Team for Hull

[grummitts gloves]

Hemed up top on his own, Knocky and Murphy to supply the ammo. Sidwell in the middle with Kayal and Stephens for a bit more grit and to break down Hull attacking. Rest BZ.

 

[perseus]

Despite four very welcome lovely wins, the last three homes games I feel have showed a real lack of ball retention. We should have had more of the ball than 53/47 against Bolton, and Brentford was only 35%, Huddersfield we have 38% despite winning both those games. We really will be found out against better sides if we don't have the ball enough. Because we have 2 up front and attacking wingers, we seem too eager to get the ball forward into channels, we've been looking more and more like a long ball side - all be it its worked in the last 4 games.

I certainly wouldn't be upset to see us lining up with 5 across the middle on Tuesday, Hemed most likely deserves to keep his place.

Fair comment. I don't this was true v Bolton though, which I thought was our best home/TV performance this season. Possession football is seen as purely defensive tactic (best way to keep hold of a lead) in the CH era of British football.

I think we are unclassified now. not the possession football team like Derby, not a direct football team like Burnley, not a counter-attacking team like Boro. Lets call it total football like Hull also play. I still like us to play the ball around when we are winning a bit. The opposition can't equalise without the ball.

I do not see us playing 4-2-3-1. I could see us 4-4-1-1 and including Sidwell instead of the second wide player/winger.

 

[Lifelong Supporter]

After 70 minutes on Sat I do not expect BZ to start. I expect him to be replaced by Sidwell who will 'float' in midfield behind Hemed. I would like to keep both our wingers starting as they are our main threat and hopefully will cause Hull to exercise some caution.

 

[dazzer6666]

After 70 minutes on Sat I do not expect BZ to start. I expect him to be replaced by Sidwell who will 'float' in midfield behind Hemed. I would like to keep both our wingers starting as they are our main threat and hopefully will cause Hull to exercise some caution.

Wouldn't be surprised if this happens. Sidwell worth a punt as FGS at 28/1 I reckon.

 

[perseus]

After 70 minutes on Sat I do not expect BZ to start. I expect him to be replaced by Sidwell who will 'float' in midfield behind Hemed. I would like to keep both our wingers starting as they are our main threat and hopefully will cause Hull to exercise some caution.

Who could best play the second striker role in the Albion side behind a target striker? That is same role that Gerard played in his latter years for Liverpool (not always). I would chose Lualua but this would practice on the training ground.

I see Sidwell more of a defensive midfielder.

 

[Milano]

Who could best play the second striker role in the Albion side behind a target striker? That is same role that Gerard played in his latter years for Liverpool (not always). I would chose Lualua but this would practice on the training ground.

I see Sidwell more of a defensive midfielder.

Kayal advanced, with Sidwell next to Stephens.
Lua Lua is not disciplined enough to play that position IMO.

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

Who could best play the second striker role in the Albion side behind a target striker? That is same role that Gerard played in his latter years for Liverpool (not always). I would chose Lualua but this would practice on the training ground.

I see Sidwell more of a defensive midfielder.

Jiri is made for this role isn't he?

 

[perseus]

Kayal advanced, with Sidwell next to Stephens.
Lua Lua is not disciplined enough to play that position IMO.

Fair enough. Agreed, Lualua would have to learn to play the role. Hence, the need for practice on the training ground. Towell ?

Lualua is wasted out wide as he beat the defender on either side and shoot with both feet. The problem is that does not seem to know what he is going to do with the ball before he gets in (not so aware of other players around him). That puts him in the category of striker rather than midfielder/winger.

Quick turns to lose the marker.

 

[Stumpy Tim]

So it seems most agree that Sidwell will come in for BZ, but otherwise unchanged. I do remember a comment saying Jari was being prepared for Hull, so I would only be a little surprised if he started - either for BZ or Murphy (to give him a rest as he's played a lot of football recently)

 

[Justice]

Would rather play Murphy at LB he basically plays there anyway when Calderon is on the pitch.

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

I think hull will be a little worried about us.

 

[drew]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35529434

Just looking at the BBC match preview. In their comment about previous encounters they describe it as the home team won both 1-0. To me, that implies the home team tonight won both games which of course they didn't. Are the BBC wrong or have they just worded it badly, ie they should have put 'on both occassions the team playing at home won 1-0'?

 

[perseus]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35529434

Just looking at the BBC match preview. In their comment about previous encounters they describe it as the home team won both 1-0. To me, that implies the home team tonight won both games which of course they didn't. Are the BBC wrong or have they just worded it badly, ie they should have put 'on both occassions the team playing at home won 1-0'?

Best not to bother with the BBC site any more. https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/959240/Preview

Crofts could get a start.

 

[Saturn]

Stockdale

Bruno
Goldson
Dunk
Calderon

Knockaert
Stephens
Sidwell
Kayal
Murphy

Hemed

Sidwell in the middle to assist DS & BK to pack the midfield, provide the defence with some cover which in turn will allow us to counter attack Hull to death.

Or play Jiri instead of Sidwell and have him in the AMC position.

 

[beefypigeon]

Dave

Salt
Connor
Duck
Indigo

Dayle
Kayak
Tony
Yiri
Smurf

Tomer

 

[dangull]

I take it there is no streams for the game tonight, as no one has put a possible link yet?

 

[Ninja Elephant]

Stockdale
Bruno Goldson Dunk Calderon
Knockaert Stephens Kayal Murphy
Wilson Hemed​

Subs
Ankergren; Rea; Sidwell, Crofts, Skalak, LuaLua; Zamora

They won't like to be facing a 4-4-2 formation, not with the pace of Wilson in the middle.

 

[Codner's Wallop]

Stockdale
Bruno Goldson Dunk Calderon
Knockaert Stephens Kayal Murphy
Wilson Hemed​

Subs
Ankergren; Rea; Sidwell, Crofts, Skalak, LuaLua; Zamora

They won't like to be facing a 4-4-2 formation, not with the pace of Wilson in the middle.

Instinct tells me to load up the midfield with the inclusion of Sidwell or Crofts - at the expense of a second striker. However, this will only allow Hull to push further up the pitch and most likely blunt our goal-scoring threat.

I concur, the inclusion of Knockaert, Murphy AND Wilson in the team will keep their defence on edge and also increase our chances of a goal, even at the expense of conceding.

Of course, the inclusion of Calderon in any formation is sadly a weakness. You gotta love him, but he's no longer first-team material.

 

[Ninja Elephant]

Instinct tells me to load up the midfield with the inclusion of Sidwell or Crofts - at the expense of a second striker. However, this will only allow Hull to push further up the pitch and most likely blunt our goal-scoring threat.

I concur, the inclusion of Knockaert, Murphy AND Wilson in the team will keep their defence on edge and also increase our chances of a goal, even at the expense of conceding.

Of course, the inclusion of Calderon in any formation is sadly a weakness. You gotta love him, but he's no longer first-team material.

My instinct is to not lose the game of football, playing Sidwell or Crofts isn't a bad theory because it would add solidity but personally I think we're best when we're on the front foot. We're not the defensive masterclass we were under Gus Poyet (West Ham and Liverpool away aside!) - so we should focus on being aggresive in attack, in my humble opinion. Playing three attacking players behind Tomer/Zamora would really give Hull something to worry about and do we think that Odubajo and Robertson will be as aggresive from full back if they've got proper attacking wingers going at them? We know how crap Odubajo is at defending, Murphy on form would roast him comfortably and Robertson won't want to give Knockaert any space - they will have seen Hemed's goal from Saturday.

I say let's get into em, rough em up.

 

[dale jasper football guru]

Although setting up for 4-5-1 sounds good and try and Nick a point, if you go up there and try to win this, it'd be a massive team boost and put us in a great position for an automatic position. I'd take the chance and play to win the game. If we loose, so be it, we're pretty much nailed on for a playoff spot anyway so just go for it I say and play 4-4-2

Exactly this .........It wont happen though Hughton is too cautious . 4-5-1 could be great as long as murphy and knocky don't defend too deep..... so it could be a quick countering 4-3-3 which could cause them all sorts of problems given the form of those 2 wingers and lualua available for a 20 min cameo if needed.

If we sit too deep and isolate Hemed/Zamora we will inevitably concede.....think Hull are totally overrated as well.....personally wouldn't pay them that much respect. beating them sends a real message as most around us are struggling a bit with form. If we beat the other inform team in the top 4 then like you said gives us a great chance of top 2 and hopefully a chance to win it !!!!!!!!!!

Im also a bit biased as I put 20 quid of Brighton / spurs e/w double last week to win leagues at 102/1