A great weekend for us with a good win and defeats for Newcastle, United and Spurs. A real chance now of finishing higher than 8th. Next up is Spurs away with a Sunday lunch off kick live on Sky. I've seen Spurs a bit lately and they look very open at the back and vulnerable to pace. I'm assuming Jack and Vic are still out so for me the only question is who starts up top. I thought we looked much stronger on Saturday when Jrod went out on the left but I'd keep Rickie on the bench and go with Sam's extra pace. Boruc Clyne Fonte Lovren Shaw Morgan Davis Gaston Adam Jrod Gallagher Subs Gazza Chambers Maya Reed JWP Guly Rickie COYR!
We badly missed the presence of Vic/Jack sitting in front of the back four on Saturday. In fact I'd say both Norwich's goals came from their absence. Fonte would have had a better outlet than his weak back pass, and someone other than Guly would have been in position for the second. I don't think that position is right for JWP on Saturday's evidence, so maybe this is the time to try Harry Reed in CM. I'd play the same team as Lambie, but with Reed in for Davis. Davis drops to the bench, but comes on for Gaston at half time.
A bandy defender would seem to be a handicap, but amazing what a cold sponge and ribald laughter from his team mates can do.
God, the universe, or whatever, certainly has a sense of humour. Saints fans spend half the season obsessively debating the merits of Jack vs Vic. Now they're both out.
Karma. People have every right to discuss their relative merits, but a few fans went over the top, especially against Victor. A few sensible ones said we were lucky to have the choice to debate...now we have neither. However, this is what having a team is about...apart from two easily avoidable errors on Saturday...Saints did well, so mustn't panic yet.
But then he has seen him do that before. Good reinforcement of the idea though. "That Rooney's playing crap again and we need a goal. I know....!"
I know this has been mentioned before but I'd be tempted to start with Clyne and Chambers. Spurs do like to get the ball wide and do have some tricky wingers and attacking full backs.
Lambert's better off the bench, so I'd be tempted to have the same 11, but have Gallagher in for Ward-Prowse and Reed in for Ramirez. Lambert and Ramirez on at 60 minutes must surely terrify Spurs!
Was Lallanas early substitution for an injury (his right knee looked a bit of a mess), tactical, or a wake up call?
I think Roy is a fan of Rickie, but never hurts to remind him. People keep talking about Carroll, but remember he wasn't called up for the last international when you might have thought Roy would want to look at him. Rickie can offer a lot to a team...terrific sub for England if we need him.
May have been a combination of tactical (brilliant, by the way) combined with Lallana being not at his best with a cut knee. Adam doesn't need a wake up call...a real 100% man.
True that it would make the midfield less 'fluid' than it usually is. But I'm only really suggesting this because of the absence of both Cork and Wanyama.
Ah, so same 11 but with 2 different! I do agree we should be giving Gallagher, Reed and JWP some decent time in these last 8 matches (although maybe not the last one - I want a 6-0 crushing of Man U!)
