In all the time I have been supporting the club, which is roughly 20 years, I struggle to remember hostility, between the fans and the head coach/players, like there currently is. Even though I was truly disgusted with what took place after the final whistle Saturday and in no way whatsoever condone the actions of those thugs, there was however for me an air of inevitability about it, that it was only a matter of time before something like that happened. We really need a good performance from the team Saturday to give everyone a lift but, like I have been continuously harping on about, feel this will only happen if others are given a chance.
Rolling into town Saturday is Pulis’ previous employers Crystal Palace. It’s ironic in a sense that we come up against them next as, if we were playing like Pulis’ Palace team then it’s most likely none of what took place Saturday would have happened and that there wouldn’t be a lynch mob constantly calling for the Welshman to be removed from his post. If I was picking the team then it would look a lot different to the one below, with starts for the likes of Chester, Pritchard and Gamboa, but I’m obviously not and have gone with the one-dimensional line-up that I expect Pulis to go with.
Made a couple of decent saves Saturday but I felt he could have done better with Readings first 2 goals. Seemed to get his bearings completely wrong for their first, and I felt he should have come and claimed the ball for their second goal considering that their player made contact in the 6-yard box. Needs to improve Saturday when he comes up against superior opposition.
Right Back – Craig Dawson
I have always been a fan of Dawson and felt he was doing a decent job at right back but lately I’m starting to question whether he is actually good enough to fill the right back role on a permanent basis and whether re-enforcements in the summer are needed. If he continues in the same vein of form as the last few weeks then I am inclined to say yes.
Centre Back – Gareth McAuley
In my opinion, our centre back pairing needs to be Chester and Evans. McAuley and Olsson are decent back up to have but I feel that their days of regular Premier League football are behind them and should only really be starting if either of the younger pairing aren’t fit. If I was picking the team for Saturdays clash I would pair Chester with either McAuley or Olsson (due to Evans injury) but I’m not which means Chester won’t get a look in.
Centre Back – Jonas Olsson (if Evans isn’t fit)
As much as he has been a fantastic servant to the club I personally don’t think he should be starting games if Evans and Chester are fit and think it’s strange Pulis is looking to renew his contract. We should be looking to bring in some younger talent, players with potential and plenty of playing time ahead of them not renewing the contracts of players well into the twilight of their careers. It may sound harsh but they only way the club will progress is by replacing players like Olsson with better.
Left Back – Chris Brunt
To treat a player, who has done so much for the club, in such a manner was absolutely disgusting. I appreciate it was one brain dead moron that threw the coin but Brunt has been on the receiving end of criticism from the fans for some time now so it doesn’t surprise me in the slightest that he is considering his future with the club. He is continuously being played out of position by Pulis so firing abuse at him is not only disgusting but it;s plain stupid also.
Centre Midfield – Yacob/Sandro
Coin toss (no pun intended) really between these two. Both play in the same position and there isn’t much between them in terms of ability. The lynch mob will erupt if Pulis goes with the pair of them as well as Fletcher so I hope for his sake he picks just one of them.
Centre Midfield – Darren Fletcher
One of only a handful who, since the turn of the year, can hold their head up high in terms of their performances. Heaven knows what he must be making of everything that’s going on at the minute, but it’s now, more so than ever, that we will need his leadership skills and for him to rally the players and try and lift spirits within the camp.
Left Midfield – James McClean
Player of the season so far for me and one of the few signings Pulis has got right. His assists and goal-scoring record isn’t great but his energy, determination and work ethic have been fantastic week in week out and he has made that left midfield position his own. Would see an improvement in attack I feel if he wasn’t playing in front of a makeshift left back every week.
Right Midfield – Stephane Sessegnon
I personally would replace Sessegnon with Pritchard for this weekend’s match. Sessegnon’s form has dipped of late and he should have been dropped weeks ago. To be fair to him I think teams quickly realised he was the team’s main attacking threat and simply started doubling up and nullifying him. But the fact remains he has been ineffective for a while now and needs replacing.
Forward – Saido Berahino
I think Jeremy Peace is probably starting to regret not taking that £25m from Newcastle. Has done absolutely nothing to justify that price tag and even though his recent Tweets suggest otherwise, looks completely disinterested and is blatantly just counting down the days until the season ends and for the whole transfer saga to kick off again. The sooner he goes the better.
Striker – Salomon Rondon
I have started referring to Rondon as ‘Brown Ideye mark two’. Their WBA careers have panned out almost identically with both of them signing for similar fees and both floundering in their maiden Premier League season. I do think Rondon has potential and feel he could become a force if he was supplemented with some creative players, but the ‘workhorse’ lone striker role that Pulis demands doesn’t suit him one bit and he is ultimately wasted.