If Keogh misses out...

B

BergenNorway

Well-known member
Critch said today there were some bumps and bruises after the SU-win, as usual.
One player I noticed seem to drag a little on his foot towards the end in that game, was Keogh.
Before the last International break, he had some groin-issues, which this "dragging" could suggest.

With three games in 8 days, we might decide to give him a break, although at the moment he's probably the first name on the team-sheet, and unless forced to, you really don't wanna change this defensive partnership.

BUT:
If he misses out, how would YOU replace him?

1. Husband in, Garbutt LB
2. Gretarsson is back, got some minutes for Iceland, put him in, and keep changes at a mimimum
3. Put Connolly in, got more minutes under his belt
4. Give a surprise-introduction of Casey (I like this one! :)))
5. Could Dujon do a job as CB?
 
Simonized said:
Please not Hubby 😒
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I think Critch would play Husband there.

And he's the gaffer.

But Stoke have a couple of pretty big strikers in Fletcher and Brown. I think Dujon could do a job. But then so could Gretarsson, Casey or Connolly. Loads of options.
 
Despite previous performances being unconvincing at best, I would be okay with having Husband at CB. He did pretty much what Keogh did right on Saturday, big blocks, clearances, passes, even dribbling his way out of trouble.
 
what about a back 3 of Connolly-marv-Hubby? Garbutt and Gabriel on the sides. Probably Husband is going to be the replacement if needed, but it might not be a bad idea this.
 
The Viking if fit and then hope he doesn't get injured by Stokes big bruisers!
Casey is a bit of an unknown commodity. He was well thought of at dirty Leeds, after protracted negotiation we buy, but NC appears to be treating him as a player under development and one for the future and we obviously respect that,
 
I dont think Gretarsson has been on the bench since the Iceland game so might not be fit yet
 
Sooty59 said:
Nice problem to have. Probably Hubby I’d guess, but with NC you never know.
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Playing Husband in the centre weakens the team at both CB and LB, he was only playing there at the start of the season because we didn't have a RB and others were injured, Connolly was on the bench on Saturday, he's an experienced CB and is the logical choice.
 
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It's hard to think of us without Keogh at the moment but I'd like to see Gretarsson get a chance to decide whether he is actually up to it.
I've liked what little I have seen of him but he doesn't have a big physical presence.
 
Can't see it being Connolly or Sterling at CB, as that would likely entail shifting Ekpiteta across. No need to disrupt disruption rest of the back line when you could drop Gretarsson in there.

Think we'll see changes to keep the squad fresh and would expect Garbutt and Sterling to get starts against Stoke.
 
Tango1953 said:
Can't see it being Connolly or Sterling at CB, as that would likely entail shifting Ekpiteta across. No need to disrupt disruption rest of the back line when you could drop Gretarsson in there.

Think we'll see changes to keep the squad fresh and would expect Garbutt and Sterling to get starts against Stoke.
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Agreed, Sterling has not played since 2nd Oct v Blackburn so definitely needs to play. Credit to Gabriel for keeping him out because the way Dujon was playing, Gabriel wasnt going to get much of a look-in.
 
Dougz said:
Agreed, Sterling has not played since 2nd Oct v Blackburn so definitely needs to play. Credit to Gabriel for keeping him out because the way Dujon was playing, Gabriel wasnt going to get much of a look-in.
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I’m not sure Stirling looks like a CB in a back 4 to me, but with his pace, mobility, technical ability etc. I could imagine him in a defensive midfield role if KKD or Wintle were unavailable. Quality player clearly and as you say, we’ll done Gabriel, he seems to have stepped up a level, perhaps because of Stirling.
 
Husband at CB for me,Gretarsson had a poor game against Sunderland in the cup I think he would be too much of a risk
 
BergenNorway said:
Critch said today there were some bumps and bruises after the SU-win, as usual.
One player I noticed seem to drag a little on his foot towards the end in that game, was Keogh.
Before the last International break, he had some groin-issues, which this "dragging" could suggest.

With three games in 8 days, we might decide to give him a break, although at the moment he's probably the first name on the team-sheet, and unless forced to, you really don't wanna change this defensive partnership.

BUT:
If he misses out, how would YOU replace him?

1. Husband in, Garbutt LB
2. Gretarsson is back, got some minutes for Iceland, put him in, and keep changes at a mimimum
3. Put Connolly in, got more minutes under his belt
4. Give a surprise-introduction of Casey (I like this one! :)))
5. Could Dujon do a job as CB?
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It’s an interesting one! Keogh’s partnership with Ekpiteta has been immense but we have to make sure due to his age that we do not burn him out. The problem is that, with the exception of Husband, we have not seen enough of the alternatives recently (Championship) to know who the best alternative is! I hope the Viking and Casey can both step up but it will take time like Keogh to really establish themselves!
 
I think Keogh needs a break, and there are a number of options in that position. Madine might well need a break as well, and Bowler was relatively ineffective at Sheffield. I would be inclined to bring in Gretarsson, Mitchell and either Carey or Dale. Assume that Lavery and Maxwell aren't quite ready yet, but what about Stewart for the bench at least? Is he fit?
 
Would like to see Casey there tbh. Well ideally I would rather see Keogh there! He's played 40+ games a season for years I'm sure he can handle the intesity of the championship for another whole season or two!

I thought he was gonna be absolutely pants for us as well after his first few games. Now I bloody love the guy! 🤣
 
Dear Neil.

Please can we think about the PPGWJHALB metric before we move Jimmy to centre back again.

Ta.
 
SwannDangerous said:
Would like to see Casey there tbh. Well ideally I would rather see Keogh there! He's played 40+ games a season for years I'm sure he can handle the intesity of the championship for another whole season or two!

I thought he was gonna be absolutely pants for us as well after his first few games. Now I bloody love the guy! 🤣
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It's odd if we go back to playing full backs at CB when we've got Casey, Connelly and the Viking who can play there and one of them is an international LCB as well.
 
td53 said:
It's odd if we go back to playing full backs at CB when we've got Casey, Connelly and the Viking who can play there and one of them is an international LCB as well.
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Correct. He can't move hubby from LB when he's storming it either... can he????
 
Lost Seasider said:
Playing Husband in the centre weakens the team at both CB and LB, he was only playing there at the start of the season because we didn't have a RB and others were injured, Connolly was on the bench on Saturday, he's an experienced CB and is the logical choice.
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Connolly is probably unlucky being considered a utility player, and as such is a great option for both defensive midfield and cb to have on the bench, and our midfield has been injury prone this season.
 
hills98 said:
I’m not sure Stirling looks like a CB in a back 4 to me, but with his pace, mobility, technical ability etc. I could imagine him in a defensive midfield role if KKD or Wintle were unavailable. Quality player clearly and as you say, we’ll done Gabriel, he seems to have stepped up a level, perhaps because of Stirling.
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The Chelsea boss played him centre half pre season and said he was magnificent and had given him something to think about… think that tells you all you need to know. He is strong, fast, good in the air and a great tackler….think he would be a massive player for us.
 
TANGERINETOWERPOWER said:
The Chelsea boss played him centre half pre season and said he was magnificent and had given him something to think about… think that tells you all you need to know. He is strong, fast, good in the air and a great tackler….think he would be a massive player for us.
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And I sincerely hope he's right, but a) pre-season is pre-season, Antwi looked excellent last pre-season for us but didn't get a kick in the regular season and b) I dunno who he played against, but CB for Chelski is possibly a slightly different proposition to CB for Blackpool where we have a lot of big experienced strikers trying to battle with our CB's. I didn't say he cant do it, just from what I've seen of him with my own eyes, I'm not convinced as part of a back 4 it would be our best option. In a back 3/5 (if you take my meaning) I could imagine he'd be good with his pace and, with Ekpo and Keogh next to him. But if Critchley plays him there in a back 4, then fair enough, he certainly knows better than me. We shall see.
 
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