Dexter and.....?

[goatboy]

Today he was needing a few chances before he scored, but overall he's our in-form forward. So, assuming we are having two up front, and Earnie is out, who should be a starter alongside him?

I'm going Garner - he deserves a start up front, just like all strikers this season. Adebola can't play alongside Dex through a whole game, Tyson is very good coming up on his lefty as he did today, so maybe not him until we've got a left-back and Cohen can push up the wing. McGoldrick - didn't really feel he had much attacking impact today, though my web stream was quite grainy. Certainly put himself about and made some decent defensive movements, but he came on in order, as I saw it, to turn the tide of ineffective but threatening Geordie attacks. Equally though, Garner seemed to put in some good rearguard moves and got his yellow as per usual but I didn't see him tearing about up front really.

The thing is he's fit now and has been given plenty of coaching under the Davies administration, and when Calderwood played him up front, he scored some absolute m------uckers and generally Rooneyed his way around the lower table being a shit and winding up defenders. His charms are wasted on attacking players as he's come across on the right - too many opportunities to register a foul and not enough buccaneering opportunities into the box.

Let him have a start or two, then we'll see where we are.

 

[Cooky]

I've voted Dave McG as I think that is our best pairing really, and they have proved this to an extent.

I see your point about Garner and would love to see them have a go together as it could well be bloody good!

 

[Tutts]

You've missed out the option for Dex on his own. I really like the 4-5-1 / 4-3-3 option.

 

[goatboy]

You've missed out the option for Dex on his own. I really like the 4-5-1 / 4-3-3 option.

Have I f***.

So, assuming we are having two up front, and Earnie is out, who should be a starter alongside him?

That's a valid option, but for a poll which doesn't make the assumption that he's not on his own, see?

 

[goatboy]

I've voted Dave McG as I think that is our best pairing really, and they have proved this to an extent.

Why's that, then?

 

[dbarraclough]

You've missed out the option for Dex on his own. I really like the 4-5-1 / 4-3-3 option.

This is the answer. 4-5-1 or technically a 4-2-3-1 with Moose and Mckenna winning the ball and releasing Raddy, Tys or Ando. In this situation any one or more of these 3 join Blackstock up front. Then without the ball we keep it tight and force an error.
That first half I would of never guessed Blackstock was on his own. The waves of attacks completely bamboozled the toon. They had no idea where it was coming from. Then Ando and Tys swapped wings. Poor Newcastle didn't know what day it was!

 

[RICH1977]

I was woried when I saw the formation unfold, but agree with everyone for me this is the way foward for us this season it gives us so many options and actualy helps us deffend without being negative, the downside is it hinges on the mooses ability to have great games like today but we do have perch back ready to step into his position.

as for the question id go for joe garner

 

[Ravi]

4-2-3-1

This is the formation we've played in every home league game so far this season. With MCk and Moose as the '2' I am really beginning to like this tactic.

 

[dbarraclough]

I think the Moose felt more comfortable having Mckennna alongside him. There's no question that we have options with this formation. Mcgugan looked quite useful today and it can't be long before Perch is back. I never thought I would say it but Earnie is looking more and more like an impact striker when he returns

 

[It's Baggio]

I quite like the 4-2-3-1, especially for away games.

Raddy was a bit wasteful today but that position 'in the hole' will get the best out of him IMO. Giving him the freedom to play high up the pitch without having too much responsibilty to track back.

Blackstock's that f***ing good and that much of a handful that one up front (provided the midfield support him) isn't a problem.

Wouldn't mind Earnie having a run alongside him, when fit though.

 

[JWJW]

This is the answer. 4-5-1 or technically a 4-2-3-1 with Moose and Mckenna winning the ball and releasing Raddy, Tys or Ando. In this situation any one or more of these 3 join Blackstock up front. Then without the ball we keep it tight and force an error.
That first half I would of never guessed Blackstock was on his own. The waves of attacks completely bamboozled the toon. They had no idea where it was coming from. Then Ando and Tys swapped wings. Poor Newcastle didn't know what day it was!

This is the exact reason we have so many strikers and midfielders, for as one day its 4-2-3-1 the next day it will be 4-4-2 and then 5-3-2 and then 4-5-1 and then 4-1-3-2 etc...

Billy will play the team and formation his "team" thinks should be playing.

It has taken us a number of games to the squad into playing multi formation rotation........and it will not stop in my view.

 

[Midland Red]

I'd go for Garner. He may not have had much of a chance last night. But when he came on he looked eager! That's something we need.

I'd say Earnshaw possibly, if he were fit, but McG does not impress me too much. Seems very slow to get involved with the game. Spends large periods switched off to what is going on around him. Shame.

Adebola? Lol. When it looked like he might be coming on last night I heard a guy behind me say "Oh god. Here he comes! The Black Silenzi." and to be honest he has appeared a bit like that so far...

 

[goatboy]

That's deeply unfair!

There's a place for Adebola in certain formations.

 

[Rogue]

Adebola is ideal for physical games, he proved that against Middlesbrough, Huth and Wheater had an easy night until he came on.

 

[Bridgfordred79]

Silenzi never scored for Forest.

Dele has.

 

[Erik]

Silenzi never scored for Forest.

Really?

You sure?

 

[Tutts]

Have I f***.

That's a valid option, but for a poll which doesn't make the assumption that he's not on his own, see?

In that case I demand 'Geoff Hurst' be an option if 'None of the above' isn't allowed.

 

[RRRREDUN]

Forest play very carefully against certain sides. Maj, Moose and McKenna ran themselves into the ground to keep on top of Newcastle in the 1st half. On this occasion, we needed 5 in midfield IMHO. It's always a shock to realise that we're effectively playing just Dex up front at home, but with two unbelievably fast wingers who can join the attack in an instant, it can work. Against other sides, I think we could easily play 2 up front. Dex holds the ball up so well and is so good in the air, that I don't think it matters who's up there with him. McGoldrick can play really well, but when he starts, he does seem to drift back into midfield. Rotate ' em I say. I too would like to see Garner get a chance (up front) and get Ando and Tys to pepper the opposition box with crosses. With this formation you'd have to rotate the midfield. McKenna would always get a start for me, then let Moose, Maj and McGugan battle it out for the place alongside him. Also - what happens to Cohen when we get a left back? BTW - in my humble opinion, Newcastle would have torn us apart if we had started yesterday with 2 up front. I don't think our midfield would have coped.

 

[Bridgfordred79]

Really?

You sure?

yes.

 

[Erik]

yes.

I'll swear blind he scored in the league cup. It may have been against Oxford?

Then there was one in the FA Cup?

 

[Bridgfordred79]

I'll swear blind he scored in the league cup. It may have been against Oxford?

Then there was one in the FA Cup?

yes.

You are right actually.

I should have been more clear on my original post, by saying LEAGUE goals.

 

[Erik]

yes.

You are right actually.

I should have been more clear on my original post, by saying LEAGUE goals.

Ah. In that case, you are right as well.

 

[Cooky]

Why's that, then?

Well, he came Dave came on and changed the game against Scunny and then that starting line up started at P'Boro.

I did say to an extent, meaning that are still lots of opportunities for Garner and Earnie to make an impression to partner Dex.

Also, that formation worked last night. It worked really well. So much better to have a natural attacking mid in Raddy pushing on rather than Garner, who is best playing off the shoulder.

 

[jonno1987]

I would say that no one should be a certain starter upfront with Blackstock. With amount of quality we have up front it could be Garner or Mcgoldrick or Maj in the hole like last night. However this formation should only be used against the better sides in the division when we need more defensive cover.

If i had to choose one at the moment, McGoldrick because he has pace, strength and can create.

 

[mouldy]

McGoldrick. I could see why we had the 4-5-1 yesterday but he most definately needs a strike partner for me. McGoldrick is ideal providing he actually plays upfront!