The Faurlin and Granero problem

[Marshy]

First of all, I don't think they had a terrible game, I think the tactics were wrong which meant we didn't see the best of these two - different thing!

I like them both (despite my thread that Taraabt is better than Granero, I still like the guy), but I am not sure if a centre midfield partnership of the two will work. Neither is a very physical player, and we look really weak with them in the middle. When Diakite plays, we have a lot of "muscle" in there, and I feel comfortable. With these two, the back four seems exposed to me.

To be fair to them, they have not played much together, and maybe they will gel, but I am just not sure. This is why I think buying Granero was a mistake for us, not because he is not a good player, but I just cannot see Faurlin and Granero together - there has to be a Derry or Diakite in there.

[1973 ranger]

West Ham had three in there from the start why didnt we? Who chose the formation?

[lymehoop]

these two boys are superb, what the problem is the defensive midfielders, diakite in and one other, to lose to west ham alarm bells i'm afraid

[Graham Norton]

They definitely need a bit of pace and strength alongside them, no good playing pretty passing football if there isn't someone there to drive the ball forwards every now and then.. Hopefully Diakitie won't disappear for another few weeks after his suspension.

[stanleymarsh]

The problem is we have a midfield, particularly Faurlin, who hardly ever pass the ball forwards

[taarabt7]

Diakite, Faurlin, Granero, Hoilett and Taarabt should be our midfield fivesome, and Zamora should play upfront on his own. As for Park, I don't think he's good enough to play in the staring 11 at the moment. He should hand the captains armband to Anton Ferdinand because he's the only player in our side that will play on a regular basis and has the leadership attributes

[Wolfy]

Not their fought. The problem was our formation. When I saw the formation then I knew we were in trouble as Nolan would exploit us and he did.

[MattyRangers]

Depends on the oppo. Them 2 bossed Spurs, but Wet Spam were a big physical bunch and boss them 2. Need to change the players accordingly for games. Ie, when we go to Stoke, Faurlin & Granero should not play - yet when we play a footballing side, I think they will excel.

[stainrod10]

Too similar. As someone said above we're lacking a cruncher in there. Went with a neutral mate last night who said midfield is decent but too weak.

[superhoop67]

do good sides allow them the ball , because with it they are pretty unaffective , as Clough said once , float like a butterfly and sting like one

[Wolfy]

Too similar. As someone said above we're lacking a cruncher in there. Went with a neutral mate last night who said midfield is decent but too weak.

We need a physical midfielder, like a Joey Barton who would get stuck in oops

[LoftusRoadLad]

Depends on the oppo. Them 2 bossed Spurs, but Wet Spam were a big physical bunch and boss them 2. Need to change the players accordingly for games. Ie, when we go to Stoke, Faurlin & Granero should not play - yet when we play a footballing side, I think they will excel.

Now that is sense.

[QPRDave]

Recall Joey in Jan put him back in the 25

[Simonj10]

..................Cesar
Bosingwa, Mbia, Nelson, Fabio/Traore
................Diakite
...........Granero, Faurlin
Taarabt........................Hoilet
...............Zamora


Thats the answer for physical and for less physical

..................Cesar
Bosingwa, Mbia, Nelson, Fabio/Traore
...........Granero, Faurlin
Park...........Taarabt.........Hoilet
...............Zamora

[Timmy the Doc]

Depends on the oppo. Them 2 bossed Spurs, but Wet Spam were a big physical bunch and boss them 2. Need to change the players accordingly for games. Ie, when we go to Stoke, Faurlin & Granero should not play - yet when we play a footballing side, I think they will excel.

Looked like we had a different tactics yesterday. We didn't play through our midfield but tried to pass long balls directly to the strikers. That didn't work at all and Granero & Faurlin never got into the game.