Bench for Tomorrow

Crispy

The starting eleven will be the same as last week but just wondered if anyone thinks there will be any changes to the bench. Do we really need two centre midfielders? If he goes with one and with Stephens apparently fit then he gets the nod ahead of Russell for me. If Russell misses out, then it's between Waggy and Haynes for the last spot. Haynes has had a week with the side now and I think his pace and the possibility that he can play up front or on the wing puts him in for me. Harsh on Russell, Waggy and Hayes (dont know if we'll be seeing him again this season) but really does show the strength in depth we have and also how stupid going back to five subs instead of seven is.

So my subs would be Sullivan, Cort, Stephens, Haynes and Clarke

Any thoughts?

LargeAddick

agree with that.

PeakieRocket

Think that's what it will be - although if it was me I'd not have a keeper on the bench and stick Waggy or Evina in instead.

Taylor has spent a large part of his career as a keeper, so I'm sure we could handle the odd occasion that you actually change keepers during a game.

sam3110

I'd go with that too

Such a shame they scrapped the 7 sub rule, imagine the options with a bench of Sullivan, Cort, Evina, Wagstaff, Stephens, Haynes, Clarke, and Hayes, Hughes, Russell all to come in if you needed more attacking/defensive options

LenGlover

I think you've probably got it right.

If it was me I'd consider Waggy for Clarke given that Haynes is meant to be a striker really.

A double substitution of Haynes and Waggy against tiring defenders might prove interesting.

Rizzo

Not sure I'd go with both Clarke and Haynes on the bench.

Garrymanilow

I would based on the fact one's former Barnsley and one's former Sheff Wed. Between them surely they've got to get one against the Blades on principle

BlackForestReds

Sullivan, Cort, Stephens, Haynes and Clarke

A bit of an attacking bench - two strikers and a midfielder not averse to playing in the final third, I'd rather have Russell in for Haynes and have some defensive midfield cover.

Jints

I'd have Waggy instead of Clarke.

RoytheBoy

Agree with Crispy, except Russell in for Stephens, in case CP needs to tighten the team up near the end of 90 minutes defending a lead. If losing he has 2 forwards on the bench. Come on you Reds!

THEMCA

Agree with top! Exactly

MuttleyCAFC

Agree, I think Russell may get the nod ahead of Stephens

AddickedAthletic

Sullivan. Cort. Stephens he can open up a tight game. Hughes/Russell to close out a tight game. Haynes if fit, if not Waggy for me

SuperCliveMendonca

Sully, Cort Russell, Stephens, Clarke (Pritch can go right as cover, so Waggy loses out) - same as last week me thinks

Salad

agree with SCM same subs as last week

se9addick

Has Taylor actually spent any of his professional career as a keeper ?

cafcdan18

Sullivan, Cort, Stephens, Haynes and Clarke.

Stephens was used in a deeper holding role for Saints last season, albeit he only played a few games there. Therefore he is a very useful sub to have whatever position we are in after 60+ minutes.

Harsh on Waggy, Hughes, Russell and Hayes but thats the problem with the 5 sub rule.

O-Randy-Hunt

I'd have Hughes or russel in there rather than Clarke. 3 attacking players and no defensive mid

Mine would be sully, Cort, Hughes, stephens/waggy and haynes

Statto

Sullivan, Cort, Stephens, Waggy & Haynes. Has to be an attack minded bench for any home game.

daveroan

Hughes for me; defensive cover to close out with 20 minutes to go AND has Hughes been in a losing side? So Sullivan, Cort, Hughes,Haynes,Stephens.

peteshep1905

i think this is a game where russell coming off the bench will be more effective than stephens if we're holding onto a lead

covered_end_junior

I would have Sullivan,Cort,Stephens,Hayes and Haynes

Oggy Red

Taylor has plenty of senior non-league experience as a keeper, but not for several seasons now.

But that's not the point - Taylor & Morro have proved to be a very sound and effective partnership; it's the heart of a miserly defence.

Powell would want to keep it that way ( barring injury to either of them) and IMO would always name a keeper on the bench.

Bexley Dan

Very difficult to work out and if i'm honest i don't really know Sheff Utd's strengths and weaknesses which i guess will have a bearing but i doubt he won't put Haynes and Clarke on the bench having brought them in. One of Pritchard or Stephens on bench, the other starting so taht leaves Cort and then either Sullivan or Russell i would say. No place for Hughes, Waggy or Hayes.

Garrymanilow

This Matt Taylor played a bit of non-League as a keeper thing has to stop. Sullivan trains every day as a goalkeeper and people still thought he looked shaky when he came on. Anyone who thinks sticking Matt Taylor in goal with 5 minutes gone against Orient would have been anything other than a disaster needs their head checked. It's the toughest, most specialised position on the pitch. You go into a match with a proper back-up or you pay the price. It's never worth the risk

Oggy Red

Powelly has already said this week how difficult he finds it to name his bench, with so many players in our squad almost guaranteed a start at any other club in our division.

Anyway, that's what he tells reporters - but one thing is for sure, he's pretty decisive when making up his mind. So he'll pick his bench to suit each game.


The keeper and commanding CB picks itself; next he needs a CM to help close out a game if we're defending a lead - and an impact CM to unpick a tight defence should we be chasing a game.



Which leaves one place .......we've often seen Green subbed with about 20 mins left but instead of Waggy, Pritchard can cover wide. So no need for a winger on the bench.

Up front, the ball needs to stick otherwise it encourages opponents to pressure us, especially if they're chasing the game. If we lost Yann, who can do the job? No Hayes, so next best is Clarke.

Haynes' pace late on would be great - but perhaps too similar to BWP to play together, but fine to play off Yann.


So in conclusion: I don't really know haha

addick16

sullivan, evina, cort, stephens, hayes

Henry Irving

depends on who's carrying a knock, who's not fully fit, does Stephens start?

And how Sheffield Utd play. Do we need pace/height/hold up play up front depending on what their strengths and weaknesses are? Lots of good options and players which is what matters.

LargeAddick

think Haynes is a given. Brad's knees means he can't always last the pace so Haynes is a like for like replacement. Haynes has pace to take on tiring defences, Haynes can play wide right if really needed. Anyway he needs to be on the bench as he has got to come on to score the winner ;-)

heavenSE7

I agree, I reckon Powell changes the bench depending on who we are playing. We don't have the benefit of training with the squad so you never know who has picked up a knock etc.

Id go with Sullivan, Cort, Hughes def mid (also full back cover), Clarke, Haynes (winger/pacy striker) cover. With pritchard and Jackson both efffective in final third, I don't see the need for Stephens.

LargeAddick

Within two weeks Stephens will be back in the starting line up in my opinion.