Team For Sheff U

[SamL]

Don't know whether it's already been said but according to the Merc, Matt Oakley is struggling to make the game due to a foot injury. Ollie said that's why he took Weso off against S****horpe to save him for the Sheffield United game.

If Oakleys out, Thracian might actually get his wish of a Leicester XI which includes Andy King.

[Bert]

There's no way I'd pick Laczko ahead of Ryan Beswick and neither would anyone else if you'd seen the two on the same pitch.

I suppose Beswick will remain one of those players who's forever overlooked because he does things so simply and so quickly - two touches is about the lot for Beswick - that he's hardly noticed.

Laczko is another Kaebi, for me. People pick him and I can see no earthly reason why. He's disappointed in every game apart from Coventry and there haven't been any reserve games for him to play in to change that opinion and show that he's made a significant degree of improvement.

He'll be dreadfully short of match practise anyway.

Not only that but Beswick plays left back as well as left wing and will be much more useful in defensive aspects of the game and we're going to need that at Sheffield. Finally he's partnered Mattock countless times and the two cog in well together.

Bes has been playing a lot of first team games this season though hasn't he?

[Chimp]

We should be looking to keep the ball and hold the game in the midfield, none of the total lack of intent our approch against Hull saw the other week, we have to be looking to press or at least frustrate Sheff Utd, as a result a flexible 4-4-2 which can easily switch to 4-5-1 or even 4-4-3 could be the best way to approch the game (if of course our players can manage it).

I dunno... can they clone themselves?

Or, where you thinking of a very attacking formation, sans goalkeeper?

[Thracian]

Mine too. This has confirmed to me that Thracian is actually demented.

I have 3 main points to make:

1) The problem with playing howard up front has been that when he flicks the ball on, players haven't been there to pick up the flick ons. How is that situation going to change if he plays up on his own?! Howard is terribly suited to playing the lone striker role.

2) N'Gotty is not a central midfielder. Everyone bangs on about his good distribution, but it's only good for a cb because we're used to kisnorbo and mcauley hoofing it. Every time he's played centre mid he's looked slow and a comparitively poor passer of the ball.

3) Ryan Beswick fan club - There is a reason he hasn't played - he's not ready. The manager looks at these players every day, not once a week in reserve matches that are so uncompetitive that they're totally unrepresentative.

1) Howard would not be alone. And he held the ball up perfectly well against Scunny showing himself perfectly capable of laying it off to runners providing they stayed close enough. A problem in the past is that they haven't been close.

2) N'Gotty is perfectly capable of playing the holding central midfield role. King could do that too but he's needed to drive from midfield into the box and to provide a lay-off for Howard. Furthermore N'Gotty's presence would allow McAuley/Kisnorbo, Howard and King to attack the box from free-kicks/corners which is quite possible our best chance of a a goal. Finally. while N'Gotty's passing has sometimes been a disappointment, considering he can pass, it's his reading of the game that may well be useful at Sheffield and his physical presence which might be valubale there.

3) If Beswick hasn't played cos he's not good enough then why has Laczko played? One game against Coventry is no argument. I've watched Beswick lots of times in lots of situations and I think he offers far more right now than Laczko will. But then we had all this nonsense with Kaebi too, despite him never deserving it. I still wonder why? .

I'm not comparing the Kaebi and Laczko. Given time, Laaczko might make a player. But it will take a lot of investment in terms of time and detail which frankly I doubt he'll be given. Beswick would fit in easily.

There's not much about his game to go wrong. He takes up good positions himself and basically sees the passes and plays em. He free-kicks are a bonus and seeing he's probably the best left in the club at taking them and other options like Clemence and Hume are likely to be missing then I think it is something needs addressing, don't you?

As for being demented, I've simply given my opinion.

Based on having picked hundreds of sports teams in my life and having watched all of City's players pretty regularly and in different situations, I don't see that my viewpoint should be any more demented that anyone else's.

[Lisburn Fox]

Hendo

Stearman

Bruno

Kisnorbo

MCauly

Mattock

Bell

Weso

Oakley

Cambell/Hume

Howard

Fryatt, Cambell/Hume if not fit 1 of the Hungarians, King, Clapham, Chambers

A draw will do me for this one.

[Legend_in_blue]

--------------------------------Hendo----------------------------------

Stearman---------Kisnorbo-----------McAuley----------Mattock----

Bell----------------Oakley-------------Weso-------------Lackzo-----

---------------------Howard-----------Fryatt--------------------------

subs - N'gotty, Chambers, King, Etuhu, Campbell

Could all change depending on injury updates on players like Hume, Clapham, Etuhu etc...

I'd go with this. One change though. Fryatt out, DJ in.

If Oakley is injured, play King instead.

I fancy us to get at least a point. COME ON!!!

[Webbo]

With injuries and suspensions and playing away from home it makes sense to play 3-5-2.

Hendo

Stearman McAuley N'Gotty Kissa Mattock.

Bell Weso Oakley(King if not fit)

Howard Fryatt.

[Fez of Mahrez]

Henderson

Stearman McAuley Kisnorbo Clapham

Bell Wesolowski Oakley Mattock

Howard Campbell

Virtually picks itself for me. King in if either of the centre mids are out. Can't see Howard and Fryatt working as a front two away from home personally. I was exceptionally impressed with Mattock going forward against S****horpe and if he can keep delivering crosses like that then we need him higher up the pitch away from home. First half he was our main attacking threat. We could do with Weso being fit because he would be the ideal player to counter Stephen Quinn.

I think Morgan might be suspended for them after getting sent off at Preston on Saturday so Howard could well have a field day. It's vital we give them something to think about up front and Howard/Campbell could wreak the same havoc they did in the first half at Cardiff. The centre-backs will have their work cut out against Beattie and Sharp so I'd prefer a more experienced left-back anyway and Stearman has been our best player under Holloway. Bell obviously deserves to keep his place as he got better and better as the S****horpe game wore on.

One of the games we will need Oakley to show his form from last season.

[Uncle Albert]

Henderson

Stearman McAuley Kisnorbo Clapham

Bell Oakley Wesolowski Mattock

Howard Fryatt

[lildave3]

Henderson

Stearman McAuley Kisnorbo Clapham

Bell Wesolowski Oakley Mattock

Howard Campbell

Virtually picks itself for me. King in if either of the centre mids are out. Can't see Howard and Fryatt working as a front two away from home personally. I was exceptionally impressed with Mattock going forward against S****horpe and if he can keep delivering crosses like that then we need him higher up the pitch away from home. First half he was our main attacking threat. We could do with Weso being fit because he would be the ideal player to counter Stephen Quinn.

I think Morgan might be suspended for them after getting sent off at Preston on Saturday so Howard could well have a field day. It's vital we give them something to think about up front and Howard/Campbell could wreak the same havoc they did in the first half at Cardiff. The centre-backs will have their work cut out against Beattie and Sharp so I'd prefer a more experienced left-back anyway and Stearman has been our best player under Holloway. Bell obviously deserves to keep his place as he got better and better as the S****horpe game wore on.

One of the games we will need Oakley to show his form from last season.

Same team for me.

How long is Hume out for?

[Fez of Mahrez]

Same team for me.

How long is Hume out for?

Dunno but I'd stick him up front with Howard when he's fit. He and we have both suffered badly for one poor game on his part (Norwich away) in my humble opinion.

[Cobbo]

Same team for me.

How long is Hume out for?

I'd go with that n all.

Solid on the wings as well as having an attacking threat. Good for away games

[Bryn]

Scores goals:

========

Laczko - No, Beswick: yes.

Makes goals

========

Laczko - Occasionally. Beswick: consistently.

Free kicks:

=======

Laczko - Doesn't take em. Beswick: Takes all and is very dangerous.

Defensive:

=======

Laczko looks lost. Beswick: Has played full-back.

Yawn.

Why move a player who has just had a really good game is his natural position?

He's arguably as much a central midfielder as he is a winger.

[SPF07]

Happy to see that the poll reveals that Fryatt amongst the majority is not GOD! that many believe.

The truth is he's awful and anyone who would play him in our starting line up has no idea. monkeys.

[escape2victory]

------------------Henderson

Stearman---McAuley---Kisnorbo---Clapham

Bell--------Oakley----Wesolowski---Mattock

-------------Hume-----Howard

[James.]

------------------Henderson

Stearman---McAuley---Kisnorbo---Clapham

Bell--------Oakley----Wesolowski---Mattock

-------------Hume-----Howard

Why not.

Oh, apparently Hume is injured.

Campbell then.

[Thracian]

Hendo

Stearman

Bruno

Kisnorbo

MCauly

Mattock

Bell

Weso

Oakley

Cambell/Hume

Howard

Fryatt, Cambell/Hume if not fit 1 of the Hungarians, King, Clapham, Chambers

A draw will do me for this one.

I think the concern about playing Campbell is his injury. Whether it's a hernia, as I've been told, or not, the problem clearly needs sorting and doubtless the City staff feel that way too.

[dandannieldanok]

2) N'Gotty is not a central midfielder. Everyone bangs on about his good distribution, but it's only good for a cb because we're used to kisnorbo and mcauley hoofing it. Every time he's played centre mid he's looked slow and a comparitively poor passer of the ball.

Agreed, and I think you're being kind about his distribution. I don't trust him in defence and I'll be horrified to see him in midfield against Sheff Utd. Michael Tonge vs Bruno N'Gotty

[Ultra]

Agreed, and I think you're being kind about his distribution. I don't trust him in defence and I'll be horrified to see him in midfield against Sheff Utd. Michael Tonge vs Bruno N'Gotty

You obviously didn't go to West Brom. N'Gotty was quality there. It's no coincidence that Oakley and Hendrie played better there too.

[Kilworthfox]

You obviously didn't go to West Brom. N'Gotty was quality there. It's no coincidence that Oakley and Hendrie played better there too.

I agree that Bruno can distribute well. But his lack of pace is the reason that he should not be in midfield.

[The Stig]

Henderson

Stearman

McAuley

Kisnorbo

Mattock

Etuhu

Oakley

Wesolowski

Bell

Howard

Hume / Campbell / Fryatt (depending on fitness)

Subs: N Gotty, Zsolt, King, Two strikers that don't play. If one of them can't make the bench Hayles.

[Messi]

Henderson

Stearman Kisnorbo McAuley Mattock

Etuhu Oakley Wesolowski Laczko

(Campbell/Fryatt/Hume) Howard

[dandannieldanok]

You obviously didn't go to West Brom. N'Gotty was quality there. It's no coincidence that Oakley and Hendrie played better there too.

I also remember last season when Andy Johnson ran the show at home to Cov, one decent performance means bugger all. People seem to assume that because N'Gotty's french everyone else is technically inferior and he has got great distribution. I just haven't seen it myself and personally believe we'll get pissed over in the midfield if he plays there in Sheffield. If Holloway does decide to put him there and he proves me wrong then fantastic.

[GianEmmo Zola]

with Hume, Hayles, Clapham, Etuhu, Clemence, Elvis!, and Hendrie ruled out id now go for

Henderson

Stearman Mcauley N'Gotty Kisnorbo Mattock

Bell Oakley Wesolowski

Fryatt Howard

Campbell, Kishishev, Zsolt, Chambers, King or Bori

[reynard]

with Hume, Hayles, Clapham, Etuhu, Clemence, Elvis!, and Hendrie ruled out id now go for

Henderson

Stearman Mcauley N'Gotty Kisnorbo Mattock

Bell Oakley Wesolowski

Fryatt Howard

Campbell, Kishishev, Zsolt, Chambers, King or Bori

Not sure we can go with only 3 in midfield. They are pretty strong there with both Michael Tongue and gary Speed in their midfield. Quite worried about this one. They have only lost 1 in the last 5 and I just can't see our survivng midfielders being able to compete let alone supply the constructive passes needed to creat chances.

Would be very happy with a 0-0.