Ultra Posted 27 April 2008 Posted 27 April 2008 Any chance of Stearman at centre half? N'Gotty is a waste of space. And who would you have Stearman mark? Sidibe or Fuller? It's like offering a condemned death row convict the choice of a firing squad or the electric chair.
boothenend Posted 27 April 2008 Posted 27 April 2008 well this will be stokes team.... .....................nash..................... riggot....cort...shawcross..dickinson lawrence..delap..whelan..cresswell ..............sidibe......fuller............ subs;ameobi,simoensen,bothroyd,pearson,pugh,.
James. Posted 27 April 2008 Posted 27 April 2008 Any chance of Stearman at centre half? N'Gotty is a waste of space. As in: Chambers Stearman McAuley Mattock That could be worth a go. Doubt it'll happen though. N'Gotty will probably play.
Uncle Albert Posted 27 April 2008 Posted 27 April 2008 Henderson Chambers Stearman McAuley MattockBell Weso Oakley HendrieHayles Hume
Thracian Posted 27 April 2008 Posted 27 April 2008 Sorry, but that team would be hammered. Any side travelling to Stoke needs to be physically competitive and that line-up has far too many lightweights. It would be ripped to shreds at every set piece. And poor as Howard has been in recent weeks, he is still our top scorer this year. We therefore need to stick with him and Hume. My team would be: Henderson J Chambers McAuley Worley MattockBell N'Gotty Hendrie HaylesHume Howard Subs: Alnwick, Stearman, Wesolowski, A Chambers, Sappleton I expect the chosen men of Clapham, Oakley, Fryatt and Campbell will all feature though. No team of ours is going to take Stoke on physically so it would be daft to try and if you think Worley is a physical centre-back you've got a big shock coming. We want the fastest team and the best passers we can muster. They are a big strong side and big, strong players are most vulnerable against teams who stretch the play and pass the ball through the gaps. I've watched Worley twice now and he's like an angel on a Christmas tree. His near-white hair catches the lights but he won't be much more than ornamental in a Championship battle like this - at least on the glaring evidence of his last reserves performance. The Stoke forwards would chew him up and spit him out if he played like that. We've got two choices as partners to McAuley. "Jumbo" N'Gotty or Richard Stearman and watching N'Gotty Saturday I have no doubt that Stearman is the best bet. Mattock didn't seem himself at all last week, has not been convincing for a while and is the last player I'd pick for such a crucial match right now. N'Gotty in midfield would be like watching an oil tanker in a lagoon. He'd lumber up and down, this way and that, but he wouldn't be able to turn for biting red and white coral reefs around him and he couldn't use the space beyond cos he wouldn't be quick enough for long enough, to get out. Howard's like a wind-up toy with a broken spring so I doubt he'd trouble Stoke's defensive rocks, particularly if they push him too high upfield to be a danger which seems to be mostly what happens these days. So, to my mind, pace and passing is the only hope especially when you consider that the muscle has been tried regularly enough with seriously limited returns already. Don't get me wrong, there's no easy team selection, no foolproof solution. We're not where we are in the League for nothing. Question is, do we stick with what has been tried and bested by far too many opponents or do we play our trump cards, unspectacular as they may be, and hope they're better than anything Stoke's got? I'm 14.5 stones these days and if I was taller, and a fit 14.5 stones, I'd have far more worries about coping with DJ and Hume than with Howard and Hayles. Howard makes an escalator look quick and Hayles is really a last 30 minutes option these days - and one with the first touch of a scrapyard piledriver. I'd doubt that lumbering hard-cases would get us the goals to win, they only got us one at home to lowly Wednesday, and they certainly wouldn't keep the shift working effectively for 90 minutes. But speed and stealth might prevail. I only say might because we've been too blinkered to try the idea and cannot pretend we have the instinctive togetherness of Beaglehole's Academy team, more's the pity. But if it did work it may at least offer our fans a pointer for the future because I have absolutely no doubt that passing and moving at pace is the only way we'll go forward.
Samilktray Posted 27 April 2008 Posted 27 April 2008 Just throw Rickay and Baz up front and we're set.
Ultra Posted 27 April 2008 Posted 27 April 2008 No team of ours is going to take Stoke on physically so it would be daft to try and if you think Worley is a physical centre-back you've got a big shock coming. We want the fastest team and the best passers we can muster. They are a big strong side and big, strong players are most vulnerable against teams who stretch the play and pass the ball through the gaps. I've watched Worley twice now and he's like an angel on a Christmas tree. His near-white hair catches the lights but he won't be much more than ornamental in a Championship battle like this - at least on the glaring evidence of his last reserves performance. The Stoke forwards would chew him up and spit him out if he played like that. We've got two choices as partners to McAuley. "Jumbo" N'Gotty or Richard Stearman and watching N'Gotty Saturday I have no doubt that Stearman is the best bet. Mattock didn't seem himself at all last week, has not been convincing for a while and is the last player I'd pick for such a crucial match right now. N'Gotty in midfield would be like watching an oil tanker in a lagoon. He'd lumber up and down, this way and that, but he wouldn't be able to turn for biting red and white coral reefs around him and he couldn't use the space beyond cos he wouldn't be quick enough for long enough, to get out. Howard's like a wind-up toy with a broken spring so I doubt he'd trouble Stoke's defensive rocks, particularly if they push him too high upfield to be a danger which seems to be mostly what happens these days. So, to my mind, pace and passing is the only hope especially when you consider that the muscle has been tried regularly enough with seriously limited returns already. Don't get me wrong, there's no easy team selection, no foolproof solution. We're not where we are in the League for nothing. Question is, do we stick with what has been tried and bested by far too many opponents or do we play our trump cards, unspectacular as they may be, and hope they're better than anything Stoke's got? I'm 14.5 stones these days and if I was taller, and a fit 14.5 stones, I'd have far more worries about coping with DJ and Hume than with Howard and Hayles. Howard makes an escalator look quick and Hayles is really a last 30 minutes option these days - and one with the first touch of a scrapyard piledriver. I'd doubt that lumbering hard-cases would get us the goals to win, they only got us one at home to lowly Wednesday, and they certainly wouldn't keep the shift working effectively for 90 minutes. But speed and stealth might prevail. I only say might because we've been too blinkered to try the idea and cannot pretend we have the instinctive togetherness of Beaglehole's Academy team, more's the pity. But if it did work it may at least offer our fans a pointer for the future because I have absolutely no doubt that passing and moving at pace is the only way we'll go forward. Indeed - and that's how we won at West Brom, by some distance our most impressive result of the season, and without which our fate would already have been sealed. Who were the stars that day? Lee Hendrie and the two current Aunt Sallys of this forum, N'Gotty and Howard. But in order to pass the ball, first of all we have to win it, and as we found yesterday our current central midfield does not do that job often enough. I'm not over-impressed with what I've seen of Worley to date, but I'd rate his chances of coping against the Stoke strikeforce a lot more highly than I would Stearman's. And as Campbell hasn't been fully fit for the last few months and needs an operation in the summer, there's no way he should be in the starting line-up or indeed the squad.
volpeazzurro Posted 27 April 2008 Posted 27 April 2008 That's a positive shout DavieG and arguably our best chance of a winning side. My only doubt would concern Mattock. I've not been convinced by him all season and his last reserves game was woeful.Sure he's got promise but right from the start I thought he needed more experience before becoming a first team regular and nothing's hapened to change that view. Meanwhile Beswick's been used at left-back in the reserves and has still made goals. There's no doubt Hendrie needs to play and be captain if fit so given the simple choice of Beswick or Mattock at left back I'd go with the latter on current form because I believe the additional benefit of his free-kicks tip the balance for me and we definitely need a specialist free kick taker to have any sort of chance against Stoke. Henderson Stearman McCauley Ngotty Clapham Bell Oakley Weslowski Mattock Fryatt Hume Subs: Howard, King, Chambers, DJ and Zlachko. I think that whilst its tempting to move Stears into the centre we need continuity. Clapham isn't in my opinion that bad and has just lacked support on the left.
Lichfieldfox. Posted 27 April 2008 Posted 27 April 2008 I've stopped doing 'team for' but I thought I'd start this one off for the last game of the seasonWe simply do not have an acceptable back up for CB, N'Gotty legs have gone, Worley just doesn't seem ready from the reserve games I've seen and Stearman hasn't played there for 2 or more years, but on balance I'd risk Stearman (sorry Kilworth but that's MY opinion ) The so called experienced guys like Oakley, Howard, Hayles and N'Gotty badly let us down in the last game so shit or bust I'd go for Henderson/Alnwick (I have no preference) Chambers McAuley Stearman Mattock Bell Weso King Hendrie (assuming he's fit and is allowed to play ) Hume Campbell Kings height will be useful in helping the defence. A mixture of youth, experience, pace and tenacity. But it's waste of time because no doubt Oakley, Howard Hayles and N'Gotty will be in there. Ollie will see that as being risk free and if they fail he can blame the 'experienced' players I'd be fairly happy with this team but would start Clapham ahead of Mattock on current form. I've not seen Beswick so can't comment. Oakley should be dropped for his post match comments on radio Leicester. He sounded like he expected us not to win and couldn't give two hoots, disgrace. N'Gotty and Howard are past it. Stick Sappleton and Hayles on the bench with Mattock Kishishev and Bori.
davieG Posted 27 April 2008 Author Posted 27 April 2008 Sorry, but that team would be hammered. Any side travelling to Stoke needs to be physically competitive and that line-up has far too many lightweights. It would be ripped to shreds at every set piece. And poor as Howard has been in recent weeks, he is still our top scorer this year. We therefore need to stick with him and Hume. My team would be: Henderson J Chambers McAuley Worley MattockBell N'Gotty Hendrie HaylesHume Howard Subs: Alnwick, Stearman, Wesolowski, A Chambers, Sappleton I expect the chosen men of Clapham, Oakley, Fryatt and Campbell will all feature though. So you choose Worley - have you seen him play and drop Stearman talk about letting your prejudices get in the way of logic. granted Stearman at CB would be risky but Worley looked completely lost against Shrewsbury Town reserves and was directly responsible for both their goals. Now there's taking the piss and there's taking the piss and that is surely taking the piss!
dandannieldanok Posted 27 April 2008 Posted 27 April 2008 And who would you have Stearman mark? Sidibe or Fuller? It's like offering a condemned death row convict the choice of a firing squad or the electric chair. N'Gotty couldn't handle crappy Deon Burton never mind Sidibe or Fuller, I'd give Stearman a chance.
Uncle Albert Posted 27 April 2008 Posted 27 April 2008 What about putting our Academy Player of the Year player in?
Bert Posted 27 April 2008 Posted 27 April 2008 I'd love to see some of the teams suggested on here play.
davieG Posted 27 April 2008 Author Posted 27 April 2008 N'Gotty couldn't handle crappy Deon Burton never mind Sidibe or Fuller, I'd give Stearman a chance. No! Ultra's right Worley's the man
Samilktray Posted 27 April 2008 Posted 27 April 2008 What about putting our Academy Player of the Year player in? I'd second this if i didn't think it'd be a bit much for him.
clazkel Posted 27 April 2008 Posted 27 April 2008 -----------------------Henderson--------------- ------------Stearman N'Gotty McAuley ----- Chambers--------------------------------Mattock ----------Hendrie------Weso-------Oakley----- -----------------Hume------Fryatt/Hayles------- Subs: Fryatt/Hayles, Clapham, Bell, Howard, King Its great to see many people aren't putting Howard in the starting 11, i think he's a decent player but the way we play doesn't suit him, and i don't understand why Ollie keeps playing when we would do alot better if Hume was upfront with Fryatt/dj or Hayles. But its a near certainty that Howard will start and wont be substituted, but i hope i'm wrong!
Bert Posted 27 April 2008 Posted 27 April 2008 I'd second this if i didn't think it'd be a bit much for him. Why does that matter? He's never played first team football, so he'll be fine.
Uncle Albert Posted 27 April 2008 Posted 27 April 2008 I'd second this if i didn't think it'd be a bit much for him. I wasnt being serious. All this talk of Beswick, King etc made me say it.
Thracian Posted 27 April 2008 Posted 27 April 2008 Indeed - and that's how we won at West Brom, by some distance our most impressive result of the season, and without which our fate would already have been sealed.Who were the stars that day? Lee Hendrie and the two current Aunt Sallys of this forum, N'Gotty and Howard. But in order to pass the ball, first of all we have to win it, and as we found yesterday our current central midfield does not do that job often enough. I'm not over-impressed with what I've seen of Worley to date, but I'd rate his chances of coping against the Stoke strikeforce a lot more highly than I would Stearman's. And as Campbell hasn't been fully fit for the last few months and needs an operation in the summer, there's no way he should be in the starting line-up or indeed the squad. I don't think our midfield couldn't win the ball yesterday, I just believe a gap developed between defence and attack once Kisnorbo went off, a gap that's developed before and robbed us of cohesion. Please trust me about Worley. If he improves in time, fine, but for now he'd be a worse risk than our old friend Kaebi. I'm not anti N'Gotty I just think he's rusted and lost his sharpness with the way he's been used at Leicester and simply looks a bit vulnerable now. The Campbell situation seems strange. I'm very confident about the information I've mentioned on his injury but he played for the reserves in the week before his appearance in the Wednesday game and was all action for 90 minutes. So, pending operation or not, I wouldn't feel especially concerned.
Samilktray Posted 27 April 2008 Posted 27 April 2008 Why does that matter? He's never played first team football, so he'll be fine. Well the reality is Holloway wont have the bollocks to gamble on the youngsters. He hasn't most of the season which is a shame.
Thracian Posted 27 April 2008 Posted 27 April 2008 What about putting our Academy Player of the Year player in? It did cross my mind briefly. Lathanial Rowe-Turner has had a fairly full season with the reserves and has been steadily improving in what has never been the strongest back line I've ever seen. He's fit, fastish, strong for a teenager and fairly reliable but I wouldn't have the faintest idea how he'd cope in a first team game. He's not a player I've seen stamp his authority on a game but that's not altogether surprising having converted from full-back and having his first full season at reserves level. It's hard to compare him with Worley - they are completely different types of player - but I'd have more trust in Rowe-Turner from what I've seen so far. But LRT or Stearman? No contest for me, my only concerns being that Stearman is a) doing so well at right back and b) has had so little practice at centre-back recently. I'd imagine Holloway will settle on McAuley/N'Gotty.
breadandcheese Posted 27 April 2008 Posted 27 April 2008 Henderson Stearman McCauley Ngotty Clapham Bell Oakley Weslowski Mattock Fryatt Hume Looking at Stoke's line-up, they play with one narrow side (the left) and a more expansive right side. Consequently, I think I'd go with a very similar team to the one above. With Cresswell likely to start on the left for Stoke, I think a taller full-back is needed at right-back, so Stearman for me over Chambers. With Lawrence providing width on the right, and as we haven't got a left-winger who is fit (I don't think Hendrie will be ready), I think Mattock can come in and offer protection in a way that Hayles doesn't, albeit it is not his natural position. Hopefully, this will stamp out their threats from the wings. Upfront, it's very much a case of Hume + one other. Truth is, I've no idea who to play with Hume. Tempted to start with Fryatt as he is the best forward we have at putting his foot on the ball and trying to play it on the ground, which could help bring Bell, Weso and Oakley into play a bit more. In all honesty, Matty's been poor this season and still looks like he needs to trim a couple of pounds to increase his mobility. If this combo doesn't work, we can then chuck a big man on in Howard as a plan B.
Joe. Posted 27 April 2008 Posted 27 April 2008 -----------------------Henderson---------------------------N'Gotty McAuley Clapham----- Stearman--------------------------------Mattock Clapham centre back?!
Thracian Posted 27 April 2008 Posted 27 April 2008 Looking at Stoke's line-up, they play with one narrow side (the left) and a more expansive right side. Consequently, I think I'd go with a very similar team to the one above. With Cresswell likely to start on the left for Stoke, I think a taller full-back is needed at right-back, so Stearman for me over Chambers. With Lawrence providing width on the right, and as we haven't got a left-winger who is fit (I don't think Hendrie will be ready), I think Mattock can come in and offer protection in a way that Hayles doesn't, albeit it is not his natural position. Hopefully, this will stamp out their threats from the wings.Upfront, it's very much a case of Hume + one other. Truth is, I've no idea who to play with Hume. Tempted to start with Fryatt as he is the best forward we have at putting his foot on the ball and trying to play it on the ground, which could help bring Bell, Weso and Oakley into play a bit more. In all honesty, Matty's been poor this season and still looks like he needs to trim a couple of pounds to increase his mobility. If this combo doesn't work, we can then chuck a big man on in Howard as a plan B. Being generous and counting Fryatt that's just two potential scorers in a game you want to win? If Holloway gets sacked you could be the next City manager.
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