Tough game. I would make a couple of changes.
I would bring Brown in for Morrison. I would also bring Berner in for Cleverley and play Oakley on the right with Berner and King in the middle.
Having a holding/tackling midfielder alongside him brings out the best in King. Playing in the middle seems to bring out the worst in Oakley. According to some posters we're beginning to be overrun in midflield again, just like we were when that combo were in the middle earlier in the season. So despite the facetious comment from BG, I think this sounds like a very good idea. As would a lot of other City fans I imagine...I would also bring Berner in for Cleverley and play Oakley on the right with Berner and King in the middle.
Tough game. I would make a couple of changes.
I would bring Brown in for Morrison. I would also bring Berner in for Cleverley and play Oakley on the right with Berner and King in the middle.
I know NP doesn't like to make changes but, given his admittance that Saturday was as poor as they've played this season, some stale legs and some players in need of a wake up call, I'd go with the following:
Martin/Pentney
Edworthy Brown Hobbs Powell
Oakley Cleverley Berner Gradel
Fryatt Howard
Pentney/Logan, Morrison, Chambers, King, Hayles
I think we play better away than at home.
I wonder if that's anything to do with the better support.
:icon_conf
I wonder if that's anything to do with the better support.
:icon_conf
Having a holding/tackling midfielder alongside him brings out the best in King. Playing in the middle seems to bring out the worst in Oakley. According to some posters we're beginning to be overrun in midflield again, just like we were when that combo were in the middle earlier in the season. So despite the facetious comment from BG, I think this sounds like a very good idea. As would a lot of other City fans I imagine...
I agree with this also. Cleverley looks a good up and coming talent but I don't think it works with him , King and Oakley due to them being a bit lightweight and similar at times. I too would bring Berner in to strengthen the midfield but perhaps replace Gilbert with Cleverley. Gilbert for me loses concentration far too often and gives the impression at times of being either disinterested or just plain thick! You can certainly never see him making it as an Arsenal player and I wouldn't be that keen to have him here either. I would give Brown a game also at the expense of Morrison also. Unlike Gilbert though I think Morrison has given maximum effort thus far and his age and previous experience have to be taken into consideration. I do feel however he'll go on to be a very good centreback for us.
Cheers.
I must be the only one who thinks Gilbert has looked pretty solid at the back and has good initiative going forward
P | Pld | Pts | |
1 | Leicester | 46 | 97 |
2 | Ipswich | 46 | 96 |
3 | Leeds Utd | 46 | 90 |
4 | Southampton | 46 | 87 |
5 | West Brom | 46 | 75 |
6 | Norwich City | 46 | 73 |
7 | Hull City | 46 | 70 |
8 | Middlesbro | 46 | 69 |
9 | Coventry City | 46 | 64 |
10 | Preston | 46 | 63 |
11 | Bristol City | 46 | 62 |
12 | Cardiff City | 46 | 62 |
13 | Millwall | 46 | 59 |
14 | Swansea City | 46 | 57 |
15 | Watford | 46 | 56 |
16 | Sunderland | 46 | 56 |
17 | Stoke City | 46 | 56 |
18 | QPR | 46 | 56 |
19 | Blackburn | 46 | 53 |
20 | Sheffield W | 46 | 53 |
21 | Plymouth | 46 | 51 |
22 | Birmingham | 46 | 50 |
23 | Huddersfield | 46 | 45 |
24 | Rotherham Utd | 46 | 27 |