After the obscene diabolical levels of cheating witnessed yesterday lunchtime there is plenty of rightful anger in these parts among supporters and players. We can unfortunately only lash out verbally but the players must use the indignation they are feeling in the correct way and channel their frustration and disappointment into getting back into winning again. There are two home matches this week and on paper this looks more winnable. But let us remember the debacle at Adams Park where we were fortunate to scrape a draw and Akinfenwa bullied our defence at times. Simple tactics that seemed to flummox Ivic. It also saw the very rare appearance of Glenn Murray one of several players who have thrived away from the club with Garner scoring the other day and likely to feature against us on Saturday. We will be without Pedro and Chalobah which highlights the paucity of midfield and striking options. Dele-Bashiru is missed greatly as we only have three reliable options left plus the possibility of using Wilmot as a defensive midfielder which is where he started out as but has rarely played since. Upfront the cupboard is bare. Perica lacks minutes and has never had a consistent run and Gray has been pretty poor. Nonetheless some of our players could do with a rest. Bring in Ngakia for Kiko ? Lazaar to get a run out as well. Give the captaincy to Hughes and rest Cleverley who ran his socks off once again and play Gosling with Wilmot in front of the back four ? Play Perica with Zinckernagel and Sarr off him. If needs be Cleverley, Kiko for instance could be spared a half. Or if we need to get a goal play two upfront two widemen in Sarr and Zinckernagel and just two in midfield. I do not expect Wycombe to come at us. Ikpeazu formerly of these parts now leads the line and they have had a couple of decent results away recently. A win at struggling Huddersfield something we failed to accomplish and may cost us dear and a scoreless draw at the Den. Those were achieved by packing the midfield with just Uche upfront, playing to break up play and launching the counter. They may have learnt the lesson after a 7-2 defeat at Brentford although the scoreline did flatter the home side as Wycombe had their moments and possibly expecting a result at fellow strugglers the Owls they played with a far more attacking formation and lost. Brentford when they won played with a 4-3-3. We could go with that again but Perica lacks the mobility and pace to play at it's tip. Gray has the mobility but little else at the moment. If we are struggling to find a way through then bring on an extra striker and two wingers. Despite the setback of yesterday losing to the scum of the south coast we still have it in our hands to gain an automatic spot. There are plenty of matches left between the top six. We just have to refocus and keep winning again. One thing for certain is Xisco needs to learn is to be more proactive regarding substitutions. The introduction of Perica was too late and why Zinckernagel was kept on the bench is a mystery. We need to keep playing with intensity and application as we have shown in recent games and not allow the setback of yesterday to affect us mentally. Opposition forum: https://gasroom.org/
This won't be an easy win. Most fans will expect us to roll them over, but they should have beaten us at Adams Park. Akinfenwa bullied WTE all evening. He was unplayable. Not sure he's available, as he wasn't involved their last fixture, but Ikpeazu (ex-Watford) is a handful. I'm surprised they've done so poorly. I expected them to have picked up a lot more points. With Flapmann in goal, I think we'll struggle with crosses. This is where they could really capitalize and you can bet your life they will target this weakness. Having said all that, we should still win, but Wycombe are not the soft touch fans think they will be. They are more than capable of turning us over if we don't play a good game.
They'll be pretty physical and try to play their way that is for sure. Maybe one for Perica to come in for the banned Pedro rather than Gray.
They are already playing piggy back on the budgies centre halves. It will not be pretty nor easy. I would start Gray on the basis that he has more match fitness and then bring on Percy after an hour if needed. The rest well I wouldn't make two many changes as we have to make two anyway.
With just 3 out and out senior midfielders available for this game and Forest, we really could do with another Bristol City type game and bring on the likes of Wilmot and Phillips (if available) after about 60, but I'm not deluded enough to think it'll be that easy. Hopefully whoever plays in goal, whether it's Foster or Bachmann, they won't have much to do and will be protected by Sierralta, as for who plays next to him, I lean towards Cathcart despite the mistake yesterday as WTE struggled against them at Adams Park. I did ponder whether yesterday would be a game for Ngakia rather than Kiko as he struggled against Danjuma, but this one calls for Kiko, even if he's tired (does it matter who plays on the left?). Similarly, I thought yesterday would be a good time to give Sema a breather and give Zinckernagel a start, but alas we stuck with Sema, and I'm not sure this would be a good game to introduce the more lightweight Zinckernagel. Up front I'd go for Perica, didn't do much in his cameo, but in truth is it fair to judge him off the basis of a few minutes here and there?
On paper we couldn’t of asked for a better couple of fixtures to get back to winning ways. But just cos on paper it looks good we all know potentially these games can be tricky. Wycombe are fighting for their lives and will keep going until the end of the season and no doubt they’ll get a few scalps on the way and who better to get one over than us. For this reason I’d be hesitant to go all out changing things, the changes that are forced on us obviously have to be made but I’d stick with the 433 or at least start 433, gosling for chalobah and hate to say it but gray for Pedro. Go at them with a fast start try and establish a good lead then make the changes to give some a breather. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I'm not sure we have seen enough of Perica yet to totally write him off. He's only started two league games and he scored in one of them.......
I'm sure Zinckernagel will be a great player in time, I said I'd have started him against Bournemouth, but I'm not sure a physical team like Wycombe is his kind of game. Quina had a positive cameo in the home game against Bournemouth, but was ineffective at Wycombe a few days later. Besides, the alternative to Perica is Gray...
I just don't really see how Perica has proved himself any less 'lightweight' than Zinck, to be honest. And my position is that I'd start both of them, for full disclosure.
He's not the answer. Nowhere near sharp enough. He missed a simple chance at Sheff Wed, missed a 1 v 1 against Norwich, he missed a simple header in the last minute against Cardiff, I remember one where he tried to take the ball around the keeper and totally fluffed it. Even yesterday, he had a great chance to score but swung and missed the ball. Nowhere near good enough from what I've seen and totally justifies criticism on his finishing ability.
They have contained budgies quite well in the first half,although I was writing a few reports during it. They have a little chap upfront called something like 'Hermetically sealed container' who is causing mischief,although he dived terribly trying win a penalty.
I agree with you there, I think Perica is a decent footballer, but he's nowhere near as physical as someone of his size should be, however, the alternative to Zinckernagel is Sema, who's been one of our better players this season, the alternative to Perica is Gray, who can hardly kick a ball
Yeah, sure, that's fair - Sema has been increasingly poor over the last three games, though, and has looked out of puff as much as anything else. We also have the option to move Sarr to the left, say, or indeed give him a rest against Wycombe if, as yesterday, he does very little and gets pocketed by their makeshift full back/his particular style of play doesn't end up working against a massed, organised defence who'll presumably be looking to invite us on to them to beat them, rather than pushing up leaving space to exploit.
I am currently watching Wycombe against Norwich, Wycombe have changed how they play since the last time I watched them against Brentford when they had a go but left so much space all over the pitch. Brentford probably taught them a lesson as today they have every player within 40 yards of their goal behind the ball. They look difficult to break down. I think they will crumble if Norwich score though.
Utterly bizarre that was. I still can’t work out what on earth he was thinking, or rather not thinking. I don’t like to jump on the bandwagon of writing players off too quickly, but he does look to be total and utter rubbish, he just seems to run around like a headless chicken and fall over a lot.
I think we can win this, but we need to start like we did at Muff and actually take some of our chances unlike that game. Pedro will be a massive miss, we all know that - I am with @I Blame Bassett in starting Gray. It's probably the weakest of the back lines in this division, and he did "alright" in his Blackburn cameo. Perica is the other choice - but as others have said, he does seem mentally weak at the main thing he has to do. Our home form bar a few dodgy results has been immense. This is where we will either finish 2nd or in a playoff birth. I expect us to win, but I am under no illusions of what Watford tend to do once they think a game is won. Of all the things that worry me about this fixture is a possible formation change. We cannot play one up top especially with Gray, and I am not sure Perica can handle such a big role like Pedro plays with ease. Zinc needs to get on the field a but earlier, and without Chabolah for two games, we might see a goal or two from Gosling. Wycombe will almost certainly come for a point, and will expect us to come at them - so a bit of 10 behind the ball. Whether or not we can break that down and take a few of our changes remains to be seen. 2-0
The reason that Perica hasn't looked sharp is probably because he needs minutes in his legs, Perica has better natural centre forward movement than any of our other strikers which is key against a low block. I n my opinion he wouldn't be a bad option against a team that sits back due to his size and he has shown that he is able to attack balls relatively decently in the air (okay he is not Alan Shearer) but he is a better option than Andre Gray who would offer us nothing against a side playing a low block as his only attribute of note is running in behind, and his control and overall build up play isn't good enough.
I think That Xisco has two ways he can go: 1) Completely change things, go to a back 3, plus a 4 or 5 man midfield and roll the dice. IMO this would be panicky, so I don't think it will happen. Also, we're rather short of actual midfielders so we'd be doing dodgy things like pushing Femenia and Masina into wingback roles, whilst simultaneously changing the spine. Not a fan. The only reasons to do it are that it shows a look that the opposition hasn't seen on tape, and allows us to use the players that we actually have the most of - centre halves (I never thought that would be the case this year). I think this would result in the player thinking too much and become very defensive. ------------------------Bachmann -------------------- -------- Sierralta ------ Cathcart ------WTE------- ------------------------- Hughes ---------------------- Kiko -------------------Cleverley ----------- Masina (although I feel he needs a rest) Sarr ------------------- Perica ----------------Sema 2) Minimise the changes. This is where I think he'll land. It allows players to stay in positions that they've been playing well in and should keep them on the front foot: ------------------------Bachmann -------------------- Kiko ----- Sierralta ------ Cathcart ------- Masina (although I feel he needs a rest) ------------------------- Hughes ---------------------- ------------Cleverley ------------- Gosling----------- Sarr ------------------- Perica ----------------Sema We're all terrified that Gray will start and I think that whilst there might be some at the club who'd like to see him play, the fact that Perica is a Giarretta purchase would give Xisco any air cover he needs to start him over Gray. The bench is concerning. Obviously we'll see a couple of youngsters at least. Maybe they'll seize the opportunity. I would expect the first sub to be Wilmot on for Gosling (or any of the other midfielders if they get a yellow), pushing Hughes forward. If we've got a lead, would love to see Zinckernagel get a run in a wide position. Expect Gray on for Perica later in the 2nd half, although TBH, I'd much rather bring on Dalby with enough time to see if he feels it's his moment to prove he belongs.
Not writing off Wycombe at all, but if we’re serious about promotion then we really should be winning this comfortably. We have the best home record in all of England and they are bottom of the league. No doubt they will sit deep, not let space in behind, and they will be playing for a draw/snatch and grab. We need to take out our frustrations from the weekend on them. Would love to win by 5/6-0 and we can. Obviously I just want the three points first, but we’re 7 goals behind Brentford. This really is a game where we can and should score 3+. Again we can’t take Wycombe lightly, but we need to be relentless and ruthless. We have to be smart. Can’t panic. Need to play our game. With Pedro and Chalobah out at least they will be rested for Forest. Zinckernagel needs to come in for Sema. Lazaar in for Masina Ekong was bullied last time by Akinfenwa. Ekong needs to be dropped for Wilmot. I would like to see Bachmann Ngakia Wilmot Sierralta Lazaar Cleverley Gosling Hughes Sarr Perica Zinckernagel That’s more than capable of winning and provides us fresh legs where needed. Fear that Gray will start though. Really hoping we’re 3-0 up by HT.
Sam Dalby is on loan at Stockport County at the moment. He played for them in the National League yesterday.
I noticed in the second half today Norwich's wide players were playing as far wide as possible and making the pitch bigger at times they were almost half of the pitch and they were getting some joy down the sides.
Interesting that a couple of comments on their forum mention Deeney not playing as a positive for them. How strong the myth of Mr Watford remains. They think they will double up on Sarr,which is to be expected I suppose. A fair few think they'll win.
That would tend to prohibit how use then wouldn't it? Probably the best for him. Hope he gets some confidence. Success then. IMO he's more likely to come good than Gray. Although I don't think I'll be placing a bet on either of them.
Not a game you should be putting Wilmot in, far too weak. Sarr in the middle with Zinckernagel on the right. Gosling for Nate. No need to panic good enough to win the match. The defence need to be switched on because they go long looking for flick ins. They created a few half chances against Norwich but nothing that really tested the keeper. We will have to win the battle, do that and we've enough upfront to win.
Fair points. Ekong was an embarrassment in this game last time. Completely dominated by Akinfenwa, Cathcart can be hit or miss. Wilmot, while not the strongest, at home on our beautiful pitch, he is our best ball playing CB. We need to play our, game not theirs. That’s why I would play him,
