01 Mar 2017 15:39:27
The management need to put an awful lot of thought into Saturday's team selection. not trying to be clever just a sensible team chosen, round pegs etc.
The right formation is critical because this is a tough game that we just cannot afford to lose, we've got the players just pick the horses for courses, it's vital the players see this being done, and the fans so we can get behind them.
CARLO.

1.) 01 Mar 2017
01 Mar 2017 19:05:35
Well said Carlo!

2.) 01 Mar 2017
01 Mar 2017 21:24:06
Great post Carlo and thoroughly agree. It's going to be difficult on Saturday. I'd go for a conservative 4231 with Lichaj Worrall Hobbes (harsh on Fox I know but I suspect Hobbes won't be fit anyway) and Pinnillos then Vaughn holding with either Mancienne (again if fit) or try and get an hour out of Cohen alongside breaking up their attacks. Then Carayol or Ward left side, peirreira or Arikiyi right for a bit of pace on the break and either Clough or Osbourne central supporting the lone striker ideally Brit although harsh on young Bereton. I just think we won't get many chances against the Seagulls and Brit is more likely to put one away although conversely Bereton will run and chase all afternoon. So some tough decisions for GB but I'm reminded of when I saw Forest beat Leicester a t the Kingpower 2 nil a few years back when BD played a similar system and just said to his team if they pass it through us or score a worldly so be it! You just take your hat off to a better team on the day. As long as the lads give it a go ill be happy. Incidentally FAH could have a look at the Brighton model in terms of stability and organization behind the scenes and learn (but you just know he won't! )

3.) 01 Mar 2017
01 Mar 2017 21:32:08
Assuming we have no Hobbs or Mancienne back we need to cancel out their 2 main threats. Ward to match up Knockaert and Bendtner to face off with Dunk, otherwise we will be chasing 2 goals before we start!

Midfield Ward Vaughan Clough Cohen with Clough at the top of the diamond

McCormack and Bentdner up front.

4.) 01 Mar 2017
01 Mar 2017 21:47:38
Id go for 4231, but itd want it a bit more forward thinking than Vaughn and Mancienne. How many times do we lose our shape when these types get left behind when we try and go forward.

Smith
Lichaj Worrall Fox Pinillos
Cohen Tshibola
Pereira McCormack Clough
Brereton.

5.) 02 Mar 2017
02 Mar 2017 06:23:23
4-3-3
Lichaj Hobbs Mancienne Pillinos
Vaughan
Osbourn Cohen
Ward McCormack
Brereton

To me this seems more fluid and allows us to attack with our full backs whilst Vaughan provides cover. Mancienne can cover Hobbs lack of pace and provide a link up from defence to midfield then allow Cohen and Osbourn to push on the two guys on the wing can cut inside to support brereton while the full backs get the width to cross into the box.

6.) 02 Mar 2017
02 Mar 2017 06:56:54
Just need to play Clough in the middle and not out wide, I just feel that GB is missing the simple points some times, square pegs in square holes, simples! Play people in their strongest natural position, let them do what they are good at, tell them to give 100% effort, if we lose at least we tried and on the day lost to a better team. Back 4 is easy, Lichaj Fox, Mancienne, Pinillios. Midfield 5 would be Ariyibi, Clough, Osborne, Ward, Vaughan. Brereton up top.

7.) 02 Mar 2017
02 Mar 2017 09:07:53
People are mentioning Bendtner, really! Should never pull ongrace a Garabaldi again in my opinion.

8.) 02 Mar 2017
02 Mar 2017 11:16:32
There is far too much expectation being put on Clough just because of his fee. He hadn't been having as much an impact at Bolton this season and bearing in mind ridiculous money being paid he cost a relatively small amount. If he was as good as some on here think he would have cost 2 or 3 times what we paid and almost every club in the top 2 divisions would have been chasing him. He's Young and still learning he's not going to dominate games yet wherever he plays. Give him time and we will see the talent but he's at a new club and settling in. We need to use him sparingly and build his confidence not heap pressure on him to dominate games for us only to find he's not quite ready for that. We're far too quick to build up expectations of players.

9.) 02 Mar 2017
02 Mar 2017 12:50:48
Unfortunately young players only need to have a few minutes on the pitch, show a spark of talent and fans think they are world beaters and going to turn us into play off candidates. We are so desperate for positives that we get carried away and lose perspective - on a smaller scale to Fawaz.

10.) 02 Mar 2017
02 Mar 2017 14:31:39
I could not agree with you more 2tone.

11.) 02 Mar 2017
02 Mar 2017 17:57:08
We should be excited by some of the youngsters but we pin all our hopes on them -I know it's a sign of desperation as we all want something to get excited by but we do need a reality check.