I must admit I'm a bit disappointed with Bolton also. He started off well but during the last few games ( especially against the lower league teams ) he has looked very ordinary and I think he struggles with his positioning when he is defending and his crossing is not much better.
I had high hopes when he first signed as a Man City academy player I thought there must be something about him. Still time for him to prove me wrong though.

Think a bit unfair on Bolton given his good performances have mostly been from right midfield in a 4 and recently he's been playing RB or RWB which is stopping him from doing good work further up the field. With Smith back we could see a return to that form plus the potential for even better if he's supported by an able and natural RB. 

​Powers need to get a chance. I think McNulty will start with Clark coming on later. Would start Sporle ahead of Pawlett but in fairness, Pawlett shows for the ball, just doesn't do much with it. He done a decent job of keeping Ferguson quiet/frustrated on Saturday but that's not really how anyone wants to see him being effective. 

​Suspect Reynolds will be the one to drop out if we go to a 4. That's names from a hat material given the number of mistakes from all 3 CH's so far. 

Looks like Chalmers will be missing and Sporle injured still? 

Hopefully Smith is back at right back and can put Bolton Right midfield in a 442.
Would start Fuchs and Powers instead of Butcher and Harkes. 

Benji
Smith
Neilson
Reynolds
Robson
Bolton
Fuchs
Powers
Sporle (if fit)
McNulty 
Shankland

Goodie Conway 2 wrote:

It will be interesting to see what sort of player Fuchs actually is. He's probably been playing at a higher level than this so wonder if he might be able to be more creative than expected. God knows we need some presence in midfield to take the pressure off the defence as well as supporting the attack. Sporle's ability to carry the ball and find space would be welcome too.

Seigrist
Smith Reynolds Edwards Robson
Bolton Fuchs Powers Sporle
McNulty Shankland

I like Clark but I don't remember him doing anything v Aberdeen and having those two up front would definitely put SJ on the back foot, at least metaphorically....

And Connolly can fuck off. Accident waiting to happen...some would say it already has...

 

 
I like the look of that line up. Whilst I'd be a little less harsh on Connolly lol, I'd probably pick Edwards and Reynolds in a 4-4-2 myself. I doubt we will see that line up unfortunately, Harkes will play as will Pawlett I reckon. Butcher may be rested though as he took a knock I think. Really hope Fuchs gets a start and is fucking brilliant 👍

Lilley01 wrote:

There are endless reasons why Fuchs may have a bad game (new league, new team, quarantine, new language, wrong system, ineffective partnership etc etc). It does not instantly make him a bad players and does not mean our season is doomed for failure. This could be the case until Xmas.

​Fingers crossed he's rocking and rolling from day one but circumstances are probably against him. Would probably make sense if he makes a sub appearance this week and we take it from there. 

 
Yeah, I'm blindly hoping that's all 😋

Ps. You forgot to mention realising how shite his team mates are 😂

Last edited by Arabdownsouth (21/10/2020 12:22 pm)

smedDUm wrote:

Bit harsh Ads. We're a top six club.

 
Just in jest tbh Smedum, I don't think we are that bad. Although that Livingston performance will take a while to banish from memory.

Arabdownsouth wrote:

smedDUm wrote:

Bit harsh Ads. We're a top six club.

 
Just in jest tbh Smedum, I don't think we are that bad. Although that Livingston performance will take a while to banish from memory.

Me sarcasm Ads. If we're top six at season end I guess we'll all be surpised & delighted.

Altho got to ask - what will that season end look like? All 42 SPFL clubs are currently being consulted about contingency plans in the event of another incomplete season...It's 50/50 for a normal complete season in my book.
 

One thing: If we havnae a scooby who Micky'll pick, neither do opposing managers.

Fwiw I'll go with what I think Micky'll start wi -

Benji
Smith Reynolds Edwards Robson
Bolton Butcher Powers Pawlett
Clark Shanks

+ Hope we'll get good look at bench players.

Last edited by Shakey Isles Arab (21/10/2020 9:01 pm)

Chalmers definitely out, Fuchs not in the squad

McNulty ready to start

I’d guess same 11 as v Aberdeen with McNulty in for Clark

Would prefer to see Powers in but can’t see it.

Interesting to hear MM confirm that he is totally against giving too much away in terms of the team. So no information is going to be volunteered for the fans. Will need to be asked by journalists, which are obviously restricted at the minute and then possibly not answered anyway.

I would expect the same formation and cautious start before opening up later in the game. Not sure whether McNulty will be sacrificed in the beginning to be the one that drives the change and the later push. Maybe coming on with Smith and moving to a 4. Although wouldn't be too surprised to see Smith in for Reynolds. 

​I think McMullan played himself out of the plans against Peterhead. As a confidence player, I don't see him being much use anytime soon so we're really light if Chalmers and Sporle are both out for attacking impetus. what you'd do for a GMS type.

Agree he'll be on the bench. Sorry, my point was more around even if he is on the bench, he's very much a confidence player and I doubt he'll have much impact if he does get on given his limited game time so far with clearly out the managers plan. That, coupled with injuries, means I can sense another limited performance in an attacking sense. And if we're struggling to control the game either, doesn't bode well. 

​I've talked myself into an affy negative mood there. 

Tek wrote:

Lilley01 wrote:

Interesting to hear MM confirm that he is totally against giving too much away in terms of the team. So no information is going to be volunteered for the fans. Will need to be asked by journalists, which are obviously restricted at the minute and then possibly not answered anyway.

I would expect the same formation and cautious start before opening up later in the game. Not sure whether McNulty will be sacrificed in the beginning to be the one that drives the change and the later push. Maybe coming on with Smith and moving to a 4. Although wouldn't be too surprised to see Smith in for Reynolds. 

​I think McMullan played himself out of the plans against Peterhead. As a confidence player, I don't see him being much use anytime soon so we're really light if Chalmers and Sporle are both out for attacking impetus. what you'd do for a GMS type.

McMullan will be on the bench mate. And if he isn't then there's something badly wrong as we have very little attacking options as is.


 

Just watched Mellon's DUTV interview, Sporle and McMullan both trained again this week, but felt their injuries so have dropped out again. Not the best news. Looks like we've have to hope we are winning the game and use our Subs for defensive purposes instead of chasing anything.