It looks like we’ll have all our forwards back for the Wolves game so with all that choice who should McLeish start with. Jerome has been in great form of late but O’Connor and Phillips formed a good partnership back in September/October and have had two weeks since the last game to improve their fitness.
Howvever McFadden should be fit as well and there’s also Bent and Costly if we feel a more direct approach is necessary.
My choice would be for O’Connor and Jerome to start with Phillips and McFadden on the bench. Have your say by voting in the poll. Select the two players you think should start.
McFadden and O’connor
Any striker who seems to play alongside Jerome tends to have a quiet game because Jerome doesn’t make the right runs and doesn’t do the right things in holding up the ball – compared to a big man like Heskey.
Jerome is at his best with the focus on him and that’s why I think he looked to have made the step up in the first half of the season, in the Prem’, when we needed him to spearhead the attack in a deep playing team. If he did what he did v Blackburn (on the last day) every week then I’d happily change my mind!
Now we have all strikers back, I’d go for getting a partnership together for the run-in: O’Connor and Phillips. McFad off the bench – or out wide for the run-in.
Carl has made some good points, however I’d still start with Jerome and O Connor with Super Kev coming off the bench.
O’connor and phillips. Jerome is still better coming off the bench and superkev always scores against wolves. Mcfadden on the bench but with some match fitness starting wide left.
It doesn’t really matter too much who you play I’m pretty certain that we will nick a one goal win to cement our promotion to the top league and to leave you to battle it out with Reading and one or two others for the second promotion spot however i would say that Jerome caused us real problems at Molineux. Forget Phillips – his day has gone.
O’Connor and Costly… ha!
I think the forward line really will depnd on McLeish’s midfield tactics. When we played Wolves at Molineux he played Franck at LB and Murphy RM to add some defensive qualities to the midfield, particularly with their wingers.
If that happens again at St Andrews (knowing we cannot lose the game, but a draw would be acceptable) then we will need Jerome up front on the left to add some foward direction. Larsson should start on the right so I’d be willing to put O’Connor up there with Jerome. O’Connor has been effective at building in the middle and also being able to use his head should something come over from the wing.
If we can stem the wings (even though Kightly is out) The middle of the park will be where the game is won and lost. If Carsley is on his game and Bowyer can both support Carsley AND provide an avenue of route one penetration then we could go on to win. Phillips and McFadden on the bench, Phillips to come on late (70) IF we need a goal at that point .
The only direct approach Bent gives us is a direct approach to the Play-Offs