Drop Mcanuff for Newcastle?

[Stuboo]

No.

[melonhead]

no

[Barry the bird boggler]

After the QPR game anyone think we should keep the same starting 11 for Newcastle?

Personally I think that McAnuff, Pearce and Guthrie will be restored to the starting line up on Saturday.

[bracksroyal10]

Personally I think we would be better off with work engines in the central midfield against Newcastle. We will need to be constantly shutting down Cabaye to stop him supplying the balls never mind stopping Tiote play who is a very big player for them on his day.

I was impressed with the energy from Tabb + Karacan last night we will certainly be needing that type of closing down on saturday.

[super darren caskey]

No

[moonwalklikebas]

For me last night Jay Tabb showed the fire in the belly that we have been missing this season, but so did the whole team.
I was impressed with Jimmy's return and expect him to start on Saturday with Mclearly being the unfortunate one. I think the idea of Kebe/Mcleary is more frightening in terms of running at defenders and looking dangerous than Kebe/Mcanuff.

But it goes to show at WBA, McDermott took Gunter off and filled Jobi in at RB. So no matter what Jobi will play, im half expecting this tbh


Macca

Gunter Pearce Gorkss Shorey

Kebe Guthrie Mcanuff Mcleary

Pog Alf

[Extended-Phenotype]

Followed by McDermott's resignation, surely?

[pea]

no

[Arch]

No.

Can there be a poll?

[melonhead]

didnt he play well vs west brom?

[royalsteve]

Really?
Stats dont tell the whole picture. Stats are very easy to look at and agree with.
Many fans will be with me when I say he has to be dropped!
It will be the first time in 2 seasons.

agree, my favourite stat was displayed on the screen in the north stand concourse during the tottenham game where tottenham had 0 shots on target

[Divvy]

Yes.

He is very predictable down the left. Always cutting in onto his right. I just don't think he offers us much. I'd sooner have Kebe and McCleary out wide.

[CJC]

Before the start of this season i was ridiculed on this site for suggesting Macanff wouldn't be good enough at this level and at some point Brian would have to drop him. He will play on sat but i think i'll be proved right in the long term.

[Alexander Litvinenko]

May I be the first one to suggest that we might see McDermott try to solve two problems (too many wingers and lack of creativity in midfield) in one go by playing McAnuff in centre midfield?

Don't think for a minute that I'm suggesting this - just saying it's an option that he might be considering, either in a 4-4-2, a 4-4-1-1 or a 4-5-1.

[SydenhamRoyal]

May I be the first one to suggest that we might see McDermott try to solve two problems (too many wingers and lack of creativity in midfield) in one go by playing McAnuff in centre midfield?

Don't think for a minute that I'm suggesting this - just saying it's an option that he might be considering, either in a 4-4-2, a 4-4-1-1 or a 4-5-1.

No you may not. I am sure Jobi in the middle has been suggested elsewhere.

MY team for Saturday would be:
Macca
Cummings Pearce Gorkss Shorey
Kebe Karacen Leigertwood McAnuff
Pog Hunt
bench - Guthrie, Le Fondre, McCleary, Gunter, HRK, Tabb

Mariappa I am guessing will be out, cos I imagine the cramp would still be lingering 2/3 days after

[CayeneMatt]

For me last night Jay Tabb showed the fire in the belly that we have been missing this season, but so did the whole team.
I was impressed with Jimmy's return and expect him to start on Saturday with Mclearly being the unfortunate one. I think the idea of Kebe/Mcleary is more frightening in terms of running at defenders and looking dangerous than Kebe/Mcanuff.

But it goes to show at WBA, McDermott took Gunter off and filled Jobi in at RB. So no matter what Jobi will play, im half expecting this tbh


Macca

Gunter Pearce Gorkss Shorey

Kebe Guthrie Mcanuff Mcleary

Pog Alf

That may not be too wide of the mark, except Ledge instead of Guthrie as a DM.

[Royal Ginger]

Guthrie will play. I'd put money on it.

[Great Knolly]

McAnuff's a decent all round winger with some tricks. Cuts inside too much and is awful in front of goal. He's better going back than Kebe and McCleary.

As said above, all wingers have to take risks and most of the time will lose the ball when taking them. That's why they polarise people so much. If you already like the player you'll say: unlucky, if you're dubious about him , you might say: idiot.

Not saying I'd start him yet, but what sets Kebe apart is that he might be shocking for 70 minutes , but in the same game might produce 6 seconds of brilliance that will win you the game. McAnuff will have a more solid game but the 6 seconds don't happen so often. But I'm probably bias.

[The Real Sandhurst Royal]

McAnuff will still play.

With Kebe now back to fitness he should start with Mclearly dropping to the bench.

[The Rouge]

Here is my verdict on how they played in league games so far (McCleary's cameo in game 1 I have included)

McAnuff
Poor - Stoke (H)
Fantastic - Chelsea (A)
Poor - Spurs (H)
OK - WBA (A)

McCleary
V Good - Stoke (H)
OK - Chelsea (A)
Good - Spurs (H)
Fairly Poor - WBA (A)

It is not as simple as that though. McCleary's movement could have been netter against WBA but we were painfully slow in getting the ball out to him. I am actually a big fan of HRK, I think his technique, skill, power and aerial ability makes him a real player with an impact. I personally would go with HRK and Kebe/McCleary for the next game.