I'm sure DTLW has the match thread well under preparation but early views on our starting 11 folks? Looks like we could be two full backs down plus Maya and Gaston both have long away trips midweek. Does he risk them starting? My starter for 10 Boruc Chambers Maya Jos Lovren Punch Victor Morgan Adam Jrod Rickie Views?
Would be very strange to go back to 4-4-2..! I'm saying: Boruc Chambers-Lovren-Maya-Fox Wanyama-Schneiderlin Rodriguez-Gaston-Lallana Lambert
When was the last time we played 4-4-2 for ages Boruc Chambers lovren Jos Fox Wanyama Morgan Rodriguez Ramirez Lallana Lambert
If it were up to me under the assumption we'll be without Clyne... Boruc Chambers-Maya-Lovren-Targett Wanyama-Schneiderlin Puncheon-Lallana-Rodriguez Lambert If Gaston was fighting fit I'd give him the nod, but if he's weary I'd leave him for the last 30. I don't doubt in reality that Fox would start ahead of Targett and is miles ahead of him, but personally although I don't think Fox is a full on disaster he's just not cut out for this level, and when we've got as promising as Targett coming through I'd rather give him a go than stick with someone you know will get us nowhere. Even only on the back of a week of training, I'm a believer in baptisms of fire being a real positive test of a players mettle and if he's good enough he's ready, and I personally think he's good enough but Poche will likely differ! Also I just love getting our academy players involved, real source of pride for me.
I expect us to start how we did today with Fox in for Shaw - as soon as I saw the teamsheet I assumed that Pochettino has decided that both Yoshida and Ramirez will not be fit enough to start - 90 minutes of pre season is not enough to start the first game I don't think. Boruc Chambers - Lovren - Hooiveld - Fox Wanyama - Schneiderlin Rodriguez - Lallana - Guly LambertPersonally, I would have Fonte over Hooiveld - I don't know why Hooiveld is picked over Fonte nowadays, I think Fonte's overall game is superior to Hooiveld and he is much more mobile, but MP must know something we don't. I would stick with Fox at LB over someone like Targett - it'd be madness to throw him in without training with the first team at all during pre season.
Boruc Cork - Maya - Lovren - Fox Wanyama - Schneiderlin Lallana Puncheon - Rodriguez Lambert This is if Shaw and Clyne are out injured. Would play Cork at rightback as cover as he's not let us down when asked to do that job. Had we had better cover at DM I think we would have seen him there more than Maya last season. With Wanyama it frees up that option.
Just for funsies... ---------------------Boruc ----------Lovren---Hooiveld---Yoshida Puncheon---Cork---Wanyama---Schneiderlin---Lallana --------------Rodriguez---Lambert
Actual one: -----------Boruc Cork---Fonte---Lovren---Fox ---Wanyama---Schneiderlin Puncheon---Lambert----Lallana ----------Rodriguez Doubt that'll happen though.
More than happy to see Chambers start v's WBA was very good first half today and looked more than capable over pre season! Think were line up something like: Boruc Chambers - Lovren - Maya - Fox Wanyama - Schneiderlin Rodriguez - Gaston - Lallana Lambert Thats again presuming that everyone comes back fully fit from internationals!
It is quite obvious we will be starting our new campaign without our first choice FB's! This to me would mean that a more defensive approach going to the hawthorns, With 2 Holding Midfielders and 1 box to box.. This is what I would play. Boruc Chambers Lovren Hooiveld(To deal with the aerial threat) Fox Cork Schniderlin Wanyama Rodriguez Lambert Lallana
Yes. I would want 3 more defensively minded CM's if we are playing with fox.... and Hoiveld. Maybe push Wanyama up into the hole, Gaston to come on later. Punch and mayuka also on the bench for a bit of impact.
Exactly my point, and if chambers is playing at RB,, I don't want him to be isolated all the time either, so some good exp and passing options available to support him!
Cork at right back for me also, would rather ease chambers in with appearances off the bench, but then I have yet to see him play. If he is as good as shaw then lob him straight in but the conservative in me says go for tried and tested cork in the first game with 2 other new players (Lovren and Big Vic) who have never played in the premier league, likely to start.
That's why I put Cork at RB. I'm happy for Chambers to play this season, but I don't want his first game to be away at a team like West Brom. We're going to need good positional awareness and no mistakes to avoid what they did to us last season, and while Chambers is clearly talented his positioning doesn't seem to be the greatest. Cork might not offer much getting forward from RB, but he won't get caught out and he'll provide more support for what is a pretty worrying back line. We know he's got a good record for tackling and interceptions, and he plays a simple passing game. Basically I'm prioritising avoiding mistakes over attacking ability from our fullbacks.
Boruc Chambers-Lovren-Maya-Fox Wanyama-Schneiderlin Rodriguez-Gaston-Lallana Lambert Wouldn't mind seeing Cork right back either
