[Albion] Team to face Newcastle

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ROSM

Well-known member
Dec 26, 2005
7,518
Just far enough away from LDC
I'm assuming van Hecke will be able to return, pushing Baleba back into midfield.

If Joel Veltman is able to start, there's a real quandary in midfield, isn't there?

Ayari, Hinshelwood and Wieffer all have strong claims to sit alongside Baleba, and I'm not sure you can rule out Diego Gomez either. One of those nice problems to have, I guess.

I'd have Mitoma back in for Adingra, and I'd like to see March start again if he's abe to.
March is a more defensive winger and did a great job of patrolling that touchline. It allowed us to play deeper with confidence. I think against Gordon we will need similar.

Baleba in front of the centre backs should assist with isaak and also controlling guimares

I would stick with baleba and ayari as I don't think veltman is quite ready yet to start thus needing hinsh or wieffer at full back

Agree Mitoma for adingra
 


SouthSaxon

Stand or fall
NSC Patron
Jan 25, 2025
887
It has and the easy conclusion to daw is that Pervis has been caught out of position and we've seen this on the other side of the pitch as well depending on personnel. Is this just a FH pushing one of the full backs towards midfield, which looks great when we dominate midfield, but not great when they are continually in behind us?

Maybe just a flat back 4, would make our goals against column look a little less ugly
Partly tactical but it’s also about decision making and timing by the players. I’ve noticed it with Pervis and Lamptey several times this season, where they push up to close down space, don’t quite make it and get bypassed by 1 or 2 quick passes with acres of space behind.

It’s one of those things that might improve through training, but some players will just have a better instinct for it than others.
 






HP Seagull

Danny Cullip: Hero
Sep 26, 2008
1,827
Mitoma looked like he was really struggling with his back at the final whistle on Saturday. Still appeared to be in pain after the celebrations. Nasty feeling he won’t be available to start.
I noticed this too. He seemed to keel over during the celebrations immediately after the goal, which was worrying. Then was holding it and hobbling during the lap or appreciation.
 


Garry Nelson's Left Foot

Well-known member
Jul 7, 2003
13,802
tokyo
If he's fit, start Veltman. His experience and know how will be vital to deal with Gordon and Isaac if he drifts out wide. Wieffer played pretty well at RB against West Ham but Newcastle have a much more potent attacking threat.

I'd be tempted to have Hinsh and Baleba in midfield with Ayari higher up, dropping O'Riley. If Mitoma is fit he starts. I'd also be tempted to start March as well. Minteh can come on in the second half when we have a glorious one goal lead to defend and his pace can be devastating on the counter.

So ideally:

Ver Bruggen

Veltman
Van Hecke
Dunk
Estupinian

Baleba
Hinsh

March
Ayari
Mitoma

Welbeck

Bench:
O'Riley
Wieffer
Gomez
Minteh
Lamptey
Adingra
Rushworth
 




Red Squirrel

Well-known member
Oct 13, 2022
625
The Highlands
sowwy about the graphics, couldn't sort out the beloved mash-up shirt

1745926892432.png
 




Harsh on Ayari after his wonder goal
Would be harsh on Ayari even without the wonder goal. Gomez also deserves to start ahead of Wieffer, are people forgetting he started the comeback??
 








severnside gull

Well-known member
May 16, 2007
24,952
By the seaside in West Somerset
I like Ayari. He does a lot of selfless work that sometimes goes unnoticed. He scored a great goal on Saturday. But of his many efforts on goal this season it was pretty much his first shot on target. A Number 10 he is not 🤣
 




I like Ayari. He does a lot of selfless work that sometimes goes unnoticed. He scored a great goal on Saturday. But of his many efforts on goal this season it was pretty much his first shot on target. A Number 10 he is not 🤣
Good job he plays as a number 8 then! (I'm very protective of my new favourite player :p )
 


Verbruggen
Veltman-Van Hecke-Dunk-Hinshelwood
Minteh-Baleba-Ayari-Mitoma
Gomez
Welbeck
 


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