please log in to view this image V please log in to view this image Another trip to Italy tomorrow, our previous visits...a mixed bag shall we say! A must win game if we're serious, topping the group is important to avoid Chelsea or City in the Knockout Phase! Previous Meeting....with emphasis on meeting! (singular) a 0-0 draw. They Played For Both....For this tie, a special reception is being made for the one and only Paul Gascoigne. please log in to view this image COYS!
If there's anymore monkey chanting I hope they get thrown out. Compared to the West Ham game this holds little importance to me so I'd go for a severely weakened side of Lloris; Walker, Dawson, Gallas, Naughton; Livermore, Huddlestone, Carroll; Falque, Adebayor, Townsend. In the second half if we're on course for a result I'd move Townsend and Livermore to fullback positions and bring on Dembele and Dempsey in place of the Kyles.
Disgree YV I think this should be taken seriously winning this cup would be a great feather in our cap. Making AVB's job much easier in so many ways. From confidence at home to increased credibility in Europe. Everyone knows that we were unlucky not to be in the CL so winning this would underline that. Do not dismiss either how much easier this would make attracting top European players.
I think Brad might be in goal for this one if he's been relegated to Cup keeper. ps. I'm with Spurf's thinking, but I genuinely don't think we'll get that far, not unless lady luck treats us instead of kicking us in the nads as she usually does.
I don;t know, the Chavs being dumped into the tournament they actually qualified for, and us dumping them straight out of it, will feel a little like vindication.
If there's anything that we should take from our injury problems and struggles to replace them it's that we need to get more chances to our fringe players as at the moment we simply don't have the options in our first 11 let alone on the bench. My main reasoning for resting players though is that we need to win this weekend more and given our form I want to give us the best chance of that by resting many of the first choice available for the weekend.
Tricky one for the manager. He could pick our best team and still lose over there, unfortunately. Hopefully Adebayor will use this opportunity to work himself back into everyone's good graces after his balls up on the weekend. I wouldn't mind a few others being given an opportunity to make an impact either, to be honest.
Agreed. I'd love to win this competition (especially as the final's in Amsterdam!!! ). I'd go for: Lloris, Walker, Dawson, Gallas, Naughton Lennon, Livermore, Carroll, Bale Defoe, Adebayor I've only rested Vertonghen for Naughton (who's looking knackered) and Sandro for Livermore (wrapping him up in cotton wool while Parker's still out). Carroll deserves a start after impressing vs Maribor & Arsenal and I'd consider him an upgrade on Huddlestone at the moment so I don't consider it as resting Huddlestone, it's dropping him. COYS!
ahhh what a relief. A thread where we're actually talking about the team, rather than AVB's faults or chelsea's ridiculous owner. Good Job notso. "are you THFC6061 in disguise" (don't try and sing that in your head, it doesn't work).... ...see? I told you. Really looking forward to this one. I think it'll be a brilliant game, (well if Lazio actually decide to play football, rather than committing 22 fouls against us again and constantly stopping play). Both sides have the quality for a good european encounter. I'm very much with Spurf and others. I'd like to see us go for this with a strong line up, as I believe we can go far in this competition if we take it seriously. It'll be tough, especially when all the CL teams come into it (bloody ridiculous rules), but it's definitely worth a punt. Obviously by the time the groups have finished and the knockouts start, we'll be at full strength and we'll give anyone a game! I agree with SD too, I'd like to see Falque feature. In addition I'd also like to see Carroll play. As PNP has said, it's a tough one for the manager so god knows who he'll pick. I'd like to see Defoe on the bench, so he's fresh for Sunday, but would be happy with him having 20 mins when Lazio's legs are starting to tire. for me, 442 is: Brad Walker Dawson Vertonghen Naughton Lennon Sandro Carroll Bale Dempsey Adebayor Bale, lennon and sandro for Townsend, Falque and Livermore (respectively) at some point. 4231 is: Brad Walker Dawson Vertonghen Naughton Sandro Carroll Lennon Bale Falque Adebayor with Sandro, Bale and Lennon to be replaced with Livermore, Sig and Townsend, respectively.
I think the ommssion of both Tom Carroll and Yago Falque from last Sunday's under 21 game is significant, so I would expect to see both included tomorrow night.
Hi SC, what do you think on the keeper situation (can't believe I'm starting this! ) Hugo would like to get over shipping 5 with a decent scoreline here, but it should follow that if he's the PL starter now, Brad should be in for the Cup games.
.notso My feeling is that it would be beneficial all round if Lloris played tomorrow. I said this after Saturdays game and I still feel the same way. I thought he looked tense for most of the afternoon and this next 10 days where we have 4 games gives him the ideal opportiunity to get a decent run in the side.
More than fair point SC, unless he commits clangers, the two home games v Spam and Pool are good tests, and it gives everyone a chance in the stands to have a better look at him over 2 continuous matches.
