TEAMWATCH : Cardiff City (a)

[Big Foot]

Yes, McShane was fooked on Tuesday night, but remember next week is internationals so longer recovery time - with that in mind, I'd expect to see McShane start.

My starting XI would be:

Al-Habsi

Gunter
McShane
Hector
Taylor

Blackman
Williams
Norwood
John

Vydra
Sa

[Ian Royal]

Agree that Sweeney in midfield would be a worry. If you want a chance to see what he's like then go to an U21 game, don't expect the club to make odds electoral decisions ! He's a decent lower division centre back but he is not a Championship midfielder.
I'd have Kelly on the bench. At some point we need to decide if his size makes him unselectable. I don't think it does, he is not a lightweight just because he is small, he still puts in a tackle.

I'm not suggesting he'd be anything other than a worry. But as emergency bench cover might be a better option than, say Obita or Fridge or Husin in midfield.

[Basingstoke Royal]

4-4-2

GK: Al-Habsi
RB: Gunter
CB: McShane
CB: Hector
LB: Obita
RW: McLeary
CM: Norwood
CM: Williams
LW: John
CF: Sa
CF: Blackman

[Gordons Cumming]

Al Habsi
Gunter
Hector
Cooper
Wright
Norwood
Hernandez
Blackman
John
Sa
Vydra

[Esteban]

Yes, McShane was fooked on Tuesday night, but remember next week is internationals so longer recovery time - with that in mind, I'd expect to see McShane start.

My starting XI would be:

Al-Habsi

Gunter
McShane
Hector
Taylor

Blackman
Williams
Norwood
John

Vydra
Sa

Bear in mind that O'Shea is out for Ireland's play-off, so McShane has a good chance to book his place in the Euros squad, if they make it. Adds a complexity to the decision.

[Gordons Cumming]

I think you'll find both Ferdinand and Mcshane are out injured.

[Royal Ginger]

I think you'll find both Ferdinand and Mcshane are out injured.

'greed

Hector and Cooper with Sweeney on the bench.

[CountryRoyal]

Jesus h Christ we're going to get dicked.

[Nameless]

Jesus h Christ we're going to get dicked.

Because Cardiff are way better than the Everton attack that Cooper and Hector had completely in their pocket....

[CountryRoyal]

Jesus h Christ we're going to get dicked.

Because Cardiff are way better than the Everton attack that Cooper and Hector had completely in their pocket....

One off cup game, in front of the cameras, where they raised their game. The fact that we were in a good spell and playing well also has something to do with it. Tish played that game as well.

[Nameless]

A daft leap to suggest that having a decent young centre back alongside a regular who have already put in an impressive performance this season means we will get 'dicked'.

[CountryRoyal]

A daft leap to suggest that having a decent young centre back alongside a regular who have already put in an impressive performance this season means we will get 'dicked'.

It's not just about the CBs though, Fernandez and Norwood will 100% not make a good midfield two, offering little to no protection to the back 4.

I'd say we best hope Al-Habsi has a blinder, but we all know that's never going to happen.

[RoyalJames101]

Bond

Gunter
Cooper
Hector
Taylor

Williams
Norwood

Blackman
Fernandez
Vydra

Sa

[SCIAG]

Agree that Sweeney in midfield would be a worry. If you want a chance to see what he's like then go to an U21 game, don't expect the club to make odds electoral decisions ! He's a decent lower division centre back but he is not a Championship midfielder.
I'd have Kelly on the bench. At some point we need to decide if his size makes him unselectable. I don't think it does, he is not a lightweight just because he is small, he still puts in a tackle.

I'm not suggesting he'd be anything other than a worry. But as emergency bench cover might be a better option than, say Obita or Fridge or Husin in midfield.

If we want someone to cover midfield and centre back, the Fridge would probably be the better option. For starters, we're more likely to need a midfielder than a centre back, and there's no doubt for me that Sammi would be a better choice there than Sweeney. Then Sammi is probably better at centre back than Sweeney is in midfield - obviously this is very hard to say, but Sammi's spent more time in defence than Sweeney in midfield.

[Ian Royal]

Agree that Sweeney in midfield would be a worry. If you want a chance to see what he's like then go to an U21 game, don't expect the club to make odds electoral decisions ! He's a decent lower division centre back but he is not a Championship midfielder.
I'd have Kelly on the bench. At some point we need to decide if his size makes him unselectable. I don't think it does, he is not a lightweight just because he is small, he still puts in a tackle.

I'm not suggesting he'd be anything other than a worry. But as emergency bench cover might be a better option than, say Obita or Fridge or Husin in midfield.

If we want someone to cover midfield and centre back, the Fridge would probably be the better option. For starters, we're more likely to need a midfielder than a centre back, and there's no doubt for me that Sammi would be a better choice there than Sweeney. Then Sammi is probably better at centre back than Sweeney is in midfield - obviously this is very hard to say, but Sammi's spent more time in defence than Sweeney in midfield.

Fair enough, I've caught not a lot of Sweeney, but know he got moderately close the first team under Adkins in preseason last year before picking up a injury. Whereas I've seen Fridge play a bit in midfield and been unimpressed.

[Snowball]

I think, even if players like McShane and/or freehand start tomorrow (and McCleary)
it sounds from the radio chat tonight that like they will be less than 100%

[Nameless]

A daft leap to suggest that having a decent young centre back alongside a regular who have already put in an impressive performance this season means we will get 'dicked'.

It's not just about the CBs though, Fernandez and Norwood will 100% not make a good midfield two, offering little to no protection to the back 4.

I'd say we best hope Al-Habsi has a blinder, but we all know that's never going to happen.

Where do you get these ideas from ?
Bringing Fernandez on for the second half to play alongside Norwood on Tuesday transformed our midfield.

[CountryRoyal]

A daft leap to suggest that having a decent young centre back alongside a regular who have already put in an impressive performance this season means we will get 'dicked'.

It's not just about the CBs though, Fernandez and Norwood will 100% not make a good midfield two, offering little to no protection to the back 4.

I'd say we best hope Al-Habsi has a blinder, but we all know that's never going to happen.

Where do you get these ideas from ?
Bringing Fernandez on for the second half to play alongside Norwood on Tuesday transformed our midfield.

We were 2-1 down and chasing the game against a Huddersfield side that sat back, not really the same mid field battle from the off, or away from home.

I thought Fernandez did really well when he came on, but I'm not sure id like to see him and Norwood start a game as 2 CMs.

We need to get back to 3 ASAP.

[marcusopp]

We'll never have a 4-4-2 away with all the injuries we've got.
It'll be something like this;
4-2-3-1
Al-Habsi;
Gunter
Taylor
Hector
Cooper;
Williams
Norwood;
Blackman
Vydra
John;
Sa

Everyone is going on about the center of defence. Hector is experienced enough to lead the line and i'm sure Cooper is more than capable.
In fact, this could be a blessing in disguise. Hopefully Cooper will have a blinder and jump above Hector in the pecking order. Nothing against Hector, just that he's a chelsea player now and i'd prefer to see our own lads given game time where appropriate. Obviously Vydra is a class above what we have so exceptions must be made!!

[CountryRoyal]

Just a point on Hector, I genuinely think there's a strong chance he'll be a reading player again next season, promotion or not.