BFTG Derby

[CountryRoyal]

These three IMO should start the next game

Textbook Jay there! I reckon we should drop our record signing after one game!

Also Kelly was our best midfielder against Utd and QPR (the later not being a huge achievement) and just got two assists and by most accounts another good performance at Derby.

Reminds me a bit of Wilshere.

Less of a coke head though I hope.

[3points]

Talking to a friend who is a Derby season ticket holder and his words were that for 20 mins Reading looked like best team to come to Pride Park but that our keeper is a liability....Nothing new learned then!!

Derby supporting friend of mine said we played some really slick football at times, dominated the game for first 30 and thought we should have sneaked a third goal at the end. he thought Kermogant was our MotM

[bcubed]

Talking to a friend who is a Derby season ticket holder and his words were that for 20 mins Reading looked like best team to come to Pride Park but that our keeper is a liability....Nothing new learned then!!

Derby supporting friend of mine said we played some really slick football at times, dominated the game for first 30 and thought we should have sneaked a third goal at the end. he thought Kermogant was our MotM

Agree about our first twenty thirty minutes - it was excellent
But don't get the Yann love

Hes too often in the wrong place and/or reluctant to shoot

[Top Flight]

GK: Al Habsi
RB: Gunter
LB: Blackett
CB: McShane
CB: Moore
CDM: Evans
CM: Williams
CAM: Swift
RF: McCLeary
CF: Kermorgant
LF: Beerens

SUBS:
Tiago Ilori
Liam Kelly
Yakou Meite
Joey Van den Berg
S Moore
Dominic Samuel
Tennai Watson

These three IMO should start the next game

Textbook Jay there! I reckon we should drop our record signing after one game!

I'm not dropping him. I'm just giving him a rest. That's all.

We need to get back to basics and back to what works. We are a winning team when we play 4-3-3 and Evans runs the game from midfield. Let's get back to the winning formula for a couple of games and stop the decline. We can bring Tiago back into the fold again in a couple of weeks. We need to beat Fulham and get our confidence back.

We can't continue with the suicidal defensive mistakes we made against Derby and QPR.

[Lower West]

We can't continue with the suicidal defensive mistakes we made against Derby and QPR.

Then I'd drop Beerans to the bench to accomodate Tiago.

Kelly \ Swift combination is to lightweight. When the opposition gets a head of steam.

[muirinho]

These three IMO should start the next game

Textbook Jay there! I reckon we should drop our record signing after one game!

I'm not dropping him. I'm just giving him a rest. That's all.

We need to get back to basics and back to what works. We are a winning team when we play 4-3-3 and Evans runs the game from midfield. Let's get back to the winning formula for a couple of games and stop the decline. We can bring Tiago back into the fold again in a couple of weeks. We need to beat Fulham and get our confidence back.

We can't continue with the suicidal defensive mistakes we made against Derby and QPR.

It's a bit tricky looking at available personnel though, as to what back 4 OR 5 to play. Blackett is not a good LB. With Obita out, I'd rather Gunter swapped sides, and Tennai Watson came in. Not likely to happen though... And Ilori was better than Moore, so which of McShane / Ilori / Moore do you drop? It was Moore who made the error for the second goal - so in theory make more sense to drop him, if you're going 433. But I think that's harsh.

If you go 5 at the back, can Blackett play left wing back? Again, kind of doubt it. He's best as a left of 3, but he's the weakest of the 4 CB's we have.

Could put McCleary on one of the wings as a wing-back, which Stam did against QPR (after Williams had a go there for half an hour or so). The shambles at QPR wasn't on that side, it was down the middle and on the other side, with Moore again a bit uncertain, and Joey and Obita having shockers.

[bcubed]

These three IMO should start the next game

Textbook Jay there! I reckon we should drop our record signing after one game!

I'm not dropping him. I'm just giving him a rest. That's all.

We need to get back to basics and back to what works. We are a winning team when we play 4-3-3 and Evans runs the game from midfield. Let's get back to the winning formula for a couple of games and stop the decline. We can bring Tiago back into the fold again in a couple of weeks. We need to beat Fulham and get our confidence back.

We can't continue with the suicidal defensive mistakes we made against Derby and QPR.

I make a point of not responding to people that others refer to by a name I am unfamiliar with. Jay - old username or something cliquey related to AE? Either way I don't care

BUT just one question did you go to the game?

[Top Flight]

Textbook Jay there! I reckon we should drop our record signing after one game!

I'm not dropping him. I'm just giving him a rest. That's all.

We need to get back to basics and back to what works. We are a winning team when we play 4-3-3 and Evans runs the game from midfield. Let's get back to the winning formula for a couple of games and stop the decline. We can bring Tiago back into the fold again in a couple of weeks. We need to beat Fulham and get our confidence back.

We can't continue with the suicidal defensive mistakes we made against Derby and QPR.

It's a bit tricky looking at available personnel though, as to what back 4 OR 5 to play. Blackett is not a good LB. With Obita out, I'd rather Gunter swapped sides, and Tennai Watson came in. Not likely to happen though... And Ilori was better than Moore, so which of McShane / Ilori / Moore do you drop? It was Moore who made the error for the second goal - so in theory make more sense to drop him, if you're going 433. But I think that's harsh.

If you go 5 at the back, can Blackett play left wing back? Again, kind of doubt it. He's best as a left of 3, but he's the weakest of the 4 CB's we have.

Could put McCleary on one of the wings as a wing-back, which Stam did against QPR (after Williams had a go there for half an hour or so). The shambles at QPR wasn't on that side, it was down the middle and on the other side, with Moore again a bit uncertain, and Joey and Obita having shockers.

It's a difficult dilemma that Stam has because you don't really want to drop Swift or Kelly. They are both outstanding and give us creative flair but we can't play both in our system and win. One has to drop out. We need Williams for his energy, running, tackling and passing. We need Joey or Evans to hold the shape and link up the play. Joey gives more muscle but Evans more composure. I'd go with Evans out of the two.

I would keep the front three of Beerens, Kermorgant and G-Mac. We need that pace, skill, crossing and finishing in the final third.

It's another problem at the back for Stam because you don't want to drop McShane, Ilori or Moore. But again, one should miss out. The system that wins us the matches is the most important consideration. Stam needs to make the tough decisions. Is it Swift or Kelly. Is it it Evans or Joey. Which two is it out of Moore, McShane and Tiago. We need to make those decisions and go back to the system that wins.

Moore was at fault for Derby's second goal. But part of the reason that Moore made that error was because he didn't have Evans in his holding role providing the option of the pass. The midfield three were too high up the pitch meaning Moore was under pressure and had no pass on. That's why we need Evans back in the team and we go back to the system and personnel that has taken us to the top 3.

[Top Flight]

Textbook Jay there! I reckon we should drop our record signing after one game!

I'm not dropping him. I'm just giving him a rest. That's all.

We need to get back to basics and back to what works. We are a winning team when we play 4-3-3 and Evans runs the game from midfield. Let's get back to the winning formula for a couple of games and stop the decline. We can bring Tiago back into the fold again in a couple of weeks. We need to beat Fulham and get our confidence back.

We can't continue with the suicidal defensive mistakes we made against Derby and QPR.

I make a point of not responding to people that others refer to by a name I am unfamiliar with. Jay - old username or something cliquey related to AE? Either way I don't care

BUT just one question did you go to the game?

I don't know why he refers to me as Jay. I don't know who Jay is. I think he is an old username. But whoever he was. It's nothing to do with me.

[tidus_mi2]

I think looking at the team lately, I'd drop Swift until he's back to full match sharpness since Kelly is performing so well. I think to play both of them at the same time we would need a super defensive midfielder to accommodate them and I don't think VDB or Evans can be that sort of player right now, Evans has potential possibly.

Perhaps Swift could be pushed to the wing if needed, especially considering Beerens doesn't have a whole lot of competition in that area, especially with Harriott injured right now.

I'm sure once Swift is back up to speed, he'll be first choice on the team sheet which means Kelly's playing time may suffer, but it's good to have options there, especially if Swift ends up being poached by a bigger team.

[SCIAG]

Could put McCleary on one of the wings as a wing-back, which Stam did against QPR (after Williams had a go there for half an hour or so). The shambles at QPR wasn't on that side, it was down the middle and on the other side, with Moore again a bit uncertain, and Joey and Obita having shockers.

I didn't think either Williams or McCleary played as a wing-back against QPR. Looked to me like we played a 4-4-2 diamond with Williams on the right in the first half, then a more conventional 4-3-3 in the second half.

Textbook Jay there! I reckon we should drop our record signing after one game!

I'm not dropping him. I'm just giving him a rest. That's all.

We need to get back to basics and back to what works. We are a winning team when we play 4-3-3 and Evans runs the game from midfield. Let's get back to the winning formula for a couple of games and stop the decline. We can bring Tiago back into the fold again in a couple of weeks. We need to beat Fulham and get our confidence back.

We can't continue with the suicidal defensive mistakes we made against Derby and QPR.

I make a point of not responding to people that others refer to by a name I am unfamiliar with. Jay - old username or something cliquey related to AE? Either way I don't care

Jay aka Coppelled Streets aka Friday's Legacy aka a load of other things. I don't see the connection with Top Flight tbh but I didn't know him as well as some.

[Ian Royal]

I think it's because Jay said a lot of stupid stuff and always denied being Jay, despite it being really obvious it was him.

[3points]

Could put McCleary on one of the wings as a wing-back, which Stam did against QPR (after Williams had a go there for half an hour or so). The shambles at QPR wasn't on that side, it was down the middle and on the other side, with Moore again a bit uncertain, and Joey and Obita having shockers.

I didn't think either Williams or McCleary played as a wing-back against QPR. Looked to me like we played a 4-4-2 diamond with Williams on the right in the first half, then a more conventional 4-3-3 in the second half.

I'm not dropping him. I'm just giving him a rest. That's all.

We need to get back to basics and back to what works. We are a winning team when we play 4-3-3 and Evans runs the game from midfield. Let's get back to the winning formula for a couple of games and stop the decline. We can bring Tiago back into the fold again in a couple of weeks. We need to beat Fulham and get our confidence back.

We can't continue with the suicidal defensive mistakes we made against Derby and QPR.

I make a point of not responding to people that others refer to by a name I am unfamiliar with. Jay - old username or something cliquey related to AE? Either way I don't care

Jay aka Coppelled Streets aka Friday's Legacy aka a load of other things. I don't see the connection with Top Flight tbh but I didn't know him as well as some.

i think we started the QPR game as a 4-3-3 but there was definitely a point when Gunter stopped hugging the touch line and became the right sided of three centre backs. At that point Williams went very wide and Beerens became more central and McCleary went up front much closer to Kermogant. It lasted for about 15 minutes before Williams came back inside and Gunter pushed into a more orthodox right back role

[Top Flight]

I think it's because Jay said a lot of stupid stuff and always denied being Jay, despite it being really obvious it was him.

You thought I was Dave Royal at one point.

I am just Top Flight. That is all. I have never been anyone else.

[paultheroyal]

Speaking of which where is Dave Royal? Kicked off or just absent?

[Pepe the Horseman]

Istr someone worked out his real identity and threatened to expose him if he ever posted again.

[10539.4 Miles Away]

Just watching the highlights, Kelly burst through for Swifts goal was class, he's going to be some player. Like the look of Tiago as well.

One question, I'm not sure I understand the new offside rule, I think Bent is in an offside position here (and for the sake of the question lets assume he is goalside of Gunter), is that still the case under the new rules or is he on side as the ball is not being played to him? (Not having a whinge about the goal, I'd complain about the handball if I was )

[LoyalRoyal22]

Hard one to take that was. One of our best performances of the season, but were punished for one or two individual errors

Some of our football on Saturday, mostly in the first 30 minutes was superb. The formation was really getting the most out of every player. I feel Jaap needs to stick with this shape now

Liam Kelly MOTM, literally ran the midfield & ended the game with two assists. Gets better every time I see him.

To end on a negative, we really need to work on being able to beat the press. Derby weren't particularly great at it, but still forced some errors which basically lost us the game. I think most teams will be taking this approach against us now.

[old woman]

Sorry to be so late but for my 10 pence

Tiago looked good (love his song-one of my husbands favourites)

No -one will take a ball down the wing and throw a cross over from the dead ball line (this is really beginning to annoy me so apologies anyone who is ever near me and hears the ranting as yet again McCleary comes inside)

We need someone between the centrebacks and midfield (whether Joey or Evans) as it's like watching the red sea part when someone runs at them.

Considering we lost I enjoyed the day out.

Oh and ref was poorbut rare to see a good one.

[Top Flight]

That's alright Old Woman. Better late than never. We were waiting patiently for your input.

I agree with you. We need Evans or Joey in the defensive midfield role. That player makes our team tick and drives us on. I only realised how important Evans or Joey is in the system when they were taken out of the system and we lost 2 games on the spin without one of them.