Interesting after last season that people think Ramirez is the answer to tough defences. I think I'm with Tom on resting Lambert. ------------Boruc Clyne---Fonte---Lovren---Shaw ----Wanyama--Schneiderlin Rodriguez--Ward-Prowse--Lallana -----------Osvaldo Rickie and Gaston definitely on at some point.
Its not so much that Ramirez is the answer to tough defences, but more about how exciting it is too see Ramirez and Osvaldo on the pitch at the same time. Early days I know but there is hope that they will build an early understanding. That aside, I think your line up is about right. Whether Lambo plays is probably more down to them assessing him when he reurns for England duty.
Boruc Clyne Fonte Lovren Shaw Wanyama Ward-Prowse Osvaldo Ramirez Lallana Lambert I'm sure many people see dropping Schneiderlin as cardinal sin, but I think Ward-Prowse deserves to be in the team, and I can't see anyone else who deserves dropping.
Think with that dirty git Nolan and Noble you need a bit of muscle which JWP hasnt got yet. Morgan for me.
-------------Boruc Clyne---Fonte----Lovren----Shaw ----Schneiderlin----Wanyama----- JWP--------Lambert--------Gaston -----------Osvaldo--------------- For me, this involves much interchanging between Lambert and Osvaldo, and between the front 4 as a whole. In recent games, we have struggled not in possession but in creating clear-cut opportunities from the possession that we have. Hence why Lambert, JWP and Gaston start. They are our 3 best creative attackers IMO. Osvaldo starts as frankly he should be a key player for us. Rodriguez on the bench because despite his direct play being a real handful for the opposition, and his ability to create chances from his direct football, I just don't think he has been as good as JWP on the wing this season, and I feel that Gaston is more likely to carve open the defence. For me, Lallana has flattered to deceive in both this season, and the end of last season. I posted recently, in response to Lallana's critics, an argument that Lallana was one of our best players at the beginning of last season, but that he never quite regained that form after his injury. I hoped that he would be back to his best this season, but I don't think he is. He looks great on the ball. He has brilliant footwork, very aesthetically pleasing. However, if you look closely, rarely does this lead to a goalscoring opportunity. More often than not, Lallana takes that extra touch which he doesn't need, and the ball ends up either going out for a goal kick, or if we're lucky, a corner kick or throw in. But rarely into the box or the back of the net. Until Lallana can start giving us an end product, he's not what we need in the starting 11. We need someone who can has the vision and incisiveness to fashion a chance. Someone like JWP or Gaston, not (at this present time) Lallana.
I'm most interested to see who starts at centre-back alongside Lovren. Rumours say that Carroll may be back, so should Hooiveld start to add some height to our defence? I think Fonte has played well so far, and can't see this being a game for Yoshida (even though I'm a big fan of his), so for me it's between Fonte and Hooiveld, depending on whether the chances of Carroll playing are high or not.
I was thinking a long similar lines. Carroll is all elbows and that winds some defenders up but Jos matched him last year on the pitch and enjoyed the physical tussle. Seem to recall that was one of our first 'matchday uncovered' days and there is a great shot of Jos joking with Carroll as they leave the pitch. Clearly it is a match up he enjoyed. Carroll is still a dirty git but if Jos enjoys it - let's get him on.
Apart from crosses and set pieces jwp poses no attacking threat. I agree that lallana has taken a touch too many, however if it wasnt for jrod he would have had a goal, and he has looked a threat running at defences from a central position as has gaston who has won us dangerous freekicks. He also linked with the attack well against sunderland but hasnt really played with the confidence that regular match time develops. He needs to start this game alonside our best players. He might not shine saturday but he will worry west ham every time he touches the ball as he has the talent to carve them to pieces, lallana to a lesser extent has this, jwp does not.
But JWP's crosses and set pieces are an attacking threat. A player who receives the ball out wide, and quickly seeks to launch a pinpoint cross into the opposition penalty area, represents more of an attacking threat than someone who is unable to cross or shoot. I'm not saying that Lallana is worthless, and nor am I saying that JWP is the focal point of our attack. What I am saying is that, on current form, JWP seems more likely to fashion a goalscoring opportunity than Lallana, who still hasn't returned to anywhere near the level that we all know he can play. One other thing, you mention that Lallana has 'looked a threat'. That's my point. Lallana certainly looks impressive on the ball, but his dribbling is often to no avail. You can be as skillful as you like in possesion, but unless you have an end product, there's not really much point.
Must admit that does worry me. Nolan will have them all getting at him from kick off. Just hope he can handle it!
I agree about lallana to sone extent although his last 2 performances have been very promising. He has come closest from open play, hitting the bar and was narrowly wide against west brom plus he scored. Jwp played most of saturday as a cdm as i think pochettino understands that he limits our attacks.
Are you suggesting that a striker who has played in Serie A for two seasons won't know how to deal with niggly defences?
All it needs is for some player to say Pink Floyd are Crap . He WILL blow his stack !!! Only joking .................
You are correct. We tend to think of Gaston as a thoroughbred who cant mix it with dirty/niggly teams. He can. I worry about him being sent off along with Osvaldo. I predict we win 3-1 but down to 9 men by halftime.
This is exactly my thoughts. I would play ---------Boruc--------- Clyne -Fonte - Lovren - Shaw -----Wanyama - Schneiderlin JWP ------Gaston------Lallana -----------Lambert----------- Really can't see Osvaldo lasting the full game, bring him on if we need a goal. If we are comfortable then just leave him out of this one.
