If it's thought imperative to keep JD happy, then Sandro VDV Siggy Bale JD Ade, though to me it makes a nonsense of AVB's system, unless we're going to play JD a la Sturridge.
We need to get rid of Defoe if we're going to play 'lone striker' and he's going to kick up a fuss when he doesn't play, which will be most of the time. If AVB's going to dismantle the key feature of his attacking system just to placate JD, then 1-0 to player power, and AVB is going to look stupid/wise depending on results.
We'll see what happens.If it's thought imperative to keep JD happy, then Sandro VDV Siggy Bale JD Ade, though to me it makes a nonsense of AVB's system, unless we're going to play JD a la Sturridge.
We need to get rid of Defoe if we're going to play 'lone striker' and he's going to kick up a fuss when he doesn't play, which will be most of the time. If AVB's going to dismantle the key feature of his attacking system just to placate JD, then 1-0 to player power, and AVB is going to look stupid/wise depending on results.
Freidel
Walker - Dawson(c) - Vertonghen - BAE
Sandro
Sig - VdV
Lennon - Defoe - Bale
That would be my team. I don't think AVB can justify dropping Defoe considering he scored last time out and Ade supposedly isn't fully match fit yet. Plus the last thing we need right now is to piss off Defoe to the point where, this late in the transfer window, he decided that enough is enough and he wants out. Ade to come on after, say 60 mins to provide something different and prove to us why he should be the man up front.
Centre back pairing is Dawson + Verts because we're hearing that Kaboul is out, I don't like Gallas, and I'm not sure AVB thinks Caulker is quite ready just yet. I wouldn't be hugely surprised to see Caulker starting because he's probably more AVB's type of defender, in so far as he's more mobile than Daws. But, if he's still here, I think on balance Daws will start, if only to captain the team.
The formation is something I heard mentioned and then posted about in the 'Bite the Bullet' thread, I think at home we should be making the fullest use of the attacking talent available to us. I know Defoe perhaps isn't ideal for the lone striker role but if VdV and Sig can get close to I'm then it could work. With the greatest respect to West Brom, especially given their win against 'Pool last week, these are games we should be looking to win well at home and I see no reason that that defensive quintet cannot deal with West Brom's attack. If it doesn't appear to be working then all the manager has to do is change the system by bringing on Livermore for one of Sig/VdV.

That'as the thing about the "three strikers are enough" comments none of the papers have considered - Ade counts as one, Kane might count as a second (or he could be played in the attacking midfield trio, as he was in pre season) but at no point does he say Defoe is staying.
Friedel
Walker - Gallas - Vert - Benny
------------------Sandro--------
------Gylfi-------------------VDV--
---Lennon------Ade-------Bale----
Think that should work well. Galas has experience, Vert needs time on the field so no such a loss. Ade needs to get fit at some point so why not start him? I guess he has been training, so him being 60% is surely not fitness, but match sharpness, which can only be gained one way.
I see Defoe as a sub, nothing more. If he doesn't like it then he can get on his bike, I've never seen him be consistant enough to warrent making any demands of a manager. Would love to see Carrol come on too.
