What team would you go with? Personally I want to see Gazzaniga back. The defence has looked calmer and more confident with him there. We deserved to beat Fulham and conceded two deflections (one an own goal) which was very unlucky. On his league debut we beat Villa of course. Other than that I feel Richardson should start if fit. He's another player we look calmer and steadier with. Richardson is a consistent type of player, you know what you are going to get. Lambert is a must start for me in all games particularly at home. If we get a chance we want it to fall to Lambert. He can bring others into the game better than Rodriguez, can hold up the ball better. It's a no brainer for me with Rodriguez on no league goals and not looking like scoring either in league games. You get the most out of Lambert this way, if he's out of steam take him off. Clyne is a good player but at RB is erratic and leaves the defence short by over committing forward so much . In this game I'd play him RM, He has pace to burn on the counter which could easily catch Spurs cold as Vertonghen likes to get forward and Bale won't be tracking back much I wouldn't have thought. That way if he goes wondering it isn't as worrying. I don't want him to go wondering at RB and Bale pick up the ball on the left side regularly and be running at us having no right back in place! It gives us a double up on an in-form Bale which is needed I don't like Guly at all on the left where he played against West Ham, I feel he's highly ineffective there compared to the centre. Rather than going with Lallana left and Guly central I do feel Puncheon left and Lallana central is stronger though both on attack and defence. Puncheon put in a fantastic defensive shift against Fulham and will provide good cover for Fox against Lennon and Walker. He'll also put in better crosses from that side..Lambert needs better service which this will help. Lallana will also get into the thick of it in the midfield battle. Interested what you all think we should play and which personnel (I'm aware it's still 6 days until the game). I don't expect many (or anyone infact) to agree with me but this is what I'd play controversial or not. My team: ------------Gazzaniga Richardson Fonte Yoshida Fox --------Morgan--Davis---------- -Clyne-----------------Puncheon -------------Lallana----------------- ------------Lambert--------------
I vote for whatever team gomarchingin picks and then after I've agreed with his selection, we can argue about the same selection. It'll be fun.
I'd love to start Shaw, but I don't think it's wise right now I'd probs go with: -----------Gazzaniga---------- Richardson Fonte Yoshida Clyne -------Schneiderlin Davis------- Puncheon----Mayuka----Lallana ------------Lambert-----------
Would also like to see Mayuka get a proper run...I'd have no major qualms with either team picked so far
I would go with... -----------------K Davis------------------- ----------Yoshida---Fonte---Hooiveld----- --Richardson----------------------Clyne----- ---------------Schniederlin------------------ ----------Puncheon--------S Davis----------- -------------------Lallana---------------------- ------------------Lambert---------------------- Play 3 CBS's and 3 CM's using Clyne and Richardson as wing backs so when were going forward have a 5 man midfield, but when were defending we have 5 at the back (with schneiderlin playing just infont of the back 4) Let Lallana go and get the ball. I feel this is a better set up for us
-----------Gazzaniga---------- Richardson Fonte Yoshida Clyne -------Schneiderlin Davis------- Puncheon----Ward-Prowse----Lallana ------------Lambert----------- I'm happy to see that we all like Richardson now, especially considering I got so much stick over the summer for saying he deserves to start. He's by far our most reliable defender. I think Ward-Prowse would be good for ball-retention and combining with Lambert, so I want to see him in the hole. We need to approach this game in the same way that we did against United and City, and we might actually stand a chance. Most importantly, Adkins needs to restore some confidence into the team. I have no idea how he'll do that.
---------------Gazzaniga--------------- Clyne-----Fonte------Seaborne-------Fox Puncheon--Schneiderlin--Davis--Lallana -------Mayuka----------Lambert--------
Boruc Clyne Fonte Yoshida Shaw Richardson Schneiderlin JWP Fox Lallana Lambert Subs: Gazzaniga, Hooiveld, S Davis, Guly, Mayuka, Puncheon, Rodriguez. Ultra defensive! Boruc will improve with games and is our best keeper. I don't want us to keep swapping our keeper around, Gazzaniga should go out on loan for game time and Davis can be our back up IMO. Clyne and Shaw can overlap and Fox and Richardson can cover when they do-their main threats are out wide I believe with Bale and Lennon. Playing three centre backs seems good on paper but I don't think that they will work well as a partnership, our three CBs got milked for West Ham's fourth. Lambert can be subbed off for Rodriguez when he tires and Shaw and Richardson can be subbed off for Mayuka and Puncheon respectively.
---------Gazzaniga-------------- Clyne--Hooiveld--Yoshida--Shaw- Puncheon-Davis=Schneiderlin-Lallana ----------Rodriguez------------- -----------Lambert---------------- Nicola will probably go for the 4-5-1 as we are at home though .
I must say that we have to begin with the basics, and that is not conceeding goals so I agree with your formation especially as Spurs play with alot of width. The team needs to develope a hard to beat mentality
Fantastic line-up. GMI you are so knowledgable! And I love the subtle dig about who picks the team! You really should be on MOTD as a pundit.
No thats my selection , Cortese will go for a 4-5-1 with Ramirez playing ..................................
