Rochdale

[Joes Sweet Left Foot]

I suspect no one is going to guess the starting X1 for Saturday as JFH has shown his unpredictability in the past.

However I think there are 9 players who pick themselves based on recent performances;- O'Donnell, Facey, Taylor, Turnbull, Bunney, Grimes, Crooks, JJOT, and Long.

Then its any 2 from Van Veen, Ariyibi, Foley, Hoskins, Poole and Periera.

Poole is probably more likely to play away from Home, and Periera appears to have fitness issues, so I'm guess its either Foley or Van Veen on the left and either Hoskins or Ariyibi on the right.

[EssTeeFree]

I suspect no one is going to guess the starting X1 for Saturday as JFH has shown his unpredictability in the past.

However I think there are 9 players who pick themselves based on recent performances;- O'Donnell, Facey, Taylor, Turnbull, Bunney, Grimes, Crooks, JJOT, and Long.

Then its any 2 from Van Veen, Ariyibi, Foley, Hoskins, Poole and Periera.

Poole is probably more likely to play away from Home, and Periera appears to have fitness issues, so I'm guess its either Foley or Van Veen on the left and either Hoskins or Ariyibi on the right.

Completely agree on your 9+2 theory - you watch Jimmy leave 3 of that 9 out now 

Do you think he'll play Van Veen out on the left? I can only see him playing him up front or possibly in the JJOT role if we a one of our midfield out. Feels like Long could get shifted wide which would be harsh on him.

[wrigleys]

You have got the last few games wrong -  must be disappointing for you?

Not really, I’m very rich so I just go and buy a hand job

[Monkey]

My guess is:
GK: O'Donnell
RB: Facey
LB: Bunney
CB: Taylor
CB: Turnbull
CM: Grimes
CM: Crookes
LW: Ariyibi
RW: Hoskins
SS: O'Toole
CF: Long

Bench: Cornell, Poole, Moloney, Foley, Periera, Powell, van Veen.
Missing Out: Barnett, Buchs, McWilliams, Mathis.

Could be a number of combinations though!

Big call from JFH to bring van Veen straight in. Would mean Long or O'Toole being dropped, or O'Toole dropping in to CM with Crooks or Grimes missing out (or Crookes going out wide again). Dont think he'll want to changes things too much though, we're doing alright at the moment and the 2 front men are scoring regularly. If O'Toole is still carrying a knock, that may be an excuse to rest him.

[wrigleys]

Thanks Frank - we know you like biscuits!

Yes afternoon Frank!!

[Gaston]

Big decisions about decent selection issues, but I am sure that is what JFH wanted in the first place.

Unless I have missed any suspensions or injuries, there are 3 places I can't decide on.

GK RO'D
DR Facey
DC Taylor
DC Turnbull
DL Bunney
MC Grimes
MC Crooks
ML
MR
FC JJOT
FC

[The Rauldinho]

I'll be brave and go with:

            O'Donnell

Facey Taylor Turnbull Bunney

               Grimes
Crooks                 Foley
               JJOT

Van Veen          Long

Subs: Cornell, Poole, Berto, Ariyibi, Powell, McWilliams, Hoksins

Poole to make the bench (Covers CB/CM) and Mathis the one left out. No Buchs as Turnbull is cover for LB. Hoskins can cover the striking role with Berto/Ariyibi/Powell all capable of playing wide or in behind. Foley can also play just about anywhere.

I want to see though:

           O'Donnell

Facey Taylor Turnbull Bunney

Berto Crooks JJOT Ariyibi

       Van Veen  Long

Seems mental to leave Grimes out, so maybe play him instead of Ariyibi? JJOT has to play and Crooks is our player, plus has been improving over this four game undefeated streak. With JFH it's anybody's guess what will happen though!

[EssTeeFree]

One thing is for sure we have a very flexible squad that can be played many ways. We could legitimately play 3 centre backs with wing backs or a flat 4, we could go 1 or 2 up front. We can go with width or play narrow and we have the option to play a flexible attacking 3 behind Van Veen with any 3 from the likes of Hoskins, Powell, Ariybi and Berto.

It is great to have options and if we find it hard to guess our line up you can bet it will cause opposition managers a few headaches.

[Poggy]

                  O'Donnell

Facey - Taylor (c) - Turbull - Bunney

                   Grimes

       Crooks - O'Toole - Foley

             Van Veen - Long

[Joes Sweet Left Foot]

That could work. It will need a disciplined performance from Grimes, the full backs to attack down the flanks, and JJOT arriving late into the box to get on the end of the crosses.

[WasRambo]

                  O'Donnell

Facey - Taylor (c) - Turbull - Bunney

                   Grimes

       Crooks - O'Toole - Foley

             Van Veen - Long

This +1

[guest2995]

What’s the betting he goes with a very solid team .
JFH is risk averse and I notice no one has included Powell in their side .
I think we may be a little disappointed with the line up as Powell and Foley start wide .
He can’t afford to lose this game don’t forget

[guest3114]

                  O'Donnell

Facey - Taylor (c) - Turbull - Bunney

                   Grimes

       Crooks - O'Toole - Foley

             Van Veen - Long

won’t happen but would love to see

                         O’Donnell

 Facey - Taylor (c) - Poole - Turbull - Bunney

                  Crooks    -    Grimes

                           O’Toole

                Van Veen   -   Long

[everbrite]

It's how you respond though Evers. C78 has shown himself to be lacking in class, if not self-belief!

Really - as for lacking in class very few can aspire to that lofty pinnacle! Most of us are what is described in polite circles as ‘oinks’

Anyway we should keep to the thread subject don’t you think?

[EssTeeFree]

Really surprised at so many people going for their preferred line-up without any wingers, it's like we've gone back to JEDs time. Appreciate our full backs are more suited to being wing backs now, although I do think Facey will be much better with a winger in front feed/feed off.

I'd love to see Ariybi and Berto start, we could be exciting and we have enough in midfield to cover them imo. Of course, I don't think Jimmy will do it but we can dream!

[Tabasco Kid]

Anyway we should keep to the thread subject don’t you think?

The trouble is Evers, at this particular juncture, the subject can only be peoples preferred selections. This is why it wanders off topic.
And knowing Jimbo, most people have got the selection wrong! The only person that knows for sure, is the one that prints the programmes.

[guest2677]

I want to see though:

           O'Donnell

Facey Taylor Turnbull Bunney

Berto Crooks JJOT Ariyibi

       Van Veen  Long

Seems mental to leave Grimes out, so maybe play him instead of Ariyibi? JJOT has to play and Crooks is our player, plus has been improving over this four game undefeated streak. With JFH it's anybody's guess what will happen though!

This would certainly be offensive. Or maybe play Poole in the middle, move Turnbull over to left back and Bunny/Ariyibi in front.

[guest3114]

Really surprised at so many people going for their preferred line-up without any wingers, it's like we've gone back to JEDs time. Appreciate our full backs are more suited to being wing backs now, although I do think Facey will be much better with a winger in front feed/feed off.

I'd love to see Ariybi and Berto start, we could be exciting and we have enough in midfield to cover them imo. Of course, I don't think Jimmy will do it but we can dream!

That did occur to me. I’ve been moaning about no width all season and as soon as the squad is complete following the transfer window I leave out the wingers with my preferred selection? Having said that I think the full backs we’ve recruited seem to be at their best in the attacking role so 5 at the back would suit them down to the ground?

[Charlatan]

                                O'Donnell
                Poole      Taylor            Turnbull
 Facey                                                           Bunney
              Foley           Grimes         Crooks
                                
                                 O'Toole
                                Long.

I think he'll stick with this formation. I believe Jimmy is quite cautious defensively and this formation has brought some good results recently. Plenty of attacking options on the bench, I think tomorrow will be a very tight game however, when things open up hopefully our new front men(when brought on) will show there worth. I honestly think Jimmy has a touch of the Ian Atkins about him and his first priority is not to get beat.
                                  

[EssTeeFree]

That did occur to me. I’ve been moaning about no width all season and as soon as the squad is complete following the transfer window I leave out the wingers with my preferred selection? Having said that I think the full backs we’ve recruited seem to be at their best in the attacking role so 5 at the back would suit them down to the ground?

I still think Facey is more of a full back who can get forward than a wing back, I think he would struggle a bit more without the player in front to work with.

Unleash the width I say!