I'm not certain Cork's positioning is that much better though, to be fair. For example I remember against Chelsea in the cup he had an absolute shocker and got caught in behind leading to at least two if not three of their goals, in a similar way to how Chambers has been exposed at times in preseason. I think Cork is a good option to have at RB but not sure he's appreciably better than Chambers to enough of a degree that means he should get the nod ahead of him.
Chambers is better at rb then Cork is. If Pochettino wasn't convinced I'm sure Cork would have played rb more in pre-season.
Boruc Chambers - Lovren - Maya - Fox Vic - Morgan Punch - Lambert - Lallana Rodriguez Something like that.
--------------Boruc -Chambers-Lovren-Yoshida-Fox ------Wanyama-Schneiderlin ---Puncheon-Lallana-Rodriguez --------------Lambert
I can't believe that only one person has selected Cork in midfield. He and Schneiderlin were one of the best midfield combinations in the league last year. The team only started playing when Cork came into the side and if I remember correctly, he was played in every game after that. I know we now have Wanyama but I think it would be crazy to leave Cork out especially in a tough away game. I can see a 5 man midfield up there with all 3 of them playing.
Schneiderlin said there was a lot of competition for places and that the fact he started doesn't mean he will start every week. They will all have to work hard to deserve a place. Yes, right...like his name isn't permanently stencilled on the team sheets!
I can see Schneiderlin being played further up in front of Cork and Big Vic against West Brom. Solves 2 issues, tightens the defence and gives us another striking option!
Boruc Chambers - Maya - Lovren - Fox Cork - Morgan - Wanyama Lallana Lambert - Rodriguez Clearly our fullbacks will need a lot of protection and are much stronger going forward, and I feel that lallana doesn't have the qualities to play out wide. Chambers and fox are probably our best crosses of the ball and will be able to bomb forward which is handy as I can't see us creating much until gaston gets on. Lovren is better at playing lcb as well. I am very confident that we will challenge for europe with injuries and pochettino my main doubts. Pochettino has a lot to prove against defensive sides - so far no wins. I don't doubt he is an excellent manager but it will be a challenge to implement the attacking nous that we lacked under him last season. A challenge that I expect he will overcome. If Lambert isn't isolated we will win. Having such a powerful midfield will mean that he won't be isolated much imo. 2-1 saints.
Further to what I said above: -------------Boruc-------------- Chambers-Lovren-Yoshida-Fox ------Cork-------Wanyama----- Rodriguez--Morgan---Lallana-- ------------Lambert------------- As I said, very solid in the middle but lots of attacking options. Cork can cover Chambers and Fox is better without Jos on his inside. Morgan and Victor both essentially box to box but with Morgan more advanced most of the time. And Rickie, Adam, and Jay interchanging from the wings and central roles.
Anelka could be a big danger next week. If memory serves he has a nasty habit of scoring on his debut.
Anelka's career has probably been great financially, but I feel that his temperament and/or his advisors have let him down. Still think he should have stayed longer at Arsenal.
Boruc Chambers - Lovren - Hooiveld - Fox Wanyama - Schneiderlin Rodriguez - Guly* - Lallana Lambert *On merit after yesterday. Yoshida and Ramirez will be knackered after their round trip to Japan and we have to assume that Clyne and Shaw will be unfit. On the bench: K Davies, Fonte, Cork, Puncheon, Ward-Prowse, S Davis, Isgrove
Assuming Luke is out and bearing in mind that WBA were the most impressive opposition we faced last season, I would start with: Boric Chambers - Lovren - Maya - Fox Guly - Wanyama - Cork - Snidders - JRod Lambert Solid and not give anything away
