Team for Reading (H)

[Pauly Paul]

Assuming Ryan Woods is out with suspension after getting a 5th yellow the big question is who steps in?

I think many would expect Macca to come in but I don't like him in that position because he isn't comfortable receiving the ball facing his own goal and under pressure.

I would expect Bjelland or Yennaris to be given that position. If Yennaris gets it then I would expect Macca to take Nico's position in the attacking midfield 4.

People worried about Bjelland's mobility in that position should probably compare his speed to Gareth Barry who probably moves at similar speeds there for Everton.

 

[wanderer paul]

Woods is out due to a fifth yellow.

 

[Pauly Paul]

Woods is out due to a fifth yellow.

Corrected. Not enough caffeine yet

 

[Les Beeavinu]

Assuming Ryan Woods is out with suspension after getting a 5th yellow the big question is who steps in?

I think many would expect Macca to come in but I don't like him in that position because he isn't comfortable receiving the ball facing his own goal and under pressure.

I would expect Bjelland or Yennaris to be given that position. If Yennaris gets it then I would expect Macca to take Nico's position in the attacking midfield 4.

People worried about Bjelland's mobility in that position should probably compare his speed to Gareth Barry who probably moves at similar speeds there for Everton.

Maybe Barbet would be better in midfield than Bjelland? It will be interesting though becomes there's a few options to play alongside Nico - MacCormack, MacLeod, Bjelland, Barbet - but all of them seem to carry some risk.

 

[londondude]

Bentley
Colin Dean Egan Barbet
Yennaris McEachran
Kaikai Vibe Sawyers
Hogan

Subs
Bonham
Bjelland (if fit otherwise Holdack)
McCormack
MacLeod
Saunders
Clarke
Hofmann

 

[Les Beeavinu]

Bentley
Colin Dean Egan Barbet
Yennaris McEachran
Kaikai Vibe Sawyers
Hogan

Subs
Bonham
Bjelland (if fit otherwise Holdack)
McCormack
MacLeod
Saunders
Clarke
Hofmann

I wouldn't be dropping MacLeod to play Vibe wide. He was horrendous there against Sheffield Wednesday.

 

[jlove]

Assuming Ryan Woods is out with suspension after getting a 5th yellow the big question is who steps in?

I think many would expect Macca to come in but I don't like him in that position because he isn't comfortable receiving the ball facing his own goal and under pressure.

I would expect Bjelland or Yennaris to be given that position. If Yennaris gets it then I would expect Macca to take Nico's position in the attacking midfield 4.

People worried about Bjelland's mobility in that position should probably compare his speed to Gareth Barry who probably moves at similar speeds there for Everton.

I think your observations are correct, Nico is by far the best we have in that defensive holding position... unfortunately he's also the best in that box-to-box holding position! Given that McCormack is very uncomfortable in the defensive role, it's got to be Nico there with Alan in the middle.

 

[Pauly Paul]

unfortunately he's also the best in that box-to-box holding position!

Would be confusing for him to be given a box-to-box and a holding duty at the same time! Lol

I think Macca can do box-to-box quite well to.

 

[CTBee]

Bentley
Colin Dean Egan Barbet
Macca Yennaris
Kaikai Sawyers MacLeod
Hogan

That's assuming Bjelland isn't fit to start and MacLeod is.

 

[brentfordinmyveins]

Bentley
Colin Dean Egan Bjelland
Yennaris
Kaikai McCormack Sawyers MacLeod
Hogan

Subs
Bonham
Barbet
Kerschbaumer
Saunders
Clarke
Vibe
Hofmann

 

[sonofabee]

Time for McCormack

 

[Lionel Bart-At]

Glad to see would-bee pundits not so keen to be dropping Nico to the bench this week!!

 

[Travel Tavern Bee]

Is that Mcleary geezer still banned for them ?

 

[malagakid]

Assuming Ryan Woods is out with suspension after getting a 5th yellow the big question is who steps in?

I think many would expect Macca to come in but I don't like him in that position because he isn't comfortable receiving the ball facing his own goal and under pressure.

I would expect Bjelland or Yennaris to be given that position. If Yennaris gets it then I would expect Macca to take Nico's position in the attacking midfield 4.

People worried about Bjelland's mobility in that position should probably compare his speed to Gareth Barry who probably moves at similar speeds there for Everton.

We were solid and had our best defensive run last season with Macca and Nico in central mid.

 

[Full Metal Jacket]

Bentley
Colin Dean Egan Barbet
Yennaris McEachran
Kaikai Vibe Sawyers
Hogan

Subs
Bonham
Bjelland (if fit otherwise Holdack)
McCormack
MacLeod
Saunders
Clarke
Hofmann

You think MacEachran will be fit? I was assuming a fairly lengthy spell out by what I saw yesterday.

 

[wanderer paul]

Bentley

Colin Dean Egan Bjelland

Nico Macca

Clarke Macleod Kaikai

Hogan

Subs Bonham Barbet Vibe Sawyers Saunders Holdack KK

 

[jbee]

Bentley
Colin Dean Egan Barbet
Nico MacLeod
Clarke Sawyers Kaikai
Hogan

 

[Bigbee]

Is that Mcleary geezer still banned for them ?

yep ,got three game ban last Staurday

 

[ruislip bee]

Time for 'The Mac'

 

[Pauly Paul]

Bjelland back at LB and Macca in attacking midfield = more leaders on the pitch.

 

[Les Beeavinu]

Bjelland back at LB and Macca in attacking midfield = more leaders on the pitch.

Because it's been going so badly up to now? I need to be convinced that after injury upon injury and a lack of matches MaCormack is still a Championship midfielder. His performances last season were generally pretty ordinary.

 

[Bridge Bee]

Got a feeling Saunders will start.

 

[GP200]

Got a feeling Saunders will start.

...............no thanks............

 

[jlove]

Got a feeling Saunders will start.

Food poisoning in the squad?

 

[CTBee]

Bjelland back at LB and Macca in attacking midfield = more leaders on the pitch.

Attacking midfield? Surely if he plays he will either be the holding player or 'box to box'.

 

[Pauly Paul]

Attacking midfield? Surely if he plays he will either be the holding player or 'box to box'.

We play 4-1-4-1 and count the midfield 4 as attacking. He's no good as the holding midfielder as he's not comfortable receiving the ball (from GK or back 4) facing our goal under pressure. Macca is better driving forward with the ball.

 

[Pauly Paul]

Because it's been going so badly up to now? I need to be convinced that after injury upon injury and a lack of matches MaCormack is still a Championship midfielder. His performances last season were generally pretty ordinary.

You're talking about ability when i'm talking about leadership and game management.

 

[SQUELCH]

Macca to start and if he is struggling you can always pull him off on 60 odd

 

[IslandBee]

Same back five

Yennaris Mac

Macleod (if not fit, Clarke), Sawyers, Kaikai

Hogan

I like the idea of Macleod more central with Yennaris holding, but I would go with the percentages given the loss on Saturday.

 

[alexcavell]

Because it's been going so badly up to now? I need to be convinced that after injury upon injury and a lack of matches MaCormack is still a Championship midfielder. His performances last season were generally pretty ordinary.

But our results when he played were very good

 

[Les Beeavinu]

But our results when he played were very good

They were mixed. Walsall, QPR, Blackburn (among others) were all games where he started.

 

[Lionel Bart-At]

They were mixed. Walsall, QPR, Blackburn (among others) were all games where he started.

I'm a big Mac fan (not the burger.. well yes actually, but anyway...) but I have to say that he was definitely found wanting in the QPR away fixture. In my view, he started the ball rolling for them by not closing down Hoilett for their first. And that is the sort of basic thing that he is meant to be good at. He wasn't at it that day, but that's the only game I can remember him disappoint in. I wouldn't be averse to seeing him appear as a stop-gap in front of the back line.

 

[alexcavell]

They were mixed. Walsall, QPR, Blackburn (among others) were all games where he started.

The Walsall midfield combination of McCormack, McEachran and Woods was never going to work. QPR was when he was just back from injury and didn't look ready - hopefully he's in better shape now despite his recent absence.

 

[Les Beeavinu]

I'm a big Mac fan (not the burger.. well yes actually, but anyway...) but I have to say that he was definitely found wanting in the QPR away fixture. In my view, he started the ball rolling for them by not closing down Hoilett for their first. And that is the sort of basic thing that he is meant to be good at. He wasn't at it that day, but that's the only game I can remember him disappoint in. I wouldn't be averse to seeing him appear as a stop-gap in front of the back line.

He waved the midfielder by for the Walsall winner too. He made mistakes which other less pointy players would have been crucified for. He's just a bit too slow now in my opinion.

He'll inevitably be man of the match against Reading now and I'll be claiming credit of course.

 

[Les Beeavinu]

I'm a big Mac fan (not the burger.. well yes actually, but anyway...) but I have to say that he was definitely found wanting in the QPR away fixture. In my view, he started the ball rolling for them by not closing down Hoilett for their first. And that is the sort of basic thing that he is meant to be good at. He wasn't at it that day, but that's the only game I can remember him disappoint in. I wouldn't be averse to seeing him appear as a stop-gap in front of the back line.

Oh and he's never been a holding midfielder. He's really not great at that.

 

[Travel Tavern Bee]

Macca to start and if he is struggling you can always pull him off on 60 odd

Blimey !!! Not sure he'd be willing..... Lol

 

[cromerbee]

Unleash the Kersch!! N

 

[mhead bee]

Maybe Barbet would be better in midfield than Bjelland? It will be interesting though becomes there's a few options to play alongside Nico - MacCormack, MacLeod, Bjelland, Barbet - but all of them seem to carry some risk.

Why do people keep wanting us to put defenders in midfield?

We have Macca, Saunders, Nico and KK all available to replace Woods and JM.

Leave the defenders in defence I say.

 

[Pauly Paul]

Why do people keep wanting us to put defenders in midfield?

We have Macca, Saunders, Nico and KK all available to replace Woods and JM.

Leave the defenders in defence I say.

Would like to see Bjelland back at left back personally

 

[NorthamptonBee]

Bentley
Colin Dean Egan Bjelland
Macca Nick
Macleod Sawyers Kaikai
Hogan

Possibly Clarke to start on the right with Macleod going central but I think it picks itself.

 

[Les Beeavinu]

Why do people keep wanting us to put defenders in midfield?

We have Macca, Saunders, Nico and KK all available to replace Woods and JM.

Leave the defenders in defence I say.

If I had a choice between Barbet, Bjelland and Saunders for defensive midfield, I'd pick a defender. Let me ask, what do you think is more difficult for a centre back - playing as a full back where the job is to overlap the winger or playing as a defensive midfielder whose job is to sit in front of the back four?

 

[Les Beeavinu]

Bentley
Colin Dean Egan Bjelland
Macca Nick
Macleod Sawyers Kaikai
Hogan

Possibly Clarke to start on the right with Macleod going central but I think it picks itself.

Yes, probably.

 

[jbee]

I wonder if James Ferry will make the bench at least. He looked very good in the Woods role for the B team against Liverpool.

 

[Brain-dead Bee]

Depends who's available. I assume Bjelland was injured Saturday and Josh Mc and Lewis both got knocks, so if those 3 are all missing, and Woods suspended, I'd guess
Bentley
Colin Dean Egan Barbet
Yennaris McCormack
Saunders, Sawyers Kaikai
Hogan
Subs Bonham Clarke, KK, Hofmann + 3

 

[Doovster]

Bentley
Colin Dean Egan Bjelland
Macca Nick
Macleod Sawyers Kaikai
Hogan

Possibly Clarke to start on the right with Macleod going central but I think it picks itself.

My thoughts exactly. That is still decent and more than capable of getting 3 points against an improved Reading. Any news on Bjelland fitness?

 

[mhead bee]

We were solid and had our best defensive run last season with Macca and Nico in central mid.

Our two winning streaks last season which kept us up coincided with Macca being back in the team. Forget QPR, we were all crap that day but other than that he has been excellent for us and should be brought straight back in now.

 

[mhead bee]

If I had a choice between Barbet, Bjelland and Saunders for defensive midfield, I'd pick a defender. Let me ask, what do you think is more difficult for a centre back - playing as a full back where the job is to overlap the winger or playing as a defensive midfielder whose job is to sit in front of the back four?

If it was a choice between a midfielder or a defender to play in midfield I would go for a midfielder all day long, but I suppose its just my opinion.

We lose woods so we should play macca or Nico not a defender, if we lost JM then we play saunders, KK, or clarke whilst bringing Mcleod inside if we need to. We don't need to put defenders in midfield, we have enough cover.

 

[CTBee]

We play 4-1-4-1 and count the midfield 4 as attacking. He's no good as the holding midfielder as he's not comfortable receiving the ball (from GK or back 4) facing our goal under pressure. Macca is better driving forward with the ball.

As long as he plays, I'm looking forward to Swift positioning himself at least 10 yards away from him at all times

 

[Les Beeavinu]

If it was a choice between a midfielder or a defender to play in midfield I would go for a midfielder all day long, but I suppose its just my opinion.

We lose woods so we should play macca or Nico not a defender, if we lost JM then we play saunders, KK, or clarke whilst bringing Mcleod inside if we need to. We don't need to put defenders in midfield, we have enough cover.

Ok, I am getting a little confused by the point of your post now because I did say that that Macca and MacLeod are options to replace Woods and I would imagine Macca probably will.

 

[jlove]

I'd guess McCormack will replace Woods on the team sheet but that, on the pitch, Yennaris will replace Woods and McCormack will play in the more forward position. Nico is our best defensive midfielder and we'll need his mobility against a high-pressing Reading; Alan has never looked comfortable in that position.