Team vs Brentford ?

[Don Tmatter]

-------------------- Stockdale ------------------
Bruno --- Goldson --- Dunk --- Ridgewell
-------- Sidwell/Stephens --- Kayal ---------
Knockaert-------Skalak-------KLL
-------------------Zamora------------------

Assuming Stephens is knackered otherwise in for Sidwell

Bench: Maenpää, Greer, Crofts, Stephens/Sidwell , Murphy, Hemed, Wilson

IMHO, Thats strongest XI we've got available and should take some stopping.

 

[BensGrandad]

I fail to see how anybody can put Lua Lua in our 'strongest team ' as he is a 20 - 30 min player either at the start or end of a game. A good game changer or starter but not a full match player.

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

I fail to see how anybody can put Lua Lua in our 'strongest team ' as he is a 20 - 30 min player either at the start or end of a game. A good game changer or starter but not a full match player.

Last season I would have agreed with you. This year he seems to have improved though and was on fire until he got injured, and anyone who can score goals, I'd play from the start.

 

[atomised]

He definitely looked much stronger and more co.sistent than in previous seasons prior to the.i.jury. Id say if fit well worth a start

 

[Wilko]

I fail to see how anybody can put Lua Lua in our 'strongest team ' as he is a 20 - 30 min player either at the start or end of a game. A good game changer or starter but not a full match player.

Did you watch the first 8 games of the season? Best player by a distance, tore teams apart, scored 4 goals and played from the start.

 

[Triggaaar]

I'm torn between Hemed or Wilson, think Wilson hedges it for me.

He does what for you?

 

[severnside gull]

I fail to see how anybody can put Lua Lua in our 'strongest team ' as he is a 20 - 30 min player either at the start or end of a game. A good game changer or starter but not a full match player.

CORRECTION: used to be


His form before injury showed he is developing the ability to contribute defensively as well as going forward over a full 90 minutes

 

[Bold Seagull]

I fail to see how anybody can put Lua Lua in our 'strongest team ' as he is a 20 - 30 min player either at the start or end of a game. A good game changer or starter but not a full match player.

We're you stuck in the loo at the start of the season!?

 

[Mancgull]

CORRECTION: used to be


His form before injury showed he is developing the ability to contribute defensively as well as going forward over a full 90 minutes

I agree. However, I think at this stage of his comeback from injury a 30 minute appearance as a second half sub is most likely. Will put a good deal of pressure on Murphy to perform as well, as he must be looking over his shoulder at present with Lua Lua coming back and the form of Knockaert.

 

[dazzer6666]

Love this thread today, would be happy with almost any of the suggestions (apart from KLL2015/6 being a '20-30 minute player FFS @BG) We've got a bloody good squad again. Add Bong, Rosenior and the BFG and it looks even better.

 

[BensGrandad]

I will be very surprised if Lua Lua starts against Brentford and if he does if he is still on the pitch at 60 mins. I think he will come on about 60th min for possibly Murphy. The interesting point is who will follow Judge to stop his influence.

 

[severnside gull]

The interesting point is who will follow Judge to stop his influence.

Why I think we will play slightly narrow with three in central midfield.
If we play two wingers who are both comfortable coming inside to support a central striker (and all 4 in the squad can) we have plenty of pace to break from a strong defensive platform

 

[dadams2k11]

He does what for you?

I knew someone would pick me up on that. I did mean edges not hides in bushes.

 

[portslade seagull]

Surely we should make them worry about us

 

[Invicta]

IMHO, Thats strongest XI we've got available and should take some stopping.

Like the look of this one

 

[perseus]

Individual skill to score Goals

Why do people keep putting Hemed in the starting XI?

He is easily 5th place now behind Zamora, Wilson, Skalak, and the returning Baldock.

Because he gets into more scoring positions than anyone else. 3.4 per 90 mins. Baldock 3 per 90 mins. Zamora 2.4 Wilson 2.8. Lualua 3.1.

https://www.whoscored.com/Players/28981

except for Manu (stats distorted by lack of game time) 4.2 per 90 mins.

I would start with Hemed, Lualua and Knockaert up front. If more guile is required I would bring on Bobby Zamora for Hemed. If more speed is required I would bring on James Wilson (although a genuine speed merchant would be better) for Hemed. I would keep Lualua on whatever for the whole game* (if 95% fit). * May change his position to give the opposition something different to counter.

 

[perseus]

Why I think we will play slightly narrow with three in central midfield.
If we play two wingers who are both comfortable coming inside to support a central striker (and all 4 in the squad can) we have plenty of pace to break from a strong defensive platform

If we play 4-3-3, does not that mean one many behind the striker and one wide, although the two can interchange. (e.g. Knockeart or Lualua coud take turns in going wide or being more central?) Seems a bit adventurous for CH though. Also, without an overlapping left back, it makes switching play suddenly not valid. (NB: In the Dowie view of target man striker, Hemed should be on the side of the pitch that play is on, which means on the right hand side for most of the game, unless Lualua or Jamie Murphy plays making it 4-2-4 as usual.)

 

[GingerBeerMan]

Skalak isn't ready to start, he's just moved country to a new division, I think he'll need at least a few weeks to bed in.

 

[Chinman3000]

Because he gets into more scoring positions than anyone else. 3.4 per 90 mins. Baldock 3 per 90 mins. Zamora 2.4 Wilson 2.8. Lualua 3.1.

https://www.whoscored.com/Players/28981

except for Manu (stats distorted by lack of game time) 4.2 per 90 mins.

I would start with Hemed, Lualua and Knockaert up front. If more guile is required I would bring on Bobby Zamora for Hemed. If more speed is required I would bring on James Wilson (although a genuine speed merchant would be better) for Hemed. I would keep Lualua on whatever for the whole game* (if 95% fit). * May change his position to give the opposition something different to counter.

So he gets into more scoring postions AND still doesnt score, yet that makes people think he should be in the team?

FFS I give up.

 

[perseus]

So he gets into more scoring postions AND still doesnt score, yet that makes people think he should be in the team?

FFS I give up.

Not me. That is the CH % game.

The trouble with Bobby Zamora is that he doesn't get enough chances, get into the half chance scoring positions. Getting into scoring positions in the penalty area is a skill in itself.
Hemed led the way (regular starters) with 2.1 per 90 mins ahead of Baldock 1.8, Zamora 1.7. Lualua, Wilso, March all 1.6.

In the limited time he was on Manu 3.5, miles ahead. Per game played and Zamora goes down to 0.6. Case for him as substitute,

https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/211

Hemed gets into more goal scoring positions than Rhodes: https://www.whoscored.com/Players/33704. Played less minutes and scored 6 (really 5) compared to Rhodes 10. Thr margins are so small in goal scoring terms. (The whole match day income for Blackburn went to pay Rhode's cost to them until Boro helped them out!). If Hemed gets a bit of luck, maybe he will be worth £11 million or so, plus wages plus bonuses.

Physically stronger than Wilson.

When it comes down to it it is the CH intuition/perception of what combination up front works best?

For the approach play, two wide men, I think our best pairing was Lualua & Rosenoir. I think this is the key to get the front two scoring.

For upfront, I don't know. Hemed and Zamora was worth a try but it did not work. Wilson is not physically strong enough to do the job on his own. My inclination is to start with Hemed and Lualua. (And I would have subbed on Zamora and Manu.)