I agree but that also presents the possibility that it doesn't go to plan and Brod "stupidly" takes him off when we still need a goal.
He'll start him tomorrow. He didn't look very sharp on Saturday, he'll need game time to cure that, and he's not going to get that sat on the bench.
I think that will be the next stage but tomorrows game is too soon. I expect him to start the following league game but that's quite far away (22nd against Saints) with matches in the FA Cup (Place) and EL (Besiktas) inbetween. Edit: then again, with that in mind, Brod may well play him knowing he can have plenty of rest before the next league game Depends how serious we take the cups I suppose
Very true. Despite getting the goal, he's looked rusty in all three recent appearances so far. Only to be expected mind. Plus, even though he is rusty, he's still more capable of bagging than anyone else in our squad.
So how do we cover for Lucas? Allen starting? Gerrard back? Can forward (Featuring Lovren)? Change system? Other? One thing I would not do is change system but I'm concerned about missing Lucas.
Oh yes Johnson. The Afcon only ended yesterday and Toure played the whole final, including ET and a penalty. He probably wont even arrive home for a few more days.
I suspect he won't be back in time and even if he is, would he be ready? Still a better option than Lovren or Johnson.
I suspect Joe Allen will get the nod on the basis that he will do less damage than the alternative options. Just as long as Gerrard sits this one out, I'll be satisfied
It's a bit of a classic that one. I don't think anyone expected him to have 22 goals by the start of Ferbuary though. I think starting 3 at the back against us is a bit nuts, to be honest. I know Kane's in great form so 3 centrebacks will likely ensure you keep him quiet but the last thing you want is our midfield runners getting more space to run at the likes of Skrtel and Toure/Lovren. I guess it might work but I could see it going very, very wrong too.
It's not really 3 CBs though (as long as all goes to plan anyway) as I'd hope that Can has license to roam into midfield. I'm betting on him getting the nod ahead of Toure and Lovren with Joe Allen coming in
other than the fact its done fine against a lot better than your one striker... its all about lucas, if gerrard plays in his role spurs will have a field day. not about 3 cbs its all about the midfield.
I like Kane, he'll be a quality player for years to come IMO. However, the 22 goals start is a bit of a red herring. Sure, it's a great achievement but most were scored against second rate no hopers in the EL
Your defence has also done a lot worse against a lot worse too. I was just saying that I don't think 3 at the back is a good idea. Personally I don't think it lends itself to playing against a lone striker, if he moves around a lot then the centrebacks are forever passing him off from one to the other which can cause mistakes. Of course if you play well at the other end of the pitch it might be easier, or it might not even matter that you're open at the back. Anyway, I don't think much is guaranteed about this match, it's finely poised on paper and very hard to predict, I think. If patterns mean anything then I guess it will be 2-0 to you but I really think either side could run away with it, or it could be very close. It's not often I sit on the fence and just state the bleeding obvious(I expected us to beat the Goons) but think it's an impossible one to call. Call it 12 goals in 20 league games then. Or better still, take out the first 6 games which were sub appearances where he played a total of 92 minutes, scoring one lucky deflected freekick, and call it 11 goals in 14 PL starts. However you cut it I don't think anyone saw it coming this season, I was calling for him to start last season and I wouldn't have dreamed it.
