Team for Saturday?

[Coin-op]

Not a great deal of options for Sat!  If 3 at the back, I wonder if Sykes will play RWB or if we revert to last season and play Scott there?  Who plays in defense?  I thought Vyner looked much more assured as the central defender than right sided in the last few league games but am sure will play RCB as no other options.

It's not an easy pick and am glad I don't have to pick this team! 

if 3/5 at the back, I would go with....                       

                             O'Leary

Sykes        Vyner     Klose     Atkinson   Pring       (Not my 1st choice defensive unit but who else?)

                     James      Scott

                          Weimann                                   (Possiby play AW or Scott at RWB and bring Williams or HNM in?)

                 Conway           Wells                           (Semenyo just not doing it for me lately.)

 

Jeez that was hard!  Have I missed anyone?  Any of these injured?  What team would you like to see?

[The Dolman Pragmatist]

2 minutes ago, Coin-op said:

Not a great deal of options for Sat!  If 3 at the back, I wonder if Sykes will play RWB or if we revert to last season and play Scott there?  Who plays in defense?  I thought Vyner looked much more assured as the central defender than right sided in the last few league games but am sure will play RCB as no other options.

It's not an easy pick and am glad I don't have to pick this team! 

if 3/5 at the back, I would go with....                       

                             O'Leary

Sykes        Vyner     Klose     Atkinson   Pring       (Not my 1st choice defensive unit but who else?)

                     James      Scott

                          Weimann                                   (Possiby play AW or Scott at RWB and bring Williams or HNM in?)

                 Conway           Wells                           (Semenyo just not doing it for me lately.)

 

Jeez that was hard!  Have I missed anyone?  Any of these injured?  What team would you like to see?

Was it hard though?  If you ask me, on current form that team pretty much picks itself.

[OneTeamInBristol]

                             O'Leary

       Sykes     Vyner    Atkinson   Pring       

                  Williams    James                 

         Scott                        Weimann                                   

                 Conway           Wells                 

 

Can't see Klose starting tbh and would like to see 2 defensive midfielders to protect the defence. 

JD and Semenyo dropped for me.      

[Shuffle]

4 minutes ago, Coin-op said:

Not a great deal of options for Sat!  If 3 at the back, I wonder if Sykes will play RWB or if we revert to last season and play Scott there?  Who plays in defense?  I thought Vyner looked much more assured as the central defender than right sided in the last few league games but am sure will play RCB as no other options.

It's not an easy pick and am glad I don't have to pick this team! 

if 3/5 at the back, I would go with....                       

                             O'Leary

Sykes        Vyner     Klose     Atkinson   Pring       (Not my 1st choice defensive unit but who else?)

                     James      Scott

                          Weimann                                   (Possiby play AW or Scott at RWB and bring Williams or HNM in?)

                 Conway           Wells                           (Semenyo just not doing it for me lately.)

 

Jeez that was hard!  Have I missed anyone?  Any of these injured?  What team would you like to see?

Think the team will be the following but who knows

O’Leary

Weimann Vyner Atkinson Pring JD

Scott James Williams

Wells  Conway

[Coin-op]

11 minutes ago, The Dolman Pragmatist said:

Was it hard though?  If you ask me, on current form that team pretty much picks itself.

Yes it was hard as I didn't want to pick that team!  Not a lot of options I agree

Edited November 10, 2022 by Coin-op

[GrahamC]

O’Leary, Vyner, Pring, James, Scott, Weimann, Conway, Wells are certs & then 3 others, though no one else deserves a place based on Tuesday.

Guess Atkinson will be one of them but after that I’m struggling, Sykes probably gets in again by default (Tanner is suspended, Wilson injured) so Klose (though he’s obviously pissed Nige off) or King (not for me but wouldn’t be surprised) or Williams (in the back 3?) or Dasilva with Pring at LCB seem the 11th man unless Kalas is chucked straight in.

Take a point now.

[GrahamC]

29 minutes ago, Shuffle said:

Think the team will be the following but who knows

O’Leary

Weimann Vyner Atkinson Pring JD

Scott James Williams

Wells  Conway

Good shout.

Dasilva gets in by default, Williams is another who is fortunate but unless Kalas or Naismith are back (doubtful) not too many other options.

[Rocking Red Cyril]

Yes interesting selection dilemma for saterday . Semenyou from bench he does not deserve a starting place on current form. 3 at the back or three in midfield ? Not many holding their hands up at present for a definite start. Feel Wells / Conway together up front . With Wiemen behind them ? I think likely. Midfield could well be the important battle on Saturday . NP has options And I really not sure which way he go. 

Got my ticket lower Lansdown and looking forward to a good game 

COYR

[Chivs]

I'm expecting Pearson to pick King "I'm slower than Chris Martin me" at centre back.

O'Leary will be back. I hope and expect AW behind Conway and Wells, which is good.

Pearson should be picking Bentley and Massengo but won't of course.  We will get one of Jilliking (I literally can't distinguish between the three midfielders "Big Nige" brought in).

To be honest, I don't mind which team we play as long as Pearson hasn't picked them.

 

[GrahamC]

27 minutes ago, Chivs said:

I'm expecting Pearson to pick King "I'm slower than Chris Martin me" at centre back.

O'Leary will be back. I hope and expect AW behind Conway and Wells, which is good.

Pearson should be picking Bentley and Massengo but won't of course.  We will get one of Jilliking (I literally can't distinguish between the three midfielders "Big Nige" brought in).

To be honest, I don't mind which team we play as long as Pearson hasn't picked them.

 

Why should he be picking Bentley? O’Leary not do enough to keep his place last week?

Embarrasing.

[CyderHead92]

Oleary 

Vyner Atkinson pring 

Scott Williams James dasilva 

Weimann 

Conway wells

[Northern Red]

16 minutes ago, GrahamC said:

Why should he be picking Bentley? O’Leary not do enough to keep his place last week?

Embarrasing.

The poster has evidently decided that Pearson should go, therefore whatever team he picks will be wrong, regardless of what actually happens in the match.

[bearded_red]

I personally can’t stomach watching those two bottle job wingbacks play, so I’d have Pring and Weimann as wingbacks which I guess means Klose has to play centre half and Williams midfield.

Which is a shame as they were both pitiful on Tuesday.

[Sir Geoff]

2 hours ago, OneTeamInBristol said:

                             O'Leary

       Sykes     Vyner    Atkinson   Pring       

                  Williams    James                 

         Scott                        Weimann                                   

                 Conway           Wells                 

 

Can't see Klose starting tbh and would like to see 2 defensive midfielders to protect the defence. 

JD and Semenyo dropped for me.      

I like that team and have wondered for a while why we haven't gone 442 (although with Tanner at RB, when available). For Saturday I would probably put JD at LB and Pring LM as he is more defensive minded than Weimann.

Would be no surprise to see Scott at RWB Saturday

[Rocking Red Cyril]

1 hour ago, Sir Geoff said:

I like that team and have wondered for a while why we haven't gone 442 (although with Tanner at RB, when available). For Saturday I would probably put JD at LB and Pring LM as he is more defensive minded than Weimann.

Would be no surprise to see Scott at RWB Saturday

Yes I can see Scott at RWB Saturday . But such a waste of his talent there 

[Rocking Red Cyril]

2 hours ago, GrahamC said:

Why should he be picking Bentley? O’Leary not do enough to keep his place last week?

Embarrasing.

O''Leary has done nothing to deserve dropping 

[Rocking Red Cyril]

1 hour ago, Sir Geoff said:

I like that team and have wondered for a while why we haven't gone 442 (although with Tanner at RB, when available). For Saturday I would probably put JD at LB and Pring LM as he is more defensive minded than Weimann.

Would be no surprise to see Scott at RWB Saturday

Yes Tanner and/or Wilson fit at present would be handy . Mind a fit kalas and Naismith be equally as handy 

[marmite]

Play Scott as a forward.  He can beat a man and maybe even draw us a penalty??? which we may well need Saturday. As for the rest, I've no idea either who plays or which formation. 

[BUTOR]

5 hours ago, Shuffle said:

Think the team will be the following but who knows

O’Leary

Weimann Vyner Atkinson Pring JD

Scott James Williams

Wells  Conway

Swap Weimann and Scott (Andi AM) and I think that’s what he’ll pick.

[tin]

I would go:

—————-— O’Leary————

——-Vyner—Atkinson—Pring—-

Scott——James——Williams—Dasilva

——————-Weimann————

—————-Wells——-Conway——

[Rocking Red Cyril]

18 minutes ago, Bouncearoundtheground said:

Swap Weimann and Scott (Andi AM) and I think that’s what he’ll pick.

I think Vyner has done well this season, and I have been one if his biggest critics in the past. But I feel past couple of games he has shown he is better off central. Which unfortunately leads to  Scott RWB which Is not getting the best out of Scott's talents. It is a problem for NP. When are Tanner and Wilson gong to fit ?  Yes weiman can do RWB but again it's a player out of best effecting position.

 

[bredwood]

44 minutes ago, marmite said:

Play Scott as a forward.  He can beat a man and maybe even draw us a penalty???

What's this Penalty thing that you speak of?

[Carey 6]

4 hours ago, GrahamC said:

Why should he be picking Bentley? O’Leary not do enough to keep his place last week?

Embarrasing.

Because Bentley is the better keeper in a lot of peoples opinions. Having a different one to you doesn’t make it embarrassing.

[Rocking Red Cyril]

10 minutes ago, bredwood said:

What's this Penalty thing that you speak of?

I sure the grounds men do not paint them on the pitch any at the gate. 

Never get used so why bother 

[Ivorguy]

Why Williams for goodness sake?  Because we have no one else?

[GrahamC]

14 minutes ago, Carey 6 said:

Because Bentley is the better keeper in a lot of peoples opinions. Having a different one to you doesn’t make it embarrassing.

So you’re seriously also suggesting that we drop O’Leary after last week, yeah?

Or does being man of the match by a mile then not mean anything?

You do realise that it was Bajic in goal on Tuesday?

I get that people are disappointed, I was there in midweek, it was effing rubbish, but randomly dropping the bloke who played out of his skin then is just madness, not “opinion”.

[Carey 6]

7 minutes ago, GrahamC said:

So you’re seriously also suggesting that we drop O’Leary after last week, yeah?

Or does being man of the match by a mile then not mean anything?

You do realise that it was Bajic in goal on Tuesday?

I get that people are disappointed, I was there in midweek, it was effing rubbish, but randomly dropping the bloke who played out of his skin then is just madness, not “opinion”.

I just think your original response to the poster could’ve ended after you asked the question.

I think it would be harsh to drop O’Leary after playing well, so I would probably keep him in goal personally.

But overall I think Bentley is the better goalkeeper of the two of them & shouldn’t have been dropped in the first place. 

[miketh2nd]

I'm not saying we would definitely be better but hear me out ..... last season Dasilva did okay playing rwb  and  Williams has played at cb ... vyner did play his best in the centre of a 3 , Whilst williams is capable of bringing it out .

So something like:-

 

                 O leary 

       Williams Vyner Atkinson 

Dasilva                                     Pring 

                    James    Scott 

                            Weimann

                    Conway     Wells 

 

[EmissionImpossible]

Massengo ahead of Williams please

[HappyClapper]

It’s amazing how good some players become when they’re not in the team.

[JoeAman08]

I thought Conway played the role behind the strikers brilliantly against Lincoln when he come on. Would like to see that again but maybe not Saturday. I’d like to see our biggest and most athletic squad out there personally.
 

RCB and CB is tough because I don’t reckon Klose or King is athletic enough for the role in the centre. Vyner can play it but who plays RCB? Atkinson or Pring? Can’t see that. So Vyner rcb then who in the centre? Think Atkinson could maybe play it but taking a lot of the good he brings out of the equation. So unless Kalas or Naismith is fit it probably has to be Klose. 
 

So that said, unless NP changes formation, I would go with

Max

Vyner Klose Atkinson

Weimann Williams James Scott Pring

Conway Wells

[Cityboy1954]

3 hours ago, tin said:

I would go:

—————-— O’Leary————

——-Vyner—Atkinson—Pring—-

Scott——James——Williams—Dasilva

——————-Weimann————

—————-Wells——-Conway——

Like it except for Dasilva. And williams not the player i thought we had .

[Davefevs]

9 hours ago, Shuffle said:

Think the team will be the following but who knows

O’Leary

Weimann Vyner Atkinson Pring JD

Scott James Williams

Wells  Conway

Assuming Atkinson is fit, then I don’t think you’ll be a million miles away.  The only question mark is who plays RCB3 and CB3, after Zak did well as the central man previously.

[MSN Red]

What about this line up

                               O’Leary

          Vyner.           Klose.          Atkinson

JD.           Scott.              James.         Pring

                           Weimann

         Conway                          Wells

 

[Chivs]

8 hours ago, GrahamC said:

Why should he be picking Bentley? O’Leary not do enough to keep his place last week?

Embarrasing.

I'm of the old-fashioned opinion that the manager should pick his best team.  Do you not recall the last time Pearson kept picking O'Leary until he went back to Bentley?

Embarrassing.

8 hours ago, Northern Red said:

The poster has evidently decided that Pearson should go, therefore whatever team he picks will be wrong, regardless of what actually happens in the match.

I've certainly decided that Pearson should go, like many Bristol City fans who don't wear rose-tinted glasses.  The rest of your post is unfair and unfounded.

If he picks

Bentley

Vyner Klose Atkinson

Semenyo Massengo Scott Pring

Weimann

Conway Wells

 

then I will not criticise him even if we lose 0-4.

[tin]

56 minutes ago, Cityboy1954 said:

Like it except for Dasilva. And williams not the player i thought we had .

I don’t see what other options we have. I don’t want to see Semenyo and Sykes in the starting line up for the foreseeable if it can be avoided and I’d rather Williams gets stuck in as a bare minimum.

[Sleepy1968]

Anyone picking Klose and Semenyo and maybe Sykes in the starting line up for Saturday either didn't go Tuesday, or hasn't since heard what Pearson has said.

[Redtucks]

10 hours ago, Chivs said:

I'm expecting Pearson to pick King "I'm slower than Chris Martin me" at centre back.

O'Leary will be back. I hope and expect AW behind Conway and Wells, which is good.

Pearson should be picking Bentley and Massengo but won't of course.  We will get one of Jilliking (I literally can't distinguish between the three midfielders "Big Nige" brought in).

To be honest, I don't mind which team we play as long as Pearson hasn't picked them.

 

Why???

[Son of Fred]

11 hours ago, GrahamC said:

Good shout.

Dasilva gets in by default, Williams is another who is fortunate but unless Kalas or Naismith are back (doubtful) not too many other options.

If fit zero chance Naismith or Kalas would be risked pre break ....

Would be insanity to do so.

[Son of Fred]

1 hour ago, Chivs said:

I'm of the old-fashioned opinion that the manager should pick his best team.  Do you not recall the last time Pearson kept picking O'Leary until he went back to Bentley?

Embarrassing.

I've certainly decided that Pearson should go, like many Bristol City fans who don't wear rose-tinted glasses.  The rest of your post is unfair and unfounded.

If he picks

Bentley

Vyner Klose Atkinson

Semenyo Massengo Scott Pring

Weimann

Conway Wells

 

then I will not criticise him even if we lose 0-4.

I'll have a pint of what your on..

[GrahamC]

3 minutes ago, Son of Fred said:

If fit zero chance Naismith or Kalas would be risked pre break ....

Would be insanity to do so.

I assumed it wasn’t going to be the case, but Pearson said last week that Kalas was back in training & after Low’s struggles midweek & it being obvious he’s pissed off with Klose, I wondered if he might have made the squad.

[Shuffle]

22 minutes ago, GrahamC said:

I assumed it wasn’t going to be the case, but Pearson said last week that Kalas was back in training & after Low’s struggles midweek & it being obvious he’s pissed off with Klose, I wondered if he might have made the squad.

We can live in hope as our best defender by a mile.

[Cityboy1954]

3 hours ago, tin said:

I don’t see what other options we have. I don’t want to see Semenyo and Sykes in the starting line up for the foreseeable if it can be avoided and I’d rather Williams gets stuck in as a bare minimum.

No im hoping Tanner is the answer at RB he likes a tackle and can get forward  williams not the player i thought we had an Dasilva struggles to get the ball above head height . Were in a mess back there at moment .

[Chivs]

3 hours ago, Redtucks said:

Why???

By a country mile, Bentley is a better goalkeeper than O'Leary.

[Rocking Red Cyril]

14 hours ago, OneTeamInBristol said:

                             O'Leary

       Sykes     Vyner    Atkinson   Pring       

                  Williams    James                 

         Scott                        Weimann                                   

                 Conway           Wells                 

 

Can't see Klose starting tbh and would like to see 2 defensive midfielders to protect the defence. 

JD and Semenyo dropped for me.      

There might be something in that line up

14 hours ago, Shuffle said:

Think the team will be the following but who knows

O’Leary

Weimann Vyner Atkinson Pring JD

Scott James Williams

Wells  Conway

Or that one

[Rocking Red Cyril]

13 hours ago, CyderHead92 said:

Oleary 

Vyner Atkinson pring 

Scott Williams James dasilva 

Weimann 

Conway wells

Nope, Vyner needs to be central

[Bodiesaffer]

5 hours ago, Chivs said:

By a country mile, Bentley is a better goalkeeper than O'Leary.

He’s a better shot stopper, yes.  Shit scared to come off his line.  One of the reasons we have conceded goals from crosses.

[redsquirrel]

10 hours ago, Sleepy1968 said:

Anyone picking Klose and Semenyo and maybe Sykes in the starting line up for Saturday either didn't go Tuesday, or hasn't since heard what Pearson has said.

best bit for me tuesday was a lincoln defender went down injured by the goalpost after a skyward wide shot from semenyo, bloke next to me asked what happened. i told him hed split his sides laughing  made his night

[ExiledAjax]

21 hours ago, Shuffle said:

Think the team will be the following but who knows

O’Leary

Weimann Vyner Atkinson Pring JD

Scott James Williams

Wells  Conway

I agree that you have to go Weimann at RWB. It's mad that after signing the L2 POTY in that position, and repurposing Sykes into an RWB, out best player in that position is still a forward.

However as up top is the one part of the pitch we don't have injury issues, then we can spare Weimann for RWB. He's at least got the tactical discipline to adapt his game and help Vyner out.

Klose being dropped is also fair, and yes that necessitates Atkinson coming central and so Pring and Dasilva then follow as you have it.

The other 5 pick themselves imo, and he won't change back to Bentley for this one game before the break.

I think that's our best available XI, with the best chance of getting at least a point off of Watford.

[Shuffle]

12 minutes ago, ExiledAjax said:

I agree that you have to go Weimann at RWB. It's mad that after signing the L2 POTY in that position, and repurposing Sykes into an RWB, out best player in that position is still a forward.

However as up top is the one part of the pitch we don't have injury issues, then we can spare Weimann for RWB. He's at least got the tactical discipline to adapt his game and help Vyner out.

Klose being dropped is also fair, and yes that necessitates Atkinson coming central and so Pring and Dasilva then follow as you have it.

The other 5 pick themselves imo, and he won't change back to Bentley for this one game before the break.

I think that's our best available XI, with the best chance of getting at least a point off of Watford.

Honestly thought I would be last person to advocate Weimann as a RWB but cannot see another option.  Fed up of Sykes as offers nothing and same could be said of Jay but with injuries no viable alternative unfortunately he starts.

[And Its Smith]

7 hours ago, Chivs said:

By a country mile, Bentley is a better goalkeeper than O'Leary.

Drop Max for not making a mistake…good message to send to the squad!

[Sheltons Army]

34 minutes ago, Shuffle said:

Honestly thought I would be last person to advocate Weimann as a RWB but cannot see another option.  Fed up of Sykes as offers nothing and same could be said of Jay but with injuries no viable alternative unfortunately he starts.

If we maintain the current system , and deploying 2 (James & Scott ?)  mid pitch with one (AW ?) in behind 2 

Id consider somebody who hasn’t been mentioned for that RWB role - Joe Williams

[ExiledAjax]

47 minutes ago, Sheltons Army said:

Id consider somebody who hasn’t been mentioned for that RWB role - Joe Williams

Interesting. My one question is in exactly which minute do you think he'd get the red card? Sorry, that's a little patronising, but the point is I don't think Williams has got the discipline, or the legs, to play RWB properly. He'd either scythe someone down early, or get so knackered later on that he'd take someone out unintentionally. I don't trust him in that position.

For me the only alternative to Weimann at RWB is going to a flat 4, and a) I am not sure we have the personnel for that, b) I know we don't train for that and c) Pearson doesn't trust us to play that.

Edited November 11, 2022 by ExiledAjax

[Sheltons Army]

47 minutes ago, ExiledAjax said:

Interesting. My one question is in exactly which minute do you think he'd get he red card? Sorry, that's a little patronising, but the point is I don't think Williams got the discipline, or the legs, to play RWB properly. He'd either scythe someone down early, or get so knackered later on that he'd take someone out unintentionally. I don't trust him in that position.

For me the only alternative to Weimann at RWB is going to a flat 4, and a) I am not sure we have the personnel for that, b) I know we don't train for that and c) Pearson doesn't trust us to play that.

I think he has the tools to at least do a job there  EA, maybe a bit of getting our best 11 players on the pitch too

Your points are fair questions - As for the ‘legs’ question - My belief is that if the system is played decently the WBs shouldn’t be having to do continual 40/50 yd doggies

The wing backs should IMHO move up the pitch , largely ‘with the ball’

TAA is a classic example of a WB who doesn’t do that and is regularly , significantly ahead of the ball , and look at the holes he leaves

However Klopp accepts the trade off as TAA is exceptional in his attacking threat and thus Klopp wants him in the opponents half as much as poss 

His creativity and the threat he opposes attacking wise somewhat justifies , at least , that ‘trade off’ , 

Our wing backs simply don’t provide a great attacking or creative threat and , IMHO should be used conservatively , with concentration on solidity 

needlessly / sloppily giving  the ball away a lot  , especially in the final third exposes them positionally and thus requires too many recovery runs , and I’m not sure that will change overnight so , IMHO whoever plays as the WBs need to be more cautious positionally

 

Edited November 11, 2022 by Sheltons Army

[City oz]

23 hours ago, Coin-op said:

Not a great deal of options for Sat!  If 3 at the back, I wonder if Sykes will play RWB or if we revert to last season and play Scott there?  Who plays in defense?  I thought Vyner looked much more assured as the central defender than right sided in the last few league games but am sure will play RCB as no other options.

It's not an easy pick and am glad I don't have to pick this team! 

if 3/5 at the back, I would go with....                       

                             O'Leary

Sykes        Vyner     Klose     Atkinson   Pring       (Not my 1st choice defensive unit but who else?)

                     James      Scott

                          Weimann                                   (Possiby play AW or Scott at RWB and bring Williams or HNM in?)

                 Conway           Wells                           (Semenyo just not doing it for me lately.)

 

Jeez that was hard!  Have I missed anyone?  Any of these injured?  What team would you like to see?

Does it really matter who plays. What does matter is that who ever plays we put up a good performance. If we play like s%$t again the important topic is what time does NP drop his lease car off on Monday morning

[spudski]

17 hours ago, tin said:

I would go:

—————-— O’Leary————

——-Vyner—Atkinson—Pring—-

Scott——James——Williams—Dasilva

——————-Weimann————

—————-Wells——-Conway——

Going by what NP said in his latest press conference, about trusting players and the team picked will ' speak for itself'...then I think this maybe the probable line up.

My only other thought based on his comments, could be Weimann going where DaSilva is, and Martin where Weimann was.

[And Its Smith]

5 minutes ago, spudski said:

Going by what NP said in his latest press conference, about trusting players and the team picked will ' speak for itself'...then I think this maybe the probable line up.

My only other thought based on his comments, could be Weimann going where DaSilva is, and Martin where Weimann was.

Continuing to play wing backs without one in form wingback, let alone two is starting to baffle me.  I think I’d rather see this. Not perfect but just looks better to me

                   O’Leary

Vyner.  Klose.  Atkinson.   Pring

      Scott. James. Williams

  Weimann.  Conway.  Semenyo 

[CyderHead92]

9 hours ago, Rocking Red Cyril said:

Nope, Vyner needs to be central

Very true. But who comes in at rcb? Is tanner  available or is he banned until after th world cup?

[spudski]

6 minutes ago, And Its Smith said:

Continuing to play wing backs without one in form wingback, let alone two is starting to baffle me.  I think I’d rather see this. Not perfect but just looks better to me

                   O’Leary

Vyner.  Klose.  Atkinson.   Pring

      Scott. James. Williams

  Weimann.  Conway.  Semenyo 

I agree...as you will have seen from my numerous posts, I don't like the wing back set up that we use.

I don't think NP trusts Klose at the moment nor King. 

I'd prefer your set up. However I don't think NP will budge from our system for this game.

There is however an opportunity to consider a change over the WC break. 

[GrahamC]

1 hour ago, Sheltons Army said:

If we maintain the current system , and deploying 2 (James & Scott ?)  mid pitch with one (AW ?) in behind 2 

Id consider somebody who hasn’t been mentioned for that RWB role - Joe Williams

I’d rather Massengo played there than Williams, you have to get up & back relentlessly at wing back & I don’t think he can.

@CyderHead92 Tanner is suspended, last game of a 3 match one.

[GrahamC]

16 hours ago, HappyClapper said:

It’s amazing how good some players become when they’re not in the team.

Said after midweek with the exception of Conway (& possibly Scott) the ones who gained the most were the 3 who didn’t play, so O’Leary, Pring & James, though arguably Wells came on too late to do any damage to his reputation, either.

[Davefevs]

2 hours ago, Sheltons Army said:

If we maintain the current system , and deploying 2 (James & Scott ?)  mid pitch with one (AW ?) in behind 2 

Id consider somebody who hasn’t been mentioned for that RWB role - Joe Williams

1 hour ago, GrahamC said:

I’d rather Massengo played there than Williams, you have to get up & back relentlessly at wing back & I don’t think he can.

@CyderHead92 Tanner is suspended, last game of a 3 match one.

You beat me to it.  Massengo actually played there once or twice under LJ, albeit for final periods of games as subs were made.  Don’t recall how he did.  But he has the ability to do both aspects of the role imho.

[ExiledAjax]

1 hour ago, Sheltons Army said:

The wing backs should IMHO move up the pitch , largely ‘with the ball’

TAA is a classic example of a WB who doesn’t do that and is regularly , significantly ahead of the ball , and look at the holes he leaves

However Klopp accepts the trade off as TAA is exceptional in his attacking threat and thus Klopp wants him in the opponents half as much as poss 

His creativity and the threat he opposes attacking wise somewhat justifies , at least , that ‘trade off’ , 

Our wing backs simply don’t provide a great attacking or creative threat and , IMHO should be used conservatively , with concentration on solidity

Your correct that there is a trade off in skills and attributes. That's true of any position on the pitch - just look at the Bentley/O'Leary discussion!

For me the concern I have is less about the WB moving up the pitch with the ball and more about moving back down it. I think all our WB options are adept at moving forward (what they do with the ball once they are in the attacking their is a different matter). However specifically at RWB only Weimann, and Scott to a lesser extent, have shown me that they have the discipline to a) not advance when it's too dangerous and b) drop back quickly enough to assist the CBs when it inevitably goes to pot up front.

I don't doubt Williams' enthusiasm, but I do doubt his discipline and fitness through 90 minutes.

I appreciate your opinion on Williams, and perhaps of the mood was better then experimenting with Williams at RWB would be something I could agree with.

But right now I'm going with the proven professional reliability of Weimann.

[hinsleburg]

                    O Leary

           Vyner               Atkinson

Sykes           Williams                   Pring

              James             Scott

                       Weimann

             Wells            Conway

 

Williams as a 'front sweeper', can't remember what game it was last season or earlier this one but he had one of his best games for us in that position. Halfway between a CB and a CDM so can bring the ball out, press but also slot into a back 3/5. Interestingly, it's what I thought Naismith was bought into do but he seems to sweep behind the other defenders as opposed to in front....

Don't want to pick Sykes, would rather have Scott out there but can't afford to lose him in midfield, I want Weimann in the position he scored 20 goals in last season so by default leaves us with Sykes... Pring deserves a shot in his more comfortable postion after some excellent showings at CB, if Atkinson isn't fit then Pring slots into CB with a desperately out of form/poor (let you decide...) JD in front.

Think it gives us enough physicality, structure and pace to give it a go on Saturday. 

[Sheltons Army]

1 hour ago, ExiledAjax said:

Your correct that there is a trade off in skills and attributes. That's true of any position on the pitch - just look at the Bentley/O'Leary discussion!

For me the concern I have is less about the WB moving up the pitch with the ball and more about moving back down it. I think all our WB options are adept at moving forward (what they do with the ball once they are in the attacking their is a different matter). However specifically at RWB only Weimann, and Scott to a lesser extent, have shown me that they have the discipline to a) not advance when it's too dangerous and b) drop back quickly enough to assist the CBs when it inevitably goes to pot up front.

I don't doubt Williams' enthusiasm, but I do doubt his discipline and fitness through 90 minutes.

I appreciate your opinion on Williams, and perhaps of the mood was better then experimenting with Williams at RWB would be something I could agree with.

But right now I'm going with the proven professional reliability of Weimann.

It’s a fair argument EA , especially discipline and fitness capability and I take on board yours and @GrahamCs view.

He would certainly need to be disciplined and possibly unambitious positionally 

It was an alternative , best left to the Coaching staff , who don’t seem to have considered it , which probably indicates they agree with you ! 

[Davefevs]

18 minutes ago, Sheltons Army said:

It’s a fair argument EA , especially discipline and fitness capability and I take on board yours and @GrahamCs view.

He would certainly need to be disciplined and possibly unambitious positionally 

It was an alternative , best left to the Coaching staff , who don’t seem to have considered it , which probably indicates they agree with you ! 

The issue for Williams is having to make 50-60yd lung-busters throughout the game or should I call them hamstring-busters!

[ExiledAjax]

23 minutes ago, Sheltons Army said:

It’s a fair argument EA , especially discipline and fitness capability and I take on board yours and @GrahamCs view.

He would certainly need to be disciplined and possibly unambitious positionally 

It was an alternative , best left to the Coaching staff , who don’t seem to have considered it , which probably indicates they agree with you ! 

Always nice to have a civil discussion about positioning and players. My last word is simply that after this game I hope neither Williams not Weimann ever have to play RWB for us again.

4 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

The issue for Williams is having to make 50-60yd lung-busters throughout the game or should I call them hamstring-busters!

Yes.

[Davefevs]

16 minutes ago, ExiledAjax said:

Always nice to have a civil discussion about positioning and players. My last word is simply that after this game I hope neither Williams not Weimann ever have to play RWB for us again.

Yes.

Is that because you see Weimann as a goalscoring LWB

[ExiledAjax]

3 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Is that because you see Weimann as a goalscoring LWB

Wasn't he technically playing WB when he scored that cracker against Cardiff? Could swear at least a couple of the 23 he scored last season were scored from WB.

Honestly if we could clone the bloke 10 times and play him in every position I think we'd be solidly mid table.

[GrahamC]

10 minutes ago, ExiledAjax said:

Wasn't he technically playing WB when he scored that cracker against Cardiff? Could swear at least a couple of the 23 he scored last season were scored from WB.

Honestly if we could clone the bloke 10 times and play him in every position I think we'd be solidly mid table.

You don’t subscribe to the view previously articulated that he “just runs around” & is “almost stealing a living”, then?