cockneyvillageowl Posted May 1, 2016 Share Posted May 1, 2016 Amazing day yesterday, what a fantastic atmosphere and Hooper banging the goals in to feed his confidence ahead of the play offs was perfect timing. Accommodating 3 central midfielders just didn't seem to work though. Bannan has been exceptional this season, his place in the Championship XI is completely deserved. Yesterday on the wing though, he looked fed up and let's be honest, there was no width at all on offer down the right hand side. How he's scoring 8 and 9 in the player ratings thread must be through the blue tinted specs. Against quality opposition, Bannan staying narrow could keep everything in check.. the trouble is, with the first leg at home I think we'll need the extra creativity against a team that will obviously be more challenging than Cardiff were. Is Lopez offering too much for Bannan to go back to centre mid? Not 100% sure myself. Does Wallace come back into the XI given the assists he's made from his crossing (albeit he's not everyone's first name on the team sheet to put it mildly)? Just wondered what people's thoughts were re this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earlsfieldowl Posted May 1, 2016 Share Posted May 1, 2016 (edited) Wallace stays in the bench for remaining games, Lopez starts with Bannan, Lee and Forestieri for first leg I'd possibly start with Hutch in midfield away second leg and bring Lopez on with 20 mins to go. This will be a very tough game and we may need some extra bite in the middle. Revert to the first lineup should we make the final with both Hutch and Wallace on the bench. Lopez will have more space and time on the ball at Wembley which will suit him. Loovens is my main concern - he has been fine of late but an injury waiting to happen and we need Hutch to slot in next to Lees in case. Edited May 1, 2016 by Owlsofrustration Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutch McLovin Posted May 1, 2016 Share Posted May 1, 2016 I don't think CC can play Bannan in cm, Lee and Lopez (Hutch too before injury) work too well... I know Lopez and Hutch are different but they both pair well with Lee. Bannan didn't work on the right tho I agree, he should play on the left for me... I think he'll go: Wallace Lee Lopez Bannan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earlsfieldowl Posted May 1, 2016 Share Posted May 1, 2016 (edited) I don't think CC can play Bannan in cm, Lee and Lopez (Hutch too before injury) work too well... I know Lopez and Hutch are different but they both pair well with Lee. Bannan didn't work on the right tho I agree, he should play on the left for me... I think he'll go: Wallace Lee Lopez Bannan With FF just off Hooper? Hooper played better with Joao and Dave. I don't think Wallace will get back in and I can see him going for the same lineup as played yesterday..The away leg will be interesting as we will need to withstand a lot more pressure so the midfield has to be strong to protect the back 4, especially down the flanks Edited May 1, 2016 by Owlsofrustration Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldishowl Posted May 1, 2016 Share Posted May 1, 2016 Big call this but I'd leave Lee out. Play Wallace Lopez Bannan FF That's not a big call its madness! I think Lee is the first name Carlos puts on the teamsheet in midfield Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
areNOTwhatTHEYseem Posted May 1, 2016 Share Posted May 1, 2016 It may sacrifice Bannan's game slightly, but I believe our strongest midfield is what we went with yesterday. I'd rather go with the strongest overall midfield unit rather than prioritising one player. Going into the playoffs, we'll need wide midfielders who are willing to chase back and close down relentlessly, and all of Forestieri, Bannan and Lee are prepared to do that for 90+ minutes. Carlos' comments to Radio Sheffield yesterday re: McGeady were quite revealing: he suggested he approached the game like a UEFA Cup tie and wanted to ensure that he had midfielders who could offer the right balance of defensive and attacking qualities. I wouldn't be surprised if he approached the playoffs in a similar manner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beholder Posted May 1, 2016 Share Posted May 1, 2016 Big call this but I'd leave Lee out. Play Wallace Lopez Bannan FF Haha. No. won't happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richowl Posted May 1, 2016 Share Posted May 1, 2016 Impossible to drop any of the 3 currently. Instead of bannan on the right I'd be tempted to put Lee there. Lee-Lopez-Bannan-FF All 4 are so comfortable on the ball & offer tremendous workrate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshTheOwl Posted May 1, 2016 Share Posted May 1, 2016 Think this where the problem is potentially We need 2 up front, Hooper can't play on his own and needs someone next to him. Otherwise he'll spend half his time chasing for the ball and will never be near the box, like the Hull game. The problem is, if we play with 2 up front we have to try and accommodate 3 centre midfielders in Lee, Bannan and either Hutch or Lopez. I'm not quite sure what the solution is, and nor does Carlos. Imo, I prefer the 5 man in the midfield. Wallace- Bannan - Hutch - Lee - FF. However when you get to the strikers, playing on there own Nuhiu is the better man however Hooper is the only one capable of scoring goals on a regular basis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beholder Posted May 1, 2016 Share Posted May 1, 2016 The team that played yesterday is our best team in my opinion. Well apart from possibly Hutch at RB but dunno if now is the time for experiments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Snooty Posted May 1, 2016 Share Posted May 1, 2016 These are the trials the managment face. I wouldn't fancy having to make those decisions. For me Bannann is the best central player. But there is no way on form that Lopez or Lee should be moved. It would be harsh in the extreme. It's a real quandary for the management. It really does show how far we have come that these sorts of debate are the talking points. Having so many quality players vying for position. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYCOWL Posted May 1, 2016 Share Posted May 1, 2016 Anyone remember when Potter and JOC were automatic picks. Oh how lovely life is The horror Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cockneyvillageowl Posted May 1, 2016 Author Share Posted May 1, 2016 It may sacrifice Bannan's game slightly, but I believe our strongest midfield is what we went with yesterday. I'd rather go with the strongest overall midfield unit rather than prioritising one player. Going into the playoffs, we'll need wide midfielders who are willing to chase back and close down relentlessly, and all of Forestieri, Bannan and Lee are prepared to do that for 90+ minutes. Carlos' comments to Radio Sheffield yesterday re: McGeady were quite revealing: he suggested he approached the game like a UEFA Cup tie and wanted to ensure that he had midfielders who could offer the right balance of defensive and attacking qualities. I wouldn't be surprised if he approached the playoffs in a similar manner. Interesting to hear that, cheers for posting it. Some good discussion going on here, nice one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holmowl Posted May 1, 2016 Share Posted May 1, 2016 Great question OP. We can only play 4 midfielders, and six names are being mentioned. For me its Wallace - Lee - Bannan - Fernando. Joao and Hooper up front, with Nuhiu to take over if Joao doesn't sparkle. Lopez - has been great, but Lee/Bannan has done the business all season. Hutch - can cover for Lees or Loovens, but he is behind Lopez now as a CM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IstillhateSteveBould Posted May 1, 2016 Share Posted May 1, 2016 Bannan was excellent yesterday on the right. He was also excellent against Derby on the left. We don't need him in the middle because Lee and Lopez together works so well. I don't agree Forestieri's best position is left midfield as he's such a dangerous forward. Look how many of his goals have been proper poacher goals. If it's throw up between him and Mcgeady on the left, then fair enough, play him there. But with Bannan, he should stay up top. Wallace to come back in on the right. Hooper is perfectly fine playing alongside FF as he's proven in enough games. Leeds, Reading, Forest, Hull, Derby...He's just been off form recently. Understandable as his mind has probably been elsewhere. 1st choice for me, Wallace Lee Lopez Bannan ------Hooper ----- FF 2nd choice Bannan Lee Lopez FF ----Hooper--Joao Confident of getting results with either line up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueblood Posted May 1, 2016 Share Posted May 1, 2016 Impossible to drop any of the 3 currently. Instead of bannan on the right I'd be tempted to put Lee there. Lee-Lopez-Bannan-FF All 4 are so comfortable on the ball & offer tremendous workrate. 100% this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salmonbones Posted May 1, 2016 Share Posted May 1, 2016 (edited) I want the best out of Bannan, that's central I want the best out of Hooper, that's with a partner I want the best chance off a goal return from FF, that's from the left I want balance, Wallace gives us that It's a straight choice who drops. Lee or Lopez. Right now I just can't drop Lopez Hunt though? He can't pick the right pass or cross for love nor money at times recently, so maybe a turn at RB for Lee could be on the cards ? Edited May 1, 2016 by salmonbones Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRADDO Posted May 1, 2016 Share Posted May 1, 2016 Big call this but I'd leave Lee out. Play Wallace Lopez Bannan FF That would be huge call and is one that CC surely won't make at this stage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IstillhateSteveBould Posted May 1, 2016 Share Posted May 1, 2016 I think tbh it's easy to get too carried away with formations and systems. In reality you just need your best players on the pitch as much as possible. Tweak things as you go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dixeydearns14 Posted May 1, 2016 Share Posted May 1, 2016 I think I'll leave it to Carlos, he knows best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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