Wigan

[The_weatherman]

Will be an interesting game, I am not a fan of 4-4-2 but I guess if we are using it then Kuyt is essential upfront due to his workrate. Would like to take the opportunity and experiment with Johnson on the right side of midfield with and otherwise unchanged side.

[danperkins]

He does, he's a decent player no doubt there at all but in terms of business in the summer it has turned out so far to be a shocking signing - if by the end of the season he's managed more than 15 games for us I'll change my tune but I can't see it happening.

IMO looking at Roy's signings so far, well first team signings:

Poulsen, Cole, The Konch, Meireles , Aurelio , not one of these have made an impact or have been a success as yet. Poulsen and Konch are poor full stop, Cole is way of form and Meireles although played out of position sometimes, hasn't really imposed himself on any game as yet and really needs to do more. No wonder Comelli has been brought in!!

[danperkins]

Actually i wouldn't mind seeing Johnson at RM instead of Meireles

[dww]

On the topic of the Wigan game:

Their defence is crap and if Torres is in form I think we'll win. They don't look as poor to me as their results would suggest. They can hold possession which if we stay true to form and allow them to do will limit our chances of a win.

There will be a few interesting selection decisions to be made if Soto and Johnson are back fit. I guess Wigan aren't a team we should worry about too much in the air though so perhaps the same back four as against Chelsea? Maybe the same entire team, as I can't think of anyone naturally to bring in the option of width or pace that might be wanted to open Wigan up.

[dww]

Will be an interesting game, I am not a fan of 4-4-2 but I guess if we are using it then Kuyt is essential upfront due to his workrate. Would like to take the opportunity and experiment with Johnson on the right side of midfield with and otherwise unchanged side.

I'm not sure a formation that uses Kuyt in the front two is very often a traditional 4-4-2. His workrate and tendency to drop deep mean that you aren't often out numbered in midfield and deep players should have a reasonably short 'out ball' most of the time.

[RichC]

IMO looking at Roy's signings so far, well first team signings:

Poulsen, Cole, The Konch, Meireles , Aurelio , not one of these have made an impact or have been a success as yet. Poulsen and Konch are poor full stop, Cole is way of form and Meireles although played out of position sometimes, hasn't really imposed himself on any game as yet and really needs to do more. No wonder Comelli has been brought in!!

Meireles has been getting better but played out of position for me most of the time.

The 1st half though against Chelsea was encouraging to say the least, we need to ensure we continue this and basically the same side that started there should be starting tomorrow night barring injury.

[Buzzo]

On the topic of the Wigan game:

Their defence is crap and if Torres is in form I think we'll win. They don't look as poor to me as their results would suggest. They can hold possession which if we stay true to form and allow them to do will limit our chances of a win.

There will be a few interesting selection decisions to be made if Soto and Johnson are back fit. I guess Wigan aren't a team we should worry about too much in the air though so perhaps the same back four as against Chelsea? Maybe the same entire team, as I can't think of anyone naturally to bring in the option of width or pace that might be wanted to open Wigan up.

I would go with the same team as against Chelsea, you have to really.
Nicking an early goal is crucial in games like this, kills the crowd and dents the home teams confidence. Hopefully Torres continues where he left of against Chelsea... we have missed you Fernando.

[danperkins]

Meireles has been getting better but played out of position for me most of the time.

The 1st half though against Chelsea was encouraging to say the least, we need to ensure we continue this and basically the same side that started there should be starting tomorrow night barring injury.

It would be a shame to change that side after the performance against Chelsea, especially Kelly at RB.

[Mostar]

i really hope he does, lad deserves it.

I think GJ deserve it too. He had a great game on Thursday and if we want attack minded option on the right then clearly he would be a wiser choice.

I agree about his quality but I'm pretty sure it wasn't a pay as you play deal (I admit I might be wrong here though).

In my opinion given his transfer record it was a bad move to sign him up again. It would have looked like a more reasonable gamble if it the decision hadn't been compounded by the loaning out of Insua which continues to look like madness.

The whole set of three transfers looks like a combination of desperation and ****ty internal politics to me. I can still see why Roy wanted Bombscare in but we seemed to pay far too much and he has proved as bad as I thought rather than as in tune with Roys thinking as I had hoped.

Definitely.

Having said that, Raul may turn out to be a very good signing if utilised in different position but Konk and Poulsen were awful signings that cannot be meaningfully justified by anybody who has any football brains.

[Icon]

So

-----------Pepe------------
Kelly - Carra - Soto? - Kon
----- Lucas - Raul -----
-------Maxi?-- SG-------
----------Kuy-----------
--------Torres--------

Ish...

[danperkins]

Looking at Wigan's squad they are very poor, should be no excuses not to beat these. Only danger i see would be Nzogbia and maybe Rodallega, apart from them they are very ordinary, backline is woeful too

[RichC]

It would be a shame to change that side after the performance against Chelsea, especially Kelly at RB.

Yup he most certainly deserves his spot tomorrow night and really should keep it for confidence reasons as well

I think if we start like we did against the rent boys we'll pick up another 3 points.

[Mostar]

Looking at Wigan's squad they are very poor, should be no excuses not to beat these. Only danger i see would be Nzogbia and maybe Rodallega, apart from them they are very ordinary, backline is woeful too

They do have few other decent players such as Diame and Alcaraz and it would be a big mistake to underestimate them.

They are capable of playing good football and could upset us if we don't get into this game with a winning mind set.

[danperkins]

-------------Reina---------------
Kelly-----Carra--Soto---Le Konch
Kuyt----Lucas---Gerrard--Maxi
-----------Meireles-------------
------------Torres--------------

OR

-------------Reina---------------
Kelly-----Carra-----Soto----Le Konch
Johnson----Lucas---Gerrard--Maxi
--------Kuyt-------Torres---------

OR

----------------Reina---------------
Kelly----Carra---Soto----Le Konch
Meireles--Lucas---Gerrard--Maxi
-------Kuyt----Torres-----------

[danperkins]

They do have few other decent players such as Diame and Alcaraz and it would be a big mistake to underestimate them.

They are capable of playing good football and could upset us if we don't get into this game with a winning mind set.

Not underestimating them, but they do have a poor team in comparison to ours, we should be winning, but i agree very plausible that they could cause us problems.