HUNGRY PLAYERS UNDER PRESSURE FOR THEIR PLACES!!

Suddenly, the strength in depth we have in the middle of the park is beginning to
show. Cowie is no wide player, but in the engine room, he knows he has got to
put in a f*cking good shift with Gunnarsson and Mutch gagging to get back in the
side. Same for Noone, he must have thought his place was safe for a few weeks
when Bellamy and Smith got injured... Then Frei arrived yesterday!! Now Kim Bo
gets his chance and KNOWS he has to take it. Up front we don't quite seem to have
the same strength in depth, but if Kim Bo is anything to go by, Velikonja will also
be able to do the business when he gets a chance. They have to. Too much talent
on the bench wanting to get on the pitch. Even though we are light defensively,
Connelly slotting in so easily to Right back has got them all panicking. Turner and
Hudson know Connelly is comfortable right across the back four, so does Taylor.
And McNaughton will come back a far more determined player when he does get a
chance again.

Bellamy, Smith, Mutch, Maynard... all out injured!!!

most injuries occur early season, pulls, tears, strains etc. Give it 6-8 weeks and
all our big hitters will be back (bar Maynard)

But if they were back tomorrow - Who could Malky drop??

Looking good - real good

Frei today when he come on dave just got the ball and run at them everytime looks good he does although hes only 18, my only gripe is away from home we set up this defensive 4-5-1 thing i hate it, yet at home attack teams for most of the game, burnley was awfull today i thought

Frei today when he come on dave just got the ball and run at them everytime looks good he does although hes only 18, my only gripe is away from home we set up this defensive 4-5-1 thing i hate it, yet at home attack teams for most of the game, burnley was awfull today i thought

I'd stick with 4-4-2 is because its obviously working at home.
4-5-1 is not a bad formation with the right players in the right places. But
our lads look to thrive on 4-4-2... So i agree.. the more we play it the better
we will get!!

there is surely no way malky can change the team or formation after that performance, Cowie is looking class in the centre, better than Mutch earlier in the season IMO. Noone was class today, kim looked great and Mason was good too (tired badly towards the end though)

Add to that you have gunnersson coming off the bench and staking his claim, both of his goals have been from similar positions, busting a gut to get into the box. This is the type of thing we need to see from those out of the side.

We are looking the real-deal chaps. Talent, depth, options, hunger and tactics. But formation should be 4-4-2. Almost default for us. Even Frei this week almost dropping in for a month after Tommy Smiths knock smacks of a very business-like and rapidly evolving setup. Looking very good and dare I say, best to come yet.

If he plays Kim Bo at Bolton, I suspect he might go 4-5-1 again. Malky is looking
for something in that formation. Ball retention, break quickly, accurately and
hit the opposition hard. Kim Bo and Noone give him those options. Noone beats
players and Kim Bo can find that killer pass. I prefer 4-4-2 but we shall see

I have faith in the manager, hes getting far more things right than he is wrong

Agree with you Taffy, what a great situation to be in, players fighting for the shirt, long may it continue.

Away from home I always thought it be good to do this...

4-2-3-1

Marshall

Taylor Hudson Turner McNaughton

Kiss Mutch

Noone Whittingham KBK

Helguson.

Not the team I'd play just a quick idea of it.