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Lewis John O'Brien

MASE

MASE

Up-Front
Would love to see him in the starting eleven, but with the new approach paying dividends, Im not sure I see him getting a start anytime soon.

Impact sub chasing a game is my only hope as things sit.
 
Gyros Peter

Gyros Peter

Sauce salad?
Slim Jim said:
Good to see him back in training
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Looking a bit gaunt there - wonder what's been up with him?
 
Steve B

Steve B

Jack Armstrong
Great to have him back as an option. Was one of our better players in the early games. Let’s get him back up to full fitness, up to speed with the way we’re striving to play now and he gives Stevie C another talented midfielder with something a bit different to use when the time is right.
 
Statto

Statto

Free Kick Specialist
Well they have probably hidden the bucket from that photo...
 
S

SparrowsAnus

Geoff Thomas
Great news. Pretty sure it will be Yates/Kouyate/Freuler but no doubt he can push them based on what we've seen from him so far. Same for Mangala. Good, healthy competition in the midfield.
 
Trents

Trents

John Robertson
Sounds like he's back available for Sunday. Only expecting a spot on the bench for him at most though. SC doesn't like to change a winning team.
 
T

The Frog

Viv Anderson
Trents said:
Sounds like he's back available for Sunday. Only expecting a spot on the bench for him at most though. SC doesn't like to change a winning team.
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Fantastic options with Mangala and LOB back - beggars belief we tried to run with just 2 given it is by far and away our best stocked area
 
Trents

Trents

John Robertson
If he does make the bench who gets booted from the squad from last time out. One of the attacking payers like Surridge or Dennis?
 
Bob Fossil

Bob Fossil

Nottingham's dirty secret
Trents said:
If he does make the bench who gets booted from the squad from last time out. One of the attacking payers like Surridge or Dennis?
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I don't think we'll see much of Surridge this season going forward. If at all.

I get the feeling he's not particularly happy not being given game time. I may be over-reading it or be way off but his body language & demeanour paint a picture of a frustrated player.

I definitely think Dennis is ahead in the pecking order.
 
B

Berkshire Red

Jack Armstrong
Bob Fossil said:
I don't think we'll see much of Surridge this season going forward. If at all.

I get the feeling he's not particularly happy not being given game time. I may be over-reading it or be way off but his body language & demeanour paint a picture of a frustrated player.

I definitely think Dennis is ahead in the pecking order.
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He wasn't first choice last season in the Championship so it's no great surprise. His finishing is good but I'm not convinced that the rest of his game is good enough yet. Hopefully he'll give it time but his reaction at the final whistle last week didn't suggest he's bought into the new team environment.
 
nffcjoe

nffcjoe

Jack Armstrong
weejockmcplop said:
Our midfield was outstanding against Liverpool but I would like see O'Brien unleashed in a 3.
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Before the Liverpool game I thought Kouyate was a massive weak link and unsure why he kept being picked in the midfield 3, everyone was crying for Mangala or O’Brien to start. However he was immense in that game and has justified his place, if he can keep up that level of performance then no need to change it but he needs to show that consistently because those two will be breathing down his neck to start ahead of him.
 
MASE

MASE

Up-Front
Obriens reintroduction is key for me, the only caveat is how lightweight he currently looks, but we need a linkman outside of the current three who dont specialise in forward momentum.

Two stay at home CMs is enough, put Obrien in there.
 
Trents

Trents

John Robertson
MASE said:
Obriens reintroduction is key for me, the only caveat is how lightweight he currently looks, but we need a linkman outside of the current three who dont specialise in forward momentum.

Two stay at home CMs is enough, put Obrien in there.
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I agree he needs to be accommodated. We need someone in that middle 3 that is confident on the ball and can pick a pass out. Who drops though?

Kouyate when on form can be a game changer but seeing more misses than hits with his starts
Yates is an engine and has been in good form but lack of top level experience catches him out now and again.
Freuler has done well in the defensive midfield role.

Then we also have Mangala to return. I think my ideal starting middle three would be O'Brien and Mangala with Freuler behind them.
 
congo_red_49

congo_red_49

Ale Ape
Trents said:
Then we also have Mangala to return. I think my ideal starting middle three would be O'Brien and Mangala with Freuler behind them.
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I've made this point before - and whilst that looks like a good three in terms of progressing the ball through midfield - it's also a relatively small three - and when we're only fielding two center-backs, the height and physicality of a Yates or a Kouyate is essential in helping us defend set-pieces. So we might have to compromise to balance the two...
 
MASE

MASE

Up-Front
Trents said:
Then we also have Mangala to return. I think my ideal starting middle three would be O'Brien and Mangala with Freuler behind them.
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Mangala & Obrien for me.

Then you have the conundrum of Yates, Freuler & Kouyate, none of whom appeal off the back of the Arsenal game, given theyre in the side to battle & put their feet in.

For Congos valid reasoning above & the fact I'm unable to rtecognise any contribution from Freuler, Id go with Yates as the screen.
 
Any Time Now

Any Time Now

Grenville Morris
I don't think Coops will want to change too much unless there's fitness issues, but personally i'd be tempted to try Mangala in the deeper role for one of our next 2 home games. Get him on the ball easier and see if he can push us up the pitch. Yates as the #8 given freedom to roam around destroying/breaking up play/being a general nuisance and providing support in and around both boxes. Then it's a toss up for the 3rd spot, LOB is probably a bit off with his fitness levels to be starting games so i'd probably give Freuler the nod
 
Bob Fossil

Bob Fossil

Nottingham's dirty secret
Steve doesn't seem to fancy him does he?

Looked really good at the start of the season alongside Mangala or Yates but yesterday saw Colback bought on ahead of him.
 
M

MaxiRobriguez

Bob McKinlay
Bob Fossil said:
Steve doesn't seem to fancy him does he?

Looked really good at the start of the season alongside Mangala or Yates but yesterday saw Colback bought on ahead of him.
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I really don't like questioning Cooper because he's Jesus and Gandhi rolled into one, but it's hard not to wonder what he's thinking bringing Colback on when you've got LOB on the bench - especially the last time we brought Colback on the same thing happened as yesterday: all our energy in midfield which had gotten us on top just disappeared and lost control of the game.

We might have gone on to win the game yesterday if LOB was brought on. As it was, we nearly ended up losing it.
 
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