ultimately I think it's going to be the way to go, it was such as shame that Diouf was stuck out on the left wing on Sunday, whilst Bojan was our best player in the second half.
I agree that Crouch would make no sense whatsoever against Citeh.
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Post by thestatusquo on Aug 28, 2014 12:54:39 GMT
If we are going to keep Diouf in the side he needs support. As others have said his best form has been in a front 2, so we either drop him or put someone with him. I think this dilemma makes team selection very difficult for this match. We have to be solid yet retain the ability to hurt Citeh on the break which rules Crouch out. I think Moses has to play because he could provide Diouf with the quality service he needs. I would like to see Muniesa involved but Hughes seems pretty set on Pieters. The thing I notice is that virtually all the posters' sides look decent. I have yet to see one that has made me grimace! What to do with regards to Diouf is the key in my opinion.
I think the man in the hole has to get a lot closer to him, that's why he looked so isolated against Hull.
We haven't seen Bojan play behind Diouf yet and ultimately I think it's going to be the way to go, it was such as shame that Diouf was stuck out on the left wing on Sunday, whilst Bojan was our best player in the second half.
I agree that Crouch would make no sense whatsoever against Citeh.
I was at the COM when Spurs beat Man City to grab the CL spot a few seasons ago. They couldn't handle Crouch at all. He was the focal point of all the attacks as everything went through him with three players breaking off his lay offs. I think he scored the winner if memory serves off a move that started with a ball in to him.
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Post by StokieAsh13 on Aug 28, 2014 12:55:37 GMT
Bego
Gcam (if not injured) Ryan Muniesa Pieters
Adam Nzonzi
Odemwingie Arnautovic Moses
Diouf
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Post by sheikhmomo on Aug 28, 2014 13:01:28 GMT
Picking Diouf in a 4231 whatever the rest of the personnel is basically settling for a chance free nil as our contribution.
Saturday would seem to me to be an ideal, no eyebrows raised whatever the score, game in which to experiment.
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Post by Block 22 on Aug 28, 2014 13:07:12 GMT
So, John Walters scored two tap-ins against very poor opposition and he's the next Ronaldo? Sorry, no he's not. Bojan and Adam must start for me.
Bego
Pieters Wilson Shawcross Bards
Adam Nzonzi
Moses Bojan Arnie
Diouf
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Post by trickydicky73 on Aug 28, 2014 13:07:31 GMT
Picking Diouf in a 4231 whatever the rest of the personnel is basically settling for a chance free nil as our contribution. Saturday would seem to me to be an idea, no eyebrows raised whatever the score, game in which to experiment. What would you do, Momo? Play him in a 2 or drop him?
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Post by sheikhmomo on Aug 28, 2014 13:12:28 GMT
Picking Diouf in a 4231 whatever the rest of the personnel is basically settling for a chance free nil as our contribution. Saturday would seem to me to be an idea, no eyebrows raised whatever the score, game in which to experiment. What would you do, Momo? Play him in a 2 or drop him? Not that fussed as long as its one or the other trick. Change the system or drop him, the alternative stinks. On the basis that I don't think Hughes will change the system I'd drop him but I have a horrible feeling we are going to be banging our head on the same brick wall for an hour or so again on Saturday.
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Post by nott1 on Aug 28, 2014 13:14:47 GMT
I think the man in the hole has to get a lot closer to him, that's why he looked so isolated against Hull.
We haven't seen Bojan play behind Diouf yet and ultimately I think it's going to be the way to go, it was such as shame that Diouf was stuck out on the left wing on Sunday, whilst Bojan was our best player in the second half.
I agree that Crouch would make no sense whatsoever against Citeh.
I was at the COM when Spurs beat Man City to grab the CL spot a few seasons ago. They couldn't handle Crouch at all. He was the focal point of all the attacks as everything went through him with three players breaking off his lay offs. I think he scored the winner if memory serves off a move that started with a ball in to him. Hasn't their defence changed now?
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Post by thestatusquo on Aug 28, 2014 13:16:14 GMT
Both Kompany and Zabaleta played. I think Lescott played too.
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Post by Paul Spencer on Aug 28, 2014 13:25:10 GMT
What would you do, Momo? Play him in a 2 or drop him? Not that fussed as long as its one or the other trick. Change the system or drop him, the alternative stinks. On the basis that I don't think Hughes will change the system I'd drop him but I have a horrible feeling we are going to be banging our head on the same brick wall for an hour or so again on Saturday.
If you changed the system, so that we played the same system that Liverpool finished with last season (4-3-1-2), with Bojan and Diouf playing in the Suraez and Sturridge roles and Moses given free reign to play behind the front two in the Sterling role, allowing him to pop up on either wing at will, then you couldn't half tick a lot of boxes.
Bojan playing in his favourite position as a striker - tick. Diouf playing as part of a front two as he prefers - tick. Adam playing deep as part of a midfield three (his best position) - tick. You could switch Crouch for either Bojan and Diouf at anytime and he himself wouldn't become isolated - tick.
-----------------Begovic----------------
Bardsley---Shawcross---Huth---Pieters
-----------------Whelan-----------------
-------N'Zonzi-----------Adam----------
-----------------Moses-------------------
-----------Bojan-------Diouf-------------
I can't see Hughes changing formations mind, he appears to be as rigidly attached to 4-2-3-1 as TP was to 4-4-1-1.
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Post by sheikhmomo on Aug 28, 2014 13:32:10 GMT
Not that fussed as long as its one or the other trick. Change the system or drop him, the alternative stinks. On the basis that I don't think Hughes will change the system I'd drop him but I have a horrible feeling we are going to be banging our head on the same brick wall for an hour or so again on Saturday.
If you changed the system, so that we played the same system that Liverpool finished with last season (4-3-1-2), with Bojan and Diouf playing in the Suraez and Sturridge roles and Moses given free reign to play behind the front two in the Sterling role, allowing him to pop up on either wing at will, then you couldn't half tick a lot of boxes.
Bojan playing in his favourite position as a striker - tick. Diouf playing as part of a front two as he prefers - tick. Adam playing deep as part of a midfield three (his best position) - tick. You could switch Crouch for either Bojan and Diouf at anytime and he himself wouldn't become isolated - tick.
-----------------Begovic----------------
Bardsley---Shawcross---Huth---Pieters
-----------------Whelan-----------------
-------N'Zonzi-----------Adam----------
-----------------Moses-------------------
-----------Bojan-------Diouf-------------
I can't see Hughes changing formations mind, he appears to be as rigidly attached to 4-2-3-1 as TP was to 4-4-1-1.
I'd jump at that Paul and as you say it allows different types of player like Crouch to come on and add their own benefits without upsetting the balance too much if at all. I also fear you are spot on in your final sentence though.
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Post by jezzascfc on Aug 28, 2014 13:36:04 GMT
It is a tough one - play Crouch but slow down our counter-attacks, although at least have someone who can hold up the ball and relieve pressure, play Diouf for pace on the break but minimal hold up play and he seems low on confidence, play Bojan up top to surprise them and have no one for them really to mark as he drops deep and links play, or even give Walters a go up top to give us a physical hard-working outlet? And that's just one position.......
One thing Hughes has done in his time here is to pick on form more often than not. It does throw a spanner in the works that some of his first choice for the two games so far have not looked to be firing on all cylinders, whereas the subs have improved us noticeably. Similarly, some of those playing last night did their hopes of a starting spot in the league fairly soon no harm.
We have only one chance to get something from this game - to hit them on the break with pace. They will have most of the possession so we need our most solid defence and Whelan at his best in front of them. I'd start Huth ahead of Wilson, play Bojan in the number 10 spot, Moses ahead of Odemwingie and give Diouf another chance to settle in, but I am not totally committed to this team, and can see how it could easily be argued to try a few other options.
...........Bego........
Bardsley..Shawcross..Huth...Pieters
......N'Zonzi...Whelan......
Moses......Bojan.....Arnie
...........Diouf..........
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