Thoughts on the game V Boro

[ballard45]

Having settled down from our loss on Sunday, we can turn our attention to a home game and one that I think we should win. Boro have been a bit unpredictable so far but are capable of beating us so hopefully Pardew will have the team up for it.

I wouldn't mind seeing us line up like this:

Carroll
Collins Ferdinand Gabbidon Konchesky

Noble Reo-Coker Etherington

Bennayoun

Harewood Zamora


Subs from: Hislop, Dailly, Bellion, Alliadiare, Newton, Fletcher, Repka, Ward, Sheringham, Mullins.

I think this gives us a very good attacking side. Having Yossi just in behind the front 2 will allow him to slide off some good passes and be a threat himself. I'd just like to see Ethers get into gear.

Any thoughts?

[west_ham]

I prefer to see tha pacey, attacking players down the flanks but do think the formation you have will work Ballard.

I would consider starting Bellion instead of Noble. Maybe bring Noble on if things don't go well down the right.

Also should we start Zamora or Sherringham first?

Mullins and Newton are both players which AP favours so I can't see him missing them out right now.

Is Collins a RB or central defender?

[ballard45]

Take your point about Bellion starting first. Think Zamora should start as Teddy looks tired and I think would be more value coming off the bench.

Agree with you about Mullins and Newton. I actually don't think Mullins has done too bad a job but his delivery last Sunday was ordinary.

I think Collins is a CB but he is only 6'2' so should be capable of RB. We do need some cover in this position because if Repka is not going to improve then it is a problem for us.

[hammer_scout51]

Thats not a bad line up Ballard. I agree with Chris about pacey wingers. I also think one of Repkas problems has been Yossi's tendency to push inside.
This leaves Repka exposed to LM and overlapping LB.

Collins is a CB only but Gabbidon has played RB. Collins didn't turn out for the stiffs tonight. I think he must still be injured from the Wales game. Ward scored for the reserves. I think Pardew will be inclined to leave the CB's be as Boro have such experienced strikers.

[west_ham]

With all this in mind, and sticking with Ballards formation, I think we should go with this:

Carroll
Repka Ferdinand Gabbidon Konchesky

Bellion Reo-Coker Etherington

Benayoun

Harewood Zamora

Subs:
Shaka
Collins (or Ward or Clarke)
Noble
Sherringham
Aliadiere (if fit or Newton or Mullins)


Otherwise play the usual 4-4-2 but definitely consider playing Benayoun centrally. It's worth it as I rate Bellion higher than Mullins.

If we are struggling then there are various other formations which will work, such as the wing back suggestion I made in the other post, albeit that would be more suited for away matches.

It's such a breath of fresh air to have such choices to make. This time last year we were in much more of a 'make do' situation.