Team v Sheffield United

[Yarmbaggie]

Going to be very interesting team selection for this week, assuming everyone remains fit and available. Bruce is pretty conservative in his selections and I can’t seem him taking too many risks, first up.

Will Johnstone come back in now Val has gone? What formation will he play? Will there be any surprises? Will Gardner-Hickman start, will Cleary be in the squad?

I suspect he will revert back to a 4-3-3 something like

Johnstone
Furlong, Bartley, Clarke, Townsend
Molumby, Livermore, Mowatt
Diangana, Carroll, Grant

Plenty of options for the bench but would love to see Cleary included next home game, but maybe not this one. Can only see him coming on for the last quarter!

Up to the players now to give 100% and turn their performances around.

What changes are others expecting?

[WBA1955]

Going to be very interesting team selection for this week, assuming everyone remains fit and available. Bruce is pretty conservative in his selections and I can’t seem him taking too many risks, first up.

Will Johnstone come back in now Val has gone? What formation will he play? Will there be any surprises? Will Gardner-Hickman start, will Cleary be in the squad?

I suspect he will revert back to a 4-3-3 something like

Johnstone
Furlong, Bartley, Clarke, Townsend
Molumby, Livermore, Mowatt
Diangana, Carroll, Grant

Plenty of options for the bench but would love to see Cleary included next home game, but maybe not this one. Can only see him coming on for the last quarter!

Up to the players now to give 100% and turn their performances around.

What changes are others expecting?

I think that could well be be the line up.

[Omegstrat6]

Agree that that looks like a likely first line-up but hope like yourself that Gardner-Hickman continues to be given a role and that Cleary too gets his chances. Bruce does seem quite conservative in his playing style and selections but still think he will manage to get a tune out of this group of players and have the nous not to just stick rigidly to one plan. Actually looking forward to the game!

[boingy]

I haven't a clue. seriously. Its way too soon to see a difference.

[Barrera]

Looks a reasonable guess. Would like to see someone different in the MF - Molumby, Livermore and Mowatt are all very similar. Maybe put Gardner-Hickman in there. Also would like to see Robinson playing off Carroll ...

[Leicesterbaggie]

Gardner Hickman should be played in the midfield. He would bring energy, enthusiasm and creativity to the side.

[wbaliquidator]

I’m sure Bruce and his new team will realise he needs to fix the issue with the complete isolation of our midfield.

Hopefully a back four with no more gaping holes and space at the sides. Then perm any 3 3, or 2 , 3, 1 or even 4 4 2. Either way we need to get or midfield involved.

Hopefully gone are the days when our central defenders are expected to be the main playmakers and ping 40 Yard passes like the great Andrea Pirlo. Having said that it helps if you can have forwards who can actually trap a ball !

As above the team almost picks itself.

[Albionic68]

I'd be genuinely surprised if Bruce went with a 433. I think he's more likely to match up with Sheffield which means three centre backs with wing backs, three in midfield with Grant and Carroll up front.

That or pack the midfield with a 451 or two banks of four with one playing off the centre forward. In short I haven't got a clue what he's thinking but the only way I see him going 433 is if we're losing and he changes things up from the bench.

[baggieal]

Going to be very interesting team selection for this week, assuming everyone remains fit and available. Bruce is pretty conservative in his selections and I can’t seem him taking too many risks, first up.

Will Johnstone come back in now Val has gone? What formation will he play? Will there be any surprises? Will Gardner-Hickman start, will Cleary be in the squad?

I suspect he will revert back to a 4-3-3 something like

Johnstone
Furlong, Bartley, Clarke, Townsend
Molumby, Livermore, Mowatt
Diangana, Carroll, Grant

Plenty of options for the bench but would love to see Cleary included next home game, but maybe not this one. Can only see him coming on for the last quarter!

Up to the players now to give 100% and turn their performances around.

What changes are others expecting?

Much like you have said but giving the 100% is crucial for me especially as I will be there! Robinson could be a start but he needs to show what he’s capable of especially in front of his old team!

[Yarmbaggie]

Gardner Hickman should be played in the midfield. He would bring energy, enthusiasm and creativity to the side.

Have to say I agree with you 100%.

The team I quoted was very much what I think he will put out rather than what I would like to see.

Worryingly I do think the midfield is where we are weak.