Posts: 2,167
Threads: 47
Joined: Sep 2014
Reputation:
10
A 4-3-3 with all three strikers will not really work. Pardew did that with Robson-Kanu, Rondon and Rodriguez when he first came to the club and it didn't work. He could play the usual 4-4-2 with Rodriguez on the left wing and Rondon and Sturridge up front but I don't like that idea much either.
I think he needs to take a step back and look at the overall situation. Balance to the side in a 4-4-2 is key and Rondon and Rodriguez have a good strike partnership whilst Sturridge is new to the club and needs time to get match fit and sharp. For the time being, he needs to keep Rondon and Rodriguez as the first choice pair with Sturridge to come off the bench.
Posts: 3,745
Threads: 80
Joined: Sep 2014
Reputation:
5
We can't mess about playing Sturridge for only 1/2 hour though, Josh. If it weren't for Harry Kane, Steely Dan would be England's no.9.
JR is a more intelligent player than Rondon, so I'd leave Rondon on the bench. I know he's improved lately, but he's only had 1/2 dozen decent games all season (and - say - a dozen last year). I think Pulis tod him to stay in the centre circle when we're defending, and he doesn't have the sense to move left when we have the ball in the left-back position (and vice versa on the right). And even though he's had poor supply, he just isn't getting enough goals.
Start every day off with a smile and get it over with
Posts: 2,167
Threads: 47
Joined: Sep 2014
Reputation:
10
06-02-2018, 14:55
(This post was last modified: 06-02-2018, 15:19 by WBA-Josh.)
A fully fit and firing Sturridge has to be the main striker at the club but at the moment an unfit and out of form Sturridge over fully fit Rondon or in-form Rodriguez is a waste of a starting place especially if he makes little impact like he did on Saturday.
When he joined he needed 20-30 minute outings for a couple of matches to get his match fitness and sharpness up before he can then start matches and be our top striker. He played 60 minutes against Southampton and after 20-30 minutes off the bench against Chelsea, he should be good to start against Huddersfield which will be the biggest match of our season. Who he replaces when fit and sharp is the tough call for Pardew to make.
Posts: 17
Threads: 4
Joined: Jan 2018
Reputation:
0
Phillips drops out for me as the bloke has done absolutely nothing this season.