MATCHWATCH : Blackpool (a)

[Coppells Lost Coat]

Def need to try and exploit these gaps. In a twisted way, even if the 50/50s play still plug at them as they may pull up and use up the subs early on.
Its not a nice way to play but need to be ruthless this season.

[URZZZZ]

Right but you're suggesting plating Puscas with Ince and Hoillett? Dropping Meite to the bench.. unless I've misunderstood..

I'm just saying it's an option.
João clearly won't play 20 games at this rate, Long is already injured and Meite is not exactly Mr Consistent on the injury free front. He will pick a another one up, its guaranteed.

I wouldn't start Puscas up front on his own, would have to be in a 2 with Meite otherwise we may as well just start without a striker, he's been here long enough for us to know he just isn't effective as a lone striker. If we go with 1, it has to be Meite, if we go with 2 then yes, Puscas and Meite. All of that is assuming Joao isn't fit to start the game or is ruled out entirely, which doesn't seem to be the case.

Trouble is Meite struggles up top by himself too

If he is the only option we have up top, need to play to his strengths, build up down the flanks rather than through the middle and get crosses in for him. Futile playing through the middle and asking him to hold it up because he can’t do it and it really doesn’t play to his strengths

[Snowflake Royal]

I'd be tempted to start Azeez up top on his own over Puscas or Meite there.

And I don’t think Puscas and Meite work well as a pair.

[Hound]

I’d be amazed if Meite doesn’t start as our CF

He can do the role - as said just need to play to his strengths - balls out wide and crosses or through balls for him

Fwiw if he stays fit have a feeling he might really smash it this year. Looks proper up for it

[Coppells Lost Coat]

I'd be tempted to start Azeez up top on his own over Puscas or Meite there.

And I don’t think Puscas and Meite work well as a pair.

In a 442 they would, Meite wins enough in the air for Puscas to gamble on the 2nd ball. Puscas can finish. meite has the work ethic to drop in and fill the gaps out of possession.
Not that i am saying they should play. The above poster got it right, adapt the style of play rather than the formation. Get it wide, stretch the pitch, get crosses into the box rather than play through the lines, have a feeling we will go to a basic flat 433 with out Joao.

[URZZZZ]

I'd be tempted to start Azeez up top on his own over Puscas or Meite there.

And I don’t think Puscas and Meite work well as a pair.

More brawn than brain. Will be occasions where they can work really well together, like the 5-0 win over Luton but too often a lack of cohesion

Think J.Clarke has a really big future, would like to see him get a chance but given he’s had no pre-season with us, isn’t going to happen

Azeez needs a strong start to the season, started well last year but really tailed off and kept getting injured (guess he fit in well then)

[YorkshireRoyal99]

I'm just saying it's an option.
João clearly won't play 20 games at this rate, Long is already injured and Meite is not exactly Mr Consistent on the injury free front. He will pick a another one up, its guaranteed.

I wouldn't start Puscas up front on his own, would have to be in a 2 with Meite otherwise we may as well just start without a striker, he's been here long enough for us to know he just isn't effective as a lone striker. If we go with 1, it has to be Meite, if we go with 2 then yes, Puscas and Meite. All of that is assuming Joao isn't fit to start the game or is ruled out entirely, which doesn't seem to be the case.

Trouble is Meite struggles up top by himself too

If he is the only option we have up top, need to play to his strengths, build up down the flanks rather than through the middle and get crosses in for him. Futile playing through the middle and asking him to hold it up because he can’t do it and it really doesn’t play to his strengths

Yeah agree Meite struggles on his own, but he's still better than Puscas on his own. I'd start both, I think they could play off each other quite well if we could get them to play as a 2 as they are both different types of strikers. The link up play wouldn't be there with them naturally but if we can get enough quality into them both, through wide areas, into feet to get at defenders, in behind etc it would cause defences problems.

Bottom line is, I just hope Joao is fit enough to be effective even for just an hour-70 minutes of the game as he's obviously our best option in that area.

[WestYorksRoyal]

I’d be amazed if Meite doesn’t start as our CF

He can do the role - as said just need to play to his strengths - balls out wide and crosses or through balls for him

Fwiw if he stays fit have a feeling he might really smash it this year. Looks proper up for it

Meite never suited the ball being played into his feet and holding up, which the likes of Pauno and Gomes wanted from him. But if we were to play a more pragmatic style of balls in behind to run onto and crosses into the box, Meite could absolutely be the focal point.

[Snowflake Royal]

I'd be tempted to start Azeez up top on his own over Puscas or Meite there.

And I don’t think Puscas and Meite work well as a pair.

More brawn than brain. Will be occasions where they can work really well together, like the 5-0 win over Luton but too often a lack of cohesion

Think J.Clarke has a really big future, would like to see him get a chance but given he’s had no pre-season with us, isn’t going to happen

Azeez needs a strong start to the season, started well last year but really tailed off and kept getting injured (guess he fit in well then)

Yeah that. Neither has a reliable first touch, both a bit brute force.

[South Coast Royal]

Just a rumour (hopefully with no substance) but if Joao is indeed out for 8-10 weeks I would prefer a fit Long to run around and make a nuisance of himself for about 60 minutes and maybe get the occasional goal.

I agree with URRZZ that Meite isn't very effective playing through the middle-he looks as though he could be a bullying centre-forward and Ince has played him there presumably hoping for that but IMHO it doesn't work well enough and his is so much more effective from out wide (cue hat-trick at Blackpool ).

Have no idea what to expect for today's game with both clubs having a number of new players so would be happy with a draw and I wouldn't be surprised if this season was the direct opposite of last and we go away looking for 0-0s or 1-0 wins.

Still feels too early for the first game of the season but , as ever, am looking forward to it.

[Snowflake Royal]

I’d be amazed if Meite doesn’t start as our CF

He can do the role - as said just need to play to his strengths - balls out wide and crosses or through balls for him

Fwiw if he stays fit have a feeling he might really smash it this year. Looks proper up for it

Meite never suited the ball being played into his feet and holding up, which the likes of Pauno and Gomes wanted from him. But if we were to play a more pragmatic style of balls in behind to run onto and crosses into the box, Meite could absolutely be the focal point.

+1

[NathStPaul]

Not sure about anyone else but I just can't get up for it this season, just a bit meh at the moment. This will of course change when we are 0-4 up after 25 minutes.

[Hound]

I think the constant grind of negativity about us being favourites for relegation don’t help. And obvs last season was dreadful in the main

But I’m quite looking forward to it. Like the look of the squad and hoping to see a lot more fight and commitment

[SouthDownsRoyal]

Kind of agree.

As has been said years of nothingness makes it harder to get interested.

When it starts and we get a few games in it gets easier to get interested, I also find it harder to get interested until summer weather is over

I think we will be ok and the season will get more interesting

[Snowflake Royal]

Looking forward to the season. No expectations on success. I'm not about to get my hopes up after all the false dawns we've had.

[Zip]

If Joao is out I would have Puscas in the squad.

[skipper]

I'm absolutely pumped for this season. I think we have made some good acquisitions, and think we're going to be safely mid-table.

I also predict that a fit Meite is going to have a stomer.

[The Royal Forester]

Not sure about anyone else but I just can't get up for it this season, just a bit meh at the moment. This will of course change when we are 0-4 up after 25 minutes.

Your mood will probably change by full time, though!

[leon]

I think this season could go in a number of directions which is kind of interesting and worrying at the same time.

I think we need to go out and start smashing the opposition midfield hard become difficult to beat - we have to get a bit dirty but let’s not piss around like we have been for the last five seasons.

I really couldn’t give a fcuk about nice looking football.

[Royal_jimmy]

Welcome back north. Go from high 20 degree weather and no rain for the weeks to pissing it down in Blackpool and cold