Holmowl Posted September 2, 2018 Share Posted September 2, 2018 Wigan - Nuhiu 90 Fletcher 3 Hull - Fletcher 73 Sunderland* - Fletcher 90 Brentford - Nuhiu 90, Fletcher 14 Millwall - Fletcher 70, Nuhiu 20 Ipswich - Nuhiu 90, Fletcher 11 Wolves* - Fletcher 74, Nuhiu 17 Reading - Nuhiu 90, Fletcher 3 Nuhiu - 380 League minutes, 17 Cup minutes = 397 minutes total Fletcher - 174 League minutes, 164 Cup minutes = 338 minutes total We have played 17 minutes this season without either Nuhiu or Fletcher, and that was enforced due to Atdhe’s previous red card. Another excellent example of Jos looking after his resources with thoughtful and intelligent planning. With the current players available he clearly favours the targetman approach, and sees these two in that role. I admire the way he has carefully eased Fletcher to match fitness. At 31 and battle-scarred, just back from a bad injury, Fletcher would be a cert to relapse if handled carelessly. Not only has he played only 50% of the time, he has been allowed to re-cut his teeth in the Caribou, where I imagine Jos has looked him in the eye and told him it’s a step above a friendly - pace yourself. Dont know if it’s wishful thinking but Fletch looks really fit and sharp. Seems to be really enjoying being on that field. I think and really hope that we will will see something similar all season. Fletcher or Nuhiu, giving everything and resting in roughly equal measure. A fighting fit Atdhe battling you for 60, replaced with a fighting fit and eager Steven Fletcher (or vice-versa) is a mighty fearsome prospect for a manager and his CBs. Its also good for competition. You would always want to be the one picked for the starting-shirt and play more minutes, and I have no doubt that a spell of top form from either would be rewarded accordingly by Jos. As I’ve said before, we fans need to show understanding and support of Jos. Some of us prefer Nuhiu, others prefer Fletcher. Nothing wrong with that. But let’s realise and accept that neither are Ironman, and both need carefully managing. If we can keep these two fit for the majority of the season it allows Jos to keep to his preferred team shape and system. We aren’t seeing rocket-science, but we are being given an exhibition of proper, professional , structured squad and team management. Multiply this to Hooper, Lee, Hector, Onomah and even Abdi, and we do seem to be in very good hands and in pretty exciting times. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torres Posted September 2, 2018 Share Posted September 2, 2018 Both have a big part to play this season Horses for courses Both have their positives. However if Fletcher stays fit I think it’ll be a good season for him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bouncing Owl Posted September 2, 2018 Share Posted September 2, 2018 Neither may get in later in the season. There will be a case for Hooper given he’s a class player but I actually can see Joao been played through the middle at some stage as well. I think we will get Onamah in the team which may mean that Reach plays wide right. I may be wrong but I can see it. Adam Reach will not be dropped imo - he’s too much a valuable team player. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hitcat Posted September 2, 2018 Share Posted September 2, 2018 I'd like to see Fletch and Joao as a two. Joao just behind. Anyone know how many games they've started like that together? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DobbinTheDonkey Posted September 2, 2018 Share Posted September 2, 2018 (edited) After last Saturday I would have said Fletcher but Nuhiu started yesterday and played well, so WTF do I know. Edited September 2, 2018 by DobbinTheDonkey 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torres Posted September 2, 2018 Share Posted September 2, 2018 I’d love to see Joao in the middle flanked by FF and Reach I think that gives us a bit of everything, a real good mix and a variety of threats. Joao seems a lot stronger than previous years and the one thing he has over the others is his pace. Playing with this 4-3-3 I’m not sure how Hooper would fit in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sham67 Posted September 2, 2018 Share Posted September 2, 2018 Fletch every day for me. And I'm a big fan of Nuhiu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bouncing Owl Posted September 2, 2018 Share Posted September 2, 2018 3 minutes ago, torres said: I’d love to see Joao in the middle flanked by FF and Reach I think that gives us a bit of everything, a real good mix and a variety of threats. Joao seems a lot stronger than previous years and the one thing he has over the others is his pace. Playing with this 4-3-3 I’m not sure how Hooper would fit in I honestly see this happening. I’m 95% confident we will keep a back 4 now and I am pretty sure Onamah will come into midfield. However, Jos will always play Bannan and he will also play a defensive midfielder. Reach is way too important to us and he will not be dropped. I see him playing wide right in an attacking 3. I think Jos will like this as he knows he will get defensive work from Reach. He trusts him to do this. It also gives us legs up top and we will have legs in midfield through Onamah. Joao’s form together with his pace and movement may force Jos to play him through the middle. I think this will happen towards the end of September. It’s a young man’s game and I think Jos wants to have energy, pace and legs in his team. Hooper could play the central role in a 3. Hes a top class player but he has a battle on to get a place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billyblack Posted September 2, 2018 Share Posted September 2, 2018 Do you know what i take from this thread. We have options. Some may work better than others on given days bit its a nice position to be in. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S36 OWL Posted September 2, 2018 Share Posted September 2, 2018 Big Dave for me , every time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SallyCinnamon Posted September 2, 2018 Share Posted September 2, 2018 Fletcher Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sonny Posted September 2, 2018 Share Posted September 2, 2018 I think it’s great that we have the option to rotate, increasing competition and managing fitness. Relatively speaking though, Fletcher is a Rolls Royce. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Snooty Posted September 2, 2018 Share Posted September 2, 2018 Both. Both will play a huge part and already are. Nice to see that neither will be flogged to death. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
areNOTwhatTHEYseem Posted September 2, 2018 Share Posted September 2, 2018 1 hour ago, Sham67 said: Fletch every day for me. 16 minutes ago, S36 OWL said: Big Dave for me , every time. Surely the point being made is that you don't play one of them every time; you rotate them, keep them fresh, breed competition... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldishowl Posted September 2, 2018 Share Posted September 2, 2018 What we are seeing is that they play the role differently. Fletcher is more mobile and basically plays across the opposing back four. Nuhiu while more static drops a bit deeper , drags defenders with him which leaves holes for our players to get into. I really think that now we have more runners in the rest of the team we will see Atty playing most games and I think it will work most times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sham67 Posted September 2, 2018 Share Posted September 2, 2018 1 hour ago, torres said: I’d love to see Joao in the middle flanked by FF and Reach I think that gives us a bit of everything, a real good mix and a variety of threats. Joao seems a lot stronger than previous years and the one thing he has over the others is his pace. Playing with this 4-3-3 I’m not sure how Hooper would fit in What a great position to be in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daleblue Posted September 2, 2018 Share Posted September 2, 2018 I would play the player on what is required on the day, if either Fletcher or Nuhui are picked by the Manager for certain games that's OK, he will have done his homework, and if not working can always change, so for me both these players when playing well deserve a starting place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nevthelodgemoorowl Posted September 2, 2018 Share Posted September 2, 2018 40 minutes ago, S36 OWL said: Big Dave for me , every time. Did you not read the lead by Holmes ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
York_Owl Posted September 2, 2018 Share Posted September 2, 2018 I’d play Joao down the middle with Forestieri on the left and Matias on the right. Having said that it sounds like Nuhiu played well yesterday so he deserves to keep the shirt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanzaroteowl Posted September 2, 2018 Share Posted September 2, 2018 It's no contest really Fletcher all day long in general This season is a no brainer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now