How to beat Leicester & why

[Upton Rover]

if you read this PD the only way we can get something out of this game is as follows
1/ don't play Furman and Keegan in the same 11 (you have tried it many times just does not work) THESE 2 PLAYING IN THE SAME TEAM AS LOST US MANY POINTS THIS SEASON
2/ Please keep Cotterill off the left wing, (not left footed so why keep doing it)
3/ don't start Paul Quinn (no mater what you all think, ( just unable to perform at this level)
4/ Drop Chris Brown to the bench, (as been great this season, but gone off the boil in past 5 games, we need goals in this game so different formation required)
5/ get Duffy in if fit then go 4-3-3 with Duffy and Cotts up front with Sharp

SIMPLE

[Dare to dream!]

Definitely not. Same team as Saturday, Wellens in if he's fit. Will be down to the players Saturday, tactics won't play much of a part

[jonnydog]

Eeeeh... Everyone's a manager

[Upton Rover]

Eeeeh... Everyone's a manager

Not a manager don't feel it Apt to slag PD off as others do, It's simple he plays players who are either out of position, or who can not play together (Keegan &Furman)

[BillyStubbsTears]

Eeeeh... Everyone's a manager

Not a manager don't feel it Apt to slag PD off as others do, It's simple he plays players who are either out of position, or who can not play together (Keegan &Furman)

They played pretty well together for the first 65 minutes on Saturday, and for the last 55 minutes against Bolton (last two games I've seen).

[Retdon1]

They didn't play well together Saturday or any other game this season, both of them not bad at breaking play up but they both carnt pass the ball forward. That's the reason that when these to play we don't create hardly any chances, wellens is massive for us if he's fit sat we have a outside chance if not best we can hope for us a 0-0

[steve@dcfd]

They didn't play well together Saturday or any other game this season, both of them not bad at breaking play up but they both carnt pass the ball forward. That's the reason that when these to play we don't create hardly any chances, wellens is massive for us if he's fit sat we have a outside chance if not best we can hope for us a 0-0

Both played in the win at Keepmoat against Leicester, but I agree creativity is nil. But they can do a job in protecting the back four and wide players. So if Richie is fully fit he as to play. The problem with all three centre midfield players they have not got the pace to work up and down quickly. Therefore Richie could play in front of Furman and Keegan with two other wide players and a striker. To start with at least but Richie told to work in the final third and not drop deep with others.

[jonnydog]

Judging by Wellens' movement during Readings 3rd on Saturday, he's either not fully fit, or not fully bothered. He just seemed to let their player pass without giving a shit not a kindly look!

[GazLaz]

If Furman and Keegan start in a 442 we will get beat. No doubt. I tend to agree with you about a Brown as well. He's a good lad and grafts his nads off but is that enough at this level? It's not as if whoever plays next to him thrives is it?? He also gives us an excuse just to lump it.

I'd play Duffy off Sharp if he is fit.

[Rios]

Surely question marks over the composition of our midfield need to be asked?  How have we managed to only have one central midfielder that can pass the ball? Why on earth were we so keen on signing DeVal if he's not good enough to play?  Why haven't we converted one of our many wingers into central attacking duties (Copps would fit the bill as he's more versatile and less flimsy than the others)?  Why have we continued to play two up front when Sharp is so off the boil and we just get overrun in midfield... Keegan's good but even he can't take out three opposition players?

[River Don]

If Furman and Keegan start in a 442 we will get beat. No doubt. I tend to agree with you about a Brown as well. He's a good lad and grafts his nads off but is that enough at this level? It's not as if whoever plays next to him thrives is it?? He also gives us an excuse just to lump it.

I'd play Duffy off Sharp if he is fit.

I tend to agree about Brown, I know he runs his blood to water but I've always preferred a slightly lazy player who scores goals (Colin Cramb) to a grafter who doesn't (Neil Campbell).

However, this might be a game where a point will see us through, I'd play Browny. I think we should approach this game going out to defend and with Brown we defend from the front.

[River Don]

Surely question marks over the composition of our midfield need to be asked?  How have we managed to only have one central midfielder that can pass the ball? Why on earth were we so keen on signing DeVal if he's not good enough to play?  Why haven't we converted one of our many wingers into central attacking duties (Copps would fit the bill as he's more versatile and less flimsy than the others)?  Why have we continued to play two up front when Sharp is so off the boil and we just get overrun in midfield... Keegan's good but even he can't take out three opposition players?

Keegan is good at what he does, he screens the back four, he gets the ball and gives it to someone who can use it.

If Wellens isn't fit, it's a real problem, Copps maybe, he has played there before, Duffy maybe but I'm not sure if he's fit. Maybe a midfield 5 with Browny up top.

If I see Keegan next to Furman on the team sheet on Satdi my heart will sink.

[Lytham Rover]

My X1
Johnstone
Neill
Tamas
Meite
Stevens
Furman
Wellens
Keegan
Husband
Coppinger
Sharp

Assuming they are fit
Play a 4-4-1-1
Need to be solid and able to counterattack
Would like to play quinn but tamas offers more nous and experience

[GazLaz]

We can't go in with the same line up that we have been recently that's for sure.

[Filo]

My X1
Johnstone
Neill
Tamas
Meite
Stevens
Format
Wellens
Keegan
Husband
Coppinger
Sharp

Assuming they are fit
Play a 4-4-1-1
Need to be solid and able to counterattack
Would like to play quinn but tamas offers more nous and experience

After the second half against Reading I think the whole team needs re- formatting

[Lytham Rover]

My X1
Johnstone
Neill
Tamas
Meite
Stevens
Format
Wellens
Keegan
Husband
Coppinger
Sharp

Assuming they are fit
Play a 4-4-1-1
Need to be solid and able to counterattack
Would like to play quinn but tamas offers more nous and experience

After the second half against Reading I think the whole team needs re- formatting

Bloody predictive text!
Did spot tapas for tamas. And wellness for Wellens
But missed that one!

[Bristol Red Rover]

Funny Bedale

Frustrating that I can't see how De Val fits in as I think this is the time for him. Keegan has to play, and from what I understand, De Val is more defensive than Furman.

Also Wellens is very unlikely to be 100%, same with Duffy. If only we had those two and Forrester fit :-/

We could use De Val and have a 3 central/defensive midfield and rely on the further forward three of Copps/Cotts/Sharp? to bust a gut? Throw in Brown and Robinson near the end?

[ravenrover]

What about playing McCullough with Keegan just in front of back 4, at least he can pass a ball

[andyst79]

Johnstone

Coppinger tamas meite Stevens

      Furman Keegan

Cotterill Wellens Duffy

         Sharp

[andysly]

Depends very much on the fitness of some key players, such as Wellens, Duffy, Brown & Sharp.

But I'd go 4-5-1
Johnstone
Neill, Tamas, Meite, Stevens
Furman, Wellens, Keegan
       Duffy, Coppinger
            Sharp/Brown (whoever is fittest)

[i_ateallthepies]

What about playing McCullough with Keegan just in front of back 4, at least he can pass a ball

I've thought about that too ravenrover.  Worth a try given that what we have tried clearly doesn't work.

[streatham dave]

Johnstone
Coppinger Tamas McCullough Stevens
Duffy Keegan DeVal  Cotterill
Brown Sharp

for me

[jonnydog]

Johnstone to score the winner from a last minute corner!

[DonnyBazR0ver]

You could say that about us generally this season. Start off really well and drop off. Maybe just not fit enough or strong enough for the Championship.

[dknward2]

Johnstone to score the winner from a last minute corner!

You mean De Val comes of the bench to score the winner

[jonnydog]

Johnstone to score the winner from a last minute corner!

You mean De Val comes of the bench to score the winner

No, not what I meant at all. Johnstone to come up for a late corner and score would be more than deserved for what he's kept out for us this season... Plus it's a bit more drama to be shown endlessly for a few days ala coppinger at Brentford.

[The Red Baron]

Assuming Wellens and Duffy are not fit:

Johnstone
Neill/ Tamas Quinn Meite Husband/ Stevens
Keegan De Val
Coppinger Furman Cotterill
Brown

Sharp and Robinson on the bench to provide striking options. I wish we could borrow J. Mourinho for a week. I don't particularly like the bloke, but he is the ultimate tactician.

[River Don]

That's certainly a defensive line up TRB.

But since a draw might well be enough for us, it's probably not bad thinking.

Assuming its the same personnel available as last week, I might tweak that to

               Johnstone
Tamas Quinn Miete Stevens
          Keegan Furman
Robinson Copps Cotterill
               Brown

Sharp and Hopefully Wellens for options. I wouldn't risk De Val in such an important fixture. I don't like Keegan and Furman together but hopefully Coppinger could bring some creativity to the middle allowing them to concentrate on stopping everything.

[The Red Baron]

That's certainly a defensive line up TRB.

But since a draw might well be enough for us, it's probably not bad thinking.

It's been the approach I've been advocating away from home ever since Wellens got injured. Before the Ipswich game I suggested that Sharp might be the best one to be the lone wolf up top, but subsequent events have suggested that Brown is the man to do the job.

If we go with a flat four in midfield which includes Furman and Keegan we have no chance.

[River Don]

That's certainly a defensive line up TRB.

But since a draw might well be enough for us, it's probably not bad thinking.

It's been the approach I've been advocating away from home ever since Wellens got injured. Before the Ipswich game I suggested that Sharp might be the best one to be the lone wolf up top, but subsequent events have suggested that Brown is the man to do the job.

If we go with a flat four in midfield which includes Furman and Keegan we have no chance.

I'd like see Sharp alone but with his form... At least Browny will defend from the front.