Your starting XI & Subs V BHA FC

[ellafella]

Carson

Christie
Keogh
Shackell
Forsyth

Johnson

Hendrick
Bryson
Russell

Hughes

Martin

Subs:
Mitchell
Rawson
Butterfield
Bent
Ince
Pearce
Lowe

I'd play 4-1-3-1-1 (diamond). The only doubt I have is about Johnson; I haven't seen him pre-season and I do question his total suitability for the anchor role...but think that having Hendrick and Bryson and Russell is enough finesse in midfield to dominate the middle of the park. I have no qualms about having Rawson and Lowe on the bench; relative new-comers although I think Rawson is more than ready for action after his experience on loan last year.
BHA will consider themselves unlucky to be in this division still; they finished 11 points clear of Derby last season, led the table for much of the season, and only a brief wobble and injury in the play-offs stopped them going up.

Both games last year were draws; 2-2 at home and 1-1 away. The memorable aspects were:

1. Chris Martin's late penalty at home to earn a point.
2. Bradley Martin's 3rd goal for Derby (header from a corner, back-post)
3. Brighton's extremely quick breakaway football.
4. James Wilson on loan from Man Ure for Brighton
5. Will Hughes' brilliant game at Brighton in an advanced midfield role coming back from injury.

My score prediction: 2-1 Derby after a very close encounter. Your line-up and score please.

[ramAnag]

Haven't seen any of the friendlies Ella but can't argue with your thinking for either the team or the formation. Just a little bit surprised that you've got Mitchell ahead of Grant but otherwise I'd go with that.

What I really look forward to seeing is the sensible and imaginative use of substitutes and a proper 'plan B' when things aren't going well or someone isn't pulling their weight. Can't remember the last time we genuinely had one of those.

[mistaram]

Ella. Yes I would go with your line up Will we I don't think so I've seen all the three friendlies and I've seen nothing that would be better than your starting eleven We played with two in midfield I Germany do that in the Champs and you will get turned over Bit disappointed we have yet to sign anyone really wanted a leader and a wide player who can actually cross with a right foot because Russell Blackman or Incy. Definitely can not

[ellafella]

Haven't seen any of the friendlies Ella but can't argue with your thinking for either the team or the formation. Just a little bit surprised that you've got Mitchell ahead of Grant but otherwise I'd go with that.

What I really look forward to seeing is the sensible and imaginative use of substitutes and a proper 'plan B' when things aren't going well or someone isn't pulling their weight. Can't remember the last time we genuinely had one of those.

Yes Anag...I agree. I suspect that Grant with be ahead of Mitchell; also that Blackman will be on the bench as the alternative Plan B to Bent. Also don't think Max Lowe will be on the bench; I also suspect Baird will feature at least on the bench.

Also, my original post should read "Bradley Johnson" not "Bradley Martin".

[ellafella]

Ella. Yes I would go with your line up Will we I don't think so I've seen all the three friendlies and I've seen nothing that would be better than your starting eleven We played with two in midfield I Germany do that in the Champs and you will get turned over Bit disappointed we have yet to sign anyone really wanted a leader and a wide player who can actually cross with a right foot because Russell Blackman or Incy. Definitely can not

Thanks Mista; The right winger for Chesterfield was quick and also put in 2 or 3 fizzing crosses with his right boot. He gave Forsyth a testing time. I know he was a Chelsea lad...looked promising to me.

I know what you mean about a leader...remember the days when a senior pro would step down and lead a team...Dave Webb, Dave MacKay, Gordon Cowans, et alia?? They stay in the Prem these days.

[mistaram]

Ella Think that lad at Chesterfield was Mitchell he was very useful turned Fozzy inside out a few to many times Fair play to Pearson everyone Has had a chance to impress but I think there are still to many failures at the club Fans have been seduced by that excellent display at Hull but forget the terrible home game and the Ipswich game Hope fans will be patient it could take two transfer windows for Pearson to get the players he wants and more important who does not want

[wristslasher_909]

Hi Ella,

I like your narrow 4 midfielders formation but from the evidence so far I would say not a cat in hell’s chance that NP will pick that team.

I watched 90 mins against Benfica and Karlsruher, and I’m pretty certain we will adopt the 4411 formation that has featured heavily so far under NP.

A few tactical observations.

It’s rigid.

Potentially 'watching paint dry' rigid. It’s possible in the early games we may hanker for some free-flowing McClaren ‘role the dice’ football, or even some sideways Clement action.

It will be sturdy and effective.

Rome was not built in a day and Pearson will start by putting strong foundations in place with 2 banks of four.

He will pick 2 central midfielders most likely Bryson and Hendrick. Hendrick will have more creative licence.

The wide players will be selected on their ability to break with pace in the channels, so expect to see Russell, Weiman and Blackman fight it out for the 2 spaces. I’d say Blackman has nailed down a place with his application shown so far in pre-season.

The full backs will not overlap regularly.

Pearson is big on the ‘transition’ and I noted a few occasions against Karlsruher where we won back possession and flooded their half very quickly with 6 or 7 players, pinning them back in their half.

Ince will link midfield in his number ten role.

Darren Bent will play as an advanced forward.

Watch Shackell regularly look for the long cross-field aerial ball to Blackman.

Martin and Bent could also be used as a striking partnership in a more conventional 442, possibly with Ince going wide left.

I might be wrong.

[swaledale]

It looks very much as if Pearson will go either 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 - , whilst technically thats only two in midfield, we dont have what I would call proper wingers, more wide midfielders and two banks of four with overlapping full backs can be very effective and I expect thats how we will play.

Agree largely with your team, though the midfield will be interesting Johnson can play LM as can Weimann, Ince or Russell, the latter two can also play RM or in that shadow striker no 10 role. Not entirely sure who pearson will go with though.

As for the score its got 1-1 written all over it.

[wristslasher_909]

A wide midfielder will be signed, a solid reliable type with pace such as Callum Mac. If we go for 442 or 441 as the default formation we don't have any natural wide midfielders. The squad is blessed with pretty much everything else. An embarrassment of riches in the central midfield areas.

I can't see BJ out wide as he doesn't have the pace. NP will go for speed in these areas. It's a shame Camara has got injured so early as wide left is where he has played the majority of his career, in a 451 or a 442.

[triz]

No place for Hughes in the 4411? He has to play for me. Tough shout at cm but Hendrick and Hughes would be my shout.