Garscube Road End Posted January 14, 2014 Report Share Posted January 14, 2014 You sure about that? Absolutely 50% sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulo Posted January 14, 2014 Report Share Posted January 14, 2014 Absolutely 50% sure. Some days that would be good enough for me. Others, maybe not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ancipital Posted January 14, 2014 Report Share Posted January 14, 2014 I think part of the problem is that we have 3, maybe 4 guys (Lawless, Craigen, Forbes, Higginbotham) whose best position is centrally behind the striker but only 1 can play there at any time. Ignoring form but taking into account Osbourne's injury I'd probably say Fox O'Donnell Piccolo Muirhead ATS Welsh Bannigan Craigen Lawless Higginbotham Taylor Surprises me we've not tried Craigen out wide, he's not blessed with pace but he's got quick feet and could make half a yard of space. He'd certainly be better there than defensive midfield. Lawless seems to me to be too weak out wide and can't get past a full back, he's most dangerous picking the ball up in space in the middle where defenders are more inclined to back off. Higginbotham could probably do well there too as he wouldn't be cutting in and shooting 90% of the time like he does from the left. I still think that defensive midfield isn't great and would obviously have Osbourne there if he was fit. I'd probably pick Fraser ahead of Welsh in the short term though rather than rush him back and him end up injured yet again. Balatoni is probably the weakest of the 3 centre halves. If we did sign an experienced centre half (which is surely priority #1) I'd be most inclined to pair him with Piccolo. I still think Muirhead will come good in time. McMillan offers less of an attacking threat than O'Donnell (although SOD has noticably held back as the season went on) and doesn't seem to be much of an upgrade defensively based on the few starts he had. Elliott is a first division player at best but probably still has a role til the end of the season as a sub. Forbes has been the biggest disappointment for me, I was convinced at the start of the season he was going to be a key player for us but it's not happened, and as said earlier his set pieces have gone downhill massively. Doolan is unlucky, I think we can all agree, he's not let anyone down but Taylor is much more suited to that role. If we had a stronger central midfield and could get away with 442 I think him and Taylor could be great. Baird & Kerr- only there for injury cover now. Even then I'd be tempted to have Duggan when he's fit and Wilson ahead of them in the pecking order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stewarty Posted January 14, 2014 Report Share Posted January 14, 2014 (edited) Ignoring injuries, this would be my ideal line-up. It's a bit tough on Osbourne, who has done okay since joining, but I'm a big fan of Welsh's composure and passing, and Bannigan provides both defensive steel and an ability to move the ball forwards rather than sideways, which is a tendency of Osbourne's. As mentioned on other threads, I think Craigen has bags of potential but I'm not sure he merits a starting position just yet. Fraser gets the nod on the basis of talent alone; I think he'll star for us in the upcoming weeks. I've not picked a specialist no.10 and am therefore moving towards a 4-3-3, but I think all three of my chosen midfielders are capable of providing attacking support. -------------------------------Fox------------------------------------- O'Donnell---------Balatoni---------Piccolo----------Taylor-Sinclair ----------------------Welsh---------Bannigan------------------------ -------------------------------Fraser---------------------------------- ----Lawless----------------------------------------Higginbotham---- -------------------------------Taylor----------------------------------- Edited January 14, 2014 by Stewarty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allyo Posted January 14, 2014 Report Share Posted January 14, 2014 No places for Conrad, who i think is getting found out at this level, the good luck and fortune he had last year, in a better league, now shows up as bad luck and misfortune. I think the other two have the most potential to improve, but i would be looking to bring in an experienced centre half in the Stephen McManus mould (Lee Mair anyone?) to give these lads some direction. Funnily enough a St Mirren fan in my office reckoned Lee Mair would be a good signing for us. He reckoned that he's as good as anyone they currently have in the position, but appears to be free to leave. Can't say I know anything about him. I never bother much with the other teams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scamps Posted January 15, 2014 Report Share Posted January 15, 2014 Would like to see a 3-5-2 formation tried: Fox Gabby Experienced new guy Muirhead Frazer/Welsh Banzo SOD ATS Higgy Doolan Taylor Lot of scope for change with the bench we'd have, playing style doesn't need to change much but would offer cover in defense and more options in attack, could also change the formation very easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davemains Posted January 15, 2014 Report Share Posted January 15, 2014 3 5 2 for me as well Fox Muirhead Piccolo Balatoni O'Donnell Welsh Higginbotham Osbourne Bannigan Taylor Doolan you could have McMillan for any of the back three Fraser for Welsh/ Osbourne Sinclair left wing back, Elliott Right wing back Lawless or Forbes for Higginbotham Baird or Duggan for Taylor/ Dools Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lenziejag Posted January 15, 2014 Report Share Posted January 15, 2014 I think I would try Fox Macmillan Muirhead Piccolo ATS O'Donnell Fraser Bannigan Higginbotham Lawless Taylor I think this is really tough on Doolan, though and I am not sure who drops out if anyone when Welsh is fit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
potty trained Posted January 15, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2014 I think I would try Fox Macmillan Muirhead Piccolo ATS O'Donnell Fraser Bannigan Higginbotham Lawless Taylor I think this is really tough on Doolan, though and I am not sure who drops out if anyone when Welsh is fit That's the team I want to see start on Saturday, but with Gallacher in goals. The versatility within that 11 could see the team altered early first half if required, without subs being made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulo Posted January 15, 2014 Report Share Posted January 15, 2014 There's no way we will see more than 1 or 2 changes on Saturday. 4 points out of 6 in our last 2 games is a great run considering our recent form. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paralytic thistle Posted January 17, 2014 Report Share Posted January 17, 2014 i suppose i should not have added the Ozzy match fit "caveat". However, with him fit i'd go: Fox O'Donnell - Muirhead - Gabby - Sinclair Osbourne - Bannigan Lawless - Craigen - Higgenbotham Taylor There's not much between Gal and Fox, both are shit at cross balls, it's a big gamble changing your keeper, but i'd maybe give Fox til the St Mirren game and bring Gal in for that, through February against the better teams. I don't think i've seen enough of McMillan, although what i have seen, i've been impressed with, both his defensive qualities and going forward. O'Donnell's positional sense is becoming eratic at best, but going forward he is the better option. No places for Conrad, who i think is getting found out at this level, the good luck and fortune he had last year, in a better league, now shows up as bad luck and misfortune. I think the other two have the most potential to improve, but i would be looking to bring in an experienced centre half in the Stephen McManus mould (Lee Mair anyone?) to give these lads some direction. With Osbourne out, i'd bring in a fully fit Fraser, i think bringing him back into the first team will add a bit of what we have been missing since Paton left. i know all the stats say we are the best team in the world when welsh plays, but i just don't see what he offeres to the team, least of all the fact i can't remember the last time he was fully fit (even when in the squad). Although probably not physical or tall enough for the SPFL and Archie's sometimes more direct style of play, Lawless edges it over Elliott, though hopefully Archie is looking to bring in someone in that position, better than what we have, especially with Lawless away in the summer. I can't imagine a scenario that would see me start Forbes, his body language says he isn't interested and there are players in the team who can do exactly what he does. If i hear this fantasy again thet his dead ball delivery is incredible, i'll lose it! It's not, free kicks hitting the wall... corners not even staying on the park, says it all. Tough on Doolan, but Taylor is a far better player, Doolan's good, but like Ozzy, you look at Taylor and think.... "this guy's too good for Thistle". I wouldn't be prepared to start droppig players just to find a space for Doolan. well, well, well!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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