Popular Post lapal_fan Posted January 23, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted January 23, 2018 How about this; I think Whelan has overall been pretty good this year. He's made two howlers, which have led to goals, but he's intercepted key passes, tackled, got in good positions to get the opposition to play backwards, not forwards - really well on numerous occasions. He's definitely not in any goal conceded deficit or anything. That said, against Forest and Barnsley, Thor was very good. Defensively, he's more sloppy, he made a pretty crappy tackle in the first half against Barnsley and I was surprised he didn't get a yellow. He also made a couple of sloppy passes. But, when he got the ball, his first thought was to get it to our forwards, which is something Whelan isn't great at doing. He much prefers to play it to our full backs or defence (obviously not all the time). I think the problem with that sometimes is that is can stifle attacks because it allows opponents to get back into position quicker. If the ball is already behind them, they can't get back quickly enough to cover. 2 of our goals came from directness on Saturday - I think maybe there is enough evidence to say that maybe, if Whelan was on the pitch, the ball wouldn't have been played forward quickly enough to score those goals. Thor is more mobile, and his nature is to be direct (Iceland play that way). He isn't as good defensively though, his positioning can be a bit erratic. At home to Barnsley? I'd have picked Thor too. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubberman Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 Horses for courses innit. I'd probably bench Thor for Sheffield when we are likely to need more defensive solidity (assuming Jedi / Whelan are fit), but start him at home to Burton when we should be attacking and aiming to up our goal difference, 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Posted January 23, 2018 VT Supporter Share Posted January 23, 2018 Id prefer Jedinak for Sheffield as hes by far the better defensive minded of the 2 and i think we will need that. However id like to see us shift to a more attacking line up as the season draws on and i think Thor offers much more here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AvfcRigo82 Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 If Jedi is not fit I would start Thor then bring on Tuanzebe for the last 30 or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobzy Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 Forgive me if I'm wrong, but didn't we bring back Jedinak against Sheffield United recently and he was woeful/made errors for both their goals? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Albrighton Posted January 23, 2018 VT Supporter Share Posted January 23, 2018 3 minutes ago, bobzy said: Forgive me if I'm wrong, but didn't we bring back Jedinak against Sheffield United recently and he was woeful/made errors for both their goals? Yes, he played in central defence, scored one and was at fault for their goals. Particularly the second one, if I recall correctly. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eastie Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 7 minutes ago, bobzy said: Forgive me if I'm wrong, but didn't we bring back Jedinak against Sheffield United recently and he was woeful/made errors for both their goals? As a defensive midfielder he is very decent - as a centre half not so as we saw against the blades. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobzy Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 Just now, Eastie said: As a defensive midfielder he is very decent - as a centre half not so as we saw against the blades. I agree - but we brought him back arguably "too soon" previously, and it didn't work out so well. Should we drop a relatively-in-form (OMG! only 120 mins or so!) player to get him in straight away again? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eastie Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 1 minute ago, bobzy said: I agree - but we brought him back arguably "too soon" previously, and it didn't work out so well. Should we drop a relatively-in-form (OMG! only 120 mins or so!) player to get him in straight away again? 50/50 on this one - merits to be had in both cases - looking at the opposition though I think jedinak might be the better choice for this game and his height could also be an advantage - I expect sheff to attack is quite a lot and hopefully we can pick them off on the break . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sne Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 Just now, bobzy said: I agree - but we brought him back arguably "too soon" previously, and it didn't work out so well. Should we drop a relatively-in-form (OMG! only 120 mins or so!) player to get him in straight away again? IMO we certainly should not. He (Jedi) needs to be 100% fit and in match form to start games, both to avoid yet another injury and because he's already immobile and limited as it is. Same goes for Whelan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eastie Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 1 minute ago, sne said: IMO we certainly should not. He (Jedi) needs to be 100% fit and in match form to start games, both to avoid yet another injury and because he's already immobile and limited as it is. Same goes for Whelan. He certainly needs to be be fully for bit how would he be in match form without starting games ? i certainly see the benefit of barney more in home games where we are looking to be more on the front foot and dictate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sne Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 1 minute ago, Eastie said: He certainly needs to be be fully for bit how would he be in match form without starting games ? i certainly see the benefit of barney more in home games where we are looking to be more on the front foot and dictate Sub appearances and U23's? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobzy Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 6 minutes ago, Eastie said: 50/50 on this one - merits to be had in both cases - looking at the opposition though I think jedinak might be the better choice for this game and his height could also be an advantage - I expect sheff to attack is quite a lot and hopefully we can pick them off on the break . Interesting view - Sheffield United tend to keep the ball on the ground and a lot of their good work comes from the midfield links between Fleck, Brooks and Duffy; none of who are of any great height (I'd guess they're all about 5ft 9 or so). We need legs in there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eastie Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 1 minute ago, sne said: Sub appearances and U23's? The odd 20 minutes isn’t going to help much - if jedinak is fit I’d be tempted to play him at sheff - if not stick with barney - either way whelan would be 3rd choice for me . Bruce showed he is not afraid of dropping in form players when elphick missed out , I think jedinak may offer more in this particular match - but not so much at home . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Posted January 23, 2018 VT Supporter Share Posted January 23, 2018 2 minutes ago, bobzy said: Interesting view - Sheffield United tend to keep the ball on the ground and a lot of their good work comes from the midfield links between Fleck, Brooks and Duffy; none of who are of any great height (I'd guess they're all about 5ft 9 or so). We need legs in there. interesting point! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eastie Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 4 minutes ago, bobzy said: Interesting view - Sheffield United tend to keep the ball on the ground and a lot of their good work comes from the midfield links between Fleck, Brooks and Duffy; none of who are of any great height (I'd guess they're all about 5ft 9 or so). We need legs in there. Was thinking more about his height at set pieces for us than his heading ability in midfield but I’d be happy enough with either to be honest - both have their merits and it’s a nice position to be in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCJonah Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 Have to stick with thor just for the message it sends. This period now we need everyone motivated and fighting to be part of the team. Would knock a few players, including thor if he was dropped. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srsmithusa Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 15 minutes ago, DCJonah said: Have to stick with thor just for the message it sends. This period now we need everyone motivated and fighting to be part of the team. Would knock a few players, including thor if he was dropped. I agree with you. But Elphick may not. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vive_La_Villa Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 So is he staying? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junxs Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 7 hours ago, Stevo985 said: Whelan got MOTM 3 games in a row during our good run earlier in the season (well, I think it was 3. Was at least 2). Wasnt that when fans were being sarcastic when he was out of the team and voting him man of the match? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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