I know, I know. Long way to go and possible new players to join the fray but I'm interested to see what posters ideal lineups will be now Brownhill is suspended.
Cornet may be back if we pray to the Egyptian gods and Salah's pharaohs do the business!!
Taylor should be fit but not certain.
I expect Vydra will go for his hernia operation if Cornet is back.
We may even see Barnes on the bench.

I'll guess Dyche will choose the exact same team again but with Cork instead of Brownhill and Taylor for Pieters.
To be fair I'd like to see Stephens given a chance.

My team:

Pope
Taylor (Pieters)
Mee
Tarkowski
Roberts
McNeil
Westwood
Stephens
Lennon
Rodriguez
Vydra (Cornet)

Looking forward to the game. Roberts is good going forward and should have the chance to shine more in attack against Watford compared to Arsenal. Hopefully Taylor will be back but Pieters is no slouch especially against poorer opposition.
If Vydra's hernia gets too bad and Cornet isn't back then we may be forced to a 451 with Gudmundsson, Stephens or Cork in the same eleven. Not ideal when we need to start scoring.

We don’t know if Roberts was promoted or if Lowton was post-covid. He certainly did his chances no harm regards retaining the RB spot.
Tough choice at LB Taylor better defensively, Pieters far better attacking. They pose a threat with the ball so I’d go Taylor.
4-5-1 for me.

Pope
Roberts..Tarkowski..Mee..Taylor
Lennon..Cork..McNeil..Westwood..JBG
Rodriguez
3 players that can carry the ball against their dodgy defence, surely we can score one.

[*]

minnieclaret wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 25, 2022 8:36 am

We don’t know if Roberts was promoted or if Lowton was post-covid. He certainly did his chances no harm regards retaining the RB spot.
Tough choice at LB Taylor better defensively, Pieters far better attacking. They pose a threat with the ball so I’d go Taylor.
4-5-1 for me.

Pope
Roberts..Tarkowski..Mee..Taylor
Lennon..Cork..McNeil..Westwood..JBG
Rodriguez
3 players that can carry the ball against their dodgy defence, surely we can score one.

In what world is Pieters ‘better attacking’? I don’t understand this point at all. He never ever overlaps or dribbles with the ball. The amount of times Taylor gets us up the pitch through tireless overlapping or dribbling makes him at times our main outlet. He wins so many corners / free kicks and while his crossing isn’t Trippier quality he still creates chances (Wood missed two sitters for example at Leeds from his crosses).

Not having a dig at Pieters who always does fine but he offers nowhere near as much going forward as Taylor.

Pope
Roberts Tarks Mee Pieters
Lennon cork Westwood McNeil
Jay cornet

I agree Pieters offers us more going forward. I think this team gives us the best balance

RVclaret wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 25, 2022 8:40 am

[*]
In what world is Pieters ‘better attacking’? I don’t understand this point at all. He never ever overlaps or dribbles with the ball. The amount of times Taylor gets us up the pitch through tireless overlapping or dribbling makes him at times our main outlet. He wins so many corners / free kicks and while his crossing isn’t Trippier quality he still creates chances (Wood missed two sitters for example at Leeds from his crosses).

Not having a dig at Pieters who always does fine but he offers nowhere near as much going forward as Taylor.

Check out their stats. Pieters has goals and assists, from far fewer games. Taylor charges forward like a headless chicken then….nothing. Taylor also has no right foot, beyond useless, either which grinds my gears.

RVclaret wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 25, 2022 8:40 am

[*]
In what world is Pieters ‘better attacking’? I don’t understand this point at all. He never ever overlaps or dribbles with the ball. The amount of times Taylor gets us up the pitch through tireless overlapping or dribbling makes him at times our main outlet. He wins so many corners / free kicks and while his crossing isn’t Trippier quality he still creates chances (Wood missed two sitters for example at Leeds from his crosses).

Not having a dig at Pieters who always does fine but he offers nowhere near as much going forward as Taylor.

Taylor gets forward a lot but very rarely ever produces. He’s a good defender but every time I watch Pieters play for us I think he offers us more all around.

Taylor - 4 assists in 118 appearances
Pieters - 5 assists in 49 appearances

minnieclaret wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 25, 2022 8:45 am

Check out their stats. Pieters has goals and assists, from far fewer games. Taylor charges forward like a headless chicken then….nothing. Taylor also has no right foot, beyond useless, either which grinds my gears.

Taylor would have assists if players could finish. Meaningless. Plus I watch the game with my eyes and he provides a far greater attacking threat.

‘…Wood missed two sitters for example at Leeds from his crosses…’

…not sitters for Wood!

but agree Taylor the better of the 2 for attacking!

Newcastleclaret93 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 25, 2022 8:47 am

Taylor gets forward a lot but very rarely ever produces. He’s a good defender but every time I watch Pieters play for us I think he offers us more all around.

Taylor - 4 assists in 118 appearances
Pieters - 5 assists in 49 appearances

Are they Premier league apps?

Newcastleclaret93 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 25, 2022 8:47 am

Taylor gets forward a lot but very rarely ever produces. He’s a good defender but every time I watch Pieters play for us I think he offers us more all around.

Taylor - 4 assists in 118 appearances
Pieters - 5 assists in 49 appearances

Funny how stats can work, I can remember Pieters first assist for us a random long boot in the air which the wind took hold of and fell to (I think) Barnes over the top. Then Taylor puts two on a plate the other week from good running and crossing but Wood misses them. I agree to an extent that Taylor’s final ball can be lacking but his tireless running, energy, dribbling and general athleticism is far superior to Pieters.

Quickenthetempo wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 25, 2022 8:50 am

Are they Premier league apps?

Yes premier league apps

RVclaret wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 25, 2022 8:47 am

Taylor would have assists if players could finish. Meaningless. Plus I watch the game with my eyes and he provides a far greater attacking threat.

What do others watch the game with? Their feet lol of course peiters is better going forward no argument there. Taylor is all huff and puff which is nice but not good enough in my EYES.

Newcastleclaret93 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 25, 2022 9:02 am

Yes premier league apps

Fair play to Pieters, played a lot more than I thought.

RVclaret wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 25, 2022 8:54 am

Funny how stats can work, I can remember Pieters first assist for us a random long boot in the air which the wind took hold of and fell to (I think) Barnes over the top. Then Taylor puts two on a plate the other week from good running and crossing but Wood misses them. I agree to an extent that Taylor’s final ball can be lacking but his tireless running, energy, dribbling and general athleticism is far superior to Pieters.

I fully appreciate Taylor is the better athlete but I feel he rarely produces in the attacking third and lacks composure on the ball. Taylor is the better defender but I think Pieters is more rounded.

Newcastleclaret93 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 25, 2022 9:11 am

I fully appreciate Taylor is the better athlete but I feel he rarely produces in the attacking third and lacks composure on the ball. Taylor is the better defender but I think Pieters is more rounded.

Fair enough. Seems Dyche agrees with me though seen as though whenever he’s fit he’s the first choice.

RVclaret wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 25, 2022 9:15 am

Fair enough. Seems Dyche agrees with me though seen as though whenever he’s fit he’s the first choice.

I think that’s because he is a better athlete and defender.

Pieters was a good signing and is a good understudy to Taylor, but Taylor is and should be first choice by quite some margin.

I’d personally pick the same back 5 including pope that played defensively very well to earn a point and clean sheet at Arsenal. Taylor and Lowton on the bench, always the option then if in a winning position to push Roberts and Pieters on and bring Taylor and Lowton off the bench to sure us up defensively.

Pope
Roberts Tarky (if here) Mee Pieters (if Taylor is not fit)
Lennon Stephens Westwood McNeil
Jay Cornet (come on Egypt)

Newcastleclaret93 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 25, 2022 9:18 am

I think that’s because he is a better athlete and defender.

Just a better player all around more likely.

RVclaret wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 25, 2022 9:26 am

Just a better player all around more likely.

Defender yes player no

Cork must be the first choice.

Spike wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 25, 2022 9:34 am

Cork must be the first choice.

I would’ve said the same thing before this season. I wanted him back in for Brownhill at one point but he’s been awful this season. Stephens is a better player than he gets credit for. Composed, finds space and can pick a pass. I suspect Cork will start though.

CFS wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 25, 2022 9:31 am

Defender yes player no

Respect your opinion but it’s in the minority.

Who knows who will be available come the Watford game but if we have the present squad I’d be tweaking it to bring more strength to midfield.

So for me that’s

Pope

Roberts Collins Mee Taylor

Tarkowski

Westwood Brownhill McNeil

Cornet Rodriguez

More pace, more strength, more firepower.

RVclaret wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 25, 2022 8:47 am

Taylor would have assists if players could finish. Meaningless. Plus I watch the game with my eyes and he provides a far greater attacking threat.

Sorry but IMO he provides zero. Looks good charging forward and wins lots of corners but nothing else.

Start with Cork when he runs out of steam bring Stephen’s on . Time will tell we may sign a Creative CM I hope so .

. Pope
Roberts - Tarks - Mee - Pieters
Lennon - Cork - Westy - McNeil
. Jay - Vydra/Cornet


If neither Vydra or Cornet are available, then

. Pope
Roberts - Tarks - Mee - Pieters
JBG - Cork - Westy - McNeil
. Lennon
. Jay

We should have our three new signings in the squad by then. Crikey, I just had to hit the deck then to avoid that pig who had just been fed and watered and had commenced lift off.

claretandbluesky wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 25, 2022 9:39 am

Who knows who will be available come the Watford game but if we have the present squad I’d be tweaking it to bring more strength to midfield.

So for me that’s

Pope

Roberts Collins Mee Taylor

Tarkowski

Westwood Brownhill McNeil

Cornet Rodriguez

More pace, more strength, more firepower.

2 problems with your selection.

1) Brownhill is suspended
2) Tarkowski isn't a holding midfielder, can we please stop this obsession with shoehorning him into that position.

If Tarks is still a Claret by then, he should be alongside Ben at the heart of our backline.

I think Pieters has better decision making when going forward and better crossing too. He can shoot also.
In all other areas Taylor seems to be better though. More athletic, better positioning and blocking/tackling in defence and has enough pace not to get caught out unlike Pieters.

Problem with that side of the pitch is that McNeil will often be caught in possession, or out of position so unless the opponent's left side is particularly weak in attack you need your best defender to play. We also have to think about how slow our team is, with Taylor usually being the fastest out of our back four.

If we were an attacking team and we had our opponents on the back foot all the time Pieters may be a better choice. Reality is even against Watford we will be defending a lot in the game and if you defend a lot, you need your best defenders.

Hopefully Cornet will be available. He will be the difference maker for us. Let’s go Egypt

Stephens starts for me. Waited long enough for his proper chance, looked ok at Utd, seems calm and considered on the ball... i think he could do a job for us in there.

minnieclaret wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 25, 2022 8:45 am

Check out their stats. Pieters has goals and assists, from far fewer games. Taylor charges forward like a headless chicken then….nothing. Taylor also has no right foot, beyond useless, either which grinds my gears.

Agree 100% with this. Taylor is not all that going forward. Find with his head down and goes nowhere. Pieters better for me!

minnieclaret wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 25, 2022 8:45 am

Check out their stats. Pieters has goals and assists, from far fewer games. Taylor charges forward like a headless chicken then….nothing. Taylor also has no right foot, beyond useless, either which grinds my gears.

A headless chicken ? You are clueless. Taylor is by far our best LB and is often our ONLY creative outlet. Pieters is a good squad player but he aint in the same league.

Put it this way if we go down, Taylor will be off. Far too good for the Championship.

Pieters has been fantastic bargain for us ,but quite simply Taylor is a better and quicker defender against quality players . He’s more athletic and mobile in recovery too . He tends to push players all the way to the byline . For a big man he can shift and is quite controlled on his forays down the wing . Puts decent crosses in too ( not always mind) just rarely anyone on them . The corners he wins and his work with Dwight is usually one of our few outlets . Very one footed though ( as is Dwight ) and Pieters is a cracking backup with loads of experience .

Cork

Stephens was poor last season, when he wasn't injured. A brief 30 minute cameo against a poor Man Utd hasn't changed that assessment for me.

CFS wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 25, 2022 9:04 am

What do others watch the game with? Their feet lol of course peiters is better going forward no argument there. Taylor is all huff and puff which is nice but not good enough in my EYES.

Taylor not good enough?!? He’s one of a few we have that you’d say belongs in the premier league, he’s a brilliant left back

Burnley1989 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 25, 2022 9:13 pm

Taylor not good enough?!? He’s one of a few we have that you’d say belongs in the premier league, he’s a brilliant left back

He’s a brilliant defensive LB. Look at the stats higher up and they lie as most of Pieters appearances are coming on as a sub. Pieters has also bagged a couple of goals whilst Charlie has never scored. I don’t want anybody thinking I have a down on Charlie, I said in my OP I would start Charlie for the Watford game but for all his huff & puff he just hasn’t got Erik’s quality going forward.
I’ll repeat them for you.
Taylor - 4 assists in 118 appearances
Pieters - 5 assists in 49 appearances

Well Tiger I look at our midfield options and both Cork and Stephens just don’t provide the physical presence or dynamic. I believe we need to be playing Collins, he brings strength and a bit of vision and he deserves to be playing, but whilst Tarkowski is still here he’d do a better job in midfield than Cork or Stephens in my opinion. It would allow for greater flexibility sometimes going to a back three, would pose problems for our opponents at set pieces and enable Brownhill when available to get into more attacking places where he could be dangerous as he was at City. Will SD try this NO, but for me getting your best players on the pitch is half of the battle.

minnieclaret wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 25, 2022 9:36 pm

He’s a brilliant defensive LB. Look at the stats higher up and they lie as most of Pieters appearances are coming on as a sub. Pieters has also bagged a couple of goals whilst Charlie has never scored. I don’t want anybody thinking I have a down on Charlie, I said in my OP I would start Charlie for the Watford game but for all his huff & puff he just hasn’t got Erik’s quality going forward.
I’ll repeat them for you.
Taylor - 4 assists in 118 appearances
Pieters - 5 assists in 49 appearances

Taylor clear of Pieters both attacking and defensive wise. Pieters struggles to overlap which is a huge part of any attacking threat we offer. He also can't beat a man with a dribble or pace, he is quite static. Solid and always does a job but is understandably Dyche's back up left back to a the superior in all departments Taylor.