Cummings to start on Saturday?

***Juice-Terry*** · 07-12-2016 10:21 AM

Having waited patiently on the bench for several weeks now and with Boyle's dismal performance at Tannadice, will Jason start on Saturday? Ought he? Thoughts?

***danhibees1875*** · 07-12-2016 10:26 AM

I hope so.

**Big_Franck** · 07-12-2016 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by Juice-Terry

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Having waited patiently on the bench for several weeks now and with Boyle's dismal performance at Tannadice, will Jason start on Saturday? Ought he? Thoughts?

He should. As much as I like Boyle he was brutal on Friday and Cummings now deserves a chance to reclaim a starting place. Not that our top scorer by a mile should have been out of the team in the first place IMO.

***Billy Whizz*** · 07-12-2016 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by Big_Franck

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He should. As much as I like Boyle he was brutal on Friday and Cummings now deserves a chance to reclaim a starting place. Not that our top scorer by a mile should have been out of the team in the first place IMO.

Cummings, Boyle and Graham should all start on Saturday, let's ditch this 3 at the back, and a holding midfielder against Dumbarton at home

**NadeAteMyLunch!** · 07-12-2016 10:36 AM

Absolute no brainer. Ridiculous if he's still sitting on the bench

**Unseen work** · 07-12-2016 11:19 AM

This is the ridiculous thing

Boyle has been fantastic the past 5/6 games, scoring 4 goals. Now one bad performance they want him dropped for Cummings?

I have been desperate for Cummings to start again too.

But, imo Holt should her dropped before anyone

**~~HappyHanlon~~** · 07-12-2016 11:20 AM

For me its horses for courses.

Jase should have started against Dundee Utd.

I like Boyle and he'll run through walls for you but he has limited ability. For me, he's better suited to games against Morton, St Mirren, Dumbarton.

Because he had a poor game against Dundee Utd, Boyle will return to bench and Jase will come in.

I'd even chuck Graham in for Holt.

It's Dumbarton and they are minging. We should be routing them good and proper!

***Big90inOz*** · 07-12-2016 11:22 AM

Boyle needs to start, it's his first bad game although he still gave 100% and caused them problems.

**Enough said** · 07-12-2016 11:28 AM

As I have stated on here before regarding Jc weight problem and not turning up to a charity golf event hosted by the club for charity. Lennon has rightly punished him for this. Boyle should still start though offers far more

***matty_f*** · 07-12-2016 11:29 AM

I think Cummings should come back in now. I think Cummings would have been back in the side had it not been for the fact that Keatings, then Boyle, took their chance when giving the opportunity.

Cummings had to see that there was genuine competition for places, I think he was complacent about his place in the team and that he didn't need to work as hard as everyone else as a result.

Being dropped, then seeing that it's not just a token gesture but part of being in a squad. Boyle and Keatings both made it impossible for Lennon to drop them, but I think that Boyle's last two performances haven't been that good (maybe harsh for the game before last, he got a goal but missed some really clear chances). For Lennon to retain credibility with Cummings, he needs to put him back in now and show that if you're not playing well, someone else gets their chance.

**~~TonyStokeprano~~** · 07-12-2016 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by Enough said

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As I have stated on here before regarding Jc weight problem and not turning up to a charity golf event hosted by the club for charity. Lennon has rightly punished him for this. Boyle should still start though offers far more

He's paid to put the ball into the net no the ****ing hole

**Thecat23** · 07-12-2016 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by TonyStokeprano

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He's paid to put the ball into the net no the ****ing hole

Footballers are paid not just for playing football but also representing their clubs on and off the field with charity outings and other events. You may not care yourself but when a player fails to carry out these duties it can leave a sour taste for folk who maybe wanted a pic or autograph as well as pissing off whoever organised it.

**Dub** · 07-12-2016 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by TonyStokeprano

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He's paid to put the ball into the net no the ****ing hole

Indeed. He is the best striker at the club and people think it's ok that we is sitting on the bench? Seems ridiculous to me but then I dont play Football Manager.

***JimBHibees*** · 07-12-2016 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by matty_f

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I think Cummings should come back in now. I think Cummings would have been back in the side had it not been for the fact that Keatings, then Boyle, took their chance when giving the opportunity.

Cummings had to see that there was genuine competition for places, I think he was complacent about his place in the team and that he didn't need to work as hard as everyone else as a result.

Being dropped, then seeing that it's not just a token gesture but part of being in a squad. Boyle and Keatings both made it impossible for Lennon to drop them, but I think that Boyle's last two performances haven't been that good (maybe harsh for the game before last, he got a goal but missed some really clear chances). For Lennon to retain credibility with Cummings, he needs to put him back in now and show that if you're not playing well, someone else gets their chance.

Yep think this is the time for Jason to come back in and maybe take some of the pressure off Boyle. Would actually play Boyle wide right in this game also.

**ahibby** · 07-12-2016 12:00 PM

Not for me. One poor game shouldn't see Boyle punished. However if he continues the first half in the same vein then I'd start thinking about JC for the second half and that's saying something because I'm not 100% convinced with JC, too many times for me he seems to shoot straight at goalies. His corker against Rangers tight in against the post was the exception but there's not enough of those. I think we need another scorer in, a natural forward, rather than a converted winger until JC matures a bit more.

**MWHIBBIES** · 07-12-2016 12:02 PM

Why do people think 3 centre backs and a holding player is some kind of massive horrible defensive formation? Chelsea have won 8 games in a row scoring 22 goals with it. Absolutely fine to keep playing 3-5-2, it doesn't matter if we are playing Dumbarton at home.

**ahibby** · 07-12-2016 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by MWHIBBIES

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Why do people think 3 centre backs and a holding player is some kind of massive horrible defensive formation? Chelsea have won 8 games in a row scoring 22 goals with it. Absolutely fine to keep playing 3-5-2, it doesn't matter if we are playing Dumbarton at home.

I get this completely. I think what some are getting at is that the holding midfielder takes up a place that could otherwise be given to a creative or attacking midfielder. We don't score as many when Bartley is on.

**Smartie** · 07-12-2016 12:09 PM

We've got Dumbarton (who lost to Bonnyrigg Rose last night) at Easter Road.

There's room for Boyle (our most potent threat over the past month or so) our top goalscorer and at least one of Graham or Holt in this game.

It will be utter madness if we don't go pretty gung-ho in this game.

I was actually one of those who advocated dropping Cummings, and I think it has been a good thing to do.

The time is right to bring him back in though.

**~~TonyStokeprano~~** · 07-12-2016 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by Thecat23

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Footballers are paid not just for playing football but also representing their clubs on and off the field with charity outings and other events. You may not care yourself but when a player fails to carry out these duties it can leave a sour taste for folk who maybe wanted a pic or autograph as well as pissing off whoever organised it.

I'm sure there was quite a lot of players that werent at the golf day ? And on the weight subject how the hell does holt get a game if Jason's overweight holt is obese ! So our managers allowed to sit in France whilst the players are meant to be preparing for a new season but you get dropped for two months for missing a golf day. Decent

***jacomo*** · 07-12-2016 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by MWHIBBIES

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Why do people think 3 centre backs and a holding player is some kind of massive horrible defensive formation? Chelsea have won 8 games in a row scoring 22 goals with it. Absolutely fine to keep playing 3-5-2, it doesn't matter if we are playing Dumbarton at home.

Chelsea also play very attack-minded wingbacks and 2 inside forwards, more like a 3-4-3.

They were also defensively frail, have better quality players and play in a different league.

You are right to say that this formation is not inherently more defensive than a 4-4-2, but it's not a great comparison.

**NadeAteMyLunch!** · 07-12-2016 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by MWHIBBIES

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Why do people think 3 centre backs and a holding player is some kind of massive horrible defensive formation? Chelsea have won 8 games in a row scoring 22 goals with it. Absolutely fine to keep playing 3-5-2, it doesn't matter if we are playing Dumbarton at home.

It's not necessarily the formation but more the players you use. We have Gray and Stevenson genuinely struggling to beat the first man with their crosses and not really offering much of an attacking force. Chelsea have Victor Moses rampaging down the flank pinging in crosses, shots and linking defence go attack. He's a huge threat every time he gets on the ball. We could at least try Boyle in one of the wing back positions at home against the likes of Dumbarton if we're going to persist with the formation.

***hibsforeurope*** · 07-12-2016 01:17 PM

Can Cummings' non-involvement last night with the Development squad be a sign that he is due to play more of a role at the weekend? I hope so!

I believe if he had started against Utd last week that we would have won he would have scored at least 1 of the 2 open play sitters Boyle missed in the first half and he would have scored the pen.

For me it should be Cummings to start up front with either Holt or Graham on Saturday.

**MWHIBBIES** · 07-12-2016 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by jacomo

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Chelsea also play very attack-minded wingbacks and 2 inside forwards, more like a 3-4-3.

They were also defensively frail, have better quality players and play in a different league.

You are right to say that this formation is not inherently more defensive than a 4-4-2, but it's not a great comparison.

Chelsea lost 2 goals in those 8 games, I wish we were that defensively frail.

The formation is very good, our execution of it isn't perfect but it is still our best team IMO.

***SteveHFC*** · 07-12-2016 01:32 PM

Cummings upfront with Graham for me on Saturday. Holt has to be dropped.

**~~southsider~~** · 07-12-2016 01:41 PM

Play 5 up. 2 wingers & 3 forwards. 3-2-5. Rack up a cricket score & get confidence up again.

**Unseen work** · 07-12-2016 01:50 PM

I am delighted some people on here aren't out manager.

For me we should go with

....................Marciano.....
....mcgregor....Hanlon....Fontaine..
Boyle.....Bartley......mcgeouch......Crane
......................Shinnie.........
..............Cummings....Graham....

**Enough said** · 07-12-2016 02:30 PM

Originally Posted by Unseen work

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I am delighted some people on here aren't out manager.

For me we should go with

....................Marciano.....
....mcgregor....Hanlon....Fontaine..
Boyle.....Bartley......mcgeouch......Crane
......................Shinnie.........
..............Cummings....Graham....

Am delighted you aren't our manager with that side

***Golden Bear*** · 07-12-2016 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by Unseen work

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I am delighted some people on here aren't out manager.

For me we should go with

....................Marciano.....
....mcgregor....Hanlon....Fontaine..
Boyle.....Bartley......mcgeouch......Crane
......................Shinnie.........
..............Cummings....Graham....

That looks a reasonable team to me although I have concerns about Mcgeoch's fitness. I'd be tempted to give young Murray his chance to impress.