Let's Stuff The Red & White Turkey's On Boxing Day

Tis the season of good cheer and the loudest one of the festive period from Toon fans would come from a win and three points on Boxing Day against the team we love to hate.

There have been some mighty battles with Man U over the years and none more mighty - and ultimately more heartbreaking - than the 1995/96 season when the Toon had a 12pt lead at the top of the Prem in January only to be beaten to the title on the last day.

But for those who were there, we'll never forget the 5-0 thrashing we gave them at SJP early in the following season capped off by a glorious chip from Albert that left Schmeichel stranded like a fish out of water and the Man U team truly well battered.

What would we give for the same result on Boxing Day? Owt you like!

A win tomorrow would put us equal on 26pts with Man U, lose and we'll be 6pths behind.

So, yet another chance - just as against Chelsea - to close down a side who could be in the mix for a top six finish. If, yet again, we go ahead let's pray that this time we win.

Man U will be without Fernandes and that is a plus, love him or hate him the guy is a massive talent, a driving force, and a constant goal threat. I'm glad he is out.

A player we need to watch out for is Mason Mount. Injury has blighted him since his transfer but he is back to top form and I've been really impressed with him of late.

The Xmas Cracker W Conundrum

With plenty of rest time since the Chelsea game I'd expect Eddie to be playing his best eleven against Man U even if that means starting the same team again.

However, if I snap and pull the best part of the wishbone on Xmas Day my wish would be to know what is going on in Eddie's head on the W conundrum.

Woltemade and Wissa - what are his plans?

With every day on the training pitch and a goal on his first start, Yoane Wissa will be getting fitter and increasingly more impatient to play a big part in the season.

He didn't come here to sit on the bench and that £55M fee for a 29 year old ST needs some payback. Wissa is already a big voice in the camp and you can bet Eddie knows that Yoane hasn't given up the Afcom to play a few minutes here and there as a sub.

Rotate him with Big Nick? Not IMO.

Why? Because they are two totally different types of ST who need totally different game plays to maximise their strengths. Wissa is 5'9" with pace, Woltemade is 6'6" with none.

Asking the team, and especially our mids and wingers, to constantly switch game plays, transitions and tactics to accommodate the W's isn't a recipe for consistency.

And consistency is what we desperately need having struggled with that all season.

We might rotate for cup games, but regularly in the league? Not for me.

So... does that only leave Eddie playing both and moving away from 433?

Some fans have suggested Wissa playing at RW in a 433 but I can't see that.

My favoured way of playing both would be in a 352 and you only have to look at how Leeds have been transformed since Farke switched to that format after a bad run.

Whichever or whatever way, the W conundrum is one that Eddie Howe has to solve.

To all members & lurkers... have a great Xmas and, as always, thanks for your support.

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