Woodgate’s team talk: this lot can’t defend lads, so we need to fill our boots today. They’ll press us high, so just soak it up and hit them on the counter. They’ll make at least one total f**k up at the back and concede at least one from a set piece; if we bag another on the break, they’ve got to score 4 to beat us and that ain’t happening is it Mr Ayala? Nice one, the points are ours...
Racing Post have us down to get something to night....... https://www.racingpost.com/sport/fo...-betting-previews-free-tips-tv-details/411094 It doesn't help the Boro case that George Friend is out until February. I was reading at the weekend how they have seven key players out of contract next summer including Friend and Clayton. With no parachute payments they can't risk losing so many players for nothing, so January will be a big month for them. They can't really afford to pay off Woodgate so he's getting more support than you'd expect. Dropping to league one would be very bad for them.
On Radio Sheffield GS says that he is convinced that a diamond shape in midfield is the way forward - have we got the players to fit this and what does this mean for our wingers?
Sibbick or Halme at the defensive tip of the diamond, Mowatt at the attacking tip, plus two of Styles, Dougall, Bahre and McGeehan? As for our wingers, we'll likely fook most of them off, even though Thomas is probably our best player.
Going on Saturdays team he may try Woodrow at right back with Anderson as the attacking tip of the diamond with Pinnilos upfront with Schmidt.
In every piece I've read on GS, it appears to be evident that he has favoured a diamond shape with two dedicated attackers ever since he became a coach, so he's not saying anything new really.
Only we could assemble a squad with an overload of wingers and then set a head coach on who plays without them.