Championship Play-off Final : Pre-Match Thread

[rob_bridge]

I don't mind Taylor. I'd like him to have the odd shot but he can interlink quite effectively near the opposition byeline.

Taylor isn't great but seems to have the Alan Wright (who often had Collymore as his 'outlet') scapegoat about him.

[villa_cads]

I can't see many changes, perhaps Adomah for Green, maybe Whelan for Hourihane - I think there is a big element of leaving impact players on the bench to change the game if needed, the likes of Kodjia, Hourihane. Defence will stay unchanged, I actually think Taylor has done well at the back, final ball going forward notwithstanding!

[Bad English]

I want to see us play to the whistle, and bollocks to putting the ball out for any Leeds twat who is having a lie down on the pitch.

[Richard E]

I want to see us play to the whistle, and bollocks to putting the ball out for any Leeds twat who is having a lie down on the pitch.

Especially if we’re playing Derby.

[Richard]

Yeah quite, why the assumption it's Leeds ?

[Behind Bluenose Lines]

Apparently no team that has lost at home in the first leg (like Derby did on Saturday) has ever reached the Play-off Final.

[olaftab]

Whilst my name is not Richard can I also say I would like Derby there instead of dirty Whites.

[tony scott]

I would like Leeds because we haven’t beaten them this season ,and beating Derby thee times maybe asking to much.

[mr underhill]

well we have to win to go up and I'm not sure it matters who we are playing in the final. To me the biggest hurdle was getting past WBA

[MalcolmP]

That's actually an interesting selection, play Whelan and Hourihane and give Jack and El Ghazi free roles off Tammy.

I'm on the start Kodj bandwagon but that could actually work and get us playing between the Leeds lines much more.

Similar to how we played v Liverpool with Jack and N'zogbia floating off Benteke (obviously a bust in the final but our mentality for that was wretched).

Few options but I'm not convinced DS will change shape at this late stage so imagine we'll start two out wide.

Might need a 'Graham Fenton' type of surprise selection for the final.  Definitely think the front three needs tweaking, as Green has struggled in recent weeks and Adomah looks shot at the moment.  I would personally move El Ghazi to the right and then consider these options:

 - Whelan, Hourihane and McGinn in midfield and Jack drifting out to the left side
 - Kodjia starting on the left
 - Kodjia or Davis starting up front and Tammy moving out on the left

That's the last thing I would do at this stage. El Ghazi has been one of our better, if not best, performers in the last few weeks. Don't mess about with what is working. Concentrate on the areas that aren't.

I'm still not sure about El Ghazi on the left MV, as he is weak on his left side.  Would still consider switching him to the right and looking at other options for the left. 

  I think El Ghazi is as good on both sides (weak on his left side? don't make me laugh) - he is a two footed player and can cross with left or right but I think his shooting is slightly better on the right foot which he can use more effectively cutting in from the left wing.

[hilts_coolerking]

I would like Leeds because we haven’t beaten them this season ,and beating Derby thee times maybe asking to much.

I'd like Derby because we haven't beaten Leeds this season and we've beaten Derby twice.

[Dave]

I would like Leeds because we haven’t beaten them this season ,and beating Derby thee times maybe asking to much.

I'd like Derby because we haven't beaten Leeds this season and we've beaten Derby twice.

7-0 across the two matches wasn't it? Can't imagine they'll fancy it much.

[Villafirst]

Kodjia and Tammy caused havoc at Rotherham as a two - Tammy on his own against Leeds thugs Cooper and Jansson (if it's Leeds) won't work. Hause at LB - his physicality is stronger than Taylor's.

[levico]

Looks like it’s going to be Derby.

Pity, I’d have fancied us more against a flawed Leeds side.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Its Darrrby Counteee Brian !