So, it looks like we're selling half our first team squad making predicting our team a bit more difficult but I suspect upheaval will not pass as an excuse with many fans if AVB fails to lead us to victory on Saturday. I might not be pushing the panic button if we lose again but the media will be working hard to whip up any criticism from fans into hysteria, should we fall short again and this is why I believe it is very important that we win and hopefully with some style. West Brom showed last weekend they're no mugs and we should be wary of their strength in midfield with Mulumbu a real presence on the pitch who can unsettle us and take advantage of any lapses by the middle pairing. Up top they have Long who as we saw will have no qualms about hitting the deck for a penalty, our defence will have to be very wary of leaving a careless leg in his vicinity, whilst Odemwingie can join the attack and we may see the athletic Lukkaku make the team. I felt Steve Clarke was a risky appointment but if their performance against Liverpool was no fluke we're in for a tough game. So what are everyone's thoughts on the game? Key selection choices, improvements expected from the Newcastle loss, etc.
West Brom are poor away from home usually.. I expect you guys to run away with this one 4-1. Is the Adebayor saga sorted / is he able to play?
Yes. He's fully signed up and available for the weekend fixture. No idea how close to match fitness he is, though.
What I'd like to see: Friedel Walker, Kaboul, Verts, Benny Sandro, Sig Lennon, Rafa, Bale JD Bench: Carlo, Gallas/ Caulker, Livermore, Gio, Townsend, Kane, Ade Don't think Ade will be match fit yet to start. Can see Livermore starting over Rafa though with Sig moved up. If Verts is on the bench again then I really don't see the point of why we signed him. £9m is a lot for a CB, benching him for a 33/34 year old is crazy. Result... Close game, 3-1 Spurs I'll go for.
we played some really encouraging football against Newcastle at the weekend. Although it could be said that |Newcastle weren't at their best, overall, they are much much tougher opposition than WBA. If we go into this game in the way we did against Newcastle, but with Ade and the home fans behind us, we are more than capable of getting 3 points. I'd like to see Verts start this week, marking Long. and "Kabs keeping tabs" on Lukaku. first home game,excited fans and new signings on show, should work very nicely in our favour. 3-0.
I'd pretty much agree with that SoS, except for Dos Santos on the bench, as he's both injured and on the way out, but I'd probably switch van der Vaart and Sigurdsson. I think that the Dutchman can play a deeper role effectively and I'm not convinced that his Icelandic equivalent would be as effective in a more creative role. Whether it'd be a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-4-1-1 is probably just nitpicking.
Friedel Walker, Gallas, Verts, Benny Sandro, Lennon, Sig, Rafa, Bale Ade Bench: Carlo, Dawson/Caulker, Livermore, Naughton, Townsend, Kane, JD I'll be furious if JD starts as a lone striker, and could easily see us dropping more points if that happens If JD has to play, I'd drop Lennon, though on performance I guess it would be Siggy, but I just rate Siggy higher. I think we need Naughton in as defensive cover
I'd start with Ade, even if he plays only the first half, with him upfront with Defoe, in a 5-3-2 formation. ---------------------Friedel-------------------- ---------Gallas---Kaboul----Vertonghen----- Walker---------------------------------Benny ---------VDV-----Sandro-----Siggy---------- ------------Ade-----------Defoe--------------
Kaboul is out, according to AVB apparently. Maybe we won't sell Daws after all. Gallas is always problematic, Kaboul has his fair share of problems, as do most CBs to be fair.
Nice line up, and something i like in theory, apparently though out of fashion, probably for good reason, though I'm not sure why if you have the personnel as we do. but where's Bale, put him in for BAE and I'd be happy with that, as I'm not a big fan of Benny. Also with Kaboul out, I guess Daws would be the safest bet Anyway, whatever, please not JD as the lone striker, I can just hear the groans now from the Lane as WBA park the bus and we can't find a way through.
Cheers TF Apparently Gio is out as well as Kab, so my omission of GDS for tactical reasons is irrelevant now.
I'd go for... Friedel; Walker, Vertonghen, Kaboul, BAE; Sandro, Sigurdsson; Lennon, VDV, Bale; Adebayor Subs: Gomes, Dawson/Gallas, Livermore, Carroll, Dos Santos, Defoe, Kane
Good shout on Naughton for defensive cover, completely forgot him, his pace and decent crossing ability would allow to come on for Lennon as a RW/ RM too if he was struggling. Naughts is really versatile which is handy, was glad we gave him a new deal. Think JD should get the nod for this game though, purely due to Ade not being match fit and in fairness JD didn't look to bad vs NUFC. Naturally expect Ade too the line in coming games.
Friedel Walker, Gallas, Verts, Benny Lennon, Sandro, Gylfi, Bale VDV Defoe Sub Defoe and Ade for VDV and Defoe if the VDV rumor is true.
I can see why people might want JD, but I have no faith whatsoever in him as a line leader, and what happened at Toon didn't change that one bit. Yes he scored, Defoe often does to be fair to him. Did he lead the line well, not at all, IMHO. To me it will be crazy to have leading the line, we've already lost 3 points, partly/mainly because of JD being the sole striker, I fear we'll drop more if we make the same mistake v WBA. Ade is so far superior to JD in practically every department, I'd rather have him at 60% than JD at 100%. We'll have to wait and see obviously, but I'm not predicting this game till I see team sheets. IF JD starts as sole striker, I'll be tipping a draw I reckon.
i think we should start with JD if Ade is'nt match fit,we can alway's bring him on as a sub,if we need to.
Ade's still been training, I think he'll be fine. We might be running a fine line with JD if he's dropped after scoring though.
