I was hoping Whiston might kick us off with his analysis of Swansea. He is always insightful. All I know is that they made the playoffs last season and are up there again this season, and that they have some very good players. I suspect we will go there with one up front, probably Ladapo. I know he isnt everyones cup of tea (I am already seeing the words 'Vassell not for me' in my crystal ball) and I am not his biggest fan, but Vassell did as much in that number ten role in an hour against Preston as anyone else has done there all season. On the old principle that if you do well you keep your place, he deserves another go for me. Probably then Lindsay and Barlaser in midfield with Wiles and FloJo wide. Back four Harding, Ihiekwe, Wood and Mattock if fit. Blackman in goal if fit. A point would be excellent if we could get one. A won would be amazing. Good result for us last night with Coventry and Birmingham getting a point each in a drab 0-0 affair. Good to have a meaningful game to look forward to after the international break borefest. UTM.
Definitely not Vassell. Mattock either. Don't trust either of keepers we've used this season. 4-4-1-1 Vickers; Olosunde Ihiekwe A McDonald Harding; Flo Lindsay Barlaser Wiles; Crooks; Ladapo
Smiler - I was hoping that Blackman wouldn't return so quickly. I'd like to see Johansson tested. I thought the defence looked more confident with him in goal - he's very active and vocal and his kicking is far superior to B's. I'd give him the shirt today. I understand the pressure that you're under to advocate a place for Vassell! I'd have Miller in before Vassell, working with Lapado. However, that's a difficult proposition without compromising midfield.
I assume Warne's thinking today will be along the lines of 'we can't expect to defend against Swansea for 90minutes and hope to keep a clean sheet. We therefore need to have sufficient attacking options to give us a chance of nicking a goal and keeping the ball in Swansea's half as much as possible'. Should make for an interesting team selection and tactics. Just glad it's a competent football coach making the decisions and not me!
TBH Smiler i haven't looked on this site much all week. I thought the Crooks post went into the gutter and the latest s**t post Gwru is lower than that. Good posters involved in that rubbish saddens me.
Swansea sit sixth in the league and have taken nine points from their last six games, only two more than us. However, their last six games have been against sides in the top half of the division. Swansea have the second best defence in the league only letting in seven goals. Swansea all season have played with a back three. The formation has switched between 3.4.2.1 (rarely used), 3.4.1.2 (most popular), 3.5.2 and 3.4.3. They, like many clubs have injury problems, with the likes of Cabango, Naughton, Byers, Gibbs White and most recently Ayew all on the treatment table. If Ayew is out (injured on international duty) this would be a massive loss to them as most Swansea fans see him as their best player.
I think Warne should go with a very similar line up to the one that beat Preston. The back four did well and i thought the Gk was as good as Blackman but a better kicker of the ball. As Smiler said Vassell was as good as anybody in the No 10 role. If we play 4.4.1.1 then i would go with the last line up. With Sadlier out until February the options for the player behind the lone striker are limited. Only Crooks appears as an option and i would bring him on again when Vassell tires which he usually does. A very tough and tight game is anticipated by myself with either a 0-0 draw or a 1-0 defeat. Stay safe everybody there is light at the end of this very dark tunnel i think.
The Crooks thread was designed to go into the gutter Whiston. It’s difficult not to fall into the trap. I don’t have a strong preference for Blackman over Johannson. As Glenn knows, I am under enormous pressure to advocate Vass. Doing my best to do so, I would suggest that he has featured in some of our best performances in the last season and a bit like the second half at MKDons when he came off the bench with Ladapo and changed the game from 0-2 to 3-2 and the win at Oxford when he scored twice in what was our best performance of the season. His goal scoring record on paper looks poor but a large proportion of his listed appearances have been as a sub and he also played wide left a lot in the early days and did a job. Maybe (just maybe) that ten role is where he belongs and maybe given a run there he would do the business. He was good against Preston and we won. Not only was he decent on the ball but he put himself about a bit, so nobody could complain too much if he got another crack at it.
I'm in agreement with Smiler about giving Vassell another go, I thought he played alright in the last game, certainly no worse than anybody else has in that position this season. I'm with Glenn with regards to the keeper, I've haven't really been convinced by Blackman so far (although he was improving before his injury) and thought Johansson did enough in the last game to keep the shirt for another game, certainly enough to not have to risk Blackman if he still isn't fully fit. I'd probably go for the same side that started against Preston but with Jozefzoon in place of Sadlier obviously. It will be a tough game and I'd probably take a point now.
Looks like Mattock still not fit and Wood and Ladapo not available. Swansea are without some players as well. That’s how it is going to be most weeks for most teams, although I make it seven potential first team players not available for us, which is tough to take. The line up is fair enough. Crooks presumably to play in support of Hirst. Big chance for Hirst.
Mostly got it right. Don't mind Hirst starting, got to start sometime. Warney still got his head on! He couldn't start with Vassell he's tried to get shut of him last two summer transfer windows. Agree what's been said if it's not working Miller for the no. 10 role. Smudger lone striker up front.
'Mostly got it right'. Lol. Most of us have opinions. You think.youre always right even though you are almost always wrong. Get it into your skull pal - you know a fraction of what Warne (and for that matter every manager in the league) knows about football. A very small fraction.
Poor goalkeeping for the goal, no doubt about it. A weak punch and then he let's a weak shot go under him. Swansea are very good. Their movement off the ball is excellent and they are very bright. So far - and it's as simple as this I'm afraid - they are just a much better side than we are with better players. It's the first time this season I have watched us and thought we were getting outclassed. Hopefully we can turn it around but I'm not optimistic.
Poor decision bringing Blackman back at fault for the goal and nearly gave a 2nd away for being half asleep, All set pieces we look so vulnerable to conceding and our set pieces have been poor lots of fancy ones that don't cause them trouble. Let us hope for some luck 2nd half
smiler Warney what's he know apart from playing happy families! I've said that keeper is going to cost us games but Warney knows best. I want to see Vickers in goal cause Johansson looks dodgy as well. Crooks he's not in the game, try Miller can't think of much else. Warney will probably put Vassell on, why I don't know.
smiler you said I only know a fraction of what Warney knows. When's Warney going to prove that especially in the championship? Only positive I've got Clarke looks to have something. Don't know how we still only one behind.
Played better late in the game. Could have had a pen. Wingers Flo & Miller are lightweight. McDonald & Harding pick of our players who played the full game.
second half was much better Clarke was excellent and Vassell is so bad every opportunity he gets he gives a foul, loses the ball or wastes it shooting from ridiculous positions, for me he shouldn't be at the club. Would Clarke get a game if we didn't have so many injuries? I dont think so and that is where warne is weak. We still lack any bite from any of our forwards and that will keep us in the bottom 6 all season, Hirst not shown enough yet, freddie is the best of a bad bunch, smith should be used to carry the kit bag and vassell cancel his contract. Our midfield and defense isn't that bad, we are better when Wood plays.
Well done to PW for changing it around and taking the game to Swansea. They were probably the best team we've faced this season but in the last quarter there was only one team who looked like scoring. Very impressed with Clarke's performance at LB. With a bit of luck, we could have nicked a point and possibly 3!
I'm afraid the keeper cost us the game and his dreadful error shortly afterwards almost put the game out of reach. I've very little confidence in him and would much prefer Johansson in goal.
No great damage done in terms of the table. Onwards and upwards!
