Tent XI?

Ruddy

New RB - Bennett - Bassong - Garrido

Bennett - Biglia - Nzonzi - Hoolahan

New CF - New CF

Ok, so it's a bit thrown together, noting that Hoolahan isn't necessarily a left winger, and that we're unlikely to sign two first team strikers. A new RB is required, Naughton would be perfect but that simply isn't going to happen...

I think we need Wes on the pitch, just because he's so good on the ball and can receive a pass under pressure. He actually commits defenders too, unlike Pilkington recently, who after tearing Kyle Walker to pieces last season hasn't really looked willing to take on players in the games we've had so far.

I think that's a big part of what we lack a lot of the time - you see opposition wingers scaring the s**t out of Tierney and Martin because they actually run at them and make them defend. So many times our wingers seem to play in front of the opposition full-backs and try to whip a cross in. With only one in the box the cross has to be perfect for it to come off. However, if we have our wingers pushing the full-backs right to the by-line with two in the box, it gives us an extra target and also potentially a bit more time for one of the CMs to get forward and create a further option in and around the box.

Nzonzi and Biglia in midfield would be great - Nzonzi is cultured on the ball but is also capable of getting from box-to-box and Biglia is an accomplished play maker, like an upgraded David Fox.

Those two buzzing around midfield would see much better ball retention than we currently have. I remember in the Blackburn game at CR last season we just couldn't get the ball off Nzonzi due to his shear size and skill. Bradley Johnson and Jonny Howson (who is good on the ball and has potential, I'm not writing him off in that sense) simply don't have that in their lockers.

Bennett and Hoolahan to provide the options on the wing. Bennett is a great worker and can provide a good cross, but as stated above, I do wish he'd have a bit more belief in himself and take on full-backs more often. He has the pace to worry them. Wes can cut inside a bit more and feed the ball to feet to either of the strikers.

In this set up, we'd want a couple of good movers up front. Biglia needs someone to aim at, but it wants to be on the deck as much as it is in the air. Same for Wes. Holt/Morison don't move well enough for me. Holt is unfit and Morison (IMO) has always had a question mark over his movement/alertness. I'd probably plump for Jackson and Martin in this set up at the moment, but clearly we need at least one new striker even if Holt bucks his ideas up.

Posted By: Dog, Aug 24, 09:43:19