The absence of Vaulks means at least one change. The question is whether to put Ajayi in that holding midfield role or not. On the basis that Blackburn have very mobile attacking players (Graham, Armstrong, Dack) I'd be tempted to keep Ajayi at the back next to Robertson. Wood is a worry against genuine pace. I think I'd match Blackburn up and go 442. Rodak; Vyner, Ajayi, Robertson, Mattock; Williams, Towell, Manning, Newell; Smith, Proctor; Subs; Price, Jones, Wood, Wiles, Palmer, Taylor, Vassell. Blackburn are probably one of the few sides I'd be happy to go 442 against.
If Jones is fit, there's a chance to put him in at RB and move either Vyner or Wood alongside Robertson. I'm not sure how much we could expect Newell to bring to our midfield effort and therefore would probably prefer to strengthen it with Ajayi in front of the back four. Either a 4 1 3 2 formation or 4 1 4 1? However, I'm more than happy to bow to Warnie's far superior judgement than my own!
I agree Warne needs to tweak it a little with vaulks missing
Jones if it at right back and play vyner alongside Robertson. Wood the legend is too slow
Manning towell Williams with vasell on right
Couldn't have Vyner at Centre back. Vassell is worse on the right than he his on the left were he's not good enough. Newell question marks especially in an away game. Let's see what Wiles can do. Rodak; Vyner Ajayi Robertson Mattock; Williams Wiles Towell Manning; Smith Proctor. Manning on the left side of midfield but not playing as a out & out wide man, would still be 3 in midfield.
Vassel should play in away game - has enough about him to not get bullied out of it. Newell isn't really up for the challenge away from home.
Manning, Towell and Williams making up the 4.
Let's have Proc and Smith up top.
Not so sure PW will play 4-4-2 especially away from home. If Armstrong does play Vyner may be in for a tough afternoon. I would put Ryan Williams wide right to assist Vyner, bring Jones back to play just in front of the back four as a ' sitting ' midfielder.
I'm going for a 1-1 battling, backs to the wall performance. Frustrate Blackburn for the first 20mins / 25mins and we can come away with a point or dare I suggest a .......WIN.....looking forward to this game as always, expecting around 600 to 700 away supporters. Been plenty of times to Ewood Park, unfortunately it's a long time since I saw them win there !!
-- Edited by C64F on Friday 9th of November 2018 08:41:52 AM
-- Edited by C64F on Friday 9th of November 2018 08:44:11 AM
Last time.we played them there we were on back foot from the off
Warne go for a 4 3 3 to start get them pinned in their own half
It's about pyschology as well
What did we learn last Saturday? We got outplayed in the 1st half. That can happen but as long as the management team take out what was wrong it can show you the way ahead. Taylor & Vassell aren't up to this level out wide. Williams isn't a midfield player, good enough on the right. Vaulks is suspended tomorrow. With that in mind I'm sticking with the same keeper/defence tomorrow. Williams Wiles Towell Manning in midfield. Smith Proctor up front.
-- Edited by gwru on Friday 9th of November 2018 11:32:09 AM
If our forward's can't score they failed again against Swansea how are we going to win at Blackburn a place where we never get anything. We can't leave the right back exposed like we did last Saturday I hope warnies learned his lesson.Have a feeling we might win tomorrow 3-1 to us I predicted at half time Rotherham would get a win last Saturday nobody believed me hope i'm right tomorrow.
I think we have only won twice at Blackburn in our history so its a big ask tomorrow. I would stick with 4:5:1 and keep in the game as long as possible. Bring on some possible game changers in the last third of the game and try and nick it or force a draw. Fairly negative i know but best chance of getting something.
I think if we played 4:4:2 with Towell and young Wiles in the middle of a midfield four its just asking for us to be overrun. I would play Wiles because he is the nearest replacement for Vaulks if we keep Ajayi in the back four which i think we have to.
With all that in mind i would play this line up.
Rodak
Vyner Ajayi Robertson Mattock
Williams Wiles Towell Manning Vassell.
Smith.
Proctor to come on as an extra attacker if we are behind in second half. Also Newell to play a part in second half. Taylor could also come on if Williams was having an off day. I think we will either draw 1-1 or lose by the odd goal. Hope i am wrong.
Tipping we will start with part of the problem we had last week. Be too late when we change it. Me Wiles & Hinds would be starting. We haven't got a player who can play out wide on the left. Newell is somebody to bring on. Same keeper/defence Williams Wiles Towell Manning Hinds; Smudger.
In a difficult Championship away game gwru you'd give a league debut playing out of position to a lad whose first team experience amounts to a Checkatrade Trophy game against Chesterfield Reserves and a month on loan in the seventh or eighth tier of football. Wow.
smiler I'm the same with the horses has I am with my Roth U players. I look for something on the way up. Hinds same as Wiles you could see they were more than just kids being given a game. Hinds looked good going forward, has a sweet left foot.
It's a very tight league this time around but keep picking up away points and eventually it will take us clear of the bottom (assuming we win at home for the majority)
No doubt about it this was a very good point for us and Warney is getting team selection correct as indicated by gwru.
In the first half we were as good as them and Mattock had a good chance to score but missed the target with a close range header. They also had chances and bar from a great Rodak save we could have also let one in. The second half was like the siege of the alamo and we hardly got into their half but to the lads great credit, a bit of poor finishing and a very good display from Rodak we kept in the game. Then completely against the run of play Williams got near the by line and delivered a great cross for Smith to head in. They hit back within ten minutes to equalise. Warne has said he thought it was offside. i have no idea whether it was or not as it was impossible to say from where i was.
The result flattered us a bit as they had a lot more possession and many more shots and chances. Again though our lads battled,scrapped,frustrated and were up for it and kept going right to the end. My big worry is that we are under siege in a lot of games both home and away. I think its only a matter of time before somebody gives us a hiding but i also believe there is a belief and a strong team ethic that will allow us to hit back after it. Still not sure we have enough quality to stay up but know we will be in it right to the end battling away. Help is needed in January to bring in some Quality in the middle and up front. Whether there is money or desire to do that is another matter.
Just watched brief highlights. Rodak kept us in the game. Good cross from Williams, good headed finish from Smudger. There goal, Warney he's saying from a ricochet off our player that went to there player who was in an offside position before he crossed it for the equaliser. Wasn't he played onside? is that still the rule? Looked at match report on the OS see Newell came off on 60 mins, Taylor came on. Taylor on the left is not going to work at this level. That's why I'd like to see Hinds on the bench who is naturally left sided.
First half was even and if anything we shaded it. Second half they were rampant and we had to scrap for our lives. In the end it is a very good point. Vyner was run ragged by Armstrong and the poor lad has had a difficult few days with James then Armstrong getting at him but at this level weaknesses will be ruthlessly exploited. By all accounts Bristol City rate him as a centre back first and foremost and he looks like someone who is learning how to play full back at this level on the job. If Jones isn't likely to be fit that spot has to be a priority in January. Yet again though lots of positives to take and we are surely doing as well as any of us could have hopes for.
