Expecting a couple of changes...

Trafford
Roberts
CJ
Steeeve
Hump
Cullen
BROWNHILL
Hannibal
Anthony
EDWARDS
Flem

Yep that would be my team.

SP suggesting Edwards is 'very close' to a start -I'm not sure it will be tomorrow.

burnley007 wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 21, 2025 8:40 am

Expecting a couple of changes...

Trafford
Roberts
CJ
Steeeve
Hump
Cullen
BROWNHILL
Hannibal
Anthony
EDWARDS
Flem

If that team starts from now until the end of the season, I reckon we will go up automatically (key caveat - Hannibal playing next to Cullen).

Might we see Pires at full back tonight given that Scott likes to rotate the left back position?

ClaretLoup wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 21, 2025 9:11 am

Might we see Pires at full back tonight given that Scott likes to rotate the left back position?

I can't see that working out well against Wednesday.

Changes I’d like to see are Shelvey for Laurent and Edwards for Foster.

Steve-Harpers-perm wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 21, 2025 9:29 am

Changes I’d like to see are Shelvey for Laurent and Edwards for Foster.

Agreed. I've no real problem with Laurent, but I can't help feeling a fit Shelvey is an upgrade. If Laurent has to start, then be proactive and withdraw him after 70 minutes as he tends to tire and fade. Foster on the other hand wouldn't have been starting for me even BEFORE Preston, so swapping him out for someone else is a no brainer.

If Edwards is ready then I think he starts.

Wednesday are as I understand it an aggressive high press team. Which means there is space in behind to exploit and the ability to pass forwards becomes valuable.

----------------------Trafford
Roberts Egan Riley Esteve Pires
------Brownhill Cullen Hannibal
-----Edwards Flemming Foster

Debate which two of Flemming, Foster and Anthony get the nod but I think Foster on the left is worth persevering with.

Laurent hasn't done much wrong but Brownhill is just a better player and Hannibal has been very good recently.

dougcollins wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 21, 2025 9:16 am

I can't see that working out well against Wednesday.

If we can’t trust Pires against Callum Paterson then may as well release him on a free. We absolutely should go for the jugular tonight and field as much of our attacking talent as possible.

The standard of the rest of the league is bad, we should be winning these games.

dougcollins wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 21, 2025 9:16 am

I can't see that working out well against Wednesday.

Why not?

claretspice wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 21, 2025 10:35 am

If Edwards is ready then I think he starts.

Wednesday are as I understand it an aggressive high press team. Which means there is space in behind to exploit and the ability to pass forwards becomes valuable.

----------------------Trafford
Roberts Egan Riley Esteve Pires
------Brownhill Cullen Hannibal
-----Edwards Flemming Foster

Debate which two of Flemming, Foster and Anthony get the nod but I think Foster on the left is worth persevering with.

Laurent hasn't done much wrong but Brownhill is just a better player and Hannibal has been very good recently.

Pretty much what I'd go with. Pires offers much in possession and and there's definitely a look of a lot more goals in the side wirh Brownhill, Edwards, Flemming and Foster in there

Foster is not a left winger, I'd play him up front and drop Flemming, Edwards out wide. Agree Shelvey for Laurent

burnley007 wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 21, 2025 8:40 am

Expecting a couple of changes...

Trafford
Roberts
CJ
Steeeve
Hump
Cullen
BROWNHILL
Hannibal
Anthony
EDWARDS
Flem

Id go with this but Id want Brownhill the furthest forward of the three in midfield. Theres a case for Pires and Foster over Humphrey's and Flemming but Id go with latter.

Goliath wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 21, 2025 10:40 am

Pretty much what I'd go with. Pires offers much in possession and and there's definitely a look of a lot more goals in the side wirh Brownhill, Edwards, Flemming and Foster in there

Pires can see a forward pass. Humphreys is very assured in possession but he doesn't play forward as effectively. Against a high press when you're under pressure that is valuable.

claretspice wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 21, 2025 10:48 am

Pires can see a forward pass. Humphreys is very assured in possession but he doesn't play forward as effectively. Against a high press when you're under pressure that is valuable.

Humphreys is currently in the 88th percentile vs his league peers for progressive passing per 90. Pires is in the 35th.

claretspice wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 21, 2025 10:48 am

Pires can see a forward pass. Humphreys is very assured in possession but he doesn't play forward as effectively. Against a high press when you're under pressure that is valuable.

Under a decent press Humphreys resorts to turning out and going back to centre back/keeper far too often, I'm not convinced he always receives with the correct body shape for a left back. He seems a bit closed off.

Pires plays more naturally in opening up on his left and trying to play forward, along with taking up higher positions in possession.
His defending is better than people give him credit for as well.

I wouldn’t have Pires anywhere near the team he is not up to this standard. He gets in great positions and often chooses the wrong option, his defending is naive and he is wasteful in possession. Parker has some tough choices to make in the coming weeks with players coming back from injury and the new players we have brought in. I would go with much of the same tonight but I would utilise the substitutes a lot earlier and give them more time to effect the game. UTC

Rammy1968 wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 21, 2025 11:31 am

I wouldn’t have Pires anywhere near the team he is not up to this standard. He gets in great positions and often chooses the wrong option, his defending is naive and he is wasteful in possession. Parker has some tough choices to make in the coming weeks with players coming back from injury and the new players we have brought in. I would go with much of the same tonight but I would utilise the substitutes a lot earlier and give them more time to effect the game. UTC

What's our record with him in the team?

According to the stats on the BFC web site, Pires has one less successful tackle than Humphreys and started one game fewer. He only has four less than top tackler CJ.

Conversely he is fourth in table of chances created only just behind Koleosho and Brownhill but miles behind our biggest chance creator Anthony.

So I would go Brownhill and Pires in, Humph and Cullen out. The latter might be controversial but it’s time to give Mr Handbrake a rest.

Also Foster out for Edwards. We need to go for broke tonight and for the rest of the season if we are to match Leeds and Sheffield’s 66% win ratio.

It’s now or never.

ClaretLoup wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 21, 2025 9:11 am

Might we see Pires at full back tonight given that Scott likes to rotate the left back position?

I don’t think it’s a rotation as such, more a “horse for courses” type change.

I see Bashir starting.

My team would be:
Trafford
Roberts CJ Esteve Bash
Cullen Shelvey Hannibal
Edwards Foster (9) Flemming (10)
Let's just see once and for all what Foster and Flemming might do in their natural positions.

claretspice wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 21, 2025 10:37 am

Why not?

They've had some success down that side. And they have scored more than we have - though I agree its not a high benchmark.

Good side away from home, different from much of what we've experienced so far.

Parker doesn’t have the same effect as VK, which was one WTF moment for every team selection.

So it will be much more predictable. I suspect Humphreys will start and either/or Brownhill / Laurent. Then it comes down to Edwards’ fitness, if he doesn’t start (will be for Foster if he does) it will be a big disappointment.

I'd personally play Foster up front but Parker won’t.

ClaretLoup wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 21, 2025 11:48 am

According to the stats on the BFC web site, Pires has one less successful tackle than Humphreys and started one game fewer. He only has four less than top tackler CJ.

Conversely he is fourth in table of chances created only just behind Koleosho and Brownhill but miles behind our biggest chance creator Anthony.

Sometimes, you just have to go with the evidence of your own eyes.

I wouldn't be comfortable with Pires at LB tonight.

Traff
Roberts. ER. Steve. Bash
Cullen. Brownhill
Edwards. Flemming. Anthony
Foster.

I think it’s time to get an extra attacker on the pitch or else risk further 0-0’s which are killing us.

dougcollins wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 21, 2025 4:02 pm

Sometimes, you just have to go with the evidence of your own eyes.

I wouldn't be comfortable with Pires at LB tonight.

Would love to know the stats of 9 goals conceded and how many were with Pires in the side. I never think we look worse defensively when he’s in the team, but a bit better going forward.

He is lose with his passing though, so I think Humphreys starting is the safer bet and therefore one Parker will take.

………….. Trafford …………….
CJER …… Steve………. Bash
……………. Cullen…………….
……Brownhill ..Shelvey……
Anthony.. Flem. Hannibal
………………Foster…………….

What I want to see -

Trafford
Roberts CJ Esteve Humphreys
Cullen
Hannibal Shelvey
Edwards Flemming Anthony

What I think we will see -

Trafford
Roberts CJ Esteve Humphreys
Cullen Laurent
Hannibal
Anthony Flemming Foster

NewClaret wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 21, 2025 4:22 pm

Would love to know the stats of 9 goals conceded and how many were with Pires in the side. I never think we look worse defensively when he’s in the team, but a bit better going forward.

He is lose with his passing though, so I think Humphreys starting is the safer bet and therefore one Parker will take.

A good point re number of goals conceded when each of them plays. The stats don’t really tell you much with both of them assisting twice and Bash scoring once. I genuinely don’t know the answer defensively but my gut says Bash makes us stronger defensively…….

Steve-Harpers-perm wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 21, 2025 9:29 am

Changes I’d like to see are Shelvey for Laurent and Edwards for Foster.

Benching Foster also gives us a striking option from the bench late on if needed. I think it's just a smarter option

BleedingClaret wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 21, 2025 6:28 pm

………….. Trafford …………….
CJER …… Steve………. Bash
……………. Cullen…………….
……Brownhill ..Shelvey……
Anthony.. Flem. Hannibal
………………Foster…………….

WOW

Three at the back and no wing backs
Parker would have to be on the waccy baccy to pick that team
But we can only dream

NewClaret wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 21, 2025 4:22 pm

Would love to know the stats of 9 goals conceded and how many were with Pires in the side. I never think we look worse defensively when he’s in the team, but a bit better going forward.

He is lose with his passing though, so I think Humphreys starting is the safer bet and therefore one Parker will take.

6 conceded with pires.

morninbob wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 21, 2025 6:59 pm

6 conceded with pires.

Cheers, higher than I thought actually.