Team for Birmingham....

[terry ball]

Sorry where does it say Henry as attacking then? Barton links the play up well between defence and midfield which is why I put it up like that

[QPRWEBBIE]

I can't see Kranjcar starting

[Mattyqpr]

SWP gets nowhere near the first team for me, better having Henry in the team to do the ugly stuff and give Joey a bit more license to attack.

As for Dunne, agree that dropping him is harsh but Assou-Ekotto has to play for me. Hill has done well at Left Back but he is getting too old and immobile to play there, even he admits that, I don't think we should push our luck playing him there against a decent side like Birmingham. Dunne played 90 minutes for Republic last night and may well play again midweek, the obvious choice is to shift Hill to Centre Half and put Dunne on the bench!

I don't rate SWP either but he played well at Leeds and Niko won't be fit, neither will Benny.

I like your comment about Hill and a 'decent side like Birmingham'. Hill has been outstanding at left back away against two teams far better than Birmingham.

[Rangers77]

I can't see Kranjcar starting

If he does it won't be on the right...

[Tarbie]

I don't rate SWP either but he played well at Leeds and Niko won't be fit, neither will Benny.

I like your comment about Hill and a 'decent side like Birmingham'. Hill has been outstanding at left back away against two teams far better than Birmingham.

I'll give you that but I can't see him lasting at Left Back, Clint even admits himself that it's a struggle for him these days. Trust me, it's only a matter of time until someone skins him and it costs us. This isn't me being harsh on Hill either, I like him a lot, just a lot more at Centre Half these days!

[QprSinceBirth]

Green
Simpson----ned-----hill--------Bae
------Barton-carrol/Henry-----
Phillips----niko----hoilett
-----------Austin-----------

[MYU]

Think he will go 4-5-1 myself

Green
Simpson Dunne ned Ekotto
Barton
Kranjcar Henry Carroll hoilett
Austin

Green
Simpson----ned-----hill--------Bae
------Barton-carrol/Henry-----
Phillips----niko----hoilett
-----------Austin-----------

I don't like one upfront, but I like the look of these formations. I can see us being hard to beat and we'll be creating loads.

This should get Austin started.

[OneEyedWilly]

Is johnson injured?

[Leg-EndLiam]

Green
Simpson Onouha Hill BAE
Barton Kranjcar Carroll Hoilett
Austin AJ. Is what i'd line up with, or maybe even Henry instead of Kranjcar as don't think Kranjcar is match fit.

[The Lurker]

Niko played 62 minutes for Dynamo Kiev's Under 21 team, last Saturday. But, whether he's ready for 90 minutes of Championship football, I don't know!

[stainrodisalegend]

Green
Simpson-Onouha-Dunne-BAE
Barton-Carroll
Phillips-Krancjar-Hoilet
Austin

With AJ ready to come on for Krancjar and SWP to replace Phillips after an hour. If Dunne is tired rest him for Hill.

[SuperHoopNik]

---------------Green----------
Simpson---Onuoha--Hill---BAE
Barton----Henry--Carroll--Hoilett
-----------Austin--AJ------------

Subs: Cesar, Dunne, Phillips, Zamora, Kranjcar

[zeberdee]

Not sure tbh. A fairly safe 442 with minimal changes would be:

---------------Green----------
Simpson---Onuoha--Dunne---BAE
Carroll---Barton----Henry--Hoilett
-----------Austin--AJ------------

ie same formation with two changes - bring in the specialist LB Ekotto for Hill and start Carroll in RM ahead of SWP. So everyone does what they have been doing all season and the only changes are a couple of upgrades and Carroll would be able to drift as Barton could cover that and so he gets a low pressure intro to the team. I don't think this is how the team will end up playing most of the time but it is pretty much 'play it again sam' which you often see.


A higher risk option that I like the look of though would be:

-------------------Green-------------------
Simpson---Onuoha--Dunne---BAE
Kranjcar---Barton----Henry--Hoilett
------------------Carroll---------------------
-----------------Austin----------------------

Pushing Carroll to a free #10 slot with Phillip on for Kranjcar so he only needs to last an hour.

Good to have so many options.

[SuperHoopNik]

Not sure tbh. A fairly safe 442 with minimal changes would be:

---------------Green----------
Simpson---Onuoha--Dunne---BAE
Carroll---Barton----Henry--Hoilett
-----------Austin--AJ------------

ie same formation with two changes - bring in the specialist LB Ekotto for Hill and start Carroll in RM ahead of SWP. So everyone does what they have been doing all season and the only changes are a couple of upgrades and Carroll would be able to drift as Barton could cover that and so he gets a low pressure intro to the team. I don't think this is how the team will end up playing most of the time but it is pretty much 'play it again sam' which you often see.


A higher risk option that I like the look of though would be:

-------------------Green-------------------
Simpson---Onuoha--Dunne---BAE
Kranjcar---Barton----Henry--Hoilett
------------------Carroll---------------------
-----------------Austin----------------------

Pushing Carroll to a free #10 slot with Phillip on for Kranjcar so he only needs to last an hour.

Good to have so many options.

Carroll aint that attacking, he is very similar to Faurlin- who you wouldn't play off the striker. Kranjcar however is perfect for that role.

[moon_safari]

Why change a winning team last time I looked we won 4 and drew 1!!
It's a long season and the new boys will get there chance.
All 4 players that have come in will improve us and as a squad there is no one better in the division.
By Christmas will be 4-5-1 with goals coming from midfield I expect 15 between hoillett Phillips and nico