Friday Dec 27th (H)

[offshore_arab83]

Wld drop harkes play Apere shanks Clark from the start. Harkes and cammy on bench to change things up if required. Apart from the goal yest I didn’t think harkes played well. Gave to much away, soft in the challenge and to negative at times.

Eh? you canna be serious, Harkes along side Butcher is the best midfield pairing we have. so you would drop Harkes and Play Appere in Midfield next to Butcher then yeah?

[shedka]

Harkes has to play, like you say our best midfield combo is him and Butcher, he has been excellent in both derbies, he changed the game at Tannadice

You don't start a derby without him, quality player with that American winning mentality, athletic, fast and a shed boy grandad

You have to decide whether you start Stanton, Appere or Clark, that's the decision, it's a strong team either way

[cybershed]

Wld drop harkes play Apere shanks Clark from the start. Harkes and cammy on bench to change things up if required. Apart from the goal yest I didn’t think harkes played well. Gave to much away, soft in the challenge and to negative at times.

Good idea.

Harkes is an interesting player isn't he? He's doing the right thing ATM; playing in the right league for what seems to be the right club for him just now.

At 24, he's no spring chicken, and in all honesty probably a bit behind where you would like him to be at this stage. But I feel he's met the challenge of this league and learnt well over his time at United; absolutely establishing himself as a 1st team player. When he is on his game, he quite stylish player, good too watch, and can play a killer cross/pass.

But on the negative side, a wee bit inconsistent and can be bullied at times. I really don't know about dropping him for Friday TBH. He does appear to feature when the team play well.

If I were picking the team for Friday, I'd probably start with Appere over Stanton and leave the rest of the starting 11 from sat as was.

[TerryTheTerror]

I thought Harkes was excellent yesterday. 🤔

[stokearab]

I thought Harkes was excellent yesterday. ��

Yeah I thought so too. I think he sometimes lacks a wee bit of confidence to play the ball forward and risk a misplaced pass so plays it to a United shirt where he knows it won't have that risk. It's not a style that we Scots are very patient with at times because we often want the ball to go forward regardless if we lose possession. In most European countries players are coached to keep possession at all costs and not to play a forward ball unless it has a high chance of being collected and controlled by a team mate.
If we could fit another creative player into the midfield I think Harkes would be even better.

The worry for me yesterday is that we didn't really create any flowing moves that played through Ayr for Shankland.
And yet we won easily.

[Arabdownsouth]

I thought Harkes was excellent yesterday. 🤔

I just don't get it with some folk, Harkes is a key part of our most successful midfield pairing for about 4 years, he's been excellent in my opinion. I have no clue why anyone would want to break up the Butcher/Harkes partnership unless they are looking to end our winning sequence? There is no need to change the side from Saturday in my opinion, a hungry Appere off the bench would be a great option if we need to change things around.

[JUSTaway]

yeah Harkes and Butcher are our best central midfield combo, bit of muscle and energy. I certainly wouldn't be against apperre starting for Stanton or Clark though, he is different to what we have up top, and an obvious outlet with his pace and strength, Clark is playing ok just now and scoring a few goals, but he can be found a bit wanting in other areas.

[Whitfieldarab]

yeah Harkes and Butcher are our best central midfield combo, bit of muscle and energy. I certainly wouldn't be against apperre starting for Stanton or Clark though, he is different to what we have up top, and an obvious outlet with his pace and strength, Clark is playing ok just now and scoring a few goals, but he can be found a bit wanting in other areas.

Agree with that.

[Arabdownsouth]

yeah Harkes and Butcher are our best central midfield combo, bit of muscle and energy. I certainly wouldn't be against apperre starting for Stanton or Clark though, he is different to what we have up top, and an obvious outlet with his pace and strength, Clark is playing ok just now and scoring a few goals, but he can be found a bit wanting in other areas.

Stanton and Clark are currently doing well though, if you go dropping players that are performing you're going to cause that form to drop in my opinion. I get that people want to fit Appere in but let him affect the game from the bench on Friday for me. Players fighting for a place in the team is exactly why we are 13 points clear, long may it continue.

[Chick A Saw]

I hate stats and percentages but here goes!

I think Appere is being managed through the season which at his age is fine. For assists, McMullan and Appere are the driving forces in the team, but when looking at goals, Appere, McMullan and Stanton are on 3 each in the league. Purely for goals, i would have Stanton(11 shots, 82% on target), McMullan(18 shots, 72% on target) both starting, with Appere(18 shots, 44% on target) on the bench.

As for Clark, he has the least minutes, most shots 22, with 41% on target(9) with 6 goals he starts as well!