With Van Aanholt injured and Cattermole suspended Poyet has a selection dilemma. I imagine he'll put Bridcutt straight in for Catts but he has a headache when it comes to the back 4. Id personally go with something a little different to what I think Poyet will. Id go; -----------------Pantilimon--------------------- Larsson----Vergini--------Oshea-----Réveillère --------------Bridcutt----Rodwell--------------- Buckley------------Gomez-------------Johnson --------------------Fletcher-------------------- I know there's been mention of Mavrias playing right back but I think Larsson would be more disciplined and could track Baines and stop him getting too much freedom down the wing. Larsson is also probably our best crosser into the box and we need to get crosses into the box for Fletcher. Wickham was dyer so Johnson would come in on the left, again get the ball out wide and get crosses into the box. He'll not last the 90 as he'll have his defensive duties tracking Coleman. Maybe thats where Mavrias could come into the game.
god ****ing help us... 8 seasons in the prem, and look at hat ****ing team.. gannin backwards....bridcutt and buckley ffs.. just when we thought colback and gardner were bad..now we have this dross.
I never thought Jack the rat, or Gardner were that bad to be honest, and I think Gus's old boys are not too bad as back-up, I feared the worst when I saw the team sheet for Monday night, but have to admit I was way out, so we will just have to wait and see who plays and how they do against the Toffees. The wide positions worry me more than the full backs at present th'o, as Whicks out there is a dead loss and Bucks was not much better. One thing we do have is team spirit, and this needs to be encouraged, even if those playing at present are not world beaters, they are trying.
Alternatives in the squad at present? Neither Bridcutt or Buckley would be in the starting 11 if not for injury and suspension.
Team I would personally play... -----------------Pantilimon--------------------- Vergini----Brown--------Oshea-----Réveillère --------------Larsson----Rodwell--------------- Mavrias-----------Wickham-----------Johnson ---------------------Fletcher-------------------- Personally think in the game against Palace Buckley did very little, and though whilst he scored Gomez was ridiculously slow on the ball, dawdled and lost it quite a few times Hence I'd chuck Mavrias in and give him a go so we have someone crossing the ball in with Johnson cutting in Wickham just behind Fletch to give him a bit more time on the ball and possibly get a shot off Due to how the defence have been recently with OG's, id generally just go for score more than the opposition
Well I'm going to go with the formation we actually play as he won't change it. Pants Vergini--------O'Shea-------Brown---------Réveillère Rodwell Larsson-------Gomez Johnson------------------------Mavrias Fletcher
Bri I'll go with this as my favourite of the above. Not sure why people are putting midfielders in the back 4 when we can play Vergini or Brown there?! Wickham has to be dropped after Monday. Larsson was excellent i thought. The only doubts would be: Should brown or Verg play RB? The other would be CB. Brid or Rod as deepest midfielder? I'd probably favour Brid and think Gus will too. AJ def in, who should be the other winger? I'd stick with Buckley for now.
I'm not adverse to Mavrias playing rightback but I think he'd be wasted, he must be chomping at the bit for the opportunity to go out and play his own game. Wickham isn't working there. It only worked against Stoke because Gus knew Bardo's biggest weakness was player coming across him. I think Gus will favor Bridcutt too but I'd feel much safer with Rodwell there though, his ability to drop back into a back three with ease while our fullbacks attack as wingbacks would work nicely with Rodwell's second position being cb. Bridcutt knows the score too playing that role for Gus at Brighton, he's just looked out of his depth so far imo. I think Rodwell will be on the bench, harsh against his old club but it would be harsh to drop Gomez after contributing to a win but you know he would never drop Larsson.
Could play Wes Brown up front with Fletch and tell him under no circumstances is he to score? Gotta be good for a hat-trick...
Oh, didn't realise it was predict the line up. Thought it was what we'd go with. I think Gus will play this. Pants Vergini--------O'Shea-------Brown---------Réveillère Bridcutt Larsson-------Gomez Buckley-------------------------Wickham Fletch
Man, am I hoping for a win Sunday. This is the one game where I take a whole lot of crap if we lose. And it's freaking relentless. Like Bri's lineup. Predict Rodwell is motm and scores the winner!
I'm not sure whether it's a 'what we'd like' or 'gus will dee this' choice to be honest, bud. Mine was more along the lines of what i'd expect, with some hope thrown in that he drops Connor for being a pussbag and puts Jonno on there to give us width and feed crosses into the box for Fletch. No idea how fit or not Rodders is, but this is Bridcutts chance to make a name for himself in the DM slot with Catts out suspended.
Gus is almost certain to go with this ^^^ lets not knock him we won on Monday and at the moment thats all that matters. I certainly think Johnson should come back in, maybe for Wickham. With PVA injured we need supply from the wings. Rodwell on the bench as he might not be 100%.
I'm going to have a nightmare on saturday night with the thought of Buckteeth, bridcock & Gomez in midfield against Everton.