Ipswich match - squad rotation

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Just been discussing the Ipswich game on Tuesday, and I think it comes at a perfect time.

Bobby has been using less of his first team regulars for the WC games. Harper will prbably play, and Acuna may come in for Lee. Hopefully we'll see Lua Lua given a run up front FROM THE START. He's had 13 appearances this season - every one as a substitute. For someone who has shown the will to play for the team Bobby shows little faith in him.

Ipswich, whilst bottom of the PL, are a good cup side and we should be wary of them. However, I feel pace and skill is the way to go - Bellamy and Lua Lua up front - with Ameobi as another that could play - would really scare the Ipswich defence.

It's a chance for some of the fringe players to show their worth, and put a bit pressure on the likes of Robert, who needs to be taught that he needs to work for his place, not take it for granted.

-- Anonymous, November 25, 2001

Answers

A Perfect (opportunity)

-- Anonymous, November 25, 2001

Harper is a definite, Acuna is 90%+ likely, I'd like to see Shola start for Shearer, Lua2 should be Solano's or Robert's replacement, probably too much as Bobby seems keen to win the stupid cup

-- Anonymous, November 25, 2001

That's the thing, I'd love it if we won the cup, at least it gets us into Europe.

However, Acuna, Lua Lua and Shola are good enough to play against Ipswich, there is no doubt in my mind. I'd also give Distin a shot at centre back in a 4-4-2 line up.

-- Anonymous, November 25, 2001


But its unlikely really. Mr Robson has shown unwillingness to do this, apart from Harper I think. And he is right I think. Remember when Bellamy was 'rested' and then came on in extra time and scored a hat trick.

-- Anonymous, November 25, 2001

I'd leave Bellamy on, but the rest can be changed as they aren't so vital.

Bellamy's pace is worth an extra man to us at the moment.

-- Anonymous, November 25, 2001



Dunno - what do you do, start playing your first choice team if we get further in the competition despite the fact that it's the lesser players who have got you there?

-- Anonymous, November 25, 2001

Agree dougal, it's a tough choice. The so called "lesser" players aren't that bad though, many of them would find a place at clubs like Ipswich and Leicester with no problems at all.

-- Anonymous, November 25, 2001

Thing is, the Worthinton is our only chance to look at players like Distin and we can't really be having Rob Lee and the likes play twice a week so Clarence should get a game. My big fear is that with Robert injured and Bernard ineligible, we may see Wayne Quinn...

-- Anonymous, November 25, 2001

Is Bernard ineligible? I thought he was only suspended for league matches. Looking on the bright side, if he has to sit out on Tues, that will be his 3rd match so he becomes eligible for selection on Saturday.

-- Anonymous, November 25, 2001

You never know, he might play well...

-- Anonymous, November 25, 2001


'The word on the street' (well according to someone I know with 'connections') said Bernard will definately play as soon as he is over his suspension.

Of course, this was the source that told me Bridges was a Toon cert.

-- Anonymous, November 25, 2001


Bernard is suspended for one more game (Tuesday). With Robert and Bellamy both on 4 yellows, I'd certainly rest them both. Quinn may well come in as left m/f, or it could be Lua x2 if he doesn't replace Solano. I don't remember Shola playing much with Shearer. Although I suspect Big Al should be rested, I also suspect he won't be. Bellamy on the bench, just in case we need him like the past time.

In defence, I'd drop Robbie Elliott and play.........er, me. Distin in the middle with O'Brien and Dabs on the bench. Harper to start. Barton will probably get a game and Rob Lee must be rested for Acuna or Bassedas. Speed will start.

And one more thing..........we will win on Tuesday - on penalties.

-- Anonymous, November 25, 2001


Shame about Bernard, I've liked what I've seen from him so far.

-- Anonymous, November 25, 2001

Win on penalties?? Given that our track record with penalties is even worse than our recent London record I wouldn't be too optimistic if we don't beat them in 90 mins!

-- Anonymous, November 25, 2001

We've been in six penalty shoot outs over the years. We've lost every single one.

-- Anonymous, November 26, 2001


So we have to break these hoodoos sometime. After the penalty shoot out win, it'll be Lahndaan next ;-)

-- Anonymous, November 26, 2001

No!!! Don't fiddle with the line up at the back - well not the central partnership anyway. You can never have too many games together in that position, so why start tinkering with something that although not perfect, has the possibility of becoming quite impressive. Have we forgotten how cr@p we can be at the back?

-- Anonymous, November 26, 2001

Pete, I'd give Distin a chance to form a partnership with one or other of the regular CBs. It would be great if we could have the luxury of playing him for the whole game with either Dabs or O'Brien in each half, especially against EPL (even UEFA) standard competition. If we have to use him at some stage in the EPL this season due to injury or suspension, then I'd rather they had played a competitive match before experimenting in the league.

Of course, there is another school of thought that says you can play all 3 at the same time - isn't there Mr Robson :-(

-- Anonymous, November 26, 2001


You make a good point Peter. However, despite keeping a clean sheet on Saturday, I felt our defence was not very good - and apparently it was even worse at Fulham last week. The bottom line is that we still haven't got it right defensively even though it has improved from last season. In addition, we must avoid a situation where we become too reliant on the same four defenders, and we also need to fully assess Sylvain Distin in a competitive situation.

I'd certainly bring in Distin - either alongside O'Brien, or in a pairing with Dabz and O'Brien playing RB. I'd actually like to see the following back line tried out - O'Brien....Dabz.....Distin.....Bernard.

-- Anonymous, November 26, 2001


I reluctantly ;-) accept the need to try out alternatives give players experience playing together as cover for inevitable injuries...but still don't advocate tinkering to try and improve things. Best way for the things to improve, IMO, is to leave as is and let them have as much time as possible to forge a really strong understanding. Nothing will happen overnight, but we might begin to reap real dividends next year.

-- Anonymous, November 26, 2001

Clarky, I have a feeling we have no intention of buying Distin and took him this season merely as cover and as a cheap way of getting a friend of Lolo's into the side to ease his transition (the same logic probably applied to getting Cordone and Bassedas last year). I don't agree regarding the back four: it's about the only part of the team that shouldn't be rotated except for injury crises etc. O'B is such a good centre half that I'd be reluctant to fanny around with his game. In any event, as long as we have two anonymous wingers giving the fullbacks the work of two men to do and our central midfield is so poor, we are kidding ourseleves if we think any change to defensive personnel is going to make that much difference to our overall defending. Besides which, there isn't a communicator in the entire back four. Bearing in mind that at least two of the current back four are billed as future club captains, it would be nice to see them trying to add shouting and bawling to their repertoires. The other thing is that we have two 22 year-olds at the back which is makes it probably the youngest defence in the PL. I've a feeling that, given a year or two, we'll be delighted with the back four.

-- Anonymous, November 26, 2001

I understand the constructive stuff being spouted on this thread but for me winning this game against the team holding up the PL is the important thing. I really, really want to see the Toon win something, anything will do. HWTLs



-- Anonymous, November 26, 2001


I'm not a natural fan of "rotating" players dougal. The problem in my mind is that I'm far from convinced the back four we are playing with is good enough long-term, and therefore I would see this WC game as an opportunity to try something slightly different - albeit a game I desperately want us to win.

There is no point bringing in a decent player like Distin, and not seeing if he offers us better than what we already have - so, I'd definitely play him tomorrow, and at CB not LB.

To raise a potentially controversial point, there is a distinct possibility Ipswich will play with only one up front tomorrow - Alun Armstrong. This might just tempt BR to try 3-5-2 again - hopefully, the non-availability of Bernard to play LWB night persuade him otherwise.

-- Anonymous, November 26, 2001


It's a tough choice. This is a game against a premiership side, one that beat Inter Milan, and although they are propping up the table they have to be shown respect or we'll fail. It's not as though we're really good against lesser teams anyway!

Harper for Given is an easy swap and although Shay is playing terrific he deserves a rest... and Harper deserves a match.

At the back I think Bobby will play Barton Dabizas O'Brien Distin. THis gives the flexibility to go 3-5-2 if necessary.

Solano, Acuna, Speed, Luax2 across the middle. Lee will be rested, as will Robert.

Up front it's Bellamy and Ameobi.

This allows Robert and Shearer to come off the bench and still be on the pitch when it's time for the penalty shoot-out!

-- Anonymous, November 26, 2001


Clarky, I'd have to say that Distin and O'Brien were as good in the middle against Barnsley as Dabs and O'Brien have been so you may be right.

-- Anonymous, November 26, 2001

Id play Distin centre half Obrien is good with his feet but im not convinced at his strength, Dabs is a better centre half but he lacks pace. So id play Distin and A N Other.

Acuna AND Bassadas in midfield lua x 2 left midfield, Shola up front with Bellamy hes young and can take 2 matches a week. Plus hes the fastest player in the league. Id even contemplate putting bassadas right mid and Dabs centre mid.

-- Anonymous, November 26, 2001

I thought Dabizas was pretty quick. Obviously not as speedy as Owen, but he can outpace a lot of forwards.

Whatever team we put out, on paper we are stronger than Ipswich - who apparently will have a severly weakend team available. Not just weakend, but one that has never played together before.

Oh well, that probably means we'll lose, speaking from experience.

-- Anonymous, November 26, 2001


Nah Dabs is slow allways was. Id rather beat them in the league than the cup anyhow

-- Anonymous, November 26, 2001

I would be all for squad rotation, on a spit! Starting with Lee, Speed ................

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2001

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