davieG Posted 5 February 2010 Posted 5 February 2010 From the MercMartyn Waghorn has suffered an injury scare ahead of tomorrow's trip to Blackpool. The 20-year-old striker picked up a knee injury in training yesterday and will be assessed today before making the trip with the rest of the City squad to the north-west. "He got a knock on his knee, just a kick," said manager Nigel Pearson. "We are hoping he will be okay but we will have to wait and see." If Waghorn's injury keeps him out of the trip to Bloomfield Road, it will reduce Pearson's attacking options further as Yann Kermorgant will again be missing with a hamstring strain. However, Paul Gallagher has shaken off the calf injury which forced him to be substituted during last week's encouraging 0-0 draw against Newcastle United. "Yann won't be fit," confirmed Pearson. "He won't be ready for Saturday but maybe next week, we will have to wait and see." Pearson has admitted his side's lack of goals is a concern. Only three sides in the Championship, Reading (28), Swansea City (23) and Plymouth Argyle (23), have scored less than City this season. However, they looked much more dangerous last week for the first half-hour against Newcastle with Waghorn, Matty Fryatt and Gallagher operating as a three-pronged attack, and Pearson has backed his strikers to come good. "We haven't scored enough," he said. "I am not going to try and dress that up. "We know we have got to score more goals if we are to achieve our aims this season. We have got players who will score goals, I am convinced about that. "Whether that system allows us to do that more often remains to be seen. You have to remember it was a 0-0 draw. "But the players quite enjoyed it as well. It is a 4-3-3, as opposed to a 4-5-1, and it is a flexible formation. Even when we went down to 10 men last week it was important that we still played on the front foot. "That is why we retained two up front after the sending-off. "We approach every game in a positive manner and, if we continue to do so, I am confident we will score goals." Interesting that he describes the Newcastle game formation as 433 not 451, I still think it was a bit of both because there were definitely times when Waghorn and Gallagher were out on the wings in line with the midfield. But whatever it was a promising formation that needs a run.
Daveaway Posted 5 February 2010 Posted 5 February 2010 What ever Pearson did for the Newcastle game lets hope he does the same for the Blackpool game. I hope he decides to bring in a striker when the loan window reopens. Yann out aswell.
dandannieldanok Posted 5 February 2010 Posted 5 February 2010 Could have been worse, Waghorn didn't look particularly comfortable stuck out on the wing despite putting in a really good and determined performance against Newcastle. Hopefully if he isn't fit then Pearson just does a straight swap with N'Guessan, who should be more comfortable out wide.
davieG Posted 5 February 2010 Author Posted 5 February 2010 Could have been worse, Waghorn didn't look particularly comfortable stuck out on the wing despite putting in a really good and determined performance against Newcastle. Hopefully if he isn't fit then Pearson just does a straight swap with N'Guessan, who should be more comfortable out wide. He didn't but then he contributed quite a lot to breaking up the Newcastle play thus allowing the midfield greater possession, N'Guessan doesn't strike me as someone who will provide that aspect of Waghorn's game, mind you we didn't score so maybe N'Guessan can give us that.
Candidcamera Posted 5 February 2010 Posted 5 February 2010 Let's hope Waghorn makes it. I would like to see that formation given a chance on an extended basis. It may not work when the defence is depleted. Berner is key to us giving this a try. Bruce is an unknown to me but I have seen us struggle at the back when injuries have kicked in. We tried similar to this in November and it was scuppered by bad form/injuries. The formation suits the players and although Howard is still useful it was demonstrated that it is not in this formation.
Ric Flair Posted 5 February 2010 Posted 5 February 2010 The perfect formation for N'Guessan in my opinion. Maybe Maxi should have held fire on his transfer request as that formation would suit him down to the ground too. Shame.
marbelladave Posted 5 February 2010 Posted 5 February 2010 Could have been worse, Waghorn didn't look particularly comfortable stuck out on the wing despite putting in a really good and determined performance against Newcastle. Hopefully if he isn't fit then Pearson just does a straight swap with N'Guessan, who should be more comfortable out wide. True, But (see my posts above) he needs to play as a striker not a winger, this is essential! When we lose the ball he must go wide and cover, as has been noted but going forward he has to attack the box. Sure he can go wide on occasion, to 'keep the full back honest' but his main job is to get inside and support Fryatt. Same for the other flank.
StanSP Posted 5 February 2010 Posted 5 February 2010 Bloody hell McGivern; bet it was him who injured Waggy. Can't do anything right <_<
Joe. Posted 5 February 2010 Posted 5 February 2010 Disappointed really as I really do rate Waghorn, but I've got every faith in N'Guessan stepping up now. Seems pretty much perfectly suited to his abilties as both a winger and a forward. I hope Howard doesn't play, we might get more out of resisting temptation to lump it up to him. But I'm not sure who will take the place vacated by Wellens in midfield... Could see: Oakley --- King --- Gallagher N'Guessan --- Howard --- Fryatt This wouldn't surprise me; wouldnt be the worse lineup either providing we play the right way.
Hitesh Posted 5 February 2010 Posted 5 February 2010 Disappointed really as I really do rate Waghorn, but I've got every faith in N'Guessan stepping up now. Seems pretty much perfectly suited to his abilties as both a winger and a forward. I hope Howard doesn't play, we might get more out of resisting temptation to lump it up to him. But I'm not sure who will take the place vacated by Wellens in midfield... Could see: Oakley --- King --- Gallagher N'Guessan --- Howard --- Fryatt This wouldn't surprise me; wouldnt be the worse lineup either providing we play the right way. That would most likely be the case but with N'Guessan playing a little deeper when we don't have the ball.
Edmund Posted 5 February 2010 Posted 5 February 2010 Lets just hope we have a 24hr recall with DJ. If we end up running short on strikers the egg will certainly be on our face.
Sods Posted 5 February 2010 Posted 5 February 2010 Oakley, King, Dyer Gallagher Fryatt N'Guessan. Think Nigel is giving it away as 4-3-3 but if we take the lead or they have the ball its a 4-5-1. I say fair play, we have needed to find a system to stop the rot in goals against and start scoring more.
Tilley Posted 5 February 2010 Posted 5 February 2010 Weale Morrison Hobbs Brown McGivern Oakley King BernerN'Guessan Howard Fryatt
Chrysalis Posted 6 February 2010 Posted 6 February 2010 we need to not play howard, when he is on the pitch we stop passing it.
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