The Big Verdict: the team to keep us up

Last updated : 11 April 2008 By Chris C
Who do you see as our key players in the run-in?

Peattie B: Stern John will need to be on top of his game as the season comes to a close. He is our only player who has managed to find the net with some sort of consistency and must be at his predatory best.

One of the other strikers needs to get in some kind of rhythm, Saga has been poor all season, Bradley Wright-Phillips has had his ups and downs and Pericard doesn't look too useful. Perhaps after the reserves performance midweek McGoldrick or Baseya might have a chance to make an impact.

Our defence whoever it will contain must be at their best. Organisation is the key as well as confidence in your keeper. In between the sticks Richard Wright does look set to continue for the time being and he has been doing well, though Kelvin Davis is knocking of the door. Pearson has got some tough selection decisions to make.

It remains to be seen whether Wayne Thomas can push his way back into the team after Chris Lucketti's debut performance that showed a lot of grit and commitment in particular a couple of last ditch blocks.

Goals from midfield has been a problem this season and our creative players (Licka, Surman and Hammill) in midfield must chip-in. If Nathan Dyer can get fit even enough for the bench before the end of the season his pace down the flank and on the counter-attack could provide a vital weapon.

Matt: The key players for me would be the following:

Stern John - if other strikers do not find their game then he has to score goals. It is as simple as that. If he does not score then we will struggle.

Andrew Surman - he was key at the end of last season and his passion for the club is being questioned now. If he cares that much about his boyhood side then he needs to perform - he needs to keep us up!

What are your thoughts on Nigel Pearson, his selections and tactics?

Peattie B: When he was announced as manager I did fear the worst, as we had appointed a coach with this being his first solo management job, but he has won me round. Under Burley I felt we lacked motivation and at times the Scot looked a lost lonely figure on the touch line, but with Pearson this is not the case.

From the first minute to the last he is practically on the pitch bellowing instructions and motivating the team. I think part of his whole ethos showed after the Bradley Wright-Phillips and Nathan Dyer CCTV incident, where they were punished as much as possible by club policy.

His man management skills have been a boost for the whole squad and for one man in particular, Jason Euell. His performances recently have shown determination, fight and even the odd goal! Pearson has played a big part in this and long may it continue. Although it is only a small point, when he makes the players come over and thank the fans especially away from home it's what I want to see and the way he came right over and apologised at Hull takes guts.

My only problems with his team selection is at times we lack width. This is partly down to a lack of wide-men in the squad. Nathan Dyer has been a big miss, but under his regime Surman and Hammill have struggled to feature and these are the type of player who can create that one all important chance. I know both have blown hot and cold this season but in the run-in I think they need to be in the squad as they could be the difference.

Matt: I like Nigel Pearson. I think he has passion and a good leadership. Certain players have improved under him such as Euell. He dropped him in the first few games of his reign and I think it served Euell a kick in the ass. He has been performing well since.

Mario Licka has been very good as well. A player that was never given a chance under Burley but who has seemed superb since getting his chance under Pearson. Sometimes his tactics are bizarre but I suppose it is not really his squad at the moment.

If he plays 4-5-1 then I presume he is looking at keeping things tight as his only objective is keeping us up. I have enjoyed seeing a manager who is full of emotion. I think it is great and can only pass on over to the team!

What would be your first choice eleven?

Peattie B: Firstly, I would just like to state that if Davies and Dyer were fit they would be the first names on the team sheet, however as they are out my line up would be as follows:

GK Richard Wright: Has shown what he can do since arriving, think he deserves to keep his place in the team at the moment.
RB Jermaine Wright: Despite a lot of criticism this season he has got better at full back. He can read the game well and is a good passer of the ball
LB Gregory Vignal: With an absence of left backs he is really the only option, hopefully if we get anymore penalties he will have the cool head needed to put them away.
CB Wayne Thomas: Has had his ups and downs, but considering what we have fit, he is the best we've got.
CB Chris Lucketti: After his impressive debut lets hope he can use all his experience to help guide us to safety.
RM Mario Licka: The forgotten man under Burley has shown what a useful player he can be. He has an eye for goal and I have been very impressed with his delivery from corners.
LM Andrew Surman: Has struggled to get in the team under Pearson but our survival means as much to him as it does to every fan.
CM Youseff Safri: Need him to do what he does best, sit in front of the back four and dictate the tempo.
CM Jhon Viafara: Need his commitment and fight in the middle of park.
CF Stern John: A dead cert. Without his goals we would be lost already, a few more would cap an impressive first season.
CF Bradley Wright-Phillips: Since the CCTV fiasco he has a point to prove and with him upfront we seem more dangerous than with any of the others on current form.

R. Wright
J. Wright, Lucketti, Thomas, Vignal
Licka, Viafara, Safri, Surman
John, Wright-Phillips


Matt: Tricky one here. There is so much choice but here it is:

R. Wright
Ostlund, Thomas, Davies
(ed: that's cheating!), Vignal
Dyer, Viafara, Safri, Surman
John, Saganowski

I like this team. We would have to strong central midfielders and two wide players who can get forward and help create chances. The back four on paper looks very strong and a quality keeper behind them only helps out with their confidence.

Saganowski has not performed as he did last season - but I would say he is first choice as we all know what he is capable of. With this team playing to its best I think we would comfortably stay up.

Dyer is nearing fitness and has a point to prove after his run in with the law. His pace and creativity can be vital to us. We have missed him more than anyone I would say.

So, a few differences of opinion over personnel, particularly on the flanks, but the spine of the team is consistent with R. Wright, Thomas, Safri, Viafara and John featuring in both line-ups. As Matt says we still have a relatively large squad after the recent spate of loans, but it will all be down to bottle and that little bit of extra quality to get us through.

Many thanks to Peattie B and Matt for their contributions.