Whilst I wouldn't go so far as saying this is a "must win". I do think a win here would do the squad the world of good in terms of confidence. Harper Chester Dawson Davies Elmo Thudd Livermore Diame Robertson Jelly Abel Jak Rosie Bruce Brady Ramirez Ben-Arfa Ince 3-2
I think that will almost certainly be the starting XI, but Meyler will be on the bench ahead of Ince.
dont understand why we have not played this system already as he stated he changed so Diame could be central.. This system gives Diame a central role and licence to push on with hudds and livermore behind
The only potential surprise might be the inclusion of Brady, it's unusual for us to use someone in the press conference when they're not starting.
I'd go with Harper Chester Dawson Davies Elmo Livermore Huddlestone Diame Robertson Hernandez Jelavic
I didn't go to West Brom (so don't know what his overall performance was like), but it seems a bit harsh that he scored and wasn't on the subs bench for the city game. Guess he isn't impressing in training at the min.
Brady's stat's this season are pretty good - off the top of my head he's got 3 or 4 assists and 2 goals (though obviously that could be wrong) - just his overall performances haven't been that great. Saying that I'd have brought him on last week for Livermore after about an hour, Robertson was so exposed and needed some protection.
Me too, he'd bring some decent balance to the bench too with his versatility. If he can regain his best form of the start of last season on a consistent basis he can be one of the best players in the team and an automatic pick.
-----------------------------Harper--------------------------- -------Chester-------------Dawson------------Davies------- Elmo----------Livermore-----------Huddlestone----------Robertson -----------------------------Diame------------------------------------- ----------------Jelavic-----------------Hernandez--------------------- Ramirez coming in for Livermore, (winning or losing) Ben Arfa For Diame (losing)brady for Robertson (winning)
Not sure Brucey is going to give up 4 at the back just yet. It'd be harsh on Rosy too after he played well against Man city. I'd rather see Meyler in on the left in a 4-4-2 instead of Jake. I'd also rather see Meyler in if its 3-5-2 instead of Jake. Think he defers too much to Hudd. Meyler and Diame will go for it more Jake seems to just play it easy all the time.
I think you could make a very strong case for playing Meyler ahead of Livermore tomorrow, but I doubt Bruce will.
Agree with Meyler over Livermore in either of Chazzs suggested configurations. But like OLM I don't expect it.
Agreed. Having just forked out 8 mill in the summer, I suspect SB is going to give him a bit longer to rediscover his form but he's got to be on borrowed time. I wonder if SB is a bit nervous about reverting to 3-5-2 after the first half shambles at Villa but he's got to remember that Chester wasn't available for that game and we didn't have Diame in midfield either. He definitely needs to give it another go, with the players available now and tomorrow would seem to be the perfect case for it.
I really don't rate Meyler, he just doesn't contribute enough and at times it's like playing with ten men. Livermore, like McGregor has had a dip in form, but we know what he's capable of.
I'd like to see Brady in the MF five instead of Livermore. Brady and Robertson combine well and Brady is going to be much more of a goal scoring threat. Chester back in in the back 3 and Jak as GK (But that ones not going to happen...yet). So I think we'll see. Harper Chester Dawson Davies Elmo Thudd Diame Brady Robertson Jelavic Hernandez Jakupovic Rosenior McShane Ben Arfa Meyler Ramirez Ince
