So, no Delap for Newcastle game,

[Bluemike]

I would start Szmodics too, all I'm saying is when Ali comes on he's done OK

[hallamblue]

And I 100% agree with you Mike, he has. But for me anyway, he’s not ready to lead the attack for 60mins ( which seems to be about what they do before subs are considered)…

[mendipblue]

He is are 3rd striker. You can't pick a No.10 ahead of him you will crush the guys confidence? He starts then you make changes. It's not that end of the pitch we need to worry about. Maybe you would like to play Woolfenden instead of Muric? .....Actually that's not a bad idea

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

It's a no brainer for me - AH is a striker who has not let us down during his cameo appearances and deserves a chance to start and show what he can do at this level. Some of the greatest strikers ever were blooded at top level where they had no age or experience - if they are good enough then age or experience doesn't come into it. We will never know if AH is good enough unless he is given a decent chance.

We're going to need a natural striker against Newcastle to win balls in the air and to hold the ball up: so forget Broadhead (too lightweight) and forget Szmodics (not a natural striker).

[hallamblue]

Golden bollox Woolfenden it is then

[JohnnyB]

It's a no brainer for me - AH is a striker who has not let us down during his cameo appearances and deserves a chance to start and show what he can do at this level. Some of the greatest strikers ever were blooded at top level where they had no age or experience - if they are good enough then age or experience doesn't come into it. We will never know if AH is good enough unless he is given a decent chance.

We're going to need a natural striker against Newcastle to win balls in the air and to hold the ball up: so forget Broadhead (too lightweight) and forget Szmodics (not a natural striker).

I agree. AH is the system choice, and is worth a punt. He'll definitely give it everything and has the support of an entire country behind him

[shabba]

Tricky one!
I’d say Szmodics too, he lacks height but he is a scrapper and can hold the ball up if needed, also make runs in behind etc.

Don’t laugh but I wonder if Cajuste could do a job, he carries the ball well, strong yet silky etc.

[Blue Wilf]

I say we play Muric there as his desire to make up for all of the mistakes at the other end should stand him in good stead! What a target/hold up man too!'

[arana peligrosa]

Can you pick Phillips and Crawford. May just need something like that to take a result from the game in question particularly if it's taking place in Tyneside.

Seems easy this, just allow Smozdics the chance if Hirst not open to selection for us. Hutchinson has his moments but not really the one to undertake a duty. There's always Broadhead but not sure if available right now. Chaplin would be an alternative but McKenna just won't play him in natural position. Al Hamadi / Clarke, just don't think suitable for the job in question. Could feature from the bench later stage of game and ideally do something.

[hallamblue]

https://www.twtd.co.uk/forum/598176/ali ... ns.-(n-t)/

[Bluemike]

These people clearly haven't watched him when he came on, he has actually looked ok, lively and caused problems, whether he can do it from the start remains to be seen but these goons commenting probably have zero football knowledge.

[hallamblue]

I think he can offer someth8ng from the bench atm, but like you agree some of their comments show a lack of understanding. I’m never sure how old some of these twtd posters are tbh, some come across as school kids in part, others are more reasoned. But I honestly don’t feel he has it in him YET to carry the heavy burden of leading the attack for 60-70 mins. He hasn’t had the experience.

Szmodics, whilst not an out and out striker of the #9 position , he has done it at Blackburn, and has scored a helluva lot of goals . He is older, more experienced and for that reason I would plumb for him? Will McKenna? Probably not because he has different ideas about how to set up the team. But Saturdays game IF we had a full strength team would be one I feel we could have got something from.

[Bluemike]

Who knows what McKenna will do but I wouldn't rule Al-Hamadi out of the equation, I also think Broadhead could be in the mix to start up front.

[hallamblue]

As long as whoever he picks is a success that's all that's important. At least he gets a chance to experiment.....because he has to.

[Ricco]

Had a quick look to see if bookies had an opinion, Szmodics and Al-Hamadi are 10/1 to score first, so I thought that was a good hint that they thought Al-Hamadi will start, but then I saw Delap and Hirst both at 9/1...

I think he'll go Al-Hamadi, but I won't be surprised if that's not the only shake up and that it won't be a simple direct swap.

EDIT: I was lying slightly, delving in, only some of the bookies had prices on Hirst and Delap. Al-Hamadi is actually quite a strong likelihood to start, according to bookies, so make of that what you will.

[hallamblue]

Well he'll get my support Ricco for sure ...I'd love him to smash it. We need him to andvto give our club another viable option....

[marko69]

Well he'll get my support Ricco for sure ...I'd love him to smash it. We need him to andvto give our club another viable option....

Thats the only thing to do , Hallam……. Full 100% support.

I was of the thinking that the lad will be out of his depth coming from lower leagues, but then thought ——>> so did Kieron, and he’s now the Messiah, so

[hallamblue]

And so did Vardy didn't ge?

[Bluemike]

Kevin Phillips came from non league too

[Blue Wilf]

Who knows what McKenna will do but I wouldn't rule Al-Hamadi out of the equation, I also think Broadhead could be in the mix to start up front.

I too thi k it will in reality, be Broadhead. Not a dissimilar set up to the last 2 seasons and players that know each others games, albeit in lower divisions. We have to play someone so its gonna be Broadhead, Ali or Szmods with Hutch and Chappers in support I suspect. Tge next 5 games are hugely important but truthfully, I cannot see past a possible point on Sat if Newcastle are off their game (possible), 3 losses (Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool away) and another possible point at Fulham. We may get a freak result (or two?) amongst those but if I were a betting man, I would say somewhere between 0 and 2 points from 5 games. Depending on other results, that is really going to challenge us for the rest of the season. We live in hope, however...

[Blue Wilf]

Who knows what McKenna will do but I wouldn't rule Al-Hamadi out of the equation, I also think Broadhead could be in the mix to start up front.

I too thi k it will in reality, be Broadhead. Not a dissimilar set up to the last 2 seasons and players that know each others games, albeit in lower divisions. We have to play someone so its gonna be Broadhead, Ali or Szmods with Hutch and Chappers in support I suspect. Tge next 5 games are hugely important but truthfully, I cannot see past a possible point on Sat if Newcastle are off their game (possible), 3 losses (Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool away) and another possible point at Fulham. We may get a freak result (or two?) amongst those but if I were a betting man, I would say somewhere between 0 and 2 points from 5 games. Depending on other results, that is really going to challenge us for the rest of the season. We live in hope, however...

BTW - genuine question... can anyone see more than that as a return?

[ITFC2024]

Who knows what McKenna will do but I wouldn't rule Al-Hamadi out of the equation, I also think Broadhead could be in the mix to start up front.

I too thi k it will in reality, be Broadhead. Not a dissimilar set up to the last 2 seasons and players that know each others games, albeit in lower divisions. We have to play someone so its gonna be Broadhead, Ali or Szmods with Hutch and Chappers in support I suspect. Tge next 5 games are hugely important but truthfully, I cannot see past a possible point on Sat if Newcastle are off their game (possible), 3 losses (Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool away) and another possible point at Fulham. We may get a freak result (or two?) amongst those but if I were a betting man, I would say somewhere between 0 and 2 points from 5 games. Depending on other results, that is really going to challenge us for the rest of the season. We live in hope, however...

BTW - genuine question... can anyone see more than that as a return?

Hate to say it, but I agree. I’ll be surprised if we get any points and that will solidify our position in the relegation zone. Of course hope I’m wrong, but I just don’t see us getting anything especially with our injuries and suspensions.

[Bluemike]

So Delap appears to have been booked for absolutely nothing then, purely a rule according to the ref that someone from both sides has to be booked , I mean wtf !

[hallamblue]

When i watched the highlights on motd ( they showed the whole incident from the time it was brewing just after final whistle, to when the Wolves player was dragged off the pitch), Delap CLEARLY walks towards the Wolves group of officials and players laughing and was saying something to them, and then turns to walk away. It was at that point the Wolves player totally lost it.

LD is not an "innocent" in this as far as i can see. He's been booked more than once this season for too much " chat". Hopefully he'll wise up..

But agree, the rule to book a player from each team in a meelay its daft. But Delap was obviously far too close to the "incident" in the first place.

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

Pavarotti ——->>> a tenor!

Pavarotti? Now I wonder, what sort of slang is that, must definitely be a northern thing.

There are 2 slang terms for £10 in CRS - cockle (c*ck and hen) = ten, ayrton (senna) = tenner

[Dubai Blue]

When i watched the highlights on motd ( they showed the whole incident from the time it was brewing just after final whistle, to when the Wolves player was dragged off the pitch), Delap CLEARLY walks towards the Wolves group of officials and players laughing and was saying something to them, and then turns to walk away. It was at that point the Wolves player totally lost it.

LD is not an "innocent" in this as far as i can see. He's been booked more than once this season for too much " chat". Hopefully he'll wise up..

But agree, the rule to book a player from each team in a meelay its daft. But Delap was obviously far too close to the "incident" in the first place.

Exactly, it's why the rule kinda makes sense. Often the ref has no way to actually know what started off the fracas in the first place. And it's pretty much standard that someone stepped out of line (in this case likely Delap) and someone else overreacted.

I don't like it but honestly seems like it might have been fair.

But if that was the only thing the Ref said to KM then that's pretty poor. I actually doubt that it was though.

[Bluemike]

But none of us, including the ref it seems,know what he said, sorry but its bollocks.

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

But none of us, including the ref it seems,know what he said, sorry but its bollocks.

agreed - so much so that I would call it a pair of bollocks

[marko69]

Sorry Hallam, but went and watched MOTD again because I wasn't convinced the FIRST time I watched it re Delap.
Yes it shows him mouthing off, (which in my opinion looks like he's defending himself)...... but there is zero evidence from MOTD that he was the instigator of it all.

I'll offer the Wolves player that looks like The Yorkshire Ripper (who had to be carried off) was the instigator and didn't bargain on anyone (or Delap) squaring up to his BS. MOTD camera then sees Delap, and then some think Delap started the fracas.

[marko69]

Pavarotti ——->>> a tenor!

Pavarotti? Now I wonder, what sort of slang is that, must definitely be a northern thing.

There are 2 slang terms for £10 in CRS - cockle (c*ck and hen) = ten, ayrton (senna) = tenner

Basically just words really ...... Tenner / Money ......, Tenor / Opera singer.

No where even close to the classic, (and brilliant) Cockney Rhyming Slang.

Got a decent story about that......, don't think I'll be hijacking the thread as it's ran its course I think.

As an apprentice, my dads tradesman was a proper East End Londoner. Everything was rhyming slang ..... in and out = snout, dog n bone = phone, bees and honey = money etc etc etc.... you know all that obviously.

Anyway, he said, "Away down to the van for my buttered roll."
Dad goes down to the van, turns it upside down looking for stuff that rhymed with roll. Nothing.
Goes back into the house, "Nope, can't work that one out. What is it?"
"My buttered roll. Its on the front seat in the tinfoil wrapper."
Was actually --->> a buttered roll.