; Am a tad surprised to see Dawson dropped, especially as Kaboul will be rusty and its like we're setup to give Newcastle some hope, rather then go and there and attack them but Paulinho being pushed forward is a smart move.
How exactly? Worst team selection imaginable in my view. No left side with Naughton. Kaboul who has been out for ages. No imagination in midfield. In fact four defensive minded midfielders and Lennon behind Ade. Against a team without Remy , Cabaye and Tiote. This is the team we should put out against 'Pool at Anfield not against Newcastle. Oh well.
Interesting how Sherwood usually doesn't go with a DM and tonight he's going with 2? Does he think Newcastle are some kind of powerhouse?!!
Lloris; Walker, Kaboul, Vertonghen, Naughton; Dembele, Bentaleb, Capoue, Paulinho, Lennon; Adebayor Friedel, Dawson, Chadli, Eriksen, Townsend, Kane, Soldado Naughton at left back? Place your bets on how long before his trademark shambolic back pass that lets the opposition striker in on goal...
Amy team in football can do damage on the counter unless you have zero speed in the team. Lennon, Paulinho, Adebayor and Dembele are all capable of hitting teams on the counter so its not all doom and gloom, We're playing Newcastle not Barcelona.
Sherwood always keeps us guessing. It's impossible to workout what he's gonna do. I think it's good to see some changes. Rose and eriksen need a rest and Dawson hasn't been great for a number of games IMO. - surprised Lennon hasn't got the chop though. Somebody else deserves a chance after his recent performances. I'm predicting another boring match. No creativity and too defensive. Only one person in our side who looks likely to score. - Ade. I'd like to know what Sherwood was thinking tonight and why he chose that line up. Fresh legs are one thing, but the side is lacking somewhat.
We have been playing a more attacking team and getting outplayed, its not as simple as throw as many attacking players as you can on the pitch, and expect to win the game. Its not a line up I would have personally chosen but Eriksen has been inconsistent and we have a lack of creative players at the club so there aren't many options.
If Kane comes on for Ade instead of Soldado, it's safe to assume we're going to be biting the bullet on losing £10m off his value this summer.
We have needed more strength in midfield and this side has that. Starting Capoue looks as though any problem there between him and the manager is over (if it existed). Don't underestimate Paulinho's abilities to create plus attacking options on the bench if needed. We are at St James Park some respect is needed.
Bentaleb has played loads under Sherwood so if he counts as a DM tonight then he did before too. Knowing Sherwood it won't be a case of 2 midfielders sitting deep though, they'll be sharing the work load in defence and attack just as every central midfield partnership has in the games we played. I think those assumptions on them being DMs are based more on Sky assuming it's a 4231 but it could just as easily be a 4411 or 433. It's pretty hard to spot any shape in our side under Sherwood anyway
WTF is Sherwood doing ?? Play Fryers if you want to rest Rose. Capoue AND Bentaleb ?? Is he trying to prove a point AND bow down to supporter whining ??
Pardew's definitely gone for it with his line up. I've no problem with Capoue and Bentaleb both starting but bringing Kaboul in and putting Dembele on the left are unnecessary experiments in a team that's only just starting to come together. Maybe Dawson picked up a knock, like Rose presumably has, but we've got 3 players on the bench that have played left wing under Sherwood so this is a really bizarre call in a big game.
Newcastle have to attack after their recent performances so there will be plenty of space on the counter and even with Eriksen in the side would you be confident of breaking them down if we had them pushed back? I'm not saying we're definitely going to get joy but I can see why Sherwood has gone for this setup and hes getting slated now but if it works then he will be called a genuis. We will find out out soon if he got it wrong or right! COYS!
TBH it's not the norm for me to critisise the managers pick at the start of a game as I assume having been with the players all week they are not just some random choice and there is good reason which may or may not become apparent. Don't like naughton on the left though as most of us don't so for Sherwood this must have been the best of a bad lot the only alternative being that he is a complete cock.
I hope he's got it right. I won't call him a genius. I won't wait till after the game to say he knows more than me-but I am worried.
Afternoon/evening lads. Just tuning in and seen the starting line up. Kaboul's back. Interesting. No surprise to see Sherwood's golden boy Bentaleb still in there. This time alongside Capoue. Looks a tad unbalanced and experimental to me.
