While I can't match the magnificent munificence of 6061's threads, nevertheless, as this game is to be played before the Arsenal one, I figure a thread for it is well overdue. So here in its plain simplicity is it. The conundrum that is the NLD cannot begin to be resolved until this game is our of the way, because IMHO this is, in its own little way, just as much as a 'mustn't lose/need to win' fixture. I hope Lennon might make the bench at least for this one, but the team personnel is very difficult to call in general. I bet not one person on here will be be able to correctly name the starting line up for this one by tomorrow.
I bet that too, but lets see how close we can all get! Gomes Townsend Bassong Corluka Walker Falque Livermore Carrol Sandro Pav Kane
If Pav plays I will be seriously disappointed considering his recent performances and work rate, would rather see Gio or even Coulibaly . I'm beginning to think PNP should change his name to PleaseNotPav
Well Coulibaly isn't in the squad, so he won't play. I agree with you, i'd like to see Kane flanked by Falque and Gio, but i think he'll go Pav.
Hi all, thanks for replies. As has been said Coulibaly isn't in the Europa squad, so he definitely won't be playing. I'm tempted to go with HD's line up - as a disciple he surely knows what the master is planning However, I'll hold fire for a little longer. Cut off time for predictions, midnight tomorrow! I have a sneaky feeling for something a bit 'left-field' from Harry. I'm hoping to see some training pix by tomorrow to get a better feel for the team. Probably will still be well out. BTW, if anyone gets the starting XI plus subs, then you are Harry Redknapp and I claim my five pounds
This story tells why another of ours, Bostock, is ineligible. http://www.london24.com/sport/totte...n_bostock_has_missed_out_in_europe_1_1072224? Meanwhile one of the possible 'left field' surprises I was thinking of, Pienaar, may feature. http://www.kickoff.com/news/24529/injured-steven-pienaar-on-standby-for-bafana-afana.php He might solve our right back dilemma, allowing us to rest Walker and play Corluka CB. Whether SP's up to starting a game though, must be questionable. Interesting though that, not for the first time, we get better info (assuming this story is correct) from outside sources than the infuriatingly uninformative OS. In further news, the players mentioned here presumably won't feature,and yet, and yet, I wouldn't rule at least one of them out of a bench position, despite being involved this evening. http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/psv-tonight-in-nextgen-270911.html? The permutations are plenty, despite our injury list and need to rest players for Sunday.
Physio room has Niko, Lennon & Pienaar all due for a return this weekend. Does anyone know if they are eligible to play EL if fit?
The South Africans are thinking of recalling Pienaar? Can we get a couple of games out of him first? I'm hoping for a number of returns from injury, to be honest, as we need more depth. We're looking quite stretched at the moment. Edit: Kranjcar, Lennon and Pienaar are all in the Europa League squad, PL.
PNP, can we stop Pienaar from playing for SA, before he is match fit for us? Having seen that they are eligible,it would make perfect sense to have them on the bench for half a game of 15-20 mins.
If that is right then the make of the team will be a lot different from what other posters have suggested.
Sorry didn't explain properly, the bench might have more senior players than I thought. The starting 11 will be very close to what has been proposed. Sorry thoughts bit muddled, have had a cold and the head is still a bit here and there.
Hi all, thanks for input As I've already suggested, I don't think it's at all easy to guess this team. To lose to Shamrock would not go down well, despite the imminence of the more important NLD. There are lots of permutations and conundrums for Harry to consider, we really need to win both the next two games, picking two teams that provide those results won't be easy. Needless to say, whatever the teams, the oppo will have plenty of input too
-----Cudicini------ Corluka---Livermore---Bassong---Townsend Sandro------Kranjcar Gio<---------------------------->Falque Pav This is quite a strong side and should easily defeat the Sham whilst ensuring we have a first choice eleven for the NLD. I honestly can't see any of this 11 starting against the Arse.
Isn't the Irish League a summer league, so they're much fitter than we'd be? The main hope is we actually test their goalkeeper at some point, which we never got around to doing against PAOK.
