The 2014/15 Promotion Push Run-In Thread

[FrankMunro-371]

Just imagine if every club in the promotion/play off frame goes with that attitude. There could be some wonderful 8-8 draws...

 

[Parkins left foot]

Just imagine if every club in the promotion/play off frame goes with that attitude. There could be some wonderful 8-8 draws...

But the teams right at the top won't be thinking like that - its only teams in our position (& Norwich) who might think 'let's be aving you' and throw the kitchen sink at the opposition.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

There's no real need to be reckless, in Sako and Afobe we have two players in outstanding form who are too good for most defences at this level to cope with. It's all very well having loads of attacking resources on the pitch, if you lose the ball and can't get it back then they aren't going to do anything. This is why we shouldn't be playing Edwards in a two as the most nominally defensive midfielder as a) it means teams can get on to our back four with relative ease, so far more chance of conceding and b) we'll inevitably have far less possession, hence less opportunity to supply the goal threats.

I don't want us to play stupid football on Saturday and lose 3-2 because that will be a hammer blow to our chances. I want us to pick the most appropriate team while retaining as much attacking potential as possible. I have no problem with us playing both Dicko and Afobe (and in the process, moving away from our preferred formation) because that is a calculated risk while we're in a short term position of draws being devalued in relative terms.

 

[Parkins left foot]

Sorry Dan - I was being slightly OTT deliberately. Not expecting, or wanting to take that route in reality.

Just think that we have the attacking options to cause teams more problems than we have.

Think that playing one of Dicko or Afobe (with the other to come off the bench to give impetus later in the game) & a extra in midfield to get possession of the ball & give greater control might pay dividends.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

If it's one of Dicko or Afobe then at the moment there's only one choice, Afobe is absolutely red hot. I'd be more inclined to go back to 4-2-3-1 if we had a proper number 10. As it is I don't trust Edwards much more to do anything attacking wise in that position - and make no mistake, it would be him playing there - than he contributes when miscast as a defensive midfielder. He's had his little run of goals now and he never creates anything. As such he's still a bit of a wasted shirt in that respect (although far preferable to where he's playing now, which I will never understand) and I back Dicko to give us more overall, even with the payoff of having to cede a fair bit of control by switching formation. If we loan someone who can play there then great.

 

[Parkins left foot]

Then who do you play in the 10 position if we go back to a 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 formation, which I suspect would suit us better.

Jacobs clearly out of favour & not sure who else is available & going to give benefit in there

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Subject to attitude Nick Powell would be an ideal signing to play there, failing that maybe Andreas Pereira or Jose Pozo. With the current squad I wouldn't bother and I'd stick with Dicko and Afobe.

 

[Parkins left foot]

With the current squad would agree, though Dicko has looked a little off the pace the last couple of times I have seen him (may be what is being served up to him is not helping).

Room for a short term loan for this purpose to the season end then

 

[Edgmond Wolf]

Then who do you play in the 10 position if we go back to a 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 formation, which I suspect would suit us better.

Jacobs clearly out of favour & not sure who else is available & going to give benefit in there

I would play Afobe in number ten position with Dicko at point.

Afobe has the footballing brain, holds the ball well, can dribble with it and make a pass

 

[Wolfman09]

I would play Afobe in number ten position with Dicko at point.

Afobe has the footballing brain, holds the ball well, can dribble with it and make a pass

Totally agree

 

[Edgmond Wolf]

I don't really understand how we can get any more "ready" by spending another year in the Championship. We'd lose Sako and potentially other top players (KMac, Dicko, Afobe) so we'd be starting from a deficit. Plus, it's not like we'd be able to sign Prem-ready players, so we'd be in the same position in 12 months time, with less money in the pot.

This for me too, I have spent most of my adult life supporting the team to get out of this league

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Not holding out much hope of Fulham doing us any favours tonight, they've lost 5 out of the last 8 and failed to beat or even score against an abject Millwall a couple of weeks ago. Although I suppose they did somehow beat Derby on Saturday.

They also now have the awesome of power of Alan Curbishley on their backroom staff (assuming he can be arsed to go to the training ground every day).

 

[Jolemai]

Thought he quit ages ago...?

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

He's back.

http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=391369

Apologies for the link to Vital but the "proper" link is from the Daily Mail, so y'know.

 

[Edgmond Wolf]

Not holding out much hope of Fulham doing us any favours tonight, they've lost 5 out of the last 8 and failed to beat or even score against an abject Millwall a couple of weeks ago. Although I suppose they did somehow beat Derby on Saturday.

They also now have the awesome of power of Alan Curbishley on their backroom staff (assuming he can be arsed to go to the training ground every day).

You never know in this league, the top team can lose to the bottom team. It is one of the traits of the Championship......we should know we have been in it long enough over the last forty years

 

[YoungWolf]

It would sum the league up if Bournemouth go from (fairly comfortably) beating us to losing to Fulham, who are a poor side.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

We probably need a few more odd results to help us, and there is always a chance of that in the Championship. All we can do is concentrate on our games and get as many points as we possibly can and see where that gets us.

 

[Carrotdude]

It's the stage of the season where teams at the bottom start fighting for their lives and winning games you wouldn't expect them to

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

That's why I am glad we have Wigan and Millwall right at the end. Hopefully they will both be dead and buried by then.

 

[Edgmond Wolf]

One game at a time, let's see if we can take out Watford, they won't be a push over