Reserves - now the Fonz debate

[pauliewalnuts]

Took his goal well tonight, but other than that, i thought he loped around looking uninvolved.

If he scores, he can lope around as much as he likes, but more often than not, he won't score.

[Mazrim]

Jesus Christ, he's just come back from injury and probably a bit early too. Give him a chance.

When Gabby is fully fit, I'd like to see him play alongside Fonz. I've been looking forward to that prospect for some time.

[bob]

Did well tonight. Not great but well.

Don't know if we'll see him against Man Yoo or if Gabby will get a start.

To be fair, he did a lot better than Gabby who was anonymous and looked way off the pace.

Yeah, the bastard!

[Simon Ward]

Jesus Christ, he's just come back from injury and probably a bit early too. Give him a chance.

When Gabby is fully fit, I'd like to see him play alongside Fonz. I've been looking forward to that prospect for some time.

I like this idea very much

[Brend'Watkins]

I thought it was a strange decision by GH to bring him off when he did.  He'd just scored a well taken goal and had a perfectly good one disallowed. 

Pleased for him though, let's hope he carries on with his scoring form on Saturday.

[Concrete John]

Jesus Christ, he's just come back from injury and probably a bit early too. Give him a chance.

When Gabby is fully fit, I'd like to see him play alongside Fonz. I've been looking forward to that prospect for some time.

I like this idea very much

So do I, but it seems unlikely as we're playing 4-5-1.

I'd probably start with Gabby against a team like Man U due to his better all round contribution and then look to bring the Fonz, on with a change to 4-4-2, if/when we need the goal to win it.

[Chris Smith]

I thought it was a strange decision by GH to bring him off when he did.  He'd just scored a well taken goal and had a perfectly good one disallowed. 

Pleased for him though, let's hope he carries on with his scoring form on Saturday.

I think it was a case of wanting Gabby to have 25 minutes so he was coming on regardless, he was getting stripped off even before the goal.

Nathan just seems to have the goal scoring knack, that's 7 he's got now and he's only started 9 games.

[Concrete John]

that's 7 he's got now and he's only started 9 games.

That is a VERY impressive record for a any striker, let alone an emerging youth player.

[Mazrim]

Yes and all the more bizarre why some people are tripping over themselves to write him off. 19 years old!
It just fucks with my mind.

As for your point John, I think we should be flexible and not abandon 4-4-2 by proxy, but saying that, I think Fonz can play the link role behind Gabby.

[garyshawsknee]

We need to have patience with the Fonz for a while. Give him time to learn his craft,and by his mistakes.

I remember seeing Carroll a couple of times when he first played in the prem for Newcastle and thought he was Blues.

[garyshawsknee]

Thats funny i typed in dog s##t and it got edited to blues!

[Concrete John]

As for your point John, I think we should be flexible and not abandon 4-4-2 by proxy, but saying that, I think Fonz can play the link role behind Gabby.

Agreed. 

MON had a fault in not using 4-5-1 enough in his latter days, but I don't want to see that reversed with Houllier never using it.  Rotation of players is great, but we also need to be able to mix up the formation to keep things fresh and allow tactical options.

However, I don't see the Fonz in that 'link' role.  Although it may develop further, I don't think his all round game is good enough for that.  For me he's more of a 'shoulder of the last defender' type, similar to a young Lineker or Owen.

[Mazrim]

I disagree with the last sentence. His awareness, pace and touch would be very useful in the link role. Obviously I would prefer him in the role you suggest as he is first and formost, a striker with pace and finishing. But there's no doubt I think he could drop deep and play the link role as a more direct option,

I would prefer a specialist there though ideally. Just thinking of ways to play Gabby and Fonz together and playing other formations to 4-4-2 doesnt mean they couldn't.

[barrysleftfoot]

  I've always thought that Fonz and Gabby would make a good combination.Fonz touch, and Gabbys pace would be a very good combination.

[pablopicasso_10]

Jesus Christ, he's just come back from injury and probably a bit early too. Give him a chance.

When Gabby is fully fit, I'd like to see him play alongside Fonz. I've been looking forward to that prospect for some time.

me too... i think delfouneso's movement will really benefit gabby, and gabbys hold up play and little lay offs will really benefit delfouneso...