For a PL player I can’t believe how poor Duffy is at attacking headers. First half of the season his main use on attacking corners was to block defenders (didn’t work), since then he’s got his head to a few but he’s the classic 50p head we all used to laugh about at school. Each time he mis times a header and skies the ball 10 yards over the bar he punches the ground as if to say “I always score these, what’s wrong”.
Not surprisingly he’s been sussed - a big immobile (at this level) lump who clever forwards can drag out of the middle, or indeed as identified on MOTD last night, give him no one to mark and he’ll be lost.
If we lose Dunk at the end of the season there’s a major rebuilding job to do at the back, with none of the remaining defenders looking comfortable. One year too many for Bruno, little game time for Goldson/BFG/Suttner, Schelotto not proven, and Bong, well the jury’s out (cant cross the ball).
Feeling slightly worried for the rest of the season because we are letting in so many bad goals.
Ps - Murray looks overworked and has lost his sharpness in the 6 yard box. Would Baldock’s energy help reduce his workload ?
Disappointingly Locadia and Leo have added very little.
Anyone expecting sweeping changes still doesn’t “get” Chris Hughton.
Yes, although I've given what I'd do, I really don't see it happening.
Can Gross play centre midfield? Can't remember if he's played there at all this season?
True I’d bring Goldson in for Duffy but that won’t happen either.
I think we’ll spring at least one surprise before season’s end to maintain our Premier League status. Unlike quite a few I don’t think we’ll stay up without at least one more point, maybe three.
I think it's very unlikely we'll go the rest of the season without a result somewhere. Didn't we win 3-1 at Burnley a few years ago on the opening day of the season? I'd take that again!
This, although I'm not sure I agree with you about Ulloa. Hughton doesn't go in for changes unless he is forced to (like Propper being suspended) - fair enough, he's doing a great job for us and I for one wouldn't want to change our manager.It's Hughton so he will resort to 4411 and "solidify" the defence:
Ryan, Bruno, Duffy, Dunk, Bong, Knockaert (put on defensive shift), Kayal, Stephens, Jose (put on defensive shift), Gross, Murray
Subs: Krull, Schelotto, Goldson, Locadia, Baldock, Ulloa (but should be Hemed - the Ulloa of today is a far inferior player to Hemed)
Ryan
Schelotto Duffy Dunk Bong
Knockart Gross Stevens March
Izquirdo
Locadia
We have missed Knockaert for the last 3 games, I hope to see him return. Yesterday there were plenty of poor performance and Spurs should have enough to turn us over. What harm could changing the formation or replacing some of the players have
Why would you want locadia in? Today he was so bad hughton subbed him at half time. Don't know who scouted him but he shows zero effort but in his mind he thinks he's Messi. Way too lazy to track back and clearly not taking orders.
At present he looks like a panic buy.
Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk
I know Hughton doesn't normally do 'knee-jerk' and tends to keep a settled team, but i just wonder with so many putting in a below par performance today, whether he might shake it up a bit. Personally I think a few could do with a few games on the bench after todays showing, so here's my team:
Ryan
Suttner
Duffy
Dunk
Bruno
Knockert
Stephens
Kayal
Izzy
Ulloa
Locadia
Subs:
Krul
Goldson
Schelotto
Bong
March
Gross
Murray
I'm going 4-4-2 because trying to shoehorn Locadia into the team whilst playing Ulloa or Murray as a target man isn't working. I also think Krul should get a chance based on the amount of goals we are conceding from set peices with Ryan in goal, but i know Hughton won't do that and i think it might be one change too many.