Macc Town at home, Coca Cola Cup 24th Aug

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I did wonder about putting Robbo at right-back. OC will almost certainly want to give Alonso gametime (though I spose he could play left-mid) and it might not hurt Robbo to get more praccy at RB. Could play Wheats there but then there's no resting Cahill - unless Connolly gets the nod.

[BWFC_Insane]

I did wonder about putting Robbo at right-back. OC will almost certainly want to give Alonso gametime (though I spose he could play left-mid) and it might not hurt Robbo to get more praccy at RB. Could play Wheats there but then there's no resting Cahill - unless Connolly gets the nod.

I'd give Connolly a run out at right back. Worth seeing.

That is if we don't sign Boyata in time, which I'm guessing we won't!

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I guess if we pick Connolly and Wheater then one of them can play right-back, with the option of switching if need be.

But considering our only fit right-back might now have foot-knack (cue cretinous cheers) then we should be considering a longer-term solution. Not his ideal position but it could be Connolly's chance...

[truewhite15]

I guess if we pick Connolly and Wheater then one of them can play right-back, with the option of switching if need be.

But considering our only fit right-back might now have foot-knack (cue cretinous cheers) then we should be considering a longer-term solution. Not his ideal position but it could be Connolly's chance...

I'd rather try Connolly there than weakening both the right back AND the left back positions by switching Robbo over and playing Alonso...

[Bruno3]

Joe Riley came on against Levante. Is he an option? I've no opinion as never seen him

[Lofthouse Lower]

Yes he is. Bit on the young side but we're not blessed with options there.

[officer_dibble]

I'd play Jussi and rest Bogdan for the league...

F*ck knows what defensive options we have, deffo gonna have to be some youth in there...wouldn't be swapping lefties to right back mind.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Whoever's right-back, I'd (like to) think that Alonso will continue to get the chance to impress in cup games. Alonso played against Southampton, Burnley and York, and although Robbo was preferred as starter against Wigan Alonso came on for the stricken Ricketts in the replay and started at Fulham. True, that was needs-must but we're pretty much there again.

If Alonso isn't given the cup games to impress, then the only way he'll get in the team is by Robbo losing all form or fitness. And that would appear to be a rather large waste of money.

Furthermore, there's another reason to hope Alonso progresses. If we do end up with a less attacking right-back – even his doubters grudgingly agree that Steinsson is better going forwards, albeit usually in order to criticise his defending – we might need more penetration down the left, especially considering we now have the option of two covering midfielders. Notwithstanding Robbo's intelligent linkplay with Petrov, Alonso was surely bought with the intention of providing left-side thrust.

[BWFC_Insane]

Whoever's right-back, I'd (like to) think that Alonso will continue to get the chance to impress in cup games. Alonso played against Southampton, Burnley and York, and although Robbo was preferred as starter against Wigan Alonso came on for the stricken Ricketts in the replay and started at Fulham. True, that was needs-must but we're pretty much there again.

If Alonso isn't given the cup games to impress, then the only way he'll get in the team is by Robbo losing all form or fitness. And that would appear to be a rather large waste of money.

Furthermore, there's another reason to hope Alonso progresses. If we do end up with a less attacking right-back – even his doubters grudgingly agree that Steinsson is better going forwards, albeit usually in order to criticise his defending – we might need more penetration down the left, especially considering we now have the option of two covering midfielders. Notwithstanding Robbo's intelligent linkplay with Petrov, Alonso was surely bought with the intention of providing left-side thrust.

Alonso isn't a long term solution though is he?

[Bruno3]

Whoever's right-back, I'd (like to) think that Alonso will continue to get the chance to impress in cup games. Alonso played against Southampton, Burnley and York, and although Robbo was preferred as starter against Wigan Alonso came on for the stricken Ricketts in the replay and started at Fulham. True, that was needs-must but we're pretty much there again.

If Alonso isn't given the cup games to impress, then the only way he'll get in the team is by Robbo losing all form or fitness. And that would appear to be a rather large waste of money.

Furthermore, there's another reason to hope Alonso progresses. If we do end up with a less attacking right-back – even his doubters grudgingly agree that Steinsson is better going forwards, albeit usually in order to criticise his defending – we might need more penetration down the left, especially considering we now have the option of two covering midfielders. Notwithstanding Robbo's intelligent linkplay with Petrov, Alonso was surely bought with the intention of providing left-side thrust.

Alonso isn't a long term solution though is he?

Can't beat a bit of left sided thrust

[Lofthouse Lower]

He is, if you only count until May...

I hope someone important took out a policy on him when he signed....

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Alonso isn't a long term solution though is he?

We don't know yet. I'd suggest trying to find out. I know what you're, erm, driving at but we can only change what's within our compass. I'd hope that Coyle might lean toward the old saw about having the courage to change where possible, the serenity to accept where it's not and the wisdom to know the difference.

[officer_dibble]

Alonso looked much better when chucked in the deep end in the league than the cup (but I only went to York so not that fair a comparison I guess) last season.
He has to start anyway, as does Coyle's other defensive outlay!

[BWFC_Insane]

Alonso isn't a long term solution though is he?

We don't know yet. I'd suggest trying to find out. I know what you're, erm, driving at but we can only change what's within our compass. I'd hope that Coyle might lean toward the old saw about having the courage to change where possible, the serenity to accept where it's not and the wisdom to know the difference.

Indeed, it's a crying shame that young Alonso didn't!

[Lord Kangana]

Not sure what all the fuss about Alonso is. He noticeably improved as the season progressed, and my hunch would be that most of those games were away from home, meaning most people didn't actually see that progression.

The lad has the raw materials. I remember Alan Stubbs looking like, as my dad would say, or did say at the time, f*ckin rubbish, bambi on ice" when he first emerged. This from a man who saw Gudjohnsson warming up on the sidelines and said "trust me, he's going to be a class player". Not like he's ever repeated this at every match we've ever attended. Or that my retort has always involved Stubbs. Purely hypothetically if that converstaion were to happen. Every game. Like.

[BWFC_Insane]

Not sure what all the fuss about Alonso is. He noticeably improved as the season progressed, and my hunch would be that most of those games were away from home, meaning most people didn't actually see that progression.

The lad has the raw materials. I remember Alan Stubbs looking like, as my dad would say, or did say at the time, f*ckin rubbish, bambi on ice" when he first emerged. This from a man who saw Gudjohnsson warming up on the sidelines and say "trust me, he's going to be a class player". Not like he's ever repeated this at every match we've ever attended. Or that my retort has always involved Stubbs. Purely hypothetically if that converstaion were to happen. Every game. Like.

I don't think we are really discussing his merits on the pitch like.....

[Lord Kangana]

Well yeah. He's not the first bomb head to have donned the white shirt though.

When's his court date?

[seanworth]

Really would like Connolly to play in this game. Have a suspicion he will be needed this season so any first team experience will be valuable for him.

[t_o_molloy]

I have no doubts that Connolly can make the step up, he just needs that opportunity/experience.

[Dr Hotdog]

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Manager Owen Coyle reveals that Joe Riley will make his full debut against Macclesfield Town.