Bristol City (A) - Bradley Dack's Christmas Break

[Guest]

The Question is obvious...

The answer is not. 

The option for an unchanged side has been forced upon Mr Mowbray, so what's the plan people if you're in his shoes? Rothwell in the Dack role, Holtby? Nobody in that role and a change in formation?

[Guest]

Walton

Nyambe Lenihan Tosin Williams

Travis Evans

Rothwell Holtby Downing

Graham

Would be my choice I reckon. Downing back up to the wing, Holtby behind Graham with Rothwell providing support. Give Armstrong, who despite scoring against Derby has been pretty poor in general as of late, a rest. Maybe start Gallagher up-top... maybe not. I think either him or Graham I'd be happy with to start.

[BankEnd Rover]

Just now, JoeH said:

Walton

Nyambe Lenihan Tosin Williams

Travis Evans

Rothwell Holtby Downing

Graham

Would be my choice I reckon. Downing back up to the wing, Holtby behind Graham with Rothwell providing support. Give Armstrong, who despite scoring against Derby has been pretty poor in general as of late, a rest. Maybe start Gallagher up-top... maybe not. I think either him or Graham I'd be happy with to start.

Like that team alot! Looking forward to Rothwell & Holtby Link up. Take a Draw here.

[roversfan99]

I think Holtby for Dack has to be the obvious change. Wouldnt surprise me if he didnt as often the obvious logical change isnt the one that Mowbray does but we will see.

Graham has to start 100%, critical in terms of what he brings to us and has had 20 minutes rest in both games so far.

Dont want to see Bennett in the team at all to be honest, especially not shoehorned in at left back, a position he simply cannot play with any competence. Williams still isnt fit so id try and get Downing through one more game and we can reassess with Williams back for the Wigan game, although the gap between means Downing should be ready to go again.

The wide areas are a huge question mark, I like many others much prefer Rothwell to Armstrong but he simply hasnt taken his chance of 5 successive starts, no goals, no assists and his general performance level especially in these last 3 games has been really poor. Armstrong rarely imposes himself on games but we are crying out for goal contributions from our wide players and in his defence he does have one matchwinning goal and 2 assists in the last 5 games. Problem is that Rothwell left and Armstrong right is the only way we look balanced. If he does want to be cautious and stick Bennett in it should be for Rothwell and in the same position.

Johnson would also be a consideration but I would probably stick with the 2 we have already in there for now.

Walton

Nyambe Lenihan Adarabioyo Downing

Travis Evans

Armstrong Holtby Rothwell

Graham

Subs: Leutwiler, Bennett, Rankin Costello, Johnson, Gallagher, Chapman, Brereton

 

[Guest]

25 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

I think Holtby for Dack has to be the obvious change. Wouldnt surprise me if he didnt as often the obvious logical change isnt the one that Mowbray does but we will see.

Graham has to start 100%, critical in terms of what he brings to us and has had 20 minutes rest in both games so far.

Dont want to see Bennett in the team at all to be honest, especially not shoehorned in at left back, a position he simply cannot play with any competence. Williams still isnt fit so id try and get Downing through one more game and we can reassess with Williams back for the Wigan game, although the gap between means Downing should be ready to go again.

The wide areas are a huge question mark, I like many others much prefer Rothwell to Armstrong but he simply hasnt taken his chance of 5 successive starts, no goals, no assists and his general performance level especially in these last 3 games has been really poor. Armstrong rarely imposes himself on games but we are crying out for goal contributions from our wide players and in his defence he does have one matchwinning goal and 2 assists in the last 5 games. Problem is that Rothwell left and Armstrong right is the only way we look balanced. If he does want to be cautious and stick Bennett in it should be for Rothwell and in the same position.

Johnson would also be a consideration but I would probably stick with the 2 we have already in there for now.

Walton

Nyambe Lenihan Adarabioyo Downing

Travis Evans

Armstrong Holtby Rothwell

Graham

Subs: Leutwiler, Bennett, Rankin Costello, Johnson, Gallagher, Chapman, Brereton

 

I like this, although I feel Armstrong been performing badly enough in general to warrant a dubs bench place for me.

[MarkBRFC]

I don't want to  sound like a broken record, but it can't be long until Mowbray decides to shoehorn Bennett in somewhere else now that Nyambe has made the right back spot his own.

I'm thinking left back, to allow Downing to move up to left mid, with Rothwell back on the bench.

[CD_93]

59 minutes ago, JoeH said:

I like this, although I feel Armstrong been performing badly enough in general to warrant a dubs bench place for me.

Could have won us the game last night. Lightning fast counter. Practically our entire team in the penalty area, some of theirs still running back. He managed to find the one bit of empty space in the final third to pass it to.

[G Somerset Rover]

A 10 minute walk for me this one following a move to Bristol earlier this year. Would personally take another point if offered now; Millwall aside they're pretty decent at home and have had a day's rest on us. Hopefully see a few of you in the local boozers on Saturday.

[roversfan99]

1 hour ago, JoeH said:

I like this, although I feel Armstrong been performing badly enough in general to warrant a dubs bench place for me.

I think both Armstrong and Rothwells general level of performance has been not great but even though I rate the latter more, the former has at least been directly contributing to goals. I feel like dropping either may affect the balance of the team with no credible replacment. I think Downing has been best at left back and especially with Williams out moving him will only weaken us.

[Nelsonthedog]

3 hours ago, JoeH said:

The Question is obvious...

The answer is not. 

The option for an unchanged side has been forced upon Mr Mowbray, so what's the plan people if you're in his shoes? Rothwell in the Dack role, Holtby? Nobody in that role and a change in formation?

4-4-2 with Gallagher and Brereton.

 

Waltony.

Nyambey tosiny Lenny Williamsy

Army Evansy Travy Downy

Breretony

Gallaghery.

 

 

Edited December 12, 2019 by Nelsonthedog

[BlackburnEnd75]

                     Walton

Nyambe   Lenihan.  Tosin.   Bell

Bennett.  Travis.   Evans.   Armstrong 

                       Holtby

                      Gallagher

subs: Canadian, Downing, Johnson, Rothwell, Rankin-Costello, Brereton, Graham

Id rest Graham and Downing. Straight swaps. 
I was also tempted to start JRC.

[Nelsonthedog]

3 hours ago, JoeH said:

Walton

Nyambe Lenihan Tosin Williams

Travis Evans

Rothwell Holtby Downing

Graham

Would be my choice I reckon. Downing back up to the wing, Holtby behind Graham with Rothwell providing support. Give Armstrong, who despite scoring against Derby has been pretty poor in general as of late, a rest. Maybe start Gallagher up-top... maybe not. I think either him or Graham I'd be happy with to start.

You mean Armstrong who's scored one, and made one in our last 2? And you'd drop him.. 

[only2garners]

And ahead of dropping Rothwell, who has been dreadful for three games in a row now?

[roversfan99]

33 minutes ago, Nelsonthedog said:

4-4-2 with Gallagher and Brereton.

 

Waltony.

Nyambey tosiny Lenny Williamsy

Army Evansy Travy Downy

Breretony

Gallaghery.

 

 

I dont get how you can justify playing Brereton over Holtby. Graham has to start too.

Williams is out injured.

[philipl]

Don't think Bristol City can be as bad again as they were in losing home to Millwall.

This  is another level of difficulty again beyond the Swansea game. 

Coming back with a point would be huge.

Play Holtby in the Dack role, Johnson alongside Evans, Travis to replace Rothwell and pray for Downing to be OK. Bennett gives the ball away too much to be a safe option anywhere.

[BankEnd Rover]

Why people are justifying to start Bennett is beyond me.

Edited December 12, 2019 by BankEnd Rover

[benhben]

Watching us V the Swans we looked very leggy, although so did Swansea. Think some of our squad may benefit from a rest. I have a bad feeling this will be a rest for the wrong players and we will see the likes of Bennett back in and Gallaher on the wing. 

 

                     Walton

Nyambe Lenihan Tosin Downing

           Travis     Holtby

Armstrong  Buckley   Rothwell

                  Gallagher

[Roverinbelfast]

i do think the manager will want as little disruption as possible to his settled side. The fear for me is he will bring Bennett in at full back, downing out wide and Rothwell in Dacks role. I hope this hunch is proved wrong as a think we will lose on the organisational side of things taking the captaincy of Lenihan. 

Anyway nothing to fear, 3 points is certainly possible.   

[Wegerleswiggle]

This is how I think TM will line up on Saturday.

[Scotland1]

I’d go

Walton

Nyambe Lenihan Tosin Williams

Evans Johnson

AA  Holtby  Downing 

Gallagher

[MarkBRFC]

I don't think Williams has travelled with the squad, so he won't be playing.

I reckon It's Holtby for Dack & Bennett for Rothwell.

[Scotland1]

Just now, MarkBRFC said:

I don't think Williams has travelled with the squad, so he won't be playing.

I reckon It's Holtby for Dack & Bennett for Rothwell.

Is he fit? He’s got tomorrow to drive down surely if so.

Benno almost gave a penalty last night again down that left side. 

[Bigdoggsteel]

I think Mowbray might do something we disagree with like bring Bennett in for Dack and swap him with Rothwell. 

It should be simple-Holtby for Dack 

[Sparks Rover]

2 minutes ago, Scotland1 said:

 

Benno almost gave a penalty last night again down that left side. 

He looked like an U15 against the big blond lad up front for them....the ground that guy made up on him is frightening......I cant believe he makes the squad 

[tomphil]

Leave Bennett out if possible, these are the big tests for TM to see if there really is a new leaf been turned. If changes are needed try and go like for like with the player most suited to that position. Not because it just happens to be player A,B or C  next in line in the pecking order so re arrange just to accommodate.

I think it's undeniable that a large factor in the recent upturn has been a more horses for courses approach. Side looks more balanced and more comfortable.

Big test of the tinker.