O’Brien or Bangura at Left Back?

[TeaCider]

As long as Howson and Hackney are playing as well as they did last season then I have no issue with O’Brien playing at left back. It also allows us to play some football from that part of the field as O’Brien is so comfortable on the ball and can step into midfield with it. It might be another little move like what happened with Forss, where we try something - admittedly maybe out of necessity - and it’s really beneficial to the team.

Howson isn't playing as well as he did last season.

He's been really poor so far, and has been one of the biggest players at fault for a number of goals that we've conceded.

 

[TheYorkshireTerrier]

Keep it as it is for now.

I think we might see Bangura introduced slowly as a sub for Howson if he starts, and then O'Brien is put back into midfield.

 

[viv_andersons_nana]

Howson isn't playing as well as he did last season.

He's been really poor so far, and has been one of the biggest players at fault for a number of goals that we've conceded.

I think it was a very good team performance last weekend and don’t really see a need to change anything for Watford. I would agree that Howson was out of sorts before that but then who wasn’t? Apart from Dieng.

 

[TeaCider]

I think it was a very good team performance last weekend and don’t really see a need to change anything for Watford. I would agree that Howson was out of sorts before that but then who wasn’t? Apart from Dieng.

I probably wouldn't change the team either, just because it would be the obvious stick to beat with if we then didn't get a result, but I don't think Howson played well at all in the first half against Southampton.

I thought the team played well as a whole, but most of the times we lost the ball were because of a misplaced pass from him.

He got better in the second half, and he was certainly excellent for large parts of last season, so I'm not trying to throw him under the bus, but I do think O'Brien would be an upgrade on him in that position.

 

[viv_andersons_nana]

I probably wouldn't change the team either, just because it would be the obvious stick to beat with if we then didn't get a result, but I don't think Howson played well at all in the first half against Southampton.

I thought the team played well as a whole, but most of the times we lost the ball were because of a misplaced pass from him.

He got better in the second half, and he was certainly excellent for large parts of last season, so I'm not trying to throw him under the bus, but I do think O'Brien would be an upgrade on him in that position.

I would with you on O’Brien an upgrade in the longer-term, or as we move through the season. It’ll be good to have someone to cover for Howson without the team suffering much of a drop off, which happened last year.

I do also think that we came back from pre-season sort of ‘half cooked’ as they say. There were signs in the second half at Hillsborough and last weekend that the energy or tempo is slowly but surely returning to our game. But it obviously should’ve been there for Millwall.

 

[indeedido]

It is a nice problem to have (so long as Bangura is actually decent when he plays).
Howson plays best when in rhythm after a run of games. It nearly always takes him time to get going properly, then he is metronomic.
Hackney is the best player in the team and must play. O'Brien is obviously a very good player at this level.

Who plays 10 in Carrick's favoured system is the real issue.
Crooks has the shirt, but has his critics (not me). We should have better, but don't right now.
Coburn should be 9 IMHO.
McGree has to play, Forss should start right when fit. Jones would be unlucky not to play just now.

Rogers has obvious ability but shouldn't start. I think he will be the most likely forward signing to make it.
I'd have Latte Lath on the bench, but bring him on every match for a tiring Coburn.
Gilbert and Greenwood are bench options too.
Silvera wouldn't make my bench unless there were injuries to some of the above. Even then Finch or other academy lads would get the nod before him.

 

[Manhead]

I think O'Brien at left back allows Carrick to avoid making a difficult decision in centre midfield i.e. 3 into 2 doesn't go.

Yeah agree with that, or end up with Hackney playing further up the field which I don't really agree with.

 

[UgoAfro]

The problem is we don't know if Bangura can cut it in The Championship yet so it would be a big risk to drop our captain and throw him in after 2 really good performances with O'Brien in that position. If he's fit then I think he'll be introduced slowly as a sub to get used to the system. Be interesting to see what Carrick does if Howson needs a rest with our busy schedule. Comes down to Bagura vs Barlasa

 

[lostinyorkshire]

Absolutely love the Hackney and Howson combination, so i wouldn't like to see that broke up apart from either injury or massive loss of form.

But at the same time, o'brien is a top top midfielder in this league (probably the best the season before last). It looks as if he's doing a great job at left back but i can't help also thinking he's wasted not being in midfield.

As much has he'll appreciate starting games - i bet his a little gutted he's not in midfield.

I'd actually like to see Hackney in a number 10 position just in front of Howson and o'brien.

If you saw Hackney play the defensive midfield position for England u21s a few weeks ago you would think he was far more suited to that than a number 10.