Rico Henry

[Mr Cynical]

Fulham tweaked their system to beat us in the play offs, we smashed them twice and they adopted high press and foul and beat us hands down in the final.

They didn't beat us hands down. They just made it a non-event and capitalised on a bit of magic/fortune with the free kick..

 

[JANORAK]

They didn't beat us hands down. They just made it a non-event and capitalised on a bit of magic/fortune with the free kick..

That’s what I recall. I’ve still not watched any of it though.

 

[BlueJayBee]

They didn't beat us hands down. They just made it a non-event and capitalised on a bit of magic/fortune with the free kick..

Then they did the same with their stay in the Premiership.

 

[-superbees2k3-]

a very strong side there, particularly with Hercules up front....

 

[Old B]

Really? 2-1 AET........
Hands up maybe.....As with Motrivic's on Emiliano's throat, just before the free kick for the first goal.......

I think the Mitrovic on Emiliano was a deliberate ploy to make us lose focus on the about to happen free kick and then give Bryan the chance to capitalise with his "surprising" free kick.

 

[badgerbee]

I think the Mitrovic on Emiliano was a deliberate ploy to make us lose focus on the about to happen free kick and then give Bryan the chance to capitalise with his "surprising" free kick.

Yep, abso-f***ing-lutely!!!
Also allowed him to move it forward 10 yards. I was fuming at the time, and can feel myself getting annoyed all over again now!!!
I was surprised more wasn't made of it at the time. Should have been a definite red card for Mitro!! ?

 

[badgerbee]

TF press conference saying Rico will be available I gather.....
(Not heard it myself....)

 

[CTBee]

TF press conference saying Rico will be available I gather.....
(Not heard it myself....)

Thomas on team selection

"Rico Henry is available; I have a big call to make if I start him. He has been out for three months but he is available which is a positive. There is a lot of thinking to do but let’s see what I choose"

 

[1889]

Boner alert ?

 

[Friji]

Well good to know he's at least available, don't think he'll be starting but very good option to come off the bench.

 

[TW3Bee]

Well good to know he's at least available, don't think he'll be starting but very good option to come off the bench.

That would be the better option.

 

[Friji]

The long awaited training photo of the man himself:

 

[alikat]

"We have created something good; now we will attack and hope we can do it" | Brentford FC

Thomas Frank previews tonight's Play-Off Semi-Final First Leg

www.brentfordfc.com

 

[upnorthbee]

I think I’d start Rico at Lb and play Sergei instead of Roeslev personally... but if he’s on the bench I could understand that call.

 

[rebus]

Rico has to start.

 

[Les Beeavinu]

Rico has to start.

I think we might have forgotten how good he is. Sergi right wing back please.

 

[DidntYouUsedToBee]

We seem to have a working formation at the moment. I wouldn't tinker with it. If Sergi or Roerslev are getting hammered then bring on Rico. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

 

[jbee]

I think on balance if Rico starts I would prefer us to revert to 4-3-3. Key to the 3 at the back working has been Canos's role cutting in from the left, the opposition haven't been able to pick him up. If we shifted him to the right I think the system becomes a bit predictable and defensive.

 

[Mr Cynical]

I think we might have forgotten how good he is. Sergi right wing back please.

A lot of our creative impetus is down that left side at the moment. Rico’s fantastic but his final ball ain’t that great.. Having said that they got behind us down that side a lot early on in the last game.. will Sergi be as effective on the right where he can’t cut in? Do we go back to 4-3-3? Big call for Frank. If we were at home I’d be tempted to move Sergi inside to just behind the two strikers but I think we’ll want to keep it tight.

 

[Inappropriate Smilies Bee]

If he’s fit I’d start him tomorrow 100%

 

[Indian Bee]

A lot of our creative impetus is down that left side at the moment. Rico’s fantastic but his final ball ain’t that great.. Having said that they got behind us down that side a lot early on in the last game.. will Sergi be as effective on the right where he can’t cut in? Do we go back to 4-3-3? Big call for Frank. If we were at home I’d be tempted to move Sergi inside to just behind the two strikers but I think we’ll want to keep it tight.

We would be crazy to go back to 433. It would disrupt Norgaard influence as one of the back 3 and then TF would need to move him into a midfield with Vitaly. Would lose so much attacking threat.

 

[Raise The Roof]

Not sure that I’d agree that Rico’s final ball isn’t good, but surely we shouldn’t be throwing someone into such a huge game on their first game back. Maybe towards the end of the match. Otherwise isn’t there a risk of longer term injury - analogous to when Christian came back mid season, and then was out again.

 

[mundee4england]

He‘s the best left back outside the top half of the EPL, let alone our squad, so I guess if he's fully match fit he starts. Suspect he’ll come on from the bench tomorrow though and start from Saturday.

 

[Isleworth_Bee]

How can anyone question it?!?!?!?!?

If hes fit HE STARTS.

Canos to RWB and Mads on the bench.

 

[costabees]

I think I’d start Rico at Lb and play Sergei instead of Roeslev personally... but if he’s on the bench I could understand that call.

I wouldn’t be confident with Canos at RWB as he’d bomb forward a lot, leaving space for danjuma to exploit.

 

[RAF_Patto]

I think we're at the point now where the only appearance he's going to make in the stands.

Anyone know how many TAPS he has? Maybe hoping for the ballot?

 

[JPince]

Anyone know how many TAPS he has? Maybe hoping for the ballot?

definitely done enough aways to be over 3000

 

[Mr Cynical]

How can anyone question it?!?!?!?!?

If hes fit HE STARTS.

Canos to RWB and Mads on the bench.

he’s not played in 3 months, he’s not played this system, we’re in top form regardless. There’s every reason to question it..

 

[HaylingBee74]

If he were to start, how long before they put in a crunching tackle on him to welcome him back

 

[Griffingreen]

he’s not played in 3 months, he’s not played this system, we’re in top form regardless. There’s every reason to question it..

Exactly, some seem to think he'll be steaming down the wing for 90mins?

 

[beebopalula]

Stick to the same system and start with Rico on the bench. IMO he needs to be eased back in and would be a major impact sub. He has had a nasty injury and should be built up to start in the final assuming we get there. IMO the most important task is to get us starting off the front foot.

 

[AB]

Stick to the same system and start with Rico on the bench. IMO he needs to be eased back in and would be a major impact sub. He has had a nasty injury and should be built up to start in the final assuming we get there. IMO the most important task is to get us starting off the front foot.

Yes. He can come on for Sergi when we’re 3-0 up after 60 minutes to keep Brooks quiet and stop them clawing back a goal to give hope for the return fixture.

 

[Banana]

Stick to the same system and start with Rico on the bench. IMO he needs to be eased back in and would be a major impact sub. He has had a nasty injury and should be built up to start in the final assuming we get there. IMO the most important task is to get us starting off the front foot.

We've got 3 matches to play to get to the PL. Yeah let's eased back in our best player. And you don't normally bring on a left back for a "major impact".

 

[pompeybee]

Frank saying Henry is fit has the helpful effect of putting uncertainty about tomorrow's formation into Bournemouth's thinking.

 

[Wouldbee]

Rico is awesome. Our current form and team are on fire. Keep him in the bench. Talk about swagger.

 

[grepo]

We seem to have a working formation at the moment. I wouldn't tinker with it. If Sergi or Roerslev are getting hammered then bring on Rico. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

What we don't want is to have to come back from a poor start and behind.

 

[beebopalula]

We've got 3 matches to play to get to the PL. Yeah let's eased back in our best player. And you don't normally bring on a left back for a "major impact".

His major impact would be as an energised attacking force when spaces are opening up. Thomas has also said that Rico can only go at top speed. He is fit but anyone who has had a hammy knows it can ping again and l would prefer to see him eased into a full 90 mins.

 

[rodders]

Glad he is fit, but seems madness to bring him straight back straight away with lack of match fitness

 

[liverbee]

Great that he's available. Anything Frank decides is a bit "experimental". Take it easy.

 

[KcBee]

Rico Henry is absolute class. If he’s fit you play him, 100%. He offers such a threat going forward and opening up space for others and I am yet to see a winger get the better of him.

 

[readingbee]

Rico Henry is absolute class. If he’s fit you play him, 100%. He offers such a threat going forward and opening up space for others and I am yet to see a winger get the better of him.

Who would you drop and why from the current winning squad, just curious. Given he wasn’t at his best before he was injured and he’s certainly not going to be match fit tomorrow.

 

[KcBee]

Who would you drop and why from the current winning squad, just curious. Given he wasn’t at his best before he was injured and he’s certainly not going to be match fit tomorrow.

I think he was in need of a rest. He’s been such a stand out player for us and a large reason we struggled for a while when he was out. I’d keep the formation the same and swap sergi to the right.

 

[LingfieldBee]

Glad he is fit, but seems madness to bring him straight back straight away with lack of match fitness

This for me. Match sharpness won't be anywhere near close enough. I'd be tempted to bring him on last 20mins his pace against tiring defence

 

[Sandybee]

This for me. Match sharpness won't be anywhere near close enough. I'd be tempted to bring him on last 20mins his pace against tiring defence
[/QUOTE Thomas Frank will know whether he’s sharp enough. He didn’t waste too much time bringing Norgaard back in, when he returned to fitness, so I’m sure he’ll back his best players if he can. Plus, I think Bournemouth are short of a winger through injury.

 

[dermotjordan]

Aside from the questions over match sharpness, I think it’s a straight choice between Canos & Henry. With Danjuma on the left I don’t see Canos switching to replace the better defensively Roerslev.

 

[Bee(h)Iver]

I think I’d start Rico at Lb and play Sergei instead of Roeslev personally... but if he’s on the bench I could understand that call.

Roerslev will be our starting RB next season promotion or not: after a shaky start (and while recovering from a long injury) he's looked better with each game and should start at RWB.
As far as LWB goes I'm really torn. Sergi has done really well in the last few games and adds goal threat from wide. Rico is the best in the league at what he does. If he had some match time in the run up before tonight it would be a no-brainer.

My gut instinct says it's the away first leg and it's important not to lose so play Rico, but use Sergi as an impact sub either for Rico if (when) he tires or for Fosu.

But then again with our away record we could go for it tonight with Sergi and use Rico to shut up shop in the home leg...who'd want to be a manager!

 

[upnorthbee]

Roerslev will be our starting RB next season promotion or not: after a shaky start (and while recovering from a long injury) he's looked better with each game and should start at RWB.
As far as LWB goes I'm really torn. Sergi has done really well in the last few games and adds goal threat from wide. Rico is the best in the league at what he does. If he had some match time in the run up before tonight it would be a no-brainer.

My gut instinct says it's the away first leg and it's important not to lose so play Rico, but use Sergi as an impact sub either for Rico if (when) he tires or for Fosu.

But then again with our away record we could go for it tonight with Sergi and use Rico to shut up shop in the home leg...who'd want to be a manager!

I doubt Roerslev would start for us in the league above, just saying.

 

[Bee(h)Iver]

I doubt Roerslev would start for us in the league above, just saying.

I don't see TF or the DoF tearing up the team if we go up. Is Roerslev currently PL abilty? No, but you could say that about 7 or 8 of our probable starters this evening. They will make some changes depending on the budget and suitable targets available but the core and style of the team will remain.

I remember some Leeds fans saying the same about Dallas last season and he's turned out to be one of their top players!

 

[Isleworth_Bee]

he’s not played in 3 months, he’s not played this system, we’re in top form regardless. There’s every reason to question it..

Not for me. Hes our best defender. Im sure he can adapt from playing as a LB to a LWB.

 

[jbee]

Just going to throw this out as a wild card: why not play him at RWB? I think Danjuma is right footed so will be cutting in anyway and that way we don't lose the threat of Canos cutting in on the other side.