He did pretty well on loan at Norwich a couple of seasons back, it's just Spurs seems to be a step up too far for him, which puts him in the same category as Chris Perry or Ben Thatcher.
I'm loath to criticise Naughton, as he's played most of his games for us out of position. He often has another right footer in front of him too, which exaggerates his weaknesses in that role. He might end up in virtually the opposite situation against Stoke, playing on the right behind a lefty.
That's right, don't think he has let us down on the rare occasions he has played in his correct position, and I look forward to seeing how he copes. I do think Walker is overplayed, so this suspension comes at the right time. Just tell Naughton not to pass back
I hope Fredericks starts. Lloris Fredericks, Dawson, Chiriches, Rose Chadli, Paulinho, Capoue, Eriksen Lamela Adebayor Not going to happen though, I'm sure.
Soldado Soldado Soldado Soldado Soldado Soldado Soldado Soldado Soldado Soldado Soldado Just because we haven't been wasting enough good crosses lately.
PLAYER NOTES - Michael Dawson is set to become our only ever-present in the Premier League this season as Kyle Walker misses out through suspension. Like Kyle, Michael has started all 18 PL matches so far. - Mousa Dembele has featured in 27 of our 29 matches in all competitions this season. - A number of players have yet to face the Potters - Vlad Chiriches, Etienne Capoue, Nacer Chadli, Christian Eriksen, Lewis Holtby, Erik Lamela and Paulinho. - However, Roberto Soldado has faced Stoke - he came off the bench in both legs as Valencia beat the Potters 1-0 home and away in the Europa League in February, 2012. LEAGUE v STOKE - We are unbeaten in our last three PL meetings against Stoke (1 win, 2 draws). - We have only lost one of our last seven PL meetings against the Potters (won 4, drawn 2). - There has only been one 0-0 PL draw in our 10 PL meetings - at the Lane in December, 2012. This is our only goalless draw in the last 24 league meetings against Stoke dating back to October, 1977. - We have scored in six of the last seven PL meetings and in eight of the 10 PL clashes overall. HOME LEAGUE v STOKE - We are unbeaten in our last three home PL meetings against Stoke (1 win, 2 draws). - We’ve drawn our last two home PL meetings. HEAD TO HEAD Our biggest league win against Stoke is a five-goal margin, last achieved in a 6-1 victory at Stoke's former Victoria Ground home in the old Division One on September 15, 1951. Our biggest league win at the Lane is by a five-goal margin achieved by the 'Push And Run' title-winners, a 6-1 win in Division One on October 21, 1950. The highest aggregate scoreline is seven goals - last occuring in a 4-3 win at the Lane in Division One, October 7, 1972. HAT-TRICKS v STOKE Only two players have scored hat-tricks against Stoke in our history, both at the Lane. - Frank Osbourne at the Lane, a 3-1 win in the old Division Two, October, 1929. - Steve Archibald at the Lane, a 4-1 win in the old Division One, May, 1983.
I didn't realise some of the other fixtures being played today. 3 points is an sbsolute must. Everton v saints Chelsea v Liverpool Newcastle arsenal A saints win and 2 draws are probably the best results for us, IMO. I think 2 points "dropped" across 4 teams is best for us in keeping the pack tight at the top of the table.
Lloris Naughton Dawson Chiriches Rose Chadli Paulinho Capoue Eriksen Adebayor Soldado In fact thats almost a 4-1-3-2. Whatever works. Wouldn't mind Lamela instead of Chadli but the big Belgian against Stoke may be the better fit. Plus he's not doing too badly (relatively speaking) on the right. I enjoy Sherwood's commitment to playing 3 attacking mids and a winger in a 4 man midfield but with a designated sitter we'll be less defensively fallible, the fullbacks will be able to push on - especially Rose - and the likes of Paulinho and Eriksen won't have to get as involved with breaking up play and retrieving the ball so they can do more of the scoring/making other people score that they're supposed to be doing. So this: Lloris Naughton Dawson Chiriches Rose Capoue Chadli Paulinho Eriksen Adebayor Soldado
I'm thinking we should play 4231 because Holtby, certainly, and Eiriksen, I think, isn't half as good in a 442. Paulinho Capoue/Bentaleb Lamela Holtby Chadli Adebayor
After a good performance against saints, and that free kick against west brom the other day, I wouldn't be leaving Eriksen out of the side. This run of games and continuity is exactly what he needs. I know it's difficult to accommodate everyone if we plan to play 2 up front, but the constant changing of personnel this season has been a big downfall for us, IMO. I feel the same about Lamela too and believe the guy just needs game time. what about: Capoue/Paulinho Lamela Eriksen Holtby Ade Soldado or perhaps the same, but with holtby and eriksen swapping positions?
We will struggle today, with Begovic and Huth out injured and Wilson (Marc) suspended. We will have a makeshift back 4 and a reserve keeper who leaked 5 at the weekend! We should be ok going forward but I think we would have to score at least 3 to get anything from the game. Good luck
My eldest is going to the match, today. Let's hope he witnesses a convincing win off the back of positive play.
Nth choice GK + opponent(Spurs) = worldy. Nth choice GK + last day of season + opponent(Goons) = 3 absolute howlers.
