Team for Saturday

[MrRedRobin]

What is everyone's team? Would be nice to see Yeboah from the start, think he deserves it. 

[GrahamC]

3 minutes ago, MrRedRobin said:

What is everyone's team? Would be nice to see Yeboah from the start, think he deserves it. 

He’s far too raw & inexperienced to start.

Fair play to the kid, he gave their defenders a few issues but he was only 17 recently & he’s nowhere near ready to play 90 minutes yet.

There are about 8 who are certs to play & Gardiner-Hickman will certainly come into contention.

Personally I’d persevere with Naismith at CB, he’s left footed & has looked comfortable there but not too many decisions to make, possibly the RB & Vyner or Dickie if Kal does play at the back.

[ollywhyte]

For me

                           O’Leary 

         Tanner    Vyner    Naismith   Pring

                            James

                       TGH   Knight

            Sykes                            Bell

                           Cornick

I’d like to see what TGH has to offer to our midfield. From reviews he’s energetic, not afraid to shoot and can operate as a number 8 so beside Knight could offer us some real energy with James given them a licence.

I’m purely starting Bell over lack of other options and feel if Mehmeti was in any type of form he’d get the nod here. But Bell wasn’t too bad vs these lot in the cup last year…

A punt with Cornick through the middle, why not at this point… he looked better for it when he came on vs Hull.

 

 

[sh1t_ref_again]

Team that started at Millwall except Nailsmith for Williams and possible Gardiner-Hickman for Tanner, we need our pace back up front with Bell & Sykes alongside Wells, with Yeboah as impact sub

O’Leary, Tanner, Vyner, Dickie, Pring, Naismith, James, Sykes, Knight, Bell , Wells

 

[Ian M]

When is the next U21 fixture? Will we be able to pick a full squad or will these players be required to play for the age group?

[Davefevs]

14 minutes ago, GrahamC said:

He’s far too raw & inexperienced to start.

Fair play to the kid, he gave their defenders a few issues but he was only 17 recently & he’s nowhere near ready to play 90 minutes yet.

There are about 8 who are certs to play & Gardiner-Hickman will certainly come into contention.

Personally I’d persevere with Naismith at CB, he’s left footed & has looked comfortable there but not too many decisions to make, possibly the RB & Vyner or Dickie if Kal does play at the back.

Will be interesting to see what he does with Dickie, Vyner and Naismith.

I think TGH will start at RB over Tanner.

I don’t see Nige deviating from his front three system, and I think generally Dickie and Vyner have looked solid as a pair….so I would quite like to see Naismith in midfield with James and Knight.  Would be harsh on Williams, but squad game.  I think Kal would take some pressure off of Vyner and Dickie’s passing.

In a slight aside, James came on and played as an 8 last night (King stayed as the DM) and he looked quite comfy being a bit further forward.  Not saying he’ll play their Saturday, but if Naismith were to drop in to receive the ball from the back, no reason James couldn’t take up positions further forward.

[mozo]

4 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Will be interesting to see what he does with Dickie, Vyner and Naismith.

I think TGH will start at RB over Tanner.

I don’t see Nige deviating from his front three system, and I think generally Dickie and Vyner have looked solid as a pair….so I would quite like to see Naismith in midfield with James and Knight.  Would be harsh on Williams, but squad game.  I think Kal would take some pressure off of Vyner and Dickie’s passing.

In a slight aside, James came on and played as an 8 last night (King stayed as the DM) and he looked quite comfy being a bit further forward.  Not saying he’ll play their Saturday, but if Naismith were to drop in to receive the ball from the back, no reason James couldn’t take up positions further forward.

Agree with that, but I do have reservations about TGH playing right back. How natural is he in that position? I recognise that Tanner's out of form, but at least he has the instincts for the position. 

[Davefevs]

2 minutes ago, mozo said:

Agree with that, but I do have reservations about TGH playing right back. How natural is he in that position? I recognise that Tanner's out of form, but at least he has the instincts for the position. 

Tune in Saturday

[mozo]

3 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Tune in Saturday

I will 

[eardun]

                         O’Leary 

           TGH   Vyner  Dickie  Pring

                   James  Naismith

                          Knight

               Sykes  Wells   Bell

                           

[pongo88]

I feel that both Bell and Mehmeti have demonstrated that they’re not up to standard as the left attacking option. Both seem weak and lacking in end product. Consequently I’d play Hayden Roberts at left back and Cam Pring at left midfield. This would mean switching from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2 so I don’t think it will happen. Shame as Pring has pace, strength and can run at and beat defenders 

[Malago]

Same team as Hull except Dickie for Naismith.

[GrahamC]

17 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Will be interesting to see what he does with Dickie, Vyner and Naismith.

I think TGH will start at RB over Tanner.

I don’t see Nige deviating from his front three system, and I think generally Dickie and Vyner have looked solid as a pair….so I would quite like to see Naismith in midfield with James and Knight.  Would be harsh on Williams, but squad game.  I think Kal would take some pressure off of Vyner and Dickie’s passing.

In a slight aside, James came on and played as an 8 last night (King stayed as the DM) and he looked quite comfy being a bit further forward.  Not saying he’ll play their Saturday, but if Naismith were to drop in to receive the ball from the back, no reason James couldn’t take up positions further forward.

Certainly is harsh on Williams.

Think he’s done well in the games I’ve seen, looks leaner to me & using the ball better than last season.

You could well be right about Gardiner-Hickman, after doing ok in the first half Tanner seemed to kick the ball off the pitch more often than he found a team mate in the second. He did ok at Hull against a tricky opponent in Twine but was really poor v Brum.

[Silvio Dante]

Again, I’d like to see 3-5-2 - and I don’t think we will - but if we did I’d go

O’Leary

Vyner-Dickie-Naismith

Sykes-Williams-James-Pring

Knight

Wells-Cornick

(NB - that front line I’m not 100% on but I’d like them to be able to bring people into the game)

I think we’ll stay 4-3-3. With doing that, I’d probably do something a touch controversial and play:

O’Leary

TGH - Vyner - Dickie - Roberts

Naismith-James-Knight

Sykes-Wells-Pring

I genuinely don’t think Bell or Mehmeti have done enough to warrant starts. Pring is nominally in the front 3 due to that but it’s very much an interchange between him and Roberts.

Either way, I think by default the following get in the side either way:

MO/ZV/RD/CP/MJ/KN/MS/JK/NW

Then it’s just who the other 2 are and how we set up

 

[Shauntaylor85]

48 minutes ago, ollywhyte said:

For me

                           O’Leary 

         Tanner    Vyner    Naismith   Pring

                            James

                       TGH   Knight

            Sykes                            Bell

                           Cornick

I’d like to see what TGH has to offer to our midfield. From reviews he’s energetic, not afraid to shoot and can operate as a number 8 so beside Knight could offer us some real energy with James given them a licence.

I’m purely starting Bell over lack of other options and feel if Mehmeti was in any type of form he’d get the nod here. But Bell wasn’t too bad vs these lot in the cup last year…

A punt with Cornick through the middle, why not at this point… he looked better for it when he came on vs Hull.

 

 

There is no way on earth that Tanner deserves to play. He’s been poor in every game and is our current weakest link. Seems to have lost confidence. 

[RedRoss]

17 minutes ago, pongo88 said:

I feel that both Bell and Mehmeti have demonstrated that they’re not up to standard as the left attacking option. Both seem weak and lacking in end product. Consequently I’d play Hayden Roberts at left back and Cam Pring at left midfield. This would mean switching from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2 so I don’t think it will happen. Shame as Pring has pace, strength and can run at and beat defenders 

I really like this idea been thinking it myself. He definitely could play that position.

Problem is who partners Wells. I like the thought of Yeboah however it's alot to ask of a 17 year old. I know we have Bell and Cornick but I'm not sold yet but we need to put trust in one of them. Conway was such a big blow to our season.

[Charlie BCFC]

25 minutes ago, eardun said:

 

                         O’Leary 

           TGH   Vyner  Dickie  Pring

                   James  Naismith

                          Knight

               Sykes  Wells   Bell

                           

This for me

[And Its Smith]

15 minutes ago, Charlie BCFC said:

This for me

And me 

[JAWS]

2 minutes ago, And Its Smith said:

And me 

Agree except Roberts at LB & Pring instead of Bell for some power & accurate/powerful crossing.

Roberts is one of few players that has hardly put a foot wrong when played & deserves to start in my view

 

[1960maaan]

44 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Will be interesting to see what he does with Dickie, Vyner and Naismith.

I think TGH will start at RB over Tanner.

I don’t see Nige deviating from his front three system, and I think generally Dickie and Vyner have looked solid as a pair….so I would quite like to see Naismith in midfield with James and Knight.  Would be harsh on Williams, but squad game.  I think Kal would take some pressure off of Vyner and Dickie’s passing.

In a slight aside, James came on and played as an 8 last night (King stayed as the DM) and he looked quite comfy being a bit further forward.  Not saying he’ll play their Saturday, but if Naismith were to drop in to receive the ball from the back, no reason James couldn’t take up positions further forward.

Vyner's had a rest, Dickie had his the game before , so I see those two starting. 
Although I would like to keep his legs to come on as a finisher in MF, it would make sense to give him a start at RB, just to give Tanner a rest if nothing else. The other side Pring has the shirt for me.

MF is interesting, we could play (hated phrase) a double pivot and hope that would allow the FB's the get further up the pitch. More likely is , as you say, James steps further forward and we hope his control helps up further up the pitch. With Knights energy it could be a good mix.
Bell has done well against Swansea previously, really troubled them with his pace. I'd start him for his pace. I'd always start Sykes on the right and Wells through the middle is obvious. 
I agree again , harsh on Williams , but not a bad option from the bench and gives him a little rest. 

I think Yeboah is a way off a start, maybe FA Cup might be a sensible target . But until then he will get some decent minutes from the bench. 

              O'Leary
JGH - Vyner - Dickie - Pring
                Naismith
        James -  Knight
     Sykes - Wells - Bell

The pace up front should be able to put pressure on the Swansea back line as they fanny about , sorry , pass endlessly , sorry , try and manoeuvre space by playing out from the back.

[Davefevs]

38 minutes ago, Shauntaylor85 said:

There is no way on earth that Tanner deserves to play. He’s been poor in every game and is our current weakest link. Seems to have lost confidence. 

He hasn’t been.  He has been poor in some.

49 minutes ago, Silvio Dante said:

Again, I’d like to see 3-5-2 - and I don’t think we will - but if we did I’d go

O’Leary

Vyner-Dickie-Naismith

Sykes-Williams-James-Pring

Knight

Wells-Cornick

(NB - that front line I’m not 100% on but I’d like them to be able to bring people into the game)

I think we’ll stay 4-3-3. With doing that, I’d probably do something a touch controversial and play:

O’Leary

TGH - Vyner - Dickie - Roberts

Naismith-James-Knight

Sykes-Wells-Pring

I genuinely don’t think Bell or Mehmeti have done enough to warrant starts. Pring is nominally in the front 3 due to that but it’s very much an interchange between him and Roberts.

Either way, I think by default the following get in the side either way:

MO/ZV/RD/CP/MJ/KN/MS/JK/NW

Then it’s just who the other 2 are and how we set up

 

I kinda with you there, I like that.

[cidercity1987]

I didn't go last night but Sykes looked very prominent as the central attacking midfielder? Maybe an answer of sorts to our problem of no link between midfield and attack

O'Leary

Tanner Vyner Dickie Pring

James Knight

Sykes

Cornick Wells Bell

[RedEyez]

1 hour ago, mozo said:

Agree with that, but I do have reservations about TGH playing right back. How natural is he in that position? I recognise that Tanner's out of form, but at least he has the instincts for the position. 

Did well when he came on and actually made a really nice forward pass which Tanner rarely does sadly. 

[stephenkibby.]

Whoever plays in the wide positions on Saturday must be looking over their shoulder .

I know he's only 17 and has no experience but his 20 minutes last night was a breath of fresh air. Yeboah looked more effective ,and more important played with confidence.

[MelksRed]

I'd take 11 players that fully understood their given  roles and gave a sh1t about the shirt.

Not that simple though....eh?

[bcfc01]

 

Same as the team for Hull but with Dickie in for Naismith.

 

 

 

[DaveF]

1 hour ago, mozo said:

Agree with that, but I do have reservations about TGH playing right back. How natural is he in that position? I recognise that Tanner's out of form, but at least he has the instincts for the position. 

I was always of the understanding he was more a right back than CM?

As per the West Brom website...

'Versatile right-sided player, who can play in both full-back roles, as a wide midfielder and in the middle'.

[GrahamC]

37 minutes ago, DaveF said:

I was always of the understanding he was more a right back than CM?

As per the West Brom website...

'Versatile right-sided player, who can play in both full-back roles, as a wide midfielder and in the middle'.

According to Transfermarkt he’s featured there 23 times in his career (right midfield 28 & centre/defensive midfield 19) which is certainly enough to say he’s not just filling in.

Edited August 30, 2023 by GrahamC

[Son of Fred]

9 hours ago, Davefevs said:

TGH - Vyner - Dickie - Roberts

Naismith-James-Knight

Sykes-Wells-Pring

Roberts definitely worth the start..

Naismith a must start when fit.

I'd love to see Pring advanced(if only ) - can't be worse than what we've seen of late & could be a right pain in the arse for the fullback.

My only reservation is TGH at right fullback - reputedly not so assured there.......??

 

 

 

[sh1t_ref_again]

1 hour ago, Son of Fred said:

Roberts definitely worth the start..

Naismith a must start when fit.

I'd love to see Pring advanced(if only ) - can't be worse than what we've seen of late & could be a right pain in the arse for the fullback.

My only reservation is TGH at right fullback - reputedly not so assured there.......??

 

 

 

Not sure I understand Roberts and Pring switch, Roberts has been at his best going forward and putting in crosses, having watched hin in defence against Norwich, Pring is much there, does not stop Cam getting forward and over lapping 

[1960maaan]

I don't think we have looked as threatening wide so far this year, or at least the partnerships don't seem to have worked.
Tanner and Cornick hasn't looked natural at all, not sure if they just need time to gel, but Cornick's habit of turning back to the FB seems to put pressure on Tanner and he has looked lacking in confidence. Specially when you think back to those goals he has scored getting into the box. With Sykes it's a bit better , but not much. MS does go at the BF a bit more IMO.

The other side is similar, Pring & Mehmeti / Bell haven't dove tailed well at all. Playing a right footer on the left should mean them cutting in narrow leaves space for Pring to bomb on, it hasn't really happened. 

The thing is, I think we have looked better defensively we just haven't got the balance of things right ..... yet.

For me when Conway is fit, I'd like to see us play the 2 up top. Wells & Conway were as threatening as we have been for ages. A sort of 4-1-3-2, but what do I know. Even if it was in his mind to get 2 bodies up top, we are some way off having the payers for it until TC is fit.

[Davefevs]

57 minutes ago, 1960maaan said:

I don't think we have looked as threatening wide so far this year, or at least the partnerships don't seem to have worked.
Tanner and Cornick hasn't looked natural at all, not sure if they just need time to gel, but Cornick's habit of turning back to the FB seems to put pressure on Tanner and he has looked lacking in confidence. Specially when you think back to those goals he has scored getting into the box. With Sykes it's a bit better , but not much. MS does go at the BF a bit more IMO.

The other side is similar, Pring & Mehmeti / Bell haven't dove tailed well at all. Playing a right footer on the left should mean them cutting in narrow leaves space for Pring to bomb on, it hasn't really happened. 

The thing is, I think we have looked better defensively we just haven't got the balance of things right ..... yet.

For me when Conway is fit, I'd like to see us play the 2 up top. Wells & Conway were as threatening as we have been for ages. A sort of 4-1-3-2, but what do I know. Even if it was in his mind to get 2 bodies up top, we are some way off having the payers for it until TC is fit.

Tanner needs to try to get beyond him - overlap / underlap.  That creates space.

[wendyredredrobin]

Whilst I could pick a number of combinations in defence and midfield, I am stumped for something that could work up top where none of our forwards look likely to frighten any championship defenses.

I wonder whether playing Roberts at LB and Pring left midfield might work as he looked good going forward last season.

Maybe bring Gardiner-Hickman in at RB as Tanner seems to have no idea when it comes to going past the half way line.

Edited August 31, 2023 by wendyredredrobin

[The Journalist]

13 hours ago, Davefevs said:

Will be interesting to see what he does with Dickie, Vyner and Naismith.

I think TGH will start at RB over Tanner.

I don’t see Nige deviating from his front three system, and I think generally Dickie and Vyner have looked solid as a pair….so I would quite like to see Naismith in midfield with James and Knight.  Would be harsh on Williams, but squad game.  I think Kal would take some pressure off of Vyner and Dickie’s passing.

The centre-back thing is interesting. Naismith's the third-best defender out of him, Vyner and Dickie but I also think we're a better team with Naismith there - I've always liked having a quarter-back type at centre-half because it gives you a completely different dimension in possession. It forces the other team to change how they press/defend against you.

Naismith playing as the CDM can obviously have a similar impact, but I think it's easier to defend against if you're relying on all of your play to come through him so it often then becomes about how well you can use the CDM as a decoy to open up other passing lanes.

I think it'll be fascinating to see which route Pearson takes.

[Davefevs]

Just now, The Journalist said:

The centre-back thing is interesting. Naismith's the third-best defender out of him, Vyner and Dickie but I also think we're a better team with Naismith there - I've always liked having a quarter-back type at centre-half because it gives you a completely different dimension in possession. It forces the other team to change how they press/defend against you.

Naismith playing as the CDM can obviously have a similar impact, but I think it's easier to defend against if you're relying on all of your play to come through him so it often then becomes about how well you can use the CDM as a decoy to open up other passing lanes.

I think it'll be fascinating to see which route Pearson takes.

There’s no bloody one-way to play this game is there?

[The Journalist]

3 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

There’s no bloody one-way to play this game is there?

I think my concern with us is we put Naismith in the holding role expecting everything to come through him, they put someone up against him, he drifts deeper and deeper, creates bigger and bigger gaps between the midfield three and our centre-halves are looking at each other thinking "now what?".

Next thing you know Vyner's clipping the ball straight out of play trying to force the pass himself and the moaning and groaning from the crowd begins.

You can basically play the whole thing out in your head before it happens, can't you?!

Edited August 31, 2023 by The Journalist

[GrahamC]

Can I just say in the midst of a fair bit of understandable gloom at present, this thread is OTIB at its best.

We are realistically all probably debating about which 2 out of 3 or 4 start at Swansea because there is a lot of Hobson’s choice here, but the arguments being put forward either way are smart & the responses civil.

Top stuff.

 

[1960maaan]

14 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Tanner needs to try to get beyond him - overlap / underlap.  That creates space.

I admit I have a bit of a blind spot with Cornick, not seeing much ATM. That said I thought the cameo the other day at Hull was as effective as I've seen him. For me the fact he gets the ball to feet, but rarely faces the FB and more often plays the ball back quickly , makes it hard for GT to get beyond him. 
It might be my imagination, but it feels like Sykes goes at the FB much more, which would make some space. Tanner just looks a little short on confidence to me, maybe playing G-H will shake things up a little , I wonder if Nige has thought about switching wings and get Mehmeti out on the right, he faces the FB up which would allow Tanner to overlap. 

[mozo]

25 minutes ago, wendyredredrobin said:

I wonder whether playing Roberts at LB and Pring left midfield might work as he looked good going forward last season.

This keeps cropping up as an option on OTIB, and I like the sound of it, particularly against a side with a strong attacking right side. But so far Nige hasn't seemed to fancy it. I wonder why not? Perhaps he's got sufficient faith that Bell and/or Mehmeti will come good given more time.

[Davefevs]

39 minutes ago, 1960maaan said:

I admit I have a bit of a blind spot with Cornick, not seeing much ATM. That said I thought the cameo the other day at Hull was as effective as I've seen him. For me the fact he gets the ball to feet, but rarely faces the FB and more often plays the ball back quickly , makes it hard for GT to get beyond him. 
It might be my imagination, but it feels like Sykes goes at the FB much more, which would make some space. Tanner just looks a little short on confidence to me, maybe playing G-H will shake things up a little , I wonder if Nige has thought about switching wings and get Mehmeti out on the right, he faces the FB up which would allow Tanner to overlap. 

We aren’t seeing enough from Cornick, I don’t think anyone disputes that.  We are seeing flashes, but you have to look quite hard (beyond the Hull cameo - word up!).  There were a couple if occasions first half on Tuesday where he got the ball a bit more in-field, and then his reaction was different - it was to dribble in-field, getting the yard on his man and playing into Wells or the advancing Sykes.  I feel when he gets the ball on the touchline, he is restricted by the side of the pitch…and his own confidence to do something different.  When receiving in-field if he can’t beat his man, he can go back on the outside.  We also saw second half what he can do with the ball down the side ahead of him…almost setting up Mehmeti (who I thought was unlucky that the defender just managed to get a toe to the ball as he attempted to get it out of his feet to Wells).

But Cornick hasn’t done this enough.  It’s why I think he has more scope more central.

[johnbytheriver]

Nahki at centre forward for me

[LondonBristolian]

I feel our set-up works better away than at home so I'm not looking for massive changes.

Compared to Hull, I think I'd bring Naismith into midfield with Dickie coming in for Williams. Assuming no Weimann, I think I'd go Cornick, Wells and Bell up front. 

I think those would be the only changes. 

[GrahamC]

28 minutes ago, LondonBristolian said:

I feel our set-up works better away than at home so I'm not looking for massive changes.

Compared to Hull, I think I'd bring Naismith into midfield with Dickie coming in for Williams. Assuming no Weimann, I think I'd go Cornick, Wells and Bell up front. 

I think those would be the only changes. 

Surely Sykes starts?

Brilliant assist for Wells’ goal at Hull & probably about our third likeliest scorer, though accept that’s a low bar at present..

[LondonBristolian]

2 minutes ago, GrahamC said:

Surely Sykes starts?

Brilliant assist for Wells’ goal at Hull & probably about our third likeliest scorer, though accept that’s a low bar at present..

My logic was that Wells and Bell lack physicality and Cornick brings that. And, at the moment. both Sykes and Cornick are effective in flashes but often drift out of games so I was torn between the two. I'd not be upset if Sykes started ahead of Cornick but I'd be pleasantly surprised if it resulted in a repeat of the Hull performance.