With Kightly on the mend, Foley, SEB and Big Chris making good progress, it seems that we are slowly getting our full squad back together.
Apparently, Ronald Zubar is settling into life better in Old Blighty as well, and Mick tells us he is nearing contention, probably just behind a fit-again Berra in the pecking order.
The injury to Craddock in training is the only negative so far, but even that loss doesn’t feel even half as devastating as losing Kightly, Doyle and co.
For a long time, I have thought that our first XI for the first four games of this term is still not as strong as that marauding team who won 7 on the bounce a year ago. But with the injured lads coming back, and Hoff and Castillo coming in, I don’t think I’ll be saying that for much longer.
And irrespective of these impending appearances, I’d wager that our squad is certainly stronger now, offering more options and flexibility than we had at any stage in 2008.
Wasn’t it Dave Jones that once proclaimed that there was no such thing as formations in football? (he said as soon as players start moving around, formations went out the window).
If he’s right, then this blog is pretty redundant today, as I want to talk formations, specifically for Saturday!
What do you do? 4-5-1 or 4-4-2? I opt for the latter, despite it being away from home, as I think Blackburn are there for the taking. Let’s show some intent, and get at them.
However, if Mick plays a 4-5-1 it really wouldn’t surprise me. To do this, Keogh needs to find a place in the side, which would have to be the right of the midfield, with Doyle on his own. With Stearman doing so well v Hull, Halford would drop out?
I prefer square pegs in square holes, and wouldn’t want that, but you never know.
Defence sorts itself out with Mancienne presumably partnering Berra, and Elokobi at left back.
Then there’s Hoff to come on, and Halford to start pelting those bombs.
Your thoughts?
I’d like us to go 4-5-1 on saturday with Doyle up top on his own, Keogh dropping to the bench, and same midfield as against Wigan. I agree with you that Blackburn are there for the taking but playing 4-5-1 isn’t as negative as it looks on paper, and I think we will still get something out of this game even if we were to play this formation.
i still think the players look happiest in 4-4-2. stick with that. Keogh and Doyler upfront. Stick with milijas and henry but look to change that if blackburn start bossing milijas. Depending on which striker is scoring / looking most likely to score take the other off for the Hoff or even SEB for the last 20min.
I think Blackburn have a fairly blunt attack so Berra should do ok and maciennes positional sense should stop most things. We need to be careful on set pieces and hennessey needs to be commanding that 6 yard box. Blackburn are a hardy team but if we take our chances we can win. I reckon 2-1 to us doyle brace!
I would like to see us in a positive formation – 4-4-2 with Keogh playing just behind Doyle. I say Keogh as I think MM will play him regardless of whether SEB is fit or not. Ideally I would partner SEB and Doyle but I can see Keogh playing this game ahead of SEB. Keep it tight for 50 mins then replace Keogh with SEB, so he gets a decent run out. I can see The Hoff coming on late (as Vokes has been).
This will be a tough game, Blackburn are well organized at home, however their fans will be expecting them to put one over on us and therefore if we keep them quiet for 20 – 30 mins the frustrations should start to appear. Once we turn the crowd, we should go on to win the game. I can see only one goal in this game, therefore Blackburn 0-1 Wolves – Doyle in the 53rd minute.
Yep, I’m all for a 442, but just have this hunch Castillo will play on Saturday.
Historically, Mick likes two defensive, no nonsence midfielders in his teams. I don’t buy into him being cover for Henry, as I thought that was the case with Quashie, and he played the pair of them for a few games.
Olofinjana and Henry played a big part in our ruck of clean sheets in Mick’s second full season.
And at Sunderland, he liked Carl Robinson and Jeff Whitley (so my Mackem mate always tells me).
I reckon Castillo and Henry will be paired together pretty soon. Might leave Milijas just further forward in midfield, or he could drop out completely.
All speculation, probably way off!
fuck formations in the end, i just want us to score on top of our good performances. tbh mick has got it mostly right so far, we just havent buried the chances we’ve got.
come on strikers earn your keep!
I’d play our best players. That means that if any of SEB, Foley and Kightly are fit they play. Simple as that. I think SEB is the only one in genuine contention. If he’s fit and Keogh’s picked ahead of him i’ll be livid to say the least. I’d go 4-4-2.
Hanhemann
Stears Zubar Mancienne Elokobi
Halford Henry Milijas Jarvis
SEB Doyle
Milijas scored against France. Hope he can start doing the same for Wolves.
It was from the penalty spot though!
still counts jed 😉
How about 433? Doyle and Keogh playing off the Hoff, with Milijas, Henry and Castillo shoring up the midfield. SEB to get a run out to improve his match fitness.
After all, why go to the trouble of signing these strikers if you’re not going to use them?! In fact, why not do a Spurs? Doyle, SEB, the Hoff, Keogh and Vokes upfront, Henry keeping things tight in midfield.
We will get murdered playing 433, it has to be 442. We have looked shakier with 5 across the middle than when we play with 4. I’ll be happy with a point on Saturday and move on from there
I am in the 4-4-2 camp, and have been thinking about the strongest 11, if everyone is fit.
A couple of points I’d make is that I am not plumping for the likes of Zubar, not until he gets a run. Although I would expect him to be first choice come the New Year.
Interesting to note the second team I have made up. Shows the strength we now have.
1st team:
Hennessey
Foley
Mancienne
Craddock
Elokobi
Kightly
Henry
Milijas
Jarvis
SEB
Doyle
Hannemann
Stearman
Zubar
Berra
Ward/Hill
Halford
Castillo
Edwards/Jones
Surman
The Hoff
Keogh/Iwelumo
Dazza: Do you know if the game is on on Foxtel? I checked their online guide and it doesn’t seem to be there amongst the other kick offs. I’ve emailed them and asked, but you could help as well.
Milijas’ penalty was absolute quality though. Mandanda should be France’s #1.
I’d go 4-4-2, and drop to 4-5-1 if we score first, have to hold on, replacing one of the strikers with Castillo.
Hennessey
Sters Mancienne Berra Big George
Halford Henry Milijas Jarvis
SEB(Keogh if SEB not ready) Doyle
Bring Hoff on if we want to chase the game.
I would play a 4-5-1. Doyle up top with Castillio coming in to play with Henry and giving Milijas a free role, Jarvis on the left and Halfor on the right. I know MM will prob find a way to crowbar Keogh in some where.
I don’t understand the augument that 4-5-1 is negative but 4-3-3 is uber positve, when the two are essentaily the same depending on if you are attacking or defending. Liverpool seam to do very well playing 4-5-1, when they attack they have at least 4 men threatening, Man U won the league playing 4-3-3 but when defending Rooney & Ronaldo where doubling up with their own full back to stop the opposition winger. 4-4-2 is actuall the least flexible and most restrictive formation we could play. Do you see what I mean??
I would like to see the hoff thrown on to case some chaos at some point and would like to see Hammenen start as I think Hennesy has looked a little timid at this level. I hope Foley is fit but not to concerned as I have been impressed ny Stearman this term.
4-5-1 / 4-3-3 (Depending on who half we are in)
Hammenman
Foley/Stearman
Berra
Mancinne
Elokobi
Jarvis
Castillio
Milijas
Henry
Halford
Doyle
Wouldn’t have a problem with that Pete. I do think the arrival of Castillo is to allow us to do a bit of a Liverpool, who always like the two holders (Sissoko / Alonso or Mascerano / Alonso). Milijas our Serbian Gerrard!
It’s nice to have the debate, as I don’t think we could have had it last season as we didn’t have the personel. One thing that was levelled at us during the New Year blip was that we became a bit too predictable.
They can’t say that now! Surely that team you gave is stronger than at least 3 others in this league?
Pete spot on mate, sometimes using the term 4-5-1 is just a bit too hard for some people to understand!!! Obviously when you play a 4-3-3 all 3 forwards play on the last man and never get back behind the ball! Or if you play a 4-5-1 the 5 never cross the half way line!!!!!!
Think i’d go with Edwards though ahead of Castillo. And still stick with Hennersey in goal. Would have been a rout for Russia last night if it wasn’t for Henners
Emerald Pete, I agree entirely about 433 or 451, however, perhaps if you play a 433 with 3 out and out strikers rather than wingers then I suppose it is the uber positive formation you claim it to be.
I still think 4-4-2 sorts us out better than the 4 5 1
Hi T’om , sorry for delay. It will be on Viewers Choice on Foxtel as far as I know, I’m sure I saw a trailer for it in the week
Thanks Dazza, its just it wasn’t listed with the other games on Viewers’ Choice. I’m new to the whole Foxtel thing and had a little freak out.