Sidwell is out for 6 weeks - recurrence of his groin strain and mey need another op. Murphy picked up his 5th yellow last night and presumably is out. Will Gecov get his chance ( a big ask with zero games played) ? Will Etuhu make a return (againhasn't plaed for some time and despite his experience tends to rely on Murphy being close by) ? So probably neither. Dembele should be back. So will it be Baird in front of back four, then Duff, Dempsey/Dembele and Davies ?
Murphy isn't out as his 5th yellow card came in the new year. The rule is: If a Player accumulates five cautions in FTCM between the opening day of the Playing Season and 31 December (including any FTCM played on that day) in the same Season, he will be suspended automatically for a period covering: - One First Team Match. Baird and Murphy in a 4-2-3-1 with Dempsey, Dembele and Ruiz with either AJ or Pog up front. Or maybe Duff/Davies in the 3 and Dempsey up top.
If that's the case he must have been having issues which makes his selection yesterday all more peculiar!
Totally agree. But if Dembele isn't fit, 4-4-2 with Ruiz either second striker or on the bench. I'd like to see the newbie start the game so we can all take a good look at him.
It would seem Pogrebnyak is still awaiting Visa clearance, and will not be available for Saturday. With AJ out injured that leaves young Trotta with a chance of a debut, but I think it's more likely it will be the WBA lineup with Baird stepping in for injured Sidwell to partner Murphy. Dempsey up front, Ruiz and Dembele if he is fit coming in for Davis along with Duff attacking midfield in a 4-2-3-1. If Dembele is still out then 4-4-2 with Dempsey, Ruiz up front like WBA game Davis and Duff put in a more defensive midfield. As our problem will be our two full-backs will be under a lot of pressure dragging our two center-halfs out of position. If Schwarzer is fit I'd put him back in.
We've got nothing to lose. Get Frei and Trotta out there to terrorise the Mancs with there devastating pace!!
Agreed on all points. Especially regarding Schwarzer. Stockdale does not look as promising as once did at this stage, further improvement/development is required. May be is the reshuffling of the defense that showed some of his weaknesses. Btw, Konchesky was not that bad after all comparing with Salcido and Riise...
Depends how wide the swing will be, but I agree on the principle of playing Trotta and Frei. Mind that we can't afford to loose by 3-4 goals.
According to the BBC website Schwarzer and Dembele are fit, and Pavel hasn't got international clearance yet. In that case, 4-2-3-1 with Murphy and Baird as the 2, Dempsey, Dembele and Ruiz as the 3 and Trotta up front. Or, put Dempsey up front and bring Duff into his midfield place. I agree we should go for it - this is a game where no one expects us to win, so the pressure's off - but I think we should do so with the strongest available line up, not necessarily throwing in the youngsters for the sake of it. I've nothing against Frei, but I'm not sure he merits a starting place ahead of those named above. This isn't the ideal game to give Trotta a run, but it looks like we are short of options with AJ and Sa injured.
To be fair Cappy BBC have stated Dembele would be fit for our previous two games so until I see the official line up I will presume he is still out, he hasn't made the bench for the Everton or West Brom games either. I'm not sure Jol would risk Dembele in a game that can hardly be described as 'must win' as like you said Man City are overwhelming favorites. I can see him being rested for the games that follow.
This is the team I would go with Schwarzer (if fit) Briggs (Riise would get torn apart) Hangeland Hughes Kelly (Would pick Baird but he needs to be Sidwell replacement) Murphy Baird Dempsey Duff Frei (Ruiz despite an assist last time out had a shocker, and it won't get any easier against City) Trotta (Could be a game to smash his confidence if he has a shocker, but we aren't expected to score let alone win, I don't see the risk in starting him)
Fair point about the BBC and Dembele. That said, I live in hope. It seems to me that Dembele is the one who makes Jol's 4-2-3-1 work, and Ruiz is better suited to that formation than to a 4-4-2. That means that we shouldn't drop Ruiz if Dembele is avaiable, but we possible should if he isn't (and we therefore end up playing 4-4-2). I read an interesting article on Craven Cottage Newsround this week which made the point that Dembele is a player who enjoys crowded areas of the pitch while Ruiz needs more space, but really shines when he has it. Dembele's strength and skill when dribbling means he tends to attract opposition players around him (and he thrives on that), which leaves more space for Ruiz to exploit. They could be a devastating combination, particularly when you add in Dempsey's ability to pop up in dangerous positions to benefit from his fellow amigos' work. Throw in a pacey striker who stretches defences and makes dangerous runs (Trotta? Worth a try) and we could be on to something very special. I'd like to see that tried against City, if everyone is fit and ready to go.
Agree but would start with Baird RB, Etuhu with DM, and Ruiz (not Frei). Trotta should be given a chance.
Apparently Etuhu has had a major falling out with Jol (who hasn't) which is why I declined to consider him. He also seems reluctant to start either Gecov and Kasami either.
