Team vs Reading

[ernest]

Agreed. 2 weeks ago we had Browne, Hughes, Potts and Barkhuizen out injured, 2 of which are rumoured to be out for the season. It would have to be a recovery of biblical proportions to see them all available for tomorrow.

Clarke also. As you say it is difficult to believe they will all be fit for tomorrow. Of those five players the return of Browne would probably be the most crucial though in truth he wasn't playing well in the few games before his injury - maybe he was trying to play through some sort of strain or knock - and there would be little point rushing him back if he were not total fit. As it is with the return of Robinson and Moult to add to Maguire, Nmecha, Barker who does seem to have upped his game recently and Stockley who looks quite at home at Championship level we are OK for attacking options. Also with Pearson, Gallagher, Johnson and Ledson we just about have enough in terms of midfield creativity and tackling though there is nobody who is quite as effective as Browne in that forward central midfield role. But we are on the verge of lacking strength-in-depth in the centre and left of the defence.

 

[PNEroulette]

AN "Some lads are in a better shape now and we've still to make some late calls. The difficulty I have got sometimes giving out injury information is that it might help and assist the opposition."
Maguire and Nmecha fine after International duty.

 

[ZeusHam]

Doubt we will see any of the below in tomorrow’s squad:

-Browne
-Potts
-Barks
-Hughes

If that’s the case, I’d go:

Rudd

Fisher
Storey
Davies
Rafferty

Pearson
Gallagher

Nmecha
Maguire
Robinson

Stockley

 

[Schemer]

Hello Kenmare - welcome aboard. But Potts even if fit totally lacks the ability to do the quick little lay-offs and passes that are an essential part of that role in the centre of the 3 - the only role for him is on either side of the 3. In the absence of Browne our best options for that position are either Johnson or Maguire though I suspect Moult could do OK there as well.

Totally disagree about Potts. He's much more effective centrally than wide. Neil doesn't expect his 'no.10' to be technically brilliant-his main role is harassing the opposition playmaker, supporting the striker and chipping in with a few goals. Browne has made that role is own but if he's unavailable, Potts, if fit himself, is a more than adequate replacement.

 

[Former Member]

Totally disagree about Potts. He's much more effective centrally than wide. Neil doesn't expect his 'no.10' to be technically brilliant-his main role is harassing the opposition playmaker, supporting the striker and chipping in with a few goals. Browne has made that role is own but if he's unavailable, Potts, if fit himself, is a more than adequate replacement.

I think it's more a case of working with what we have. His no.10 at Norwich was Hoolahan, who is technically fantastic. I think Potts does a job wherever he is on the pitch, but some games are definitely more suited to him than others.

 

[ernest]

Totally disagree about Potts. He's much more effective centrally than wide. Neil doesn't expect his 'no.10' to be technically brilliant-his main role is harassing the opposition playmaker, supporting the striker and chipping in with a few goals. Browne has made that role is own but if he's unavailable, Potts, if fit himself, is a more than adequate replacement.

Fair enough we all see things differently. In Browne's absence then Johnson is the player AN seems most likely to use in that role though as I've said previously with either Stockley or Moult upfront Maguire might be more Browne-like and with either Stockley or Maguire upfront Moult might also bring something to the role.

 

[PNEroulette]

Rudd
Fisher Storey Davies Earl
Pearson Gally
Nmecha Potts DJ/ Robbo (if 100% fit Robbo to start)
Maguire

Would bring Barker on quickly if we struggle to create anything .
If things go well would bring Stockley on to see the game out.
Moult could be used as another option.