I think this is a really difficult team to pick. I think we have to try something different to try and score more goals.

I’m going to play a 433 formation in the hope that the wingers will stay further up the pitch and hopefully provide more crosses.

Pope
Lowton Tarks Mee Pieters
Brownhill, Cork Westwood
Brady, Wood, Mcneil

I’d be inclined to agree. I know Dyche likes to stick with what we’re good at, but even though we’ve generally been grinding results out we really need to find a way to create more chances. On that basis, it makes more sense to play one out of form striker rather than two.

I would certainly bench Wood for starters and play either Jay or Vydra or both and bench Ashley as well.
Would also hope Taylor is fit to play.

Pope
Lowton Tarkowski Mee Taylor (if fit)
Brady Westwood Brownhill McNeil
Wood Vydra

For me it has to be the same side that started against United , but with McNeil in for JBG , Brady on the right and a change up top around 55-60 minutes of Wood or Barnes still aren’t at it. Hard really as I would like to see Vydra form the start to see if he can change things up for us a bit.

Pope
Lowton
Taylor
Mee
Tarkowski
JBG
Westwood
Brownhill
Brady
McNeil
Vydra

Newcastleclaret93 wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 13, 2021 8:45 pm

I think this is a really difficult team to pick. I think we have to try something different to try and score more goals.

I’m going to play a 433 formation in the hope that the wingers will stay further up the pitch and hopefully provide more crosses.

Pope
Lowton Tarks Mee Pieters
Brownhill, Cork Westwood
Brady, Wood, Mcneil

I dont think Dyche will or should make such a change cos we're picking up points at the moment but I think with JBG for Brady we could play a 4-5-1 like we did the season we came 7th

Westwood would play the Defour role, Brownhill with his energy could play the Hendrick rolr and McNeil would replace Brady on the left

Think we could play some really good football and pick up points plus Jay could potentially play up top or as one of the wide players if a player is out of form or injured.

As it is I think Dyche will stick with his safe 4-4-2 and I cant blame as since our poor start we're doing ok

Pope
Bardsley Tarks Mee Brady
JBG Brownhill Westwood Pieters
Wood Vydra

This is a game that Wood should definitely start in . He's got a great record of scoring against West Ham plus he's bigger than their centre halves .

I’m with Woodley, just one change from yesterday’s line up. Vydra for Barnes. Wood could give West Ham’s defence problems provided he gets the service. Getting a little tired of Barnes theatricals at the moment although he is winning free kicks but little else to offer. I know he scored the other week but I think it is the ideal game to give Vydra the start. Knowing Dyche though, he won’t.

Jenny55 wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 13, 2021 9:13 pm

I’m with Woodley, just one change from yesterday’s line up. Vydra for Barnes. Wood could give West Ham’s defence problems provided he gets the service. Getting a little tired of Barnes theatricals at the moment although he is winning free kicks but little else to offer. I know he scored the other week but I think it is the ideal game to give Vydra the start. Knowing Dyche though, he won’t.

Surely McNeill comes in?

No, I wouldn’t start McNeil. The young lad is off his game at the moment and Brady is playing well.

Jenny55 wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 13, 2021 9:13 pm

I’m with Woodley, just one change from yesterday’s line up. Vydra for Barnes. Wood could give West Ham’s defence problems provided he gets the service. Getting a little tired of Barnes theatricals at the moment although he is winning free kicks but little else to offer. I know he scored the other week but I think it is the ideal game to give Vydra the start. Knowing Dyche though, he won’t.

Woodley is also suggesting that Lowton is dropped and Brady plays at left back.

Didn’t see that sorry, I dived in and thought only one change. Watching Spurs game whilst dipping into UTC. My mistake.

Jenny55 wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 13, 2021 9:17 pm

No, I wouldn’t start McNeil. The young lad is off his game at the moment and Brady is playing well.

No need to drop Brady, McNeil has shown he can play behind the striker.

McNeil has got to be first name on the team sheet for me.

Our best footballer and most likely player to create a chance.

Same as United game but with McNeil in for JBG

Difficult one for Dyche but suspect he'll start with the same 11 as against United
unless Taylor is fit and then he's in for Pieters.
Much will depend on how the game goes but if Wood and Barnes aren't performing
well then hope he'll bring on Jayrod, Vydra and/or McNeil much earlier.

Newcastleclaret93 wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 13, 2021 10:01 pm

McNeil has got to be first name on the team sheet for me.

Our best footballer and most likely player to create a chance.

And the player to get Chris Wood scoring

Pope
Lowton Tarkowski Mee Taylor
Brady Westwood Brownhill McNeil
Wood Rodriguez

The Enclosure wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 13, 2021 8:51 pm

Would also hope Taylor is fit to play.

I'd very much doubt it

ClaretMov wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 13, 2021 11:35 pm

Pope
Lowton Tarkowski Mee Taylor
Brady Westwood Brownhill McNeil
Wood Rodriguez

yeah like the look of that team but sub Wood much earlier for Vydra if he is struggling again.

MDWat wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 13, 2021 8:57 pm

Pope
Lowton Tarkowski Mee Taylor (if fit)
Brady Westwood Brownhill McNeil
Wood Vydra

No chance he's dropping Barnes but this would also be my team.

same as against Man United

Wood and Barnes have good records v WHU

WOOD
WOOD WOOD WOOD WOOD
WOOD WOOD WOOD WOOD
WOOD POPE

If McNeill is fully fit he has to start
The only player who can actually beat an opposing full back with pace and get nearer to the byline before crossing
Our strikers are having to deal constantly with their backs to the goal trying to hold on to long punts with CB's up their backs
Having the chance to use their height and strength whilst facing the opposition's goal would make a hell of a difference to their performances
He would then replace either JBG or Brady
Would like to see at least one change up top
But it won't happen

I think we will go with the same side that started against Man united. Personally i would put mcneil back in but without minutes JBG will never get his form or confidence back and at the moment Brady has worked hard and earnt his place so it is a tough decision. I would also change up the front two either one being rested for Jay Rod but again its a tough choice. Dyche wanted competition for places and now that is exactly what he has got. Either way he is paid handsomely to make these decisions so I'm sure he relishes the challenge

Jenny55 wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 13, 2021 9:17 pm

No, I wouldn’t start McNeil. The young lad is off his game at the moment and Brady is playing well.

So is Wood, and we all know he’ll undoubtedly be starting.

Pope
Lowton Tarks Mee Taylor if fit
Brady Westwood brownhill mcniel (JBG as a genuine bench option)
Wood Vydra

I think woody and Vydra would cause West Ham a lot of problems.

Dyche was happy with the performance, so despite Wood having a stinker I'd be surprised to see him dropped. He's very much of the opinion to keep things as they are if the team performance is good.

May have been different if Vydra took one his chances against United. But I certainly hope he gets the chance to come on sooner. It's pretty rare recently for both Wood and Barnes to play well so after 60 mins it should be clear who should make way.

Vegas Claret wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 14, 2021 1:56 am

same as against Man United

Wood and Barnes have good records v WHU

In my reckoning, Wood has 6 goals in the last 6 games v WHU, didnt get one in the 3-0 home win but got 2 in that (in)famous 3-0 away win. Difficult to leave him out.

LeadBelly wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 14, 2021 12:55 pm

In my reckoning, Wood has 6 goals in the last 6 games v WHU, didnt get one in the 3-0 home win but got 2 in that (in)famous 3-0 away win. Difficult to leave him out.

It's difficult to leave Wood out in general because we rely so heavily on his goals. This is the rock and hard place where Dyche finds himself.

Pope

Bardsley Tarkowski Mee Pieters

Brady Westwood Cork McNeill

Barnes Wood

Poor that he's been I'd leave Wood in the team for now and pick Vydra to play alongside him. It makes the classic big guy/small quick guy partnership and to me is worth a punt because Barnes and Wood just aren't pulling up any trees right now and I can't see Vydra and Barnes being a success.

Pope

Bardsley Tarks Mee Pieters

Brady Westwood Cork McNeil

Jay Wood

Pope
Lowton Tarky Mee Taylor
JBG Brownhill Westwood Brady
McNeil
Jay or Vydra

If McNeil is not ready to start then Jay and Vyds up top.
Let's play some footy like we did last season, rather than lumping it upto a bloke more interested in falling over and wrestling with the defenders.

It stops all our momentum and/or loses us possession.

I don't know why we bother with these threads as there won't be any changes but

Pope
Lowton
Tarky
Mee
Pieters
Brady
Westy
Brownhill
McNeil
JayRod
Vydra

Bring Wood on last 20 when we are going for it a bit more. He might get an easy chance in the box to get his confidence back up.
This side should play a bit more football.

Pope
Dunne, Tarks, Mee
Lowton Pieters
Westwood Cork
McNeil
Jay Rod Vydra

Pope
Lowton
Tarks
Mee
Pieters
Brady
Brownhill
Westwood
McNeil
Wood
Vydra

Defence picks itself, and Robbie & Dwight are our most likely creative sparks, and as others have mentioned I like the little and large partnership up top, if Wood can win some aerial balls, then Vydra offers us a different threat running in behind, in a way that the 2 big men don't, yes Wood is off colour, but he relishes facing West Ham, and if he's going to end his drought they're the most likely team for him to do so against.

Goalkeeper and back 4 pick themselves. JBG, Brownhill, Westwood and Dwight in midfield. I would then like to see Brady in a roving role behind Rodriguez up top.

Cork to replace Brownhill ?

Is this the same Brownhill who is the cm with genuine pace
Is the cm with the most interceptions in the Prem League this season
Is the cm who can actually put in a tackle rather than just get yellows for tripping people up or kicking the ball away

If not then totally agree !

Pope
Lowton - Tarks - Mee - Pieters
Brady - Westwood - Brownhill - McNeil
Vydra
JRod

cork will be in for brownhil

Funkydrummer wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 14, 2021 8:24 am

WOOD
WOOD WOOD WOOD WOOD
WOOD WOOD WOOD WOOD
WOOD POPE

Bit controversial that, Funky? .......Pope as a striker? Is that instead of whatshisname, I forget it now?

rob63 wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 14, 2021 3:28 pm

Bit controversial that, Funky? .......Pope as a striker? Is that instead of whatshisname, I forget it now?

Wood is a bit weaker on the lefthand side when playing up front. Thought Pope could
join him and add that bit of something different as couldn't think of anyone else suitable.

pope
lowton tarkowski mee pieters (taylor if fit)
jbg brownhill westwood brady
mcneil
wood

Funkydrummer wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 14, 2021 8:24 am

WOOD
WOOD WOOD WOOD WOOD
WOOD WOOD WOOD WOOD
WOOD POPE

Made me laugh.

Funkydrummer wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 14, 2021 8:24 am

WOOD
WOOD WOOD WOOD WOOD
WOOD WOOD WOOD WOOD
WOOD POPE

Ridiculous

Given his lack of outfield game time and pitch geography Pope would be caught offside on numerous occasions

I''ll be very surprised if it's not the same side as for the Utd game.
Maybe McNeil for JBG.

jojomk1 wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 14, 2021 6:51 pm

Ridiculous

Given his lack of outfield game time and pitch geography Pope would be caught offside on numerous occasions

He'll have plenty of company.