[lr9902]

Ok we are halfway through the season now and looking comfortable at top. During that time Hartley's mad quite a few changes to his starting line-up and tactics. What do you think should be our regular line-up and formation? Also, who do you think have been the outstanding performers? We can assume for now that McHattie will stay as well as May although that might change
I would go with: 4 4 1 1

GK: S.Bain
RB: M.Doyle
LB: K.McHattie
CB: B. Gordon
CB: R.Harding
CM: S.Masterton
CM: Ryan.McCord
LM: M.Docherty
RM: G.Holmes
CF: K.Cawley
ST: S.May

May and Ryan McCord have been the best in my opinion. I don't know why Hartley keeps putting darren young ahead of Masterton even if he is captain. I am hoping Ross philp can come back and mabye replace some of our erratic Cente backs.

[printer]

lr9902, on 22 January 2012 - 17:20, said:

Ok we are halfway through the season now and looking comfortable at top. During that time Hartley's mad quite a few changes to his starting line-up and tactics. What do you think should be our regular line-up and formation? Also, who do you think have been the outstanding performers? We can assume for now that McHattie will stay as well as May although that might change
I would go with: 4 4 1 1

GK: S.Bain
RB: M.Doyle
LB: K.McHattie
CB: B. Gordon
CB: R.Harding
CM: S.Masterton
CM: Ryan.McCord
LM: M.Docherty
RM: G.Holmes
CF: K.Cawley
ST: S.May

May and Ryan McCord have been the best in my opinion. I don't know why Hartley keeps putting darren young ahead of Masterton even if he is captain. I am hoping Ross philp can come back and mabye replace some of our erratic Cente backs.

Don't underestimate the importance of Darren Young to the team. Do you not remember how the midfield struggled defensively when he was out for a few games early in the season? Darren is captain for good reason; he is experienced, leads by example and ensures the midfield retains its shape. He also does a lot of the "dirty" work that perhaps doesn't catch the eye as much as the work of a Ryan McCord or Stevie Masterton, but is just as important to the team's recent unbeaten run. I imagine that Darren is one of the first names on the team sheet each week.

Having said that, a fit Masterton will bring a lot to the team. The manager now has a tricky decision for next week. Does he bring back Graeme Holmes, who has been pretty consistent all year, or start with the same eleven who were so good yesterday.

Difficult to argue with the rest of the team you list.

[lr9902]

printer, on 22 January 2012 - 17:59, said:

Don't underestimate the importance of Darren Young to the team. Do you not remember how the midfield struggled defensively when he was out for a few games early in the season? Darren is captain for good reason; he is experienced, leads by example and ensures the midfield retains its shape. He also does a lot of the "dirty" work that perhaps doesn't catch the eye as much as the work of a Ryan McCord or Stevie Masterton, but is just as important to the team's recent unbeaten run. I imagine that Darren is one of the first names on the team sheet each week.

Having said that, a fit Masterton will bring a lot to the team. The manager now has a tricky decision for next week. Does he bring back Graeme Holmes, who has been pretty consistent all year, or start with the same eleven who were so good yesterday.

Difficult to argue with the rest of the team you list.

I have to say I think you're probably right. So really its just down to Masterton or Holmes, either that or cut Cawley out who hasn't been nearly as good as he was at the start of the season and have 5 in midfield.

This post has been edited by lr9902: 22 January 2012 - 18:18

[wasp9]

No way would I cut out Cawley having him and May is what is making a big difference from the start of the season both One and Winters lacked pace having two guys with pace and skill upfront is why we beat Stranraer 4-0.

I would say the only decision the now is
Masterton or Holmes and I would take
Masterton as he will score more you could
see even in his first game he is always willing to take a shot. I like holmes but too often he passes up chances to shoot. Mastertons goal yesterday is one of my highlights of the season and would be dissapointed if he missed out next week.

This post has been edited by wasp9: 22 January 2012 - 18:31

[lr9902]

wasp9, on 22 January 2012 - 18:25, said:

No way would I cut out Cawley having him and May is what is making a big difference from the start of the season both One and Winters lacked pace having two guys with pace and skill upfront is why we beat Stranraer 4-0.

I would say the only decision the now is
Masterton or Holmes and I would take
Masterton as he will score more you could
see even in his first game he is always willing to take a shot. I like holmes but too often he passes up chances to shoot. Mastertons goal yesterday is one of my highlights of the season and would be dissapointed if he missed out next week.

Yeah Holmes has been very consistent but masterton has shone when he has played and is probably one of the best midfielders in the league when fit. However that means either Ryan McCord will have to be RM when he definetly plays better at CM where he control the game more or we can go to something like a 4 1 3 1 1, have Young playing behind a central three of docherty, masterton and McCord with Doyle and McHattie overlapping.

[CasperJarrot]

printer, on 22 January 2012 - 17:59, said:

Don't underestimate the importance of Darren Young to the team. Do you not remember how the midfield struggled defensively when he was out for a few games early in the season? Darren is captain for good reason; he is experienced, leads by example and ensures the midfield retains its shape. He also does a lot of the "dirty" work that perhaps doesn't catch the eye as much as the work of a Ryan McCord or Stevie Masterton, but is just as important to the team's recent unbeaten run. I imagine that Darren is one of the first names on the team sheet each week.

Having said that, a fit Masterton will bring a lot to the team. The manager now has a tricky decision for next week. Does he bring back Graeme Holmes, who has been pretty consistent all year, or start with the same eleven who were so good yesterday.

Difficult to argue with the rest of the team you list.

Paul Hartley is spoilt for choice at the moment but surely he must stick with the same starting 11 after such an outstanding result ?

I go along with the old adage , you don't change a winning team.

[dunkindonut]

CasperJarrot, on 22 January 2012 - 21:48, said:

Paul Hartley is spoilt for choice at the moment but surely he must stick with the same starting 11 after such an outstanding result ?

I go along with the old adage , you don't change a winning team.

According to his article on the club site, Paul has given the team Tuesday off and they will train Thursday. I can see him playing the same team for the game on Saturday and the midweek 'game in hand' against Peterhead and then maybe resting a couple of players. The benefit of using a 'squad' system, players should be able slot into the team without any dip in quality or team performance.

[lr9902]

CasperJarrot, on 22 January 2012 - 21:48, said:

Paul Hartley is spoilt for choice at the moment but surely he must stick with the same starting 11 after such an outstanding result ?

I go along with the old adage , you don't change a winning team.

That's a point actually, I didn't get to the Stranraer match. I know the lineup but what was the tactics to the match.
Also, got bad news. Kevin McHattie's loan could not be extended and he has returned to Hearts. Sorry to see him go as he was a good player but even more worrying is what Hartley's going to do about it. He could:

a) Bring in a ton of trialists as he did in the summer and hope we get a new leftback

b) Play either Ross Philp or Mark McCullagh out of position at left back which might be risky

c) Play Docherty at left back like at the start of the season (where he was pretty useless) and mess about with who goes left mid

[lr9902]

lr9902, on 22 January 2012 - 19:00, said:

Yeah Holmes has been very consistent but masterton has shone when he has played and is probably one of the best midfielders in the league when fit. However that means either Ryan McCord will have to be RM when he definetly plays better at CM where he control the game more or we can go to something like a 4 1 3 1 1, have Young playing behind a central three of docherty, masterton and McCord with Doyle and McHattie overlapping.

Throw Ross McCord into the mix aswell and Hartley's got himself a selection headache. At the start of the season when the two McCords played togerther they linked up really well even though Ross spent a lot of time on the wing. The two of them combining in the centre of the park would be difficult to handle for any opposition midfield.