Vodka_Jay 11:31 Sat Oct 31
Tough decisions for Bilic
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Today could be Slavan's toughest match so far in terms of team selection. We have a team very much in form and we have players returning from injury and Moses back available after being unavailable for the Chelsea game.
Most people will say never change a winning side but modern football is much more of a squad game and subtle changes to line up's and tactics are needed, however harsh they seem.
I believe there are 4 key decisions Slavan will need to make today.
Collins/Ogbonna - Collins has been almost faultless in the last 2 games but Watford will offer something completely different today. Their 2 strikers Deeney and Ighalo are both pacey strikers with decent movement off the ball, I feel for this reason Ogbonna may be the better option of the 2 despite how harsh it would be on Ginge.
Noble/Obiang - Quite a mixed season for the skipper so far. No one can doubt how hard he works for this team and the respect his team mates have for him but he needs to cut out the sloppiness in his game.
Obiang has looked very assured when playing and could quite easy become a first team regular but I would still stick by the skipper for this game as I believe he can get back to the basics he does so well and he still caries a big influence over the team.
Zarate/Moses - If we were at home I don't believe there would be any question here, Zarate would start. It being an away game though Moses with his extra pace may get the nod. I think Bilic will stick with Zarate in his starting 11
Sakho/Carroll - We all know what Sakho does for this team and how he is a major part in the way we play and that Carroll is a completely different player. Would Carroll work in the Sakho role? I don't believe so and this would mean a shift in how we play. This would not necessarily be a bad thing, we certainly have the players to play many different tactics and styles.
For me Sakho still starts but if the big man comes on and influences a game as much as he has the last 2 then Bilic's choices will be even more difficult.
Team for Watford
................................Adrian
Jenkinson...Tomkins...Ogbonna...Cresswell
........................Noble....Kouyate
....Zarate.................Payet..............Lanzini
................................Sakho
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Replies - In Chronological Order ( Show Newest Messages First)
Mr Polite
11:33 Sat Oct 31
Re: Tough decisions for Bilic
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Good Summary and agree with your team
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Scraper
11:37 Sat Oct 31
Re: Tough decisions for Bilic
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I'm guessing u mean Slaven but can't be sure
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master
11:38 Sat Oct 31
Re: Tough decisions for Bilic
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never change a winning team unless forced to do so.
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1964
11:42 Sat Oct 31
Re: Tough decisions for Bilic
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Play the team last out barring injuries.
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,
11:43 Sat Oct 31
Re: Tough decisions for Bilic
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It's not tough for Bilic because it's the position every manager wants to be in. if it's tough for anyone it's the players starting on the bench.
Lovely to have options in defence, midfield and attack. I cannot remember a time like this where our best eleven has so many variations to discuss.
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ironsofcanada
11:45 Sat Oct 31
Re: Tough decisions for Bilic
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Really tough in the back four. I would probably try Tomkins at right back again. Jenkinson has done better the last few games but he does not seem to have any long term future with us. Same in a harsher way with Collins. The other three have done little wrong and are all on long term deals, so go with them.
Kayoute and Noble when playing decent provide a good balance.
Moses will start and I think still prefer him (or Valencia) to Zarate to start. Need the energy and speed I think.
If it's not broken, don't fix at forward.
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Vodka_Jay
11:47 Sat Oct 31
Re: Tough decisions for Bilic
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Mr Polite - thank you
Scraper - I'll let you work that one out
Master and 1964 - valid points although I disagree
Comma - tough as in which players to select and keeping the team moral as high as it it. He is in a great position but I don't see the managers decisions in tactical approach and which players best fit into it as easy.
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RM10
11:49 Sat Oct 31
Re: Tough decisions for Bilic
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dont change a winning team apart from moses for zarate.
not seen what the fuss is about Ogbonna and Obiang just yet, there are no bad performers yet for a change in starting line up.
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Mr Polite
11:52 Sat Oct 31
Re: Tough decisions for Bilic
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No bad performers yet your change Zarate for Moses?
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fraser
11:53 Sat Oct 31
Re: Tough decisions for Bilic
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Don't agree with not changing a winning team, different opposition, different match and probably different tactics.
What's the point in having such squad depth and variety if you're not going to utilise it fully.
Also good not to be predictable and to keep the opposition guessing.
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ironsofcanada
11:54 Sat Oct 31
Re: Tough decisions for Bilic
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fraser 11:53 Sat Oct 31
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RM10
11:55 Sat Oct 31
Re: Tough decisions for Bilic
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Polite- moses couldnt play last game rather than dropped, prefer to see him on then Zarate replace later..
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Vodka_Jay
11:56 Sat Oct 31
Re: Tough decisions for Bilic
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ironsofcanada - Interesting choices but Tomkins has been in such great form we'd really miss him in the middle. Jenkinson has also started to show why he was such an important player last season.
RM10 - Bilic Likes to play a left foot, right foot centre back pairing... Ogbonna was outstanding first game of the season at Arsenal and offers alot more movement than Collins that would be why that would be my only change. Very harsh on Collins though who has played very well
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RM10
11:57 Sat Oct 31
Re: Tough decisions for Bilic
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fraser- you can change tactics with same players, most are like for like anyway, apart from Carrol.
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Willtell
12:02 Sat Oct 31
Re: Tough decisions for Bilic
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Reid is back training and I see him being an option before Ogbonna but even then, I'd stick with Collins. It seems he does have a future with us and he doesn't deserve to be dropped.
What else can Zarate do but play well with a 100% passing rate for 19 passes, a goal, 3 tackles, 2 interceptions and a clearance? to then leave him out does not make sense and is bound to upset his Latin temperament. He deserves to stay put imo and Moses does not have a long-term future at WH.
As the original post says it's very difficult this week but I don't see too much to change... Letting the team sort itself out is better than causing bad reactions from players left out....
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Mr Polite
12:06 Sat Oct 31
Re: Tough decisions for Bilic
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RM10
Just surprised you picked him as one to change when he had a cracking game and proved his can help out defensively too.
Either way, how great is it to not have a team that picks itself and have so many different options available all of which you can make a good case for
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Takashi Miike
12:27 Sat Oct 31
Re: Tough decisions for Bilic
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id keep the team unchanged, all about momentum and the current line up have earnt another start
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,
12:28 Sat Oct 31
Re: Tough decisions for Bilic
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Which eleven though Miike, the one that started or the one that finished?
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Takashi Miike
12:31 Sat Oct 31
Re: Tough decisions for Bilic
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comma, good point you make but id go with the starting eleven again. I know it's tough on moses and oggy but they'll no doubt get a chance soon
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