A few selection dilemma's with Pelle scoring and Wanyama suspended. Ward-Prowse is in with a shout of a start having scored from the spot. There is the question of who to replace Wanyama with and who to play at right back. And whether to change system or not. please log in to view this image That's what I'd go for. More of a 4-1-4-1 than the usual 4-2-3-1. For me, Reed has been out of the fold for too long to come into the side and start at DM. Ward-Prowse is going to be full of confidence after his penalty, so I think it's worth starting him. 4-2-3-1 with Alderweireld as a DM, Clyne RB is an option. But I'd like to stick with the same back four and the players that won the last game. Stoke are out of form and we should be looking to dominate them.. rather than play 2 DM's, one of which is a natural centre back.I feel that if we have to play 4-2-3-1 then Reed should be the DM. He's better than Alderweireld and Davis there, in my opinion. Tadic needs to get a run in the side again on the left in my view. Pelle retains his place after the goal, so Mane goes on the right. I did not like Mane on the left at all last game. He is most effective on the right or central. Koeman needs to stop playing players out of position. For example, Tadic has been shoved on the right far too often.
I disagree on Reed. He has never looked out of his depth and playing alongside Morgan can only help his development. I think Stoke are gonna give us a very tough game. Personally I'd go with... ------------- Pelle ---------------- -- Davis - Mane - Long/JWP -- ------ Reed - Schneiderlin ------- Bertrand - Fonte - Toby - Clyne ------------ Davies ------------ Bring Tadic on after 60 minutes.
I would have Reed in for Victor, JWP in for S. Davis and Tadic on instead of Long This is going to be a tough game. I have seen every game at the Britannia since promotion (inc cup games) they are a physically tough side to play against so need players on form not like Saturday
JWP made the difference when he came on on Saturday, and Tadić was the icing on the cake, so both have to start. So Reed in for Vic, JWP for Davis, and Tadić for Mané: -------------------------Davis------------------------ Clyne-----Fonte-----Alderweireld----Bertrand -------------Schneiderlin---------Reed------------ --------Long--------Ward-Prowse------Tadić--- --------------------------Pellè------------------------- Subs: Gazzaniga, Yoshida, Targett, S. Davis, Mané, Elia, Gallagher
Why not; Davis clyne. fonte. Alder. Bert Schneider reed Davis/jwp long. Pelle. Tadic Do we still think stoke are a physical team? If so maybe Yoshi in cb and push toby into cdm. They have some pace now so don't think playing CB @ RB is the best plan.
I think this is the type of match in which Koeman will go for a hard working team, meaning Elia and Long in the lineup. I'd go for Clyne - Fonte - Alderweireld - Bertrand Schneiderlin - Reed Mane - Davis - Tadić Pelle
I would go for: K Davis Clyne - Fonte - Alderweireld - Bertrand Schneiderlin - Reed Mane - JWP - Tadić Pelle
Koeman said it was to give him a rest, which is fair enough, as he played for most of the two England games followed by the Everton match. There may be a subtext though, something like "You may think you're good enough to play in the Champions League but you're not too good to sit on the Saints bench" or words to that effect in Koeman-speak.
Interesting to see you all picking Reed. I wouldn't mind him starting if he is sharp. I pick by form and who's been recently playing well. Reed hasn't played for a while, so that's a big reason why he's not in my team. And I went with a slightly more attacking set up. He looked great when he played though.
He might have a bad game you never know, but Clattenburg is the best referee in the league. I trust him to give it as he sees it. He isn't afraid to make big decisions and trusts his own judgement. That makes it far less frustrating if he makes a mistake.
He rarely has a bad game because he's superb at keeping up with play and is therefore in great positions to make decisions. Did you see him on Sunday?
I agree. Kompany was lucky not to be sent off in that game, but Clattenburg had a bad angle and asked his assistant. He handled the situation well and kept control. Had he not sent Kompany off against Israel 2 weeks ago he may have sent him off on Sunday. We'll never know. Either way I think he's a good ref. Edit: Handled not hasn't
