Bruce 1,951 1.7k Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 1 hour ago, TLF10 said: With Forss and McGree out for season and Jones now also possibly facing time out, anyone think we could see O'Brien play in the “McGree role” in some of the 7 games remaining? Certainly a possibility. Left-sided attacking midfielder does seem to be his best position though he has played in a lot of positions. Defensive central midfielder seems to be his weakest position. I suspect he's basically an old-fashioned box-to-box midfielder. I guess it depends on what our aims are for the rest of the season. If the idea is to blood a couple of U21s and give them significant pitch time then we might see the likes of Willis, Finch and Woolston get some time at the expense of players who aren't going to be here next season. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce 1,951 1.7k Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 6 hours ago, TLF10 said: I will assume Jones is out given its a quick turnaround in fixtures but VDB was “touch and go” for Saints game so will be positive and say he is fit to return. Dieng Ayling VDB Clarke Engel Howson OBrien Silveria Azaz Gilbert LL Seems pretty likely but we'll learn a lot about what Carrick thinks by the team he picks. If he sticks with Greenwood and Gilbert drops back to the bench then there's no future for Gilbert here. Carrick seems to make his mind up about players very quickly and once he's done so, it takes a lot to make him change it. (To be honest, I've never seen him his change his mind in a positive way about a player.) Also possible that Howson can't play two full games in 4 days so we may see Barlaser and O'Brien in midfield. The BoB midfield has been a repeated mistake but there you go. I'll be impressed if ELL can manage another full 90. The last six games has seen Carrick adjusting his tactics and style of play to fit better to his players and it has, on the whole, worked. Not always pretty but a lot more effective. My worry is that Carrick will be determined to go back to full-on 4-2-3-1 Carrickball on the basis that we're at home against a poor team* and that, yet again, it will fail horribly. If that happens then it implies to me that his perception is that there's nothing wrong with his system, it's the players. For me, that's when a manager loses the plot. *Wednesday aren't that poor. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downsouth 6,725 36.2k Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 Incidentally how far off are we from seeing the return of Coburn or is his season finished also? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redcar Rioja 6,760 6.6k Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 2 hours ago, Bruce said: Seems pretty likely but we'll learn a lot about what Carrick thinks by the team he picks. If he sticks with Greenwood and Gilbert drops back to the bench then there's no future for Gilbert here. Carrick seems to make his mind up about players very quickly and once he's done so, it takes a lot to make him change it. (To be honest, I've never seen him his change his mind in a positive way about a player.) Also possible that Howson can't play two full games in 4 days so we may see Barlaser and O'Brien in midfield. The BoB midfield has been a repeated mistake but there you go. I'll be impressed if ELL can manage another full 90. The last six games has seen Carrick adjusting his tactics and style of play to fit better to his players and it has, on the whole, worked. Not always pretty but a lot more effective. My worry is that Carrick will be determined to go back to full-on 4-2-3-1 Carrickball on the basis that we're at home against a poor team* and that, yet again, it will fail horribly. If that happens then it implies to me that his perception is that there's nothing wrong with his system, it's the players. For me, that's when a manager loses the plot. *Wednesday aren't that poor. He does seem to make his mind up quickly but what puzzles me is what does he think Greenwood brings to the show? I have no doubt that the lad probably has ability somewhere hidden deep within but he hasn't shown it on the pitch throughout 2024. If he is quick to bin off others I'm struggling to see the rationale and logic. I doubt he will go back to his preferred Carrickball set up because his options are so limited in terms of playing personnel he will have to arrange them as best he can under the circumstances. Having said that I have no doubt that if his squad was fully fit he would in a heartbeat. Add to that our home form has been disgraceful this season so getting a win in front of the home fans should surely be his priority as the season flickers to a close and season card sales in the summer will be heavily influenced by how we finish off this season. With Jones unlikely, Howson's legs getting on and ELL susceptible if we aren't careful I have no idea who he will or indeed can select. Wednesday are battling for survival so anyone starting will be in for a bruising no holds barred encounter. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinoJo3 3,893 11.2k Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 5 hours ago, Redcar Rioja said: He does seem to make his mind up quickly but what puzzles me is what does he think Greenwood brings to the show? I have no doubt that the lad probably has ability somewhere hidden deep within but he hasn't shown it on the pitch throughout 2024. If he is quick to bin off others I'm struggling to see the rationale and logic. I doubt he will go back to his preferred Carrickball set up because his options are so limited in terms of playing personnel he will have to arrange them as best he can under the circumstances. Having said that I have no doubt that if his squad was fully fit he would in a heartbeat. Add to that our home form has been disgraceful this season so getting a win in front of the home fans should surely be his priority as the season flickers to a close and season card sales in the summer will be heavily influenced by how we finish off this season. With Jones unlikely, Howson's legs getting on and ELL susceptible if we aren't careful I have no idea who he will or indeed can select. Wednesday are battling for survival so anyone starting will be in for a bruising no holds barred encounter. There’s probably attitude stuff aswell that we don’t see, managers are famous for sticking with players they ‘trust’ even when there’s an apparently better option (in the fans eyes) sat on the bench. Greenwood may be fully behind Carrick, listen to everything he’s told and do exactly what he’s told, teachers pet kind of stuff. Managers will probably always value their systems over individual players since it’s their career/managerial identity, so any player who is fully behind it/knows how to do what is expected to make the system work, will always be one of the first on the team sheet. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downsouth 6,725 36.2k Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 As long as we are not made to look foolish especially today then that will be good enough for me. Could be a good game to watch but then again? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denzel Zanzibar 7,314 14.3k Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 (edited) Getting real Rotherham vibes today, Sheff Wed are fighting to survive and we pretty much have nothing to play for, and our squad has been decimated further with injuries. Can Lath play a full 90? I doubt it. I'd expect to see a few youngsters get some minutes as the game goes on. Gilbert has to start over Greenwood for me, though. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheJew 3,165 5.2k Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 Result doesn't really matter. Personal performances do. Time to give fringe players a go. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Codger 3,446 4.1k Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 I just hope Adam Reach doesn't get subbed on for last 15 minutes. Between him and Marvin, it is almost inevitable (to use a seldom heard phrase) that we will see a worldie to snatch defeat from the jaws of a draw. Like many others, would like to see cameos from a couple of kids if we are in a position to do so and tbh as we are out of playoff chase, do it whatever the situation is. Why not see if they can make the step up as we know what the others can do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donnyboro 921 1.1k Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 Would like to see a few of the younger lads get some minutes today, they can enjoy it play without pressure. UTB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Codger 3,446 4.1k Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 Whilst we are on the subject, If Mr E is about, who else has played for us and Owls and if known, scored in the fixture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnglianRed 6,494 15.8k Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 Talking Points - How many more serious injuries will we pick up before Monday? Hopefully none! You'd have to ask certain forumites who are known to hide in the bushes outside the Rockliife training ground. 😁 - What easter egg(s) have you got this year? A Malteser one, a Creme Egg one - both fairly cheap, I suspect - but nice. Plus a posher (and larger) Cadbury Fruit & Nut one. - What day of the week would Middlesbrough FC be named after? Monday - because both are known to frequently make people groan and utter the phrase, "here we go again..." 😆 - Team/score etc. Team will be whoever isn't injured...or at least can pull on a pair of boots without wincing. Was quite impressed with our performance against Saints (the 2nd half, at least). The lads seemed to be up for the fight and weren't mentally already on holiday. Logic says Boro should get 3 points from this. On the other hand, we are at home, against relegation strugglers... 🤔 I'm gonna say Wednesday will catch us with our pants down first half, but we'll battle back second half to get a draw. 🤷♂️ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MMC 1,036 4.2k Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 51 minutes ago, Old Codger said: I just hope Adam Reach doesn't get subbed on for last 15 minutes. Between him and Marvin, it is almost inevitable (to use a seldom heard phrase) that we will see a worldie to snatch defeat from the jaws of a draw. Like many others, would like to see cameos from a couple of kids if we are in a position to do so and tbh as we are out of playoff chase, do it whatever the situation is. Why not see if they can make the step up as we know what the others can do? I hope so too, especially as he plays for West Brom and Sheff Wed stealing and playing him would be quite a blatant violation of the rules. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Codger 3,446 4.1k Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 Must remember to only post while conscious. 🙂 At least that leaves only Marvellous Marvin to put the boot in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barnaby 1,032 2.1k Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 3 hours ago, Downsouth said: As long as we are not made to look foolish especially today then that will be good enough for me. Could be a good game to watch but then again? I could take anything...But I don't want our youngsters Exposed to a mauling Just yet...I think two or three of our Youngsters could surprise us 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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