Team for Middlesbrough (H)

[Taffster]

Akpan got his chance to show what he can do in midfield against Scunthorpe and we were completely outplayed by them by most accounts. Why on earth would you then think he can do a good job alongside Kuhl against Middlesbrough?

Kuhl has looked one of our best players and Norwood is Adkins answer to our midfield injuries. Of course they're both going to be ahead of Akpan.

I would of suggested play all 3 myself and played taylor and mackie of cox

[Taffster]

He certainly does. Surely he should put an extra man in to midfield to provide some cover for the defence. Can't see the point of having both Taylor and Edwards in there. Poor selection again. Very lightweight in midfield.

But at least Obita is in defence this game. Anton Ferdinand must have been so far away from match fitness too, as he's still not even on the bench

People are talking about covering the defence but that is our first choice defence right there

[Ian Royal]

Akpan is also terrible at protecting the defence.

[MmmMonsterMunch]

Akpan is also terrible at protecting the defence.

Did a decent enough job against Huddersfield with him & Kuhl in the middle. Utterly stupid not to pick him I think.

[MmmMonsterMunch]

We should be looking to spoil & nick a point today.

[3points]

First choice defence it may be, but a back four always needs midfield protection to help pick up the runners. And while Akpan may not be the best, I suspect he's better than Edawrds and Taylor

[3points]

We should be looking to spoil & nick a point today.

This

[Ian Royal]

Akpan is also terrible at protecting the defence.

Did a decent enough job against Huddersfield with him & Kuhl in the middle. Utterly stupid not to pick him I think.

I disagree on both points.

[MmmMonsterMunch]

Good for you

[Doolittle]

Akpan got his chance to show what he can do in midfield against Scunthorpe and we were completely outplayed by them by most accounts. Why on earth would you then think he can do a good job alongside Kuhl against Middlesbrough?

Kuhl has looked one of our best players and Norwood is Adkins answer to our midfield injuries. Of course they're both going to be ahead of Akpan.

I meant that all three of them should play - Kuhl and Norwood are both deep-lying passer types - good players no doubt, but I think we need someone else in there (either alongside or maybe in front of them), who is (a) athletic enough to get up and down the pitch a bit more, and (b) won't be blown over by a slight gust of wind.

[Ian Royal]

Fair enough, but that's just not the way we've been playing and I can't see Adkins changing that. We've got enough problems going forward without robbing us of another attacker.

Defensively, we've not been too bad on the whole, the problem has been far too many individual errors and padding the midfield isn't going to stop Gunter / Cummings failing to defend the back post properly / crosses, or Hector passing into trouble.

[MmmMonsterMunch]

Fair enough, but that's just not the way we've been playing and I can't see Adkins changing that.

Yep we're far too happy giving soft goals away.

Fingers crossed Gunter actually remembers how to play today.

[glass half full]

Did I imagine it or did I read Matt Mills (c) in the possible team sheet published by the Chronicle?

[P!ssed Off]

Akpan is also terrible at protecting the defence.

Did a decent enough job against Huddersfield with him & Kuhl in the middle. Utterly stupid not to pick him I think.

Akpan did bugger all in that half, it was all Kuhl.

Agreed with Ian Royal: Kuhl >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Akpan. And if we've spent £750K on a player worse than Akpan then absolute at us.

[Struggle Pig]

Great to have Obita back at left back, hope he stays there now. Very decent defence.

Our attacking options are the best we can do with current injuries, so good luck to those guys.

And I Like the thought of Kuhl & Norwood in midfield, very much a passing game today, retain possession as much as possible try and keep the clean sheet and if possible nick a goal.

For the record I think this game will be a smidge too much for us and we will lose, but I do like the look of the team up till the last third and this is the Championship after all and anything is possible.

Looking forward to after the international break and getting some players back.

[Platypuss]

Happy to see Obita back at LB....apart from that I fully expect this team to roll over & get it's tummy tickled. 1-0 down within 15 mins I reckon.

WTF is the issue with Akpan?! Protect the back 4 FFS.

Akpan hasn't got a defensive bone in his body.

[3points]

Fair enough, but that's just not the way we've been playing and I can't see Adkins changing that. We've got enough problems going forward without robbing us of another attacker.

Defensively, we've not been too bad on the whole, the problem has been far too many individual errors and padding the midfield isn't going to stop Gunter / Cummings failing to defend the back post properly / crosses, or Hector passing into trouble.

It's not like 4-2-3-1 has been an outstanding success so far this season, and NA tinkered with formations a lot last season. Surely it is a case of horses for courses. Go away from home with an under strength team and try to nick a point.

Also, if you have more cover from midfield then perhaps the crosses and errors don't occur either? If defenders get isolated then mistakes are more likely to be costly

[MmmMonsterMunch]

Akpan haters will.............hate

Someone a little bit stronger getting stuck in & spoiling wouldn't go amiss today.

[Royalwaster]

Akpan is also terrible at protecting the defence.

Did a decent enough job against Huddersfield with him & Kuhl in the middle. Utterly stupid not to pick him I think.

Did a crap job against Huddersfield IMHO ... worst player on the pitch.

[Ian Royal]

Akpan haters will.............hate

Someone a little bit stronger getting stuck in & spoiling wouldn't go amiss today.

Have you seen Akpan play? He's about the weakest in the tackle we have and half the time he's left standing marking space as people run past him.

He's by no means as awful as many want him to be, but his strengths are in driving forward on the ball, not protecting the defence. He isn't, never has been, and never will be a defensive midfielder.