Smith Or Hogan To Start..

[sirpiechucker]

Arguably there could be a place for both of them when playing at home because do we really need to defensive midfielders when playing at home?

[Ric-Roc]

Arguably there could be a place for both of them when playing at home because do we really need to defensive midfielders when playing at home?

I think we do Sirpie, we are not good enough to try and play without a bit of protection in the middle of the park imo.

Derry & Faurlin do their jobs very well I wouldn't change that, just going forward Hogan isn't offering much at the moment.

[sirpiechucker]

I think we do Sirpie, we are not good enough to try and play without a bit of protection in the middle of the park imo.

Derry & Faurlin do their jobs very well I wouldn't change that, just going forward Hogan isn't offering much at the moment.

They are doing a fantastic job but at what expense? I have every faith that with both we could rediscover our early form but something niggling at the back of my mind says that against teams who are prepared to sit and are happy with a draw we won't then have the neccessary creativity to break down the proverbial bus. Burnley were happy with that draw and for the last 20 mins it was all about not losing. In those final minutes we could have sacrificed a DM instead of Taraabt, Ephraim or Hulse.

I think my point is do we really need 4 defenders, 2 DMs and a goal keeper to stop Chris Iwelumo from failing on his backside?

I'm delighted with the unbeaten record but even I went away disappointed yesterday because of the few chances we did create the fell to the wrong players. I thought it was obvious by the time Smith has come on that Burnley weren't looking for the win and therefore if Derry had been taken off instead of Hulse the ball may have dropped to him instead of Derry.

[James1979]

but the key point is, will sacrificing one of them and playing both hogan and smith make a difference. I think from last 10 games hogan has created abosolutely nothing. The argument has been his work rate. But firstly all the team work hard and he's there to create and score goals

[Ric-Roc]

I see your points Sirpie & I have to say yes you do need 4 defenders & 2 DM's, Not only for what they offer protection wise and the breaking up of play but also for the experience in the side, without that I would be fearful for the younger players. Derry reads everything & that is invaluable to us.

Going forward we are good it's just that final ball. And I agree I was a bit surprised NW taking Adel Taarabt off yesterday I felt he was having a decent game & if anyone could of unlocked something it was him.

[stainrodisalegend]

They are doing a fantastic job but at what expense? I have every faith that with both we could rediscover our early form but something niggling at the back of my mind says that against teams who are prepared to sit and are happy with a draw we won't then have the neccessary creativity to break down the proverbial bus. Burnley were happy with that draw and for the last 20 mins it was all about not losing. In those final minutes we could have sacrificed a DM instead of Taraabt, Ephraim or Hulse.

I think my point is do we really need 4 defenders, 2 DMs and a goal keeper to stop Chris Iwelumo from failing on his backside?

I'm delighted with the unbeaten record but even I went away disappointed yesterday because of the few chances we did create the fell to the wrong players. I thought it was obvious by the time Smith has come on that Burnley weren't looking for the win and therefore if Derry had been taken off instead of Hulse the ball may have dropped to him instead of Derry.

Derry thought he was being substituted and actually started to go off before realising it was tabs. Migh have been a better substitution.

[sirpiechucker]

I see your points Sirpie & I have to say yes you do need 4 defenders & 2 DM's, Not only for what they offer protection wise and the breaking up of play but also for the experience in the side, without that I would be fearful for the younger players. Derry reads everything & that is invaluable to us.

Going forward we are good it's just that final ball. And I agree I was a bit surprised NW taking Adel Taarabt off yesterday I felt he was having a decent game & if anyone could of unlocked something it was him.

Against teams who come to Loftus Road wanting to win then I absolutely agree and believe Derry and Faurlin are needed and when Cardiff come to town then we should start with both. However if 1 DM, 4 defenders and a GK isn't enough to stop teams like Burnley then we have problems. They didn't come to win yesterday and you could tell that by the reaction of their fans. They were delighted with the result.

Away from home I'd play two DMs but as neither Derry nor Faurlin will contribute with goals then are we missing a trick especially at home playing quite defensively? Our fantastic results at home all have come against teams 15th or below. The 3 draws have come against 2 top 8 sides and a mid table Millwall.

[Ric-Roc]

Sirpie we must remember this is the very same team very same set up very same formation that was scoring for fun in the early part of the season. Nothings changed we just need our scorers ie; Adel, Mackie & HH to start hitting the net again.

[W6hoops]

Smithy

[BUSHRANGER1982]

I think Hogan should be replaced by Tommy Smith.

[sirpiechucker]

Sirpie we must remember this is the very same team very same set up very same formation that was scoring for fun in the early part of the season. Nothings changed we just need our scorers ie; Adel, Mackie & HH to start hitting the net again.

I totally understand that when it worked it really worked but it hasn't for a while and needs a shake up. Against Norwich I definitely thought 2 DMs was the right way to go but yesterday I thought we were far too defensive. Burnley had the best of the chances because IMO we resorted to playing long balls and set ourselves up to deep. Possession is key but we gave the ball away so many times meaning we needed 2 DMs.

[Ric-Roc]

I agree towards the end it was very much 'hoof ball' but I think that was down to mainly 'throwing the kitchen sink' at it as they say. George Graham always built successful teams from the back but always had great attacking prowess in his teams also & I feel we are similar this season with regards to being very tight at the back yet good going forward.

I really do think the set up is right I would just like to see a bit of a change in personnel IE; Smith for Hogan. I just feel a few players form have dipped at once & not so much the team playing badly. A win in the last few games & I doubt we'd even be having this conversation mate.

[stainrodisalegend]

Regardless of whether we need two defensive midfield players or not the fact of the matter is that Hogan hasn't produced for weeks now. Would much rather Smith or alternatively I'd play Buz when fit. Its one thing not changing a winning team but when since has it been impossible to change a drawing team, particularly one so obviously carrying dead wood?

[DODSKI]

Hogan who? did he play on sat? Come on Hogan you know you can do better

[Jeffro]

Problem is we see it, Neil Warnock doesnt.