Jason Robert's return

[bracksroyal10]

Nearing full fitness slowly but surely and will hopefully be back in the next two weeks or so.

Will be interesting to see where he figures in BMD's plans when he is back to match fitness in terms of would it work with him and Pog up front? Churchy's place on the bench is likely to go at the least but do we expect the system/line up to change greatly to accomodate him. I would think he would be featuring from the start quite a bit if you consider how instrumental he was in our promotion last season. However the same could be said about Alfie's goals that also contributed greatly.

[Alexander Litvinenko]

Can't really see him playing up front alongside Pog - the only way I think they could both be accommodated would be in a 4-4-1-1, which I'd hate.

But if either Pog or Roberts played I'd prefer them to be part of a front 2 with someone more mobile, like ALF or Hunt.

So for me it's Roberts OR Pog - but not both.

[Royal Ginger]

I can't see any reason why they couldn't both play together. Both can hold the ball up, both work hard, and both know where the back of the net is

[soggy biscuit]

Can't really see him playing up front alongside Pog - the only way I think they could both be accommodated would be in a 4-4-1-1, which I'd hate.

4-3-1-1-1?

[Alexander Litvinenko]

Can't really see him playing up front alongside Pog - the only way I think they could both be accommodated would be in a 4-4-1-1, which I'd hate.

4-3-1-1-1?

Urgh!

[TBM]

tbh i dont really see what Pog is bringing to the team, that Roberts can't already offer.....

[loyalroyal4life]

tbh i dont really see what Pog is bringing to the team, that Roberts can't already offer.....

Lol

[TBM]

tbh i dont really see what Pog is bringing to the team, that Roberts can't already offer.....

Lol

go on......

[Royal Ginger]

tbh i dont really see what Pog is bringing to the team, that Roberts can't already offer.....

There's certainly a similarity in style, but, simplified, if what Roberts brings to the team is good, why not bring more?

[TBM]

tbh i dont really see what Pog is bringing to the team, that Roberts can't already offer.....

There's certainly a similarity in style, but, simplified, if what Roberts brings to the team is good, why not bring more?

I guess i just expected more from Pog.....

[soggy biscuit]

1-3-1-1-2-1-1

[Barry the bird boggler]

What about Pogrebnyak, Roberts and Alfie as a front three...

[Libertine]

4-4-2

Pog and Roberts up front with Alf coming on when Roberts tires. I happen to think Roberts and Pog up front together will provide massive problems for opposing back 4's and wear them down. Why not give it a try? What is the worst that can happen?

[Platypuss]

I'm all up for minimising the number of players on the pitch who control the ball further than I can kick it.

[PistolPete]

We all knew that Pogrebnyak would bring honest running, strength on the ball and a goal threat. Surely we also knew he wouldn't go on a Ronaldo/Messi style run and fashion a chance out of nothing right??? I'd hope we'd also know that as with all strikers, there will be days when the Pog will look ineffectual.

Roberts will offer honest running, strength on the ball and a goal threat. Sometimes it's good to have two of these players on the pitch, sometimes it's better to have one on his own with runners from midfield, and other times it's good to have one of these types of players with a 'fox in the box' Le Fordre type. It's up to McDermott to work out which it is. Thus far, I'd say we've looked most dangerous with the 'big man, little man' combo, but in McDermott we trust...

One match against an excellent Spurs side after 3 weeks without a match is not a great time to start making knee-jerk decisions.

[CayeneMatt]

Totally agree with the unease at Pog.

Plays a similar game to Roberts but nowhere near as well from what I've seen so far. OK, he can jump whereas Roberts refuses to, but he goes down far too easily for a big bloke. My 10 year old could hold off someone longer.

So when Roberts is fit, he deserves to come straight back in IMO.

Also think we missed Hunt's workrate yesterday as Pog doesn't want to chase down too much. Friedel looked far from confident on 1 or 2 clearances and a little pressure could've had him twitching more.

[Optimist]

If he was going to be fit for Saturday I'd put him straight back in the team alongside Pog, drop a CM and go back to 4-4-2. I don't see why Pog and Roberts can't play together, they could easily alternate during the game who is the target man and who is running off. But if he won't be back til circa the Swansea game, then whether he comes straight in or not depends on the form of Pog and ALF, but he could replace either.

[The Rouge]

tbh i dont really see what Pog is bringing to the team, that Roberts can't already offer.....

Well competing in the air versus the centre backs - Roberts tends not to jump for some reason.

[Royal Ginger]

He has a good first touch. Unlike most yesterday if he touched it once, he'd usually get a second.

[maffff]

4-4-2

Pog and Roberts up front with Alf coming on when Roberts tires. I happen to think Roberts and Pog up front together will provide massive problems for opposing back 4's and wear them down. Why not give it a try? What is the worst that can happen?

This.