Starting Line up against Swansea

[Concrete John]

I think Albrighton needs to be given a chance again.

Although I agree with that, N'Zogbia was much better against Sunderland and Norwich, so should be back in the team ahead of Marc right now.

We should play both of them.

Albrighton & N'Zogbia > Hutton & Heskey

That'll only work in a 4-4-2, which I can't see him playing.

[Hookeysmith]

He would fall over first!

I wonder if in Heskeys contract there is a clause that if fit he has to play - it seems crazy that 3 different managers continue to play him when he is so shit and contributes nothing to the team or our way of playing (assuming we have a way other than 11 man defense)

[pedro25]

He would fall over first!

I wonder if in Heskeys contract there is a clause that if fit he has to play - it seems crazy that 3 different managers continue to play him when he is so shit and contributes nothing to the team or our way of playing (assuming we have a way other than 11 man defense)

Possibly, I'm almost certain there was something along those lines in Pires's contract that he had to be on the bench minimum if fit last season, as it was criminal he was on the bench ahead of Bannan and Delph at times.  I know Ireland, N'Zogbia and Albrighton are not in great form, but their performances to date have been no worse than Heskey/Hutton/Petrov/Herd last night and they have far greater potential than those 4, and will only improve by playing imo.  Bannan is in good form so hopefully he and Jenas will also see some more game time soon.  I'd love to see Clark and Gardner involved more as well, we have some very talented players available who for some reason are being held back or AM can't get the best out of right now.  This needs to change quickly.  Cuellar over Collins would be nice too.

[dutchvilla]

Heskey wasn't the worst player last night and Petrov certainly hasn't been the worst player this season.

The problem is McLeish cannot seem to pick a coherent front six.

Either
Herd Petrov
Jenas
Nzogbia Bent Agbonlahor

or
Albrighton Herd Jenas Nzogbia
Bent Agbonlahor

is more coherent than badly thought out experiments with Hutton at right midfield and Heskey in any midfield position.

[PeterWithesShin]

I feel sorry for Heskey. By sticking him on the wing McLeish may as well just send him out with Scapegoat on the back of his shirt.
Heskey can still be reasonably useful if played in the right position, winger isn't it.

[pedro25]

Given
Herd Cuellar Dunne Clark
N'Zogbia Jenas Delph Ireland
Agbonlahor Bent

Subs
Guzan Bannan Albrighton Petrov Weimann Gardner Hutton

[cdbearsfan]

I'd go...

Given

Cuellar (rb)
Clark
Dunn
Herd (lb)

Bannan - replace with Jenas if unavailable
Delph
Gardner

Agbonlahor
Bent
N'Zogbia

[CJ]

Would like to see:

                      Given
Herd      Clark     Dunne    Warnock
           Gardner        Petrov
N'Zogbia         Jenas        Gabby
                          Bent

Kept Warnock in  as I think we'll have plenty of opportunities to press forward and he can overlap quite well.

Actually expect to see:

                     Given
Hutton      Collins     Dunne    Warnock
N'Zogbia      Herd        Petrov   Heskey
                Bent      Gabby

Depressingly predictable

[Tuscans]

It's simple for me

4-3-3

Given

Herd
Collins
Dunne
Clarke

Petrov
Jenas
Bannan

N'Zogbia
Bent
Agbonlahor

[supertommykN'iba]

  I can't believe people keep picking Petrov.He is THE problem with the team. It is only the introduction of Herd that has improved his performances.He has no stamina, no energy, no pace, limited passing.Ireland offers a foward breaking midfielder who tries to get in the box, Bannan has his passing.

 Petrov needs to be shown the door tbh, average at best.Herd was by far our best player last night, what does that say.

Can't believe I'm reading the first bit, let alone the second. Would you really want Stephen Ireland replacing Petrov? He can't tackle!! Petrov has been one of the better players this season and at times a step above the rest. I am a fan of Ireland but he cannot play where Petrov does, he can only play behind a striker.

[Rancid custard]

                              Given
Cuellar            Dunne         Clark            Warnock
                           Petrov
       Albrighton    Ireland    Jenas
               Bent              Agbonlahor

Far too many players need dropping to have a kick up the arse from last night

Put the Zog where Ireland is and that'd be mine.

[Mister E]

Can't believe I'm reading the first bit, let alone the second. Would you really want Stephen Ireland replacing Petrov? He can't tackle!! Petrov has been one of the better players this season and at times a step above the rest. I am a fan of Ireland but he cannot play where Petrov does, he can only play behind a striker.

I can't believe I'm reading that "fan of Ireland" bit ... 

Seriously, I just don't get why people are promoting Ireland's cause: for the lack of commitment and irratic output we get from him, we'd be far better off investing the game-time in BB and GG. Their skill, commitment and enthusiasm will far outweigh their lack of experience and give the team more than Ireland will.

[ozzjim]

given
herd
cuellar
Dunne
Clarke

albrighton
petrov
jenas
nzogbia

bent
gabby


Gardner, bannan, Collins, Hutton, delph, heskey guzan.

get it wide, get it down and play. weeks fine for any defender hoofing unless under pressure.

[barrysleftfoot]

  Well i like Ireland EffDee.

  Yes hes a basket case, but hes the kind of player that Bent needs.Supporting him and playing off him.He is the only midfielder at the club who gets in the box, a la Platt and Taylor.We nned a Stephen Ireland kind of player in the squad.If hes not up to it, fair enough, and get rid, but i have to say give him a few games, he can't be worse than that shower of shite last night.

[Barca 2011]

problem I have is the 2 players who need dropping, will be the
first 2 on McLeishs' teamsheet
Collins and Heskey!!