Middlesbrough (h)

[drummindefender]

I know this is incredibly early for a pre-match thread, but sod it, i wanted to discuss the issue of team selection. Personally I think we should just play as much of a second string as possible, to save our ideal first XI for the play off games.

Logan

Neilson
Bruce
Brown
McGivern

N'Guessan
Spearing
Oakley
Adams

Kermorgant
Fryatt (give him a run out if fit if not Vaughan)

Subs Weale, Hobbs, Morrison, King, Dyer, Waghorn, Vaughan/Fryatt

 

[drummindefender]

Interestingly the last two match thread i started (Cardiff and Donny I think) got abandoned. Surely not again!?

 

[jas123]

agress fully with the selection, with the only change being the legend "powell" in for mcgivern, bring ryan on later

 

[City Fan]

I would play a full strength team, in order to carry our momentum to the playoffs.

So same team as yesterday, but perhaps putting Wellens in if he's fit.

 

[drummindefender]

I would play a full strength team, in order to carry our momentum to the playoffs.

So same team as yesterday, but perhaps putting Wellens in if he's fit.

But surely that has to be balanced against making sure we dont get any injuries to key players before the play offs? and making sure were not tired, which has been a factor in some games recently.

 

[Macky]

But surely that has to be balanced against making sure we dont get any injuries to key players before the play offs? and making sure were not tired, which has been a factor in some games recently.

Precisely. It'd be madness fielding a full strength team

 

[city-faithful]

i think they should register 16 ST holders and give the fans a run out. I, for one, would love to see the Mr. Creasote-a-like from the main stand trotting out in the royal blue.

 

[spionfox]

i think they should register 16 ST holders and give the fans a run out. I, for one, would love to see the Mr. Creasote-a-like from the main stand trotting out in the royal blue.

I thought BG sat in the Kop

 

[Profondo Rosso]

I would play a full strength team, in order to carry our momentum to the playoffs.

I agree. We saw what happened when MON played an understrength side in the UEFA Cup last season, it completely destroyed Villa's season. We've had a week's rest and will have another week's rest til the play-offs. 2 week rest will lose too many players competitive edge.

I would like to see Fryatt get a run out though.

 

[Leigh]

I'd say lets go for a near to full strength side to start (maybe no Morrison, Wellens etc if they're not 100%) then stick Fryatt and Powell on 2nd half. Going into the playoffs on the back of five wins would be awesome.

 

[Profondo Rosso]

I'd say lets go for a near to full strength side to start (maybe no Morrison, Wellens etc if they're not 100%) then stick Fryatt and Powell on 2nd half.

Yeah, that probably sounds like a decent idea. Don't risk anyone who is say 80-90% fit obviously, but playing a side of squad players as DD suggested means we lose our momentum and all our first team players won't have played in 2 weeks going into the first semi.

 

[PFKAKTF FOX]

IMO it would be madness to risk any of our key players in a meaningless game. Many of our players are need of a much needed rest.

My team would be:

Logan

Neilson
Bruce
McGivern
Powell

Solano
Adams
Oakley
Dyer

N'Guessan
Kermogant

 

[Profondo Rosso]

IMO it would be madness to risk any of our key players in a meaningless game. Many of our players are need of a much needed rest.

8 days between the games is not rest enough? They are professional athletes. Personally, I worry much more about them losing focus and the mental side of the game if we drop them and they haven't played for 15 days going into the first semi.

 

[jas123]

i think the team will look like
logan
powell
mcgivern
bruce
solano
nguessan
oakley
wellens
dyer
waghorn
kermogant
with fryatt on for waghorn at half time. we will win 2-1 with goals from kermogant and nguessan

 

[Harbro-Fox]

I think we will play a full strength team to be honest, going into the play offs on the back of five wins would be great for the players confidence. I think we will play with no pressure and confidence and beat boro 2-0.

 

[Blue Maniac]

Just for Harbs...

Ricketts
Thompson
Marshall
Thomas
Morrison
Phillips
Vernan
Williams
Austin
Richards
Shelton

Subs:
Stewart
Miller
Woodbine
Dean
Cummings
Wolfe
Moodie

 

[Harbro-Fox]

Just for Harbs...

Ricketts
Thompson
Marshall
Thomas
Morrison
Phillips
Vernan
Williams
Austin
Richards
Shelton

Subs:
Stewart
Miller
Woodbine
Dean
Cummings
Wolfe
Moodie

I don't know how people can honestly start Shelton in the team ahead of Woodbine. Shelton offers nothing, he has no pace, no strikers instinct and is generally shite. Woodbine won't score goals but he will get in the positions and will set others up.

 

[Blue Maniac]

I don't know how people can honestly start Shelton in the team ahead of Woodbine. Shelton offers nothing, he has no pace, no strikers instinct and is generally shite. Woodbine won't score goals but he will get in the positions and will set others up.

:icon_roll Woodbine's a defender, Harbs.

 

[Harbro-Fox]

:icon_roll Woodbine's a defender, Harbs.

Thats an actual team?!

And.........Samba plays up front and hes a defender.

 

[Blue Maniac]

Thats an actual team?!

And.........Samba plays up front and hes a defender.

O'Brian Woodbine is no Chris Samba.