Final Midfield Spot

[willett]

Who will take that final central midfield spot next weekend alongside Aribo and Cullen?

[dartford36]

I was surprised that Morgan was hooked at half time. Maybe the occasion got to him or it was a tactical move by Bowyer. I would probably go with some experience of a big occasion and maybe pick Pratley from the start with Albie on the bench. It also depends on where Bielik will play.
What has occurred to me is that Ben Reeves hasn’t featured in either game. I’ve not read that he’s injured. Have I missed something?

[Nick]

After last night, I think Pratley will get it, especially when you consider we’re up against Cattermole, Leadbitter and Power, who are all quite tenacious.

[oldred]

Maybe after last night , Pratley will be a consideration. I prefer when we play our usual formation, and Bielik can make his driving runs forward . He looked worn out last night , and as well as many others gave the ball away often .

I thought Josh Cullen was the only one of our midfielders who looked anything like his normal self .

[DFT]

I know he scored but I think Bielik was very poor last night. I know he is normally much better. Where is Reeves?

[tonyshootersbull]

Williams

[seriouslyred]

Reeves is collecting splinters! Bielik is a star - just that his distribution was poor last night.

Perhaps best look at the team and highlights of our last encounter with Sunderland - Bowyer was down there the other night and will have a view.

[Deleted]

May 18, 2019 13:38:56 GMT DFT said:

I know he scored but I think Bielik was very poor last night. I know he is normally much better. Where is Reeves?

Leaving the Club in the Summer. I would still have him on the bench. Apart from Williams we had nobody on the bench to change the game.

[wellingaddick]

May 18, 2019 13:25:18 GMT dartford36 said:

I was surprised that Morgan was hooked at half time. Maybe the occasion got to him or it was a tactical move by Bowyer. I would probably go with some experience of a big occasion and maybe pick Pratley from the start with Albie on the bench. It also depends on where Bielik will play.
What has occurred to me is that Ben Reeves hasn’t featured in either game. I’ve not read that he’s injured. Have I missed something?

Albie is going to be a great player for us, but after the first 5 minutes last night, he simply wasn't in the game. I've a feeling LB will want to put more resolve into the midfield for the final, so I expect Pratley to get the nod over Williams for the starting berth.

[bexleyboy]

Think we will go with the diamond .. Belik Cullen Aribo and Williams in the number 10 role .....

[reamsofverse]

Reeves wasn't even in the changing room celebrating with the players last night but to answer the question why not the forgotten man....Jake Forster-Caskey?

One thing I would do though is not play Parker, his was so ineffective last night and he can't possibly start against Sunderland.

[Deleted]

I have heard that Igor Vetokele was also in the changing room and Not in Spain as I posted.

[Deleted]

JF CASKEY to score the winner at Wembley its in the stars i tell you.

[pulled off at half time]

Bielik lacked his normal composure on the ball , but the whole team after they equalised seemed to be forcing it , just hope they can all learn from this performance. Huge difference from they way they moved the ball lately in the league
I like Williams directness and thought he made a difference

[Deleted]

May 18, 2019 16:47:47 GMT @matttees said:

I have heard that Igor Vetokele was also in the changing room and Not in Spain as I posted.

I have a sneaky feeling that, Igor may feature.
Positive Twitter post from him, that makes clear that he was there watching.
I believe I heard in one of Lee Bowyers interviews that state injured players returning, and I thought the only definite injury was Igor.

[jonkool]

May 18, 2019 14:07:40 GMT seriouslyred said:

Reeves is collecting splinters! Bielik is a star - just that his distribution was poor last night.

Perhaps best look at the team and highlights of our last encounter with Sunderland - Bowyer was down there the other night and will have a view.

Not sure I agree with you on Bielik last night.

His body language was that of an individual who was uncomfortable in his environment - his decision making was poor despite scoring so early.

By contrast Cullen performed at a high level of consistency throughout which was matched by Pratley when he came on.

It was interesting that Phillips really enjoyed the drama - his tough experience being no 2 to Jed Steer has steeled him to adversity and it was no coincidence that after he handled himself admirably during the match and the pens, he was leading the boys in the locker room on the Twist & Shout video. A future skipper in the making?

However the good news is that Bow & Jacko can use the whole experience in readiness to prepare the boys for Sunday.

Sunderland have experience in the midfield - Bow may wish to add Pratley to Cullen Aribo and Bielik unless of course he wants to take the game to the Black Cats with Jonny Williams.

There’s plenty for Bow and us to ponder on 🤔

[Mundell]

May 18, 2019 19:58:31 GMT jonkool said:

May 18, 2019 14:07:40 GMT seriouslyred said:

Reeves is collecting splinters! Bielik is a star - just that his distribution was poor last night.

Perhaps best look at the team and highlights of our last encounter with Sunderland - Bowyer was down there the other night and will have a view.

Not sure I agree with you on Bielik last night.

His body language was that of an individual who was uncomfortable in his environment - his decision making was poor despite scoring so early.

By contrast Cullen performed at a high level of consistency throughout which was matched by Pratley when he came on.

It was interesting that Phillips really enjoyed the drama - his tough experience being no 2 to Jed Steer has steeled him to adversity and it was no coincidence that after he handled himself admirably during the match and the pens, he was leading the boys in the locker room on the Twist & Shout video. A future skipper in the making?

However the good news is that Bow & Jacko can use the whole experience in readiness to prepare the boys for Sunday.

Sunderland have experience in the midfield - Bow may wish to add Pratley to Cullen Aribo and Bielik unless of course he wants to take the game to the Black Cats with Jonny Williams.

There’s plenty for Bow and us to ponder on 🤔

I agree re Bielik. At one point during the first half I thought he’d completely lost plot. Reminded me a bit of Rochdale A when Bowyer hooked him at half-time. Moving him into the back three seemed to settle him, but I’m not sure that’s the best solution for the final. Bowyer needs to try to calm him down and get him to play steadily and less ambitiously.

The atmosphere seemed to get to the players last night. Let’s hope they cope better at Wembley. The experience of having played there in the EFL Final in front of 85,000 might give Sunderland a slight edge.

[Deleted]

What went wrong on Friday was not the poor individual performances, of which there were many, but the total lack of support on the right where Donny had an out ball time and time again.

[lightning]

May 18, 2019 16:22:34 GMT reamsofverse said:

Reeves wasn't even in the changing room celebrating with the players last night but to answer the question why not the forgotten man....Jake Forster-Caskey?

One thing I would do though is not play Parker, his was so ineffective last night and he can't possibly start against Sunderland.

Reeves was in the dressing room! Can be clearly seen at the back of the ‘twist and shout video’! Apparently has a minor calf strain. Personally I hope he’s fit for Sunday. Easily our most positive midfielder and the only one who can take a decent corner! It’s the sort of game that could be decided by a set piece.