Pope
Long - Tarkowski - Mee
Bardsley-Cork-Hendrick-Westwood-Taylor
Rodriguez-Wood
Ideal formation - if we go a goal down, bring on the wingers for the full-backs.....

Assuming everyone is fit barring those we know won't make it

Pope
Bardsley Tarks Mee Taylor
Hendrick Westwood Cork McNeil
JRod Wood

I think you have more chance of seeing your formation on the pitch than mine, Goobs !!

MT03ALG wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 10, 2020 1:24 pm

I think you have more chance of seeing your formation on the pitch than mine, Goobs !!

For which we should be very thankful

Now now Tony, it's time we modernised to a 3-5-2 !!

MT03ALG wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 10, 2020 1:15 pm

Pope
Long - Tarkowski - Mee
Bardsley-Cork-Hendrick-Westwood-Taylor
Rodriguez-Wood
Ideal formation - if we go a goal down, bring on the wingers for the full-backs.....

The 3rd minute seems rather early to make 2 substitutions

And it's time we brought back Rouwen Hennings and signed Maximilian Philipp and Vincenzo Grifo - you know my preference for German (Italian) players !!

Personally would like to see us try with 3 at the back also

.........................pope

.................Tarks - Mee - Gibson

Bardsley - Hendrick - Cork - Westwood - Taylor

........................McNeil

........................Wood

5-3- 1-1/ 3-5-1-1 depending on out/in possession. Lennon maybe for Bardsley, but prob best to go defensive.

McNeil as no 10.

I suppose we went 5 at the back at Arsenal and Spurs last season, but I'd rather we didn't try it again.

If Jay is fit, then it's Goobs' team for me. If Jay is not fit, then its a 4-4-1-1 with Lennon coming in on the right, Hendrick switching to the left, and McNeil playing in behind Wood.

If we are playing 3 at the back we need a right wing back. Neither Bardsley nor Lowton can play that role. Lennon and Brady are both too lightweight and offer nothing defensively and JBG is injured. Again. The only variation we may see, if any, would be a 4-5-1 to try and bolster the midfield.

claretspice wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 10, 2020 1:56 pm

I suppose we went 5 at the back at Arsenal and Spurs last season, but I'd rather we didn't try it again.

If Jay is fit, then it's Goobs' team for me. If Jay is not fit, then its a 4-4-1-1 with Lennon coming in on the right, Hendrick switching to the left, and McNeil playing in behind Wood.

If Jay isn't fit then I think Hendrick will play in the 10 role with Lennon on the right. More defensive than swapping McNeil in there.

Then if we need to go at them later on we can either bring on Vydra for Hendrick or Bring on Brady for Hendrick and put him on the left with McNeil through the centre.

With Bardsley likely to play, that rules out 3-5-2 for me. He's not a wing-back and against a side like Chelsea, it would be suicide.

Away to one of the best sides in the league justifies 5 in midfield, although there's nobody who can play the lone role good enough IMO. The nearest we'll have is Jay and I can't see him doing much against Chelsea's defence on his own.

I'd start with Jay and Wood and have Jay dropping back towards midfield when we don't have the ball. Ultimately, It's going to be a hell of a tough game, regardless of formation and who starts, but I think the above is the best option.

Either Hendrick or Lennon to start on the right. Lennon is playing well, so wouldn't mind if he was given the nod.

Pope
Bardsley Tarks Mee Taylor
Lennon Westwood Cork McNeil
JRod
Wood

This also allows Jay and McNeil to interchange throughout the game.

Pope
Lowton - tarks - mee - pieters
Westwood - cork
Hendrick - o'Neill - Taylor
Wood

Predictive text - McNeil

FactualFrank wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 10, 2020 2:16 pm

With Bardsley likely to play, that rules out 3-5-2 for me. He's not a wing-back and against a side like Chelsea, it would be suicide.

Away to one of the best sides in the league justifies 5 in midfield, although there's nobody who can play the lone role good enough IMO. The nearest we'll have is Jay and I can't see him doing much against Chelsea's defence on his own.

I'd start with Jay and Wood and have Jay dropping back towards midfield when we don't have the ball. Ultimately, It's going to be a hell of a tough game, regardless of formation and who starts, but I think the above is the best option.

Either Hendrick or Lennon to start on the right. Lennon is playing well, so wouldn't mind if he was given the nod.

Pope
Bardsley Tarks Mee Taylor
Lennon Westwood Cork McNeil
JRod
Wood

This also allows Jay and McNeil to interchange throughout the game.

In fairness, Wood was very successful as the lone striker when we went with 1 up front two seasons ago. Played the role a lot, and did so for Leeds too.

With Rodriguez or McNeil in particular able to link between the front man and midfield, I think he's a pretty good model for a lone striker.

Goobs wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 10, 2020 1:22 pm

Assuming everyone is fit barring those we know won't make it

Pope
Bardsley Tarks Mee Taylor
Hendrick Westwood Cork McNeil
JRod Wood

No point even guessing.

It's absolutely nailed on to be this, unless Bardsley is still ill and then Lowton will be back....

Goobs wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 10, 2020 2:03 pm

If Jay isn't fit then I think Hendrick will play in the 10 role with Lennon on the right. More defensive than swapping McNeil in there.

Then if we need to go at them later on we can either bring on Vydra for Hendrick or Bring on Brady for Hendrick and put him on the left with McNeil through the centre.

You can debate what the more defensive set up is, I think. If you accept that any 4-5-1 we play is more 4-4-1-1 than 4-3-3, then the defensive strength comes from that line of four, and Hendrick does a better job defensively on the flank for me than McNeil (who has been caught out plenty of times on the road this season - Spurs' first two goals came down his side, as did both goals at Leicester, for example).

On the other hand, Hendrick presses really well from that 10 role, probably better than McNeil might.

claretspice wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 10, 2020 4:21 pm

You can debate what the more defensive set up is, I think. If you accept that any 4-5-1 we play is more 4-4-1-1 than 4-3-3, then the defensive strength comes from that line of four, and Hendrick does a better job defensively on the flank for me than McNeil (who has been caught out plenty of times on the road this season - Spurs' first two goals came down his side, as did both goals at Leicester, for example).

On the other hand, Hendrick presses really well from that 10 role, probably better than McNeil might.

Yeah that's true, but I think the main difference would be McNeil offers so much more out wide in comparison to Jeff which would ultimately decide on what we would do.

Pugh,Pugh,Barney McGrew,Cuthbert,Dibble , Grubb, Cork,Long ,Hendrick,Wood, McNeil.

For all the talk of how Hendrick is better defensively tucking in on the right there wasn't much evidence of that in the United game. The young lad Williams was basically allowed the freedom to do whatever he wanted down that side, Bardsley got no help whatsoever.

Goobs wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 10, 2020 4:33 pm

Yeah that's true, but I think the main difference would be McNeil offers so much more out wide in comparison to Jeff which would ultimately decide on what we would do.

He does, but away from home the job is primarily defensive. In fact, when this isn't true - we're more vulnerable, like at Spurs where the first two goals came from us being suckered with the bank of four broken by the fact that McNeil was further up the pitch. I made this argument before Everton away; he played on the left and spent 85 minutes of the match in his own half.

Nothing to say you can't invite your most advanced midfielder to move into the space behind the right back (or left back) to exploit the counter attacking opportunity, and it's a hardly a revolutionary idea. One of the arguments for playing him centrally, particularly away, is that it enables him to peel to whatever side the space, or simply drive down the middle, is when we do get an opportunity to counter attack.

His ability to retain possession is another bonus of having him in the centre, and he's played enough football in the centre of midfield growing up to know the defensive role that comes with it.

I thought wood had a tight hamstring? Surely if he has he can't be risked

Safron wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 10, 2020 4:41 pm

I thought wood had a tight hamstring? Surely if he has he can't be risked

If so, I expect it will be:

Pope
Bardsley Tarks Mee Taylor
Lennon Hendrick Westwood Cork McNeil
Jay

4-5-1/4-4-1-1

jrgbfc wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 10, 2020 4:38 pm

For all the talk of how Hendrick is better defensively tucking in on the right there wasn't much evidence of that in the United game. The young lad Williams was basically allowed the freedom to do whatever he wanted down that side, Bardsley got no help whatsoever.

Not really true. The issue we had that night was that with Barnes not really able to track defensively, Cork and Westwood needed help centrally, which was forcing Hendrick to make a decision. At times Maguire was stepping into midfield and Rashford was dropping into the hole, in addition to the midfield 3 United started with against our two. Rightly, we took the view that we were better off conceding space on the outside than allowing Perrera and Rashford the opportunity to overload and run straight at our centre backs.

Why is nobody selecting vydra? Thought everyone was crying out for the lad to be given a chance to start

claretspice wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 10, 2020 4:10 pm

In fairness, Wood was very successful as the lone striker when we went with 1 up front two seasons ago. Played the role a lot, and did so for Leeds too.

With Rodriguez or McNeil in particular able to link between the front man and midfield, I think he's a pretty good model for a lone striker.

In recent times I would suggest Wood has been less than impressive up front on his own.

dougcollins wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 10, 2020 6:04 pm

In recent times I would suggest Wood has been less than impressive up front on his own.

I agree. And there's a big difference between starting up top on your own in the Championship, as opposed to the likes of Chelsea. Which is why I'd have Jay helping back in midfield but also supporting Wood, so he wouldn't be on his own.

What’s wrong with long upfront on his own that’s what I would go for start with a point see where it takes us utc

Gudmundsson out for week, Lennon and Brady not up the scratch.

We need a new right midfielder, now.

Safron wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 10, 2020 5:01 pm

Why is nobody selecting vydra? Thought everyone was crying out for the lad to be given a chance to start

I suppose people are trying to have a realistic guess at the starting 11

SGr wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 10, 2020 7:51 pm

Gudmundsson out for week, Lennon and Brady not up the scratch.

We need a new right midfielder, now.

And right back
And Central midfielder

Now

Pope
Lowton Tarkowski Mee Taylor
Hendrick Westwood Cork Rodriguez
McNeil
Wood

Jay rod and McNeil fluid and changing between them throughout.

Assuming Jay and Bards miss out:

Pope
Lowton
Mee
Tarkowski
Taylor
Lennon
Cork
Westwood
Brady
McNeil
Wood

If we play two holding midfielders with McNeil in the #10 I think we could cause them problems on the break. Wood will have a tough job up top on his own though so I think we'd need to mix it up more than normal.

Chance for Vydra to get on the field in the seco d half two with the injuries to Jay and Barnes.

Jay is definitely out - ill

nyclaret wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 11, 2020 9:27 am

Jay is definitely out - ill

4-5-1 then.

......................Pope..........................
............Long................Mee............
..Bards.............Tarks...............Taylor..
.........Cork.......................Westy.....
...............Jay..........Mcneil............
.....................Wood........................


JBG for Bards when fit
Barnes or Wood when Barnes fit
If Jay is ill then Hendrick
Half hour at least for Vydra if behind
If no Wood Vydra

......................Pope..........................
............Long................Mee............
..Bards.............Tarks...............Taylor..
.........Cork.......................Westy.....
...............Jeff.........Mcneil............
.....................Vydra.....

Time to stop tucking the Full backs in
Time for an extra Central Defender
Time to let Tarks push and play with cover behind
3rd CB allows Tarks to plug the gap between defence and midfield
Time to pack midfield as overrun
Time to free up Dwight plus allows Taylor space to bomb up
Time to play all footballers that take it to feet and want the ball Jay & JBG
Time for some pace Vydra
Time for more than one ‘too predictable’ Framework

nyclaret wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 11, 2020 9:27 am

Jay is definitely out - ill

The way Dyche was talking I guessed Jay wouldn't make it. Proper flu he described it as, rather than man-flu.

Pope
Lowton Tarkowski Mee Taylor
Bardsley
Gudmundsson Westwood Barnes
McNeil
Wood

HiroshimaClaret wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 11, 2020 10:46 am

Pope
Lowton Tarkowski Mee Taylor
Bardsley
Gudmundsson Westwood Barnes
McNeil
Wood

JBG is out.

With Jay now seemingly out...

Pope
Bardsley Tarks Mee Taylor
Lennon Westwood Cork McNeil
Hendrick
Wood*

*If Wood is fit to start.

Hendrick can drop back into midfield when we don't have the ball and make it a 4-5-1.

McNeil behind Wood would be interesting, but Brady isn't exactly pulling up any trees to warrant starting on the left.

An alternative...

Pope
Bardsley Tarks Mee Taylor
Hendrick Westwood Cork Lennon
McNeil
Wood

Safron wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 10, 2020 4:41 pm

I thought wood had a tight hamstring? Surely if he has he can't be risked

Doesn’t seem to matter lately bearing in mind Barnes had been carrying an injury for weeks , just wait till it gets to the stage where the players out for the rest of the season

FactualFrank wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 11, 2020 10:48 am

JBG is out.

Hendrick then

I'd like to see Gibson as a holding midfield player in front of Tarks and Mee. This would allow Lennon and McNeil a little more attacking freedom.

So it's a 4-1-4-1 formation for today's game:

Bardsley Tarks Mee Taylor
...............Gibson
Lennon Westwood Cork McNeil
................Wood

I think Gibson is still 'injured'.

So we have Tarkowski, Gibson and Bardsley as a DM in three different line ups

RVclaret wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 11, 2020 11:56 am

So we have Tarkowski, Gibson and Bardsley as a DM in three different line ups

And what's even more surprising - Long has yet to be suggested there!

Pope
Bardsley Long Mee Pieters
Lowton Tarkowski Gibson Taylor
McNeil
Wood

Sub McNeil for Hart when we go 2-0 down, pump it up to him for flick ons.

Hagerty F;
Hagerty R, Tompkins;
Noble, Carrick, Robson;
Crapper, Dewhurst, McIntyre, Treadmore, Davitt