Personally I wouldn't play Caulker. Haven't been impressed with him. Very clumsy, easy to push off the ball and doesnt concentrate. Even Danny Ings managed to push him off the ball for Burnley's second goal - granted Dunne was also turned inside out, but Dunne has been much better for us than Caulker has imo.
This is close to my team except ANO for Fer. He can't/won't play that role. It looks as if he has a fear of tackling & defending. May it be worth trying Isla alongside Henry? I know that leaves us short at right back but I think the midfield is more important.
I like this, but we would get absolutely slaughtered down our left wing. Whoever they play at RM will have a field day. Maybe switch Hill and Caulker, as well as Tarbs and Fer?
Ok, having looked at other people's choices, this is what I would pick (Harry won't of course): --------------------------------Green----------------------------- Isla-----------------Onuoha-----------Dunne--------------Hill ----------------------Barton-----------Henry-------------------- -------------------------------Taarabt---------------------------- Vargas------------------Austin-------------------------Zarate
We would have quite a good chance with .... ---------------------------------Green----------------------------- Isla------------------Dunne------------Caulker-------------Hill --------------------------Barton-----Henry------------------------ Vargas----------------SWP-----------Taarabt--------------Fer ------------------Zamora----Austin----Zarate------------------
We really need to have a 5 man midfield on Saturday otherwise we will be so over run that we may not even get out of our half of the pitch...... So we either go 4231 or 4213 it makes no odds either way...... Green Isla, Ned, Caulker, Hill (God help us but I really don't want to see Traore on the pitch ever again) Barton, Henry Vargas, Taraabt, Zareta Austin Not the strongest midfield defensively but should be lively enough going forward........
As long as we don't play Tarbs on the left, he's won't track back and LB is our weakest position in any of the above line ups... Give him the No 10 position up till half time then replaced by Zarate, it should improve both of their match fitness...
We could always match their system: ------------------------------Green---------------------------- --------Onuoha------------Dunne-----------Hill------------ Isla-----------------------------------------------------Traore -------------------Barton------------Henry------------------- -----------------------------Taarabt--------------------------- ----------------------Vargas------------Austin---------------
Presumably this will be treated as a 'bonus game' and of course for sentimental reasons Ferdinand should play and be made captain. As we haven't tried SWP properly this season he deserves a go, and Mutch won't get any better without game time. If we made both of them captain as well it could boost their confidence. McCarthy should play (as captain) because he was so bad against Sheffield United that his confidence needs a boost, that only comes with game time. Rest Charlie, Isla, Henry and Dunne for the 'must win' easy game away at Stoke. Drop Taraabt and Zarate, they are not match fit and haven't had enough game time. But give them the captains armband to boost their self respect and confidence. Barton is our most consistent performer and needs to play (as captain) in a more influential role, so I'd put him on the left wing in front of club captain Clint to maximise our pace and distribution skills on that side of the pitch. In fact, to freshen things up, lets swap their positions. We need a hard tackler in the middle, so I'd play Fer CB and push Caulker to right wing ahead of SWP. Zamora is a great leader and has a fantastic engine - lets put him in centre mid, with the armband. CF picks himself, Sandro, needs game time and match fitness, will rise with the responsibility of wearing the armband. Junior, though he has game time and match fitness, lacks confidence, and needs to see more of the ball, holding midfield for him. His strength on the ball will be crucial here. On second thoughts, McCarthy up front, he's a big lad and will win a lot in the air. Murphy has been a loyal servant to the club, still on single figures in appearances after 3 and a half years or something, he's paid his dues. And on reflection Mutch is too valuable to risk and his complete flexibility in terms of the mystery position he plays in makes him an ideal utility substitute. So, my team is ..............Murphy.............. .SWP.....Fer......Rio......Barton ..............Hoilett................. ,.Caulker .. Zamora...Clint... ...McCarthy....Sandro........... I reckon that side has got as good a chance as any other we could put out.
Stan...had a personal email from Arry...He said that my confidence had been so traumatised by last weekend....that in an effort to show the team is behind me and believe in me...I would be captain this week. Are yoyu saying that I won't, because I feel a little bit shaken by this, and may not be able to contribute properly on Saturday Anyway.....I am playing CB with rio.... But agree Caulker should oplay on the wing...one assist and a great run into the Penalty area vs Burnley (home) means he has a better record than any of our wingers...so must play there.
