Faurlin Granero Mbia

[Askew Ranger]

Surely we have to play those three in the middle?! MBia played too high yesterday. Was asked to do too much going forward. The best (I reckon) we've looked all season was against Spurs with Faurlin and Granero dominating their three man midfield. Then teams worked out you can get in behind Faurlin... But sticking MBia in there to mop up, As he was doing so well against Villa before he got injured,bwould solve that problem. We need players who can bring the ball down and keep possession, pick a pass. Then let Hoilett, Cisse make runs up top for them and tarbs to find 'em. To me that seems so obvious and potent. With the impact of Mackie, Samba and maybe Park (if he gets fit and buys some studs) coming off the bench. That's genuinely a pretty good team.

Would love Redknapp to re-watch that Spurs game. The boys showed what they can do that game. And it's that game which has still got me foolishly clinging on, believing we'll get out of this.

[kingy10]

Totally agree mate. They are our 3 best midfielders. Harry looks like he wants us to be a battling team, agree we have to battle but think that we have to play to our strengths.

[Yousef]

But Granero is light weighted and cannot perform for 90mins

[Askew Ranger]

He wasn't lightweight earlier in the season. Had a rep as a battler in la liga too so not quite sure why we've suddenly started to see him that way. Earlier in the season, he was harassing, picking pockets, and giving us a little class on the ball. But he needs people he can pass to. Yesterday's pass over the top to Cisse showed what we're missing without him. If he gets knackered then brilliant to have samba to come on and inject some dynamism.

Totally agree with kingy - we have to play to our strengths. Without our ball players in the middle, we're just asking teams to attack us, hoping we can counter and score with mbia or diakite dribbling forward. But the balance of that team just feels all wrong. We don't have an Andy Carroll type centre forward and don't get enough players in the box for wingers to be really effective, so we need to get the ball down, get players out there making runs, for Faurlin, Granero and tarbs to find them.

[MattyRangers]

But Granero is light weighted and cannot perform for 90mins

Don't agree - only last few games he has been poor . Was quality at te start of the season IMO and lightweight has nothing to do with it - David Silva for example?

[rickyranger]

Surely we have to play those three in the middle?! MBia played too high yesterday. Was asked to do too much going forward. The best (I reckon) we've looked all season was against Spurs with Faurlin and Granero dominating their three man midfield. Then teams worked out you can get in behind Faurlin... But sticking MBia in there to mop up, As he was doing so well against Villa before he got injured,bwould solve that problem. We need players who can bring the ball down and keep possession, pick a pass. Then let Hoilett, Cisse make runs up top for them and tarbs to find 'em. To me that seems so obvious and potent. With the impact of Mackie, Samba and maybe Park (if he gets fit and buys some studs) coming off the bench. That's genuinely a pretty good team.

Would love Redknapp to re-watch that Spurs game. The boys showed what they can do that game. And it's that game which has still got me foolishly clinging on, believing we'll get out of this.

Very good post, certainly needs to play Mbia in the role Derry was in yesterday and to be fair probably will at home. Had high hopes for Diakite but doesn't look up for the fight, so might have to bring back Faulin even though he turns and moves like the titanic. Would like to see him go for it with Holliett and Cisse (no other strikers) brought in but think Rednapp will stick with Tarrabt and Mackie.

[Askew Ranger]

Sure that's why he played Derry from the off. Three battlers. But SD wasn't at the races. Was just off the pace. Lack of composure on the ball all round was frustrating when you know you've got those players on the bench. See what Harry's trying to do but think our ball players will give us more of a chance. Ale's been slow to react a few times this season but, when he is n the right place, he breaks up a lot of attacks. His tackling stats last year were immense... Had more tackles than any other player in the PL up to his injury.... And keep going back to that spurs game. Genuinely thought we'd end up mid table after that one

[Ginger Ninja]

Diakite over granero for me.