Team v Huddersfield

One name here will be controversial but this be my team

Cooper
Watson Earl Shepherd Ogbeta
Russell Connell Phillips
Farrugia McGoldrick Vickers

Subs
Flavell
MDG
Yoganathan
DKD
Kelly
Bland
Cleary

Don't get me wrong I like DKD but he's not done nowt past couple of games and Farrugia has impressed me tonight on the right

Russell has got to start if he is still here. A talent like his is no good Sat on bench

 

All opinions (so no offence intended), but Russell and Phillips just doesn’t seem to work in the same midfield . I would go with bland or Kelly instead of Russell
DKD instead of farrugia all day long for me

 

Russell has to start. He can't do more than keep scoring when given a start and scored against Huddersfield last season.

Barratt was my MOTM tonight and I would start him. It's not like our defenders have been racking up the clean sheets and good performances.

 

Bland was absolutely superb tonight!!! Hrs one of the first names on the team sheet for me

 

Russell can't start. He's not as good as Phillips - shown tonight - and doesn't offer the legs of Vimal or Kelly.

It's really simple - they've got space for one attacking midfielder, one box to box and one holding. It's nice that we're not seeing square pegs in rounds holes there for once.

I also think DKD always starts but wouldn't surprise me if he's out Saturday injured.

 

It’s an interesting shout but there’s no way he’s dropping DKD.

The only position up for debate on Saturday in my opinion is who starts in midfield alongside Phillips & Connell.

If you look at the last cup tie every outfield player who played 90 minutes didn’t start on the Saturday which suggests it will be either Yoganathan or Kelly in the midfield 3 which I think would be harsh on Bland.

Farrugia also played 90 tonight which I think suggests Hourihane won’t start him Saturday.

 

DKD was limping most of the game today, surprised he came back out for second half.

 

We played very well in the second half tonight when both Phillips and Russell were on the pitch together. I think those two and Vickers are our most talented players.

 

I agree with you re Russell, but probably not re Farrugia.

 

Cooper; Watson, de Gevigney, Shepherd, Ogbeta; Connell, Bland; Vickers, Phillips, McGoldrick, DKD.

Flavell, Earl, Farrugia, Russell, Kelly, Cleary, Yoganathan.

I love Jon Russell but in this game in particular, I want two grafters in and around that centre circle, getting stuck in, not allowing Kane to dictate.
And as off-colour as DKD has been of late I’m not dropping him.

We are lacking a striking option up there anyhow, but it seems that’s looking like a last minute dot com signing on deadline day.

 

Exactly the line up I'd go for. We really need to keep that midfield busy & quiet to have the best chance

 

The pace in that centre back pairing, let's hope they haven't got any forwards quicker than a Zimmer frame.

 

I like Russell but starting him would wreck the way we play. He just cannot press and we can't carry a midfielder who can't press. He's a weapon from the bench when we need a goal but he just doesn't fit as a starter.

 

I'd argue we don't press anyway. We close down a bit, we run around more than last season. But there's not the slightest hint of any form of team orchestrated press.

I actually thought Russell ran around a fair bit last night and actually showed a turn of pace I don't really associate with him.

 

I would argue we do press, just not relentlessly.

One game where Russell put himself about a little bit doesn't change several seasons of him really not doing that. If he can show that over his next 5+ games then I'm willing to be proven wrong.

 

I wouldn't hesitate playing Barrett along side Shepherd or Earl on Saturday unless its a position we're trying to add to transfer wise.

 

Thought last night about Russell, especially towards end when he sprinted towards keeper he looked like he could move, be interesting to know what his 100m actually is, think some would be suprised

 

How do you solve a problem like Farrugia?

Absolute car crash first half, but more than happy to see him get gametime Satdi if he plays his 2nd half position.

 

Surely it's a position we should've made a priority to strengthen all summer? The fact that we haven't already doesn't make me confident we will before Saturday. I was impressed with Barratt tonight but I wouldn't risk him against one of L1's best in Alfie May.
Though I'd rather play Barratt against him than MDG......