I'll do a mtach thread tonight but can't cut and paste etc from work. Any i nitial thoughts on our team selection for Saturday. For those who went last night did anybody do well enough to earn a place? Personally I'd go with the 11 that started against Liverpool.
Nobody did well enough to displace any that played on sat. Chambers looked good gaston good in the first half absent in 2nd. Biggest disappointment was cork- after first 10m was poor.
I think our team should remain the same. Last night gave players a run out (making them more match fit) but no one really shone enough to displace a first teamer...though that is also because no one in the starting eleven looks like they need replacing. Ramirez confirmed that he is ready and waiting if needed. Yosh and Jos did well against lower league opposition, but cannot displace Lovren and Fonte on merit. Chambers progressing nicely and will do fine as a Clyne back up. Good to see Tadanari do well, especially in the first half, but he won't feature in League matches unless there is a bout of food poisoning. Don't think we need to be clever against Palace, just ruthless.
You could argue that Any of our attacking options who played last night could displace our attacking options from our first team. We haven't scored a goal from open play yet, and seeing as S.Davis and Gaston have got 2.. all be it in the cup.. have scored. I would deff consider dropping Lambert/Osvaldo for Gaston or S.Davis.. The likely option being Lambert for me. Id go with this. Boruc Clyne Fonte Lovren Shaw Schniderlin Wanyama JWP Gaston Lallana Osvaldo/Lambert Bench. K.Davis Chambers Hooiveld Cork S.Davis Rodriguez Osvaldo/Lambert
I thought the concensus was that other than his goal Gaston had a poor game last night? I'm a fan though and wouldnt mind seeing what he and Osvaldo could do against a shaky Palace defence. I'd start with Rickie and reluctantly drop Jrod.
I thought consensus was that he was good in the first half but faded in the second - but that's only judging by the Solent commentary and a couple of fans. At any rate, I'd have no problem dropping Rodriguez for him at the moment, Gaston can't exactly offer much less.
I would go with Boruc Clyne Lovren Fonte Shaw Morgan Wanyama JWP Gaston Lallana Osvaldo I dont think Lambert is firing and think the international matches seem to have taken it out of him a tad, he doesnt look as sharp as last season and jaded. I think Osvaldo and Gaston could be on same wavelength and would def start with Gaston. He has a point to prove and seems up for it. Could see a Villa type performance, Palace struggling somewhat and wont have puncheon in their side. Only doubt is Gaston fit ? limped off near end !!
Same team as against Liverpool. Will be more fluid in attack too as we will be on the front foot. Only possible change in my eyes is if Pochettino think Davis can add some urgency. Maybe rest Wanyama or Schneiderlin for a 'bigger' match with either Cork to come in (straight swap4-2-3-1) or Davis (more advanced 4-1-4-1)
Ramirez for Rodriguez sounds like a decent shout. Rodriguez's pace is less likely to be an asset against Palace at home. Last year he kept getting chances even when he didn't finish them but the impression I've got is that he's not even getting the chances this year. Ramirez may be inconsistent and anonymous for periods but if he does nothing all game except produce one moment of magic for a goal or assist then he's worth a place. I'd give him a go. I wouldn't drop Lambert but I also wouldn't object too strongly if he wasn't playing.
Palace will be bringing a bus or two to park I expect. Hopefully we can find someone to get an early goal. I'd start with the same team but make changes at half if it is still at zeros.
Ramirez scored a wonder volley last night , and showed a few more brief showings of his skill and ability but on the hole was not that good ! people who actually watched him would have noticed that on many occasions he ran in to trouble and dribbled himself in to losing the ball and also had a horrible tendency to actually pass to a black shirt . Not saying that he was bad or slating but just stating that he wasn't as good last night as some people rated him . I don't think that any first teamers should be losing sleep , cork was disappointing for me , again the stand out performer I would say would have to be steven davis who looked solid and threatening throughout . Tadanari had lots of energy and did , james ward prowse set pieces and dead ball kicking I do believe should be something to look forward to in the future .
I was thinking the same but I actually haven't seen anything of Palace this season and that wasn't Holloway's style with Blackpool so I'm not sure. Anyone seen much of their games this season?
Team will be the usual suspects. Can't see anyone being rested as someone suggested...unless injured, professional players should be able to handle one game a week and, in fact, need the games to maintain match fitness. JRod may be the one under threat, but I think he adds to the team and should get better.
Gaston will now be injured for 6 weeks and be slowly reintroduced- I don't see him starting soon and given the way Lambert/Osvaldo/J Rod have been playing I can see why. The team will be the same and rightly so- we beat Liverpool at anfield!
Was he that bad on sat? I haven't seen the whole match, got it saved on my skybox so may watch it while on call tonight. I have defended Gaston resolutely up until now but I always said this season is make or break for him. That goal was brilliant but my worry is he just doesn't get enough time/space in the PL.