I reckon we should do a spurs-y 3-4-2-1 tomorrow

fullbacks getting fwd and the centre backs subsequently getting exposed on the counter when our moves invariably break down has been a weak point all season in the 4-2-3-1 with freewheeling widemen.

I say bang one of two blacklisted but professional footballing centrehalfs in there (Turner, Bassong, Bennett, or some young hunk from the U23's) and that gives us, in theory, some chance of defending a cross.

Russell Martin isn't a centrehalf, and was pretty much spent as an attacking fullback in the twilight of the Hughton era. This vile trolling needs to end right now.

I'd go two solid mifielders in front of the centrebacks. Seeing as we don't have any and due to injuries only Tettey and Howson appear to be available, Tettey and Howson it is. One of them roaming out of position is mitigated a bit by the extra centreback behind.

Pinto and Djiks on the flanks. Again, we have absolutely no other options unless we're trolling with Whittaker or Martin at left back again. Let them do their attacking thing, safer in the knowledge there should be a bit more cover in behind and two lads hopefully sat in the centre mid.

Seeing as Lafferty is blacklisted and retired, and Oliveira is injured or banned or out of favour for costing £5m, Jerome up top. Behind him Wes, for the playmaking skills we so badly need, and some lad who can run and pass and dribble and shoot. Pritchard is the only one who fits this bill imho, as J. Murphy is well out of form and the other J. Murphy is out of favour. Naismith doesn't really fit in anywhere, unfortunately, maybe a more direct option if Pritch or Wes has gone down a rabbit hole or someones pocket.

Dropping Ruddy for that mentalist clearance is a given.

Posted By: MIKEWALKER, Mar 6, 09:35:35