Would be very happy to see Mayuka involved more, but with Lallana coming off of probably his best game of the season don't see that change happening. Personally on paper there are a few little tinkerings that in an ideal world I'd like to make to the side, but in the real world for us stability is key and we had a fairly strong performance against Swansea, apart from one defensive mistake and a slight lack of execution up front, so for me I'd like to see us make no changes (for the first time this season?).
Morning Mikey I agree stability is good. Have to say looking at the Rangers fans comments morale is really low at QPR, If we acn make a fast start they will be baying for Hughes blood! Can only help us!
The Swansea match was one of the first where I couldn't pick out any one as the weak link. You can't blame people for not being Robin Van Persie or Suarez. It looked like it was working. Against a 'weaker side' (i.e. not ManU or City), our defence looked decent and we outplayed them at times and kept possession. We still have to stop individual errors, but we showed that we are not out of our depth. After a lively start this season, we began to look like we couldn't compete with anyone...but if we continue to improve, notably by getting used to each other, and grab those points when we can, we should be alright. It's not how you start but how you finish. It's not how many times you are knocked down, but how many times you get up (Sorry, had a morning touch of the Adkins).
Good morning yourself sir. I think being away from home in a game like this can actually help rather than hinder, with the game so important and both sets of fans so nervous, if we can grab an early goal or put them under pressure, you'll be able to hear a pin drop, and that can never be a help for the players. And if we can talk a lead into the half, the boos will inevitably come out, and it could become a more hostile environment for them than it would be if they were at our place, and it will just put huge pressure on them and Hughes which will hopefully lead to them buckling! Of course the opposite could happen, and if they grab the opener the sheer wave of relief and delight around the stadium could lift them throughout the game. The whole 'first goal will be crucial' thing is a bit of cliche, but think it will be very important in this one.
We definitely looked more solid as a team without any glaring weaknesses, I think if Shaw can lock-down that left back spot and put in some performances it will be huge for us. We need him to put in a few brick wall performances and dispel any ideas in other teams heads that our left side is a weak point, then we wont have any more instances like the West Brom game where they were constantly sending two or three men to that side and overwhelming Fox and Lallana. Cork and Morgan seem to know how to work with each other, and I feel for Davis as he only really had a couple of bad games and I rate him highly and think overall he's probably a better player than Cork, but they just seem to have a good understanding of each other so that might be the way forward. Then our attack I don't think needs much looking at, I think once Gaston gets his legs and his head in match shape we will really get ticking and hopefully be able to threaten anyone. If we can get this line-up playing for the most part with no more than the odd change here and there until January, with less defensive tomfoolery and the attack a touch more potent, I think we can pick up a good amount of points. And some lovely Nigellisms there at the end Fran.
Joint best defensive performance of the season as only conceded the one goal, so positive. Certainly feel we should have had a penalty from the body check on Lallana by Monk Love to see the academy boys getting a chance and hope shaw gets another chance. Dont mind fox but he never seems to learn from his mistakes. I would maybe like to see Chaplow come in on the right of midfield with a more defensive minded approach to Puncheon. Should give extra legs in the middle and I feel he would help out Clyne against Hoilett. Clyne Hoilett will be a good tussle on saturday. Bit of a 4411 with Lallana slightly more advanced and Chaplow more withdrawn on the wings. Cork on the left of the centre to drop across and cover Lallana. On paper QPR look good going forward with pace out wide, Hoilett looks to be coming into a bit of form and Taarabt is a tricky customer in behind Cisse who is a quality striker. Granero is a good player but seems to be finding his feet in the prem. I know a consistent 11 is important so wouldn't be disappointed to see punch on the right just think that this could be a problem area if we get caught out on the break with Clyne and punch too advanced. Ramirez in behind Lambert is my favourite selection in attack and they will only get better after a few more games, with Lallana getting inside for support this trio look pretty dangerous. Not to mention the goal machine that is Morgan Schneiderlin! Hope against hope for a win on saturday to calm the nerves and get a bit of pressure off of the lads. Wouldn't want newcastle at home to be billed as a must win after they just got beat at home by west ham. I would take a boring nil nil just to get the clean sheet monkey off of the back. Heart predicts a 0-1 to the saints. Mind says could be anything probably involving lots of goals, some form of 3-2 or 2-5 shenanigans!
Hoping that QPR are so afraid to lose that their attacks will be limited. We all know that Saints are never too scared to attack Just said on Sky that Hughes is under more pressure than Adkins...think they were implying that was because we are newbies and QPR are a PL side. I also like to think that we are more behind Adkins than the QPR fans are behind Hughes. QPR have ManU next...I would like to think that that was a certain loss, but I try not to presume anything in football.
It's a tricky call, Boruc has the experience, I'm not sure he can get as much distance on his clearances, but it might do more harm than good to drop Gazza for one error, no matter how bad it was. NA is the one to make the call and I will back his judgement and hope it doesn't backfire yet again.
Can't keep switching. Stick with Gazza and give him the experience he needs to become the keeper he should be.
Referee for the match is Mike Dean. Good choice as he's one of the better and certainly one of the most experienced PL ref's. The atmosphere is going to be electric so an experienced referee was a must.
Seems likely as I can't see him going straight in without an U21 game. The emergence of Shaw and Fox on the bench makes it a bit less of a worry.
I surprisingly don't have a strong opinion either way on which keeper we should play (first time for everything) because there are positives for all three options.
I am much the same, have no real preference, but Gazza gets the nod for the QPR game because of his potential, and because we just need the same keeper playing week in week out, and his mistake in the Swansea game doesn't warrant powering up the goalkeeper merry-go-round once more and disrupting the side again.
Gazza needs to make mistakes to learn. We will see if he has learned by him not repeating last week's error anytime soon.
