Clyne might not be match fit but picking Chambers over him is an even bigger risk. Picking JWP over puncheon, guly, davis, and cork however makes no sense when all 4 had better preseasons and better seasons last year (guly being debatable season-wise.) Pochettino hasn't picked to form or ability but it's a little early to get too angry. Good to see a strong bench though and Pochettino was pretty handy at subs, with pucncheon being his best choice.
Not been too excited about the season, but seeing the teamsheet with that academy quota and a healthy british contingent has re sparked my excitement ... COYR!
Without harping on the most important thing for squad harmony is picking the best XI, picking based on academy heritage is going to be very divisive.
May be protecting Clyne rather than not picking him because he isn't match fit. First game of the season not a last day relegation battle, so better to miss one game now, than several more.
Whether MP is right or wrong in his team selection, I doubt he picked any player because he was in our Academy.
Exactly, we know he's not match fit, so why risk him unless we have to? Chambers is clearly seen as a better prospect at right-back than Cork, and that has to be considered good news doesn't it?
Fair enough, I don't think Chambers is quite up to it purely because he hasn't played before, he has to start sometime but he's so new to right back that it is a risk for the 3 points but also his short term career if he has a particularly bad game. Think he will do alright but will need some strong midfield support.
This is brilliant, we haven't had a full team selection meltdown for what seems like ages! Football is back!
davis having played 90 mins midweek makes JWP inclusion less baffling. I am willing to give ward-prowse a chance but aside from some spectacular youtube videos, he has shown very little on the pitch. A decent 45 with no mistakes would be very handy and what we will most likely get from the young promising lad.
