Where did the Telegraph get that team from? Drawing names out of a hat. Nice to see the managed to cure Walker too. I think the nailed-on starters for the game are Lloris, Naughton, Kaboul, Eriksen and Ade. The rest I couldn't say other than the fact that Sandro should be one of those nailed-on starters. I would feel tangibly more optimistic about the game, the season to unfold and Pochettino as a manager if Sandro starts.
Also I'd be very surprised to see anyone who's not played a single minute of preseason start this game. So can't see Paulinho start. Or Verts. Though slightly more likely in his case if Pochettino doesn't fancy Dawson. And what's the story with Chiriches? Injured? Don't think he played at all pre-season did he?
That seems about right. But I think our squad likes balance. I would prefer Lloris Naughton Kaboul Dier/Dawson Davies (though Rose wouldn't be a shock) HUDDLESTONE Capoue Lennon/Townsend Eriksen Lamela Adebayor (with Soldado coming on in the second half)
Today is all about the result. I really don't care if we play absolute **** and win. As SOS says we can't lose 4 times in a row to these mugs. The pessimist in me says I'd take a draw but we really should be winning these games given the quality of our squad compared to theirs. I have a few West Ham fans at my work who have given it large all last year, I can't have that carrying on this season as well!
For me, it has to be Naughton at RB. I have a feeling that he'll go with Kaboul, Vertonghen ( if he's anywhere near fit) & Rose. He made Kaboul capt. In pre season games, so I can't see him being left out if he's fit. All those who played well pre season deserve a start - Holtby, Capoue, Rose, as well. Up front, is Ade fit enough?
Exactly. It would be even more shocking to see Huddlestone, though, Rockspur. I think I talked about how much I wanted him to stay till I bored myself, not to mention others. But the player who can put in accurate passes to lead forwards into space and spring a fast counterattack is very valuable these days. Gerrard filled that role with Liverpool. I've got hope for Bentaleb and Holtby, though. I was watching from too far away to tell who it was (they look so similar as well), but one or both was putting in a number of promising passes over the top last game, even if we managed to get called offsides on them about eight times (though we were offsides only five).
He picked up a back injury before we flew out for the US tour, so either he hasn't recovered from it...or there's mileage in the reports he's off to Roma.
#THFC team: Lloris; Naughton, Dier, Kaboul (C), Rose; Bentaleb, Capoue; Lennon, Eriksen, Lamela; Adebayor. #COYS
So Sandro not even on the bench. Why is it that the last three managers haven't seen what a good player he is? Would literally be the first name on the team sheet for me. As opposed, say, to Lamela whose inclusion seems an act of hope rather than one based on performances (I do not subscribe to the theory that he excelled in pre-season). Oh well - here's hoping!
I get the feeling the attacking trio is in the wrong order - Lamela was on the right and Lennon on the left in pre-season. Capoue and Bentaleb starting is a double-edged sword: on one hand they'll cut out the Spammers' kick and rush tactics, on the other we're sacrificing some creativity through the middle. Also, expect transfer rumours about Verts, Dembele and Paulinho to appear in tomorrow's papers.
Interesting line up. Hopefully it's just a matter of time before Davies takes that left back spot. I know Naughton gets a lot of stick, but he's got an opportunity on the right hand side to prove people wrong today. He needs a positive performance. Would like to have seen holtby start over Bentaleb, just to add that bit more "spark", as we already have capoue to break up the play. Regardless, COYS!!!!
I didn't think that Pochettino would pick players that haven't played enough time in the pre-season and that's how it's turned out. It's left us with a side that's not played a lot of games together, though. Vorm, Vertonghen, Dembele, Sandro, Chadli, etc. fail to even make the bench, so it'll be interesting to see what happens for the Europa League game. We need to start getting these players into the swing of things and back up to 100%. Also looks like the rumours about Walker's injury are correct.
This stream looks OK at the moment: http://www.stadium-live.biz/Channel4.html Disable adblock to enable full screen. Anyone got better?
