Team for Saturday.

Insider

Well-known member
Remarkably I was as close as I've ever been to second guessing Critchy's team selection last night. The only one I got wrong was Lavery instead of Yates.
However I don't claim exclusivity because it was a bit of a no-brainer.
Moving on to Saturday I'm sure we'll see at least a couple of changes.
If Keogh is fit he might return so does Hubby get a rest?
I don't think Madine will start so it will be Yates or Lavery up front.
Bowler will be rested so that probably means the return of Demi or Critch could throw a curved ball and put James in the right wing spot.
We might also see the return of Captain Max.
Obviously I've no idea if we picked up any injuries.
So I can be shot down I'll go:
Maxwell
Sterling Ekpiteta Keogh Husband
Dougall Wintle
Mitchell James Anderson
Lavery.

I might get 5 out of 11.
 
Mitchell doesn't convince me yet but yeah agree he's more likely to start than Bowler.
Husband is certainly presenting Critch with a problem with his recent outstanding performances at centre back. So will Keogh come straight back in? Does Jutkiewicz start for Brum? He's a big unit so that might have an influence. James playing very well too.
For me, keeper is a unique position so the rules are different. He comes straight back in if fit.
 
Hubby may reluctantly have to sit Saturday out after that bump on his swede & subsequent loss of claret - he won't like it though!
Gaz may be rested for Jerry - we'll miss his defensive input at set pieces.
That's about it, unless there are knocks that we aren't aware of (Keshi's kicked ankles?).
 
Sorry Insider, but are you suggesting Reece James as attacking mid? What? He's a limited footballer as it is why would you put him there?

Reece James won't play attacking mid for us or anything else.

I imagine he'll go 4-5-1 like he did at Reading.
 
Can't see James in the middle of that 3. Swap him with Anderson maybe. Or preferably just leave him at left back.
 
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This isn't a team I would pick but I'm just throwing in a few thoughts for discussion.
However if you look at the line-up against Swansea it's not too different with players looking to be played out of position in that line-up.
If I was manager I'd go for the jugular on Saturday as Brum are likely to be under strength.
 
He will go two up front for me, I think Jerry and Madine, Shane looked a bit of the pace last night and i was surprised NC played him from the start. If Keogh is back, would play Husband at LB, Gabriel RB, hard on James as he looks a player at LB, like how Keshi is drifting into the 10 position the last few matches. Who knows who he will choose but no matter who it is they all fit in seamlessly, the coaching is a level we have not see for years at the club.
 
Grimshaw
Gabriel Ekpiteta Husband James
Dougall Carey Wintle
Hamilton Yates Anderson

Moore
Sterling
Gretarrsson
Connolly
Bowler
Lavery
Madine

Birmingham got a lot of injuries, goals been in short supply for us, Critch might be bold and try a 4 3 3 again.
 
Grimshaw
Gabriel Ekpiteta Husband James
Dougall Carey Wintle
Hamilton Yates Anderson

Moore
Sterling
Gretarrsson
Connolly
Bowler
Lavery
Madine

Birmingham got a lot of injuries, goals been in short supply for us, Critch might be bold and try a 4 3 3 again.
Sure about CJ starting?

.................Grimshaw

.....Sterling Ekpiteta Husband

Gabriel Dougall Wintle James

.............Carey Anderson

.................. Lavery
 
Sure about CJ starting?

.................Grimshaw

.....Sterling Ekpiteta Husband

Gabriel Dougall Wintle James

.............Carey Anderson

.................. Lavery
Not totally! Dale could be a better option, the lineup you have put together could be good, loads of options!!
 
Sorry Insider, but are you suggesting Reece James as attacking mid? What? He's a limited footballer as it is why would you put him there?

Reece James won't play attacking mid for us or anything else.

I imagine he'll go 4-5-1 like he did at Reading.
"A limited footballer as it is".
No from what I've been watching lately.
 
Are you Connolly's agent?
No just happy to correct your misconceptions.
He is not even close to my favourite player. You posted he was a defender when I said he was a utility player who could also cover midfield.
I at the time said he needed game time in midfield in case we lose Wintle
 
No just happy to correct your misconceptions.
He is not even close to my favourite player. You posted he was a defender when I said he was a utility player who could also cover midfield.
I at the time said he needed game time in midfield in case we lose Wintle
I maintain he was signed basically as a defender. Previously you said Wintle should be rested to give Connolly some game time
which makes no sense . I appreciate there is a chance he might not be here in January but to suggest he should be rested
to give someone else a chance on that basis....really? Wintle is one of the first names on the team sheet , if he leaves in January a
class replacement ( Brannigan ? ) will have to be found.
 
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I maintain he was signed basically as a defender. Previously you said Wintle should be rested to give Connolly some game time
which makes no sense . I appreciate there is a chance he might not be here in January but to suggest he should be rested
to give someone else a chance on that basis....really? Wintle is one of the first names on the team sheet , if he leaves in January a
class replacement ( Brannigan ? ) will have to be found.
Although initially he covered right back, options we have before Connolly as defender
Right back we have Gabriel and Sterling
Right centre back Carey, Sterling and Eki
Left centre back Keogh, Grettarson and Husband
Left back Husband, James and Garbutt.
So the only logical place if Connolly were to have a future here is defensive midfielder in my eyes.
Wintle is a great player but got caught out a couple of times against WBA and I fear that Cardiff will offer him to us but at a significant cost.
If we do not sign Wintle have you any evidence that Brannigan is a better championship midfielder than Connolly?
I think we should use our own players where possible and still maintain that the entire squad needs utilizing.whether or not you call it squad rotation
 
Although initially he covered right back, options we have before Connolly as defender
Right back we have Gabriel and Sterling
Right centre back Carey, Sterling and Eki
Left centre back Keogh, Grettarson and Husband
Left back Husband, James and Garbutt.
So the only logical place if Connolly were to have a future here is defensive midfielder in my eyes.
Wintle is a great player but got caught out a couple of times against WBA and I fear that Cardiff will offer him to us but at a significant cost.
If we do not sign Wintle have you any evidence that Brannigan is a better championship midfielder than Connolly?
I think we should use our own players where possible and still maintain that the entire squad needs utilizing.whether or not you call it squad rotatio

Although initially he covered right back, options we have before Connolly as defender
Right back we have Gabriel and Sterling
Right centre back Carey, Sterling and Eki
Left centre back Keogh, Grettarson and Husband
Left back Husband, James and Garbutt.
So the only logical place if Connolly were to have a future here is defensive midfielder in my eyes.
Wintle is a great player but got caught out a couple of times against WBA and I fear that Cardiff will offer him to us but at a significant cost.
If we do not sign Wintle have you any evidence that Brannigan is a better championship midfielder than Connolly?
I think we should use our own players where possible and still maintain that the entire squad needs utilizing.whether or not you call it squad rotation
Your last sentence is very naive , we are in the Championship not the local Sunday league . You are suggesting we should give so and so a
game because it's his turn. You pick your best team for the next game , it's that simple. I'll leave you to promote Connolly's midfield ability.
 
Your last sentence is very naive , we are in the Championship not the local Sunday league . You are suggesting we should give so and so a
game because it's his turn. You pick your best team for the next game , it's that simple. I'll leave you to promote Connolly's midfield ability.
Maybe you believe Critch is naive as he has stated the entire squad will have a part to play? Perhaps you know better
 
Would be happy with the 442 or 451, not sure about the formation we played against Swansea.

If we play 442 I think Yates should get a chance to play in a two with Madine, we’ve seen how good that partnership can be and Lavery did look a bit laboured, Carey in a 451 if fit.

I’d keep the back 4 and goalkeeper after a clean sheet and some excellent defensive performances. Anderson, Dougall and Wintle would be starters and the other spot is up for grabs.
 
My guess would be:

Grimmy
Gabriel
Husband
Ekpiteta
James
Dougall
Wintle
Dale
Anderson
Mitchell
Lavery

Subs
Moore
Carey
Yates
Madine
Bowler
Hamilton
Connolly

That is a great matchday squad btw. And there's not even enough room for Sterling. But it'll probably be nothing like that, I have no idea who the starting 11 will be these days, but I always find myself looking at the lineup and thinking they'll do a good job regardless of who's in it.

I think the only sure starters for Brum will be Ekpiteta, Husband, Dougall, Wintle, and Anderson. The other five outfield players could be anybody tbh.
 
I reckon Mitchell for Bowler and Yates for Lavery will be the only changes.
Also agree with the comment above. NC picks the formation and players best suited to the opposition, imo. He even admitted it in his post Swansea match press conference thingy
 
Grimshaw
Sterling Ekpiteta Keogh Husband
Wintle Dougall
Gabriel Carey Anderson
Lavery

Assumptions : Keogh is fit, James is injured as well as Madine
 
Not really what i want to see but.... if we were to try something different? Won't happen but as always I'd be interested to see how it did.

Grimshaw
Sterling Ekpiteta Husband James
Wintle Dougall
CJ Yates Anderson
Lavery

Yates and lavery can work..... maybe not in this system but.... 😀
 
In the top 16 in the Championship we have scored the least number of goals whereas our defensive record stands up to close scrutiny. We can therefore see where our weakness lies. Hopefully Lavery will get back to the goal scoring form he showed before injury stopped him in his tracks but looking at our other strikers and our midfield the cupboard looks pretty bare in terms of goal scorers and that is clearly where we need to invest and improve.
 
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