If it is really heavy weather, we may not see Faurlin...I hope he goes to Toszer and Doughty and not Henry
Nice to see not a single person picked Henry. Pre-season I was pretty much a lone voice and now gradually people are starting to realise that unlike when we are playing likes of Arsenal and Chelsea we are just trying to survive, so an occasional tackle is a positive thing. Now that onus is on us to take game to opposition and move the ball forward with tempo to get past teams likely to sit in against us. Taking Henry out the team is a big step forward. Putting Doughty in however isn't that great an improvement. Once Fer is fit can drop Luongo deeper. Or Sandro but for today hopefully it's Faurlin and Toszer playing along with Austin the formation's most crucial position. Lots of touches and no passengers or hiding like Henry
There are some nice ideas above and it will be interesting to see who CR will choose for his starting formation and who will be on the the bench, and who he will actually use (hopefully to postive effect!) My ideal "paper" team would have Faurlin or Tozser with Luongo in the defensive midfield, with Fer in the no.10 position. I hope that we may have a chance to see that on the pitch soon. Today, with the heavy weather, I would spare Faurlin and play Tozser and Doughty in defensive midfield. I am not sure if Sandro is match fit to replace Doughty. Enjoy the match whoever is lucky enough to go, but take some waterproof clothes!
Would like to be proved wrong but I don't think Faurlin & Toszer would work as a combination. At the moment I think Doughty and one other is the best combination to ensure there are some legs and pace there. Moving Luongo there maybe would work but it would be a real shame to lose him from the attack as he's been the most effective of the three attacking midfielders so far imo.
Luongo has been attracting a lot of praise playing further forward, and was criticised when he played at the base of midfield (v Cardiff?). Why would Ramsey move him?
I could understand it in theory to accommodate Fer though I'd disagree with it. What I really wouldn't like to see is is Sandro and Fer both brought in and Luongo the one to make way.
Sandro and Fer are not fit Sandro played 90 minutes on Monday...so nearly ready They are not in the equation for tonight
But for the three games they're back before both realising it's a bit rough in the Championship and getting injured again for three months, it would be very cruel on Luongo to lose his place.
I alos certainly hope that players have to win the "right" to play. However, this did not seem to be the case with Angella who was brought in over Hall, who seemed to be playing well. Angella to his credit played extremely well until he split his head open. But I am sure that Hall was dissapointed. CR does say that he makes decsions based upon the effort, attitude and resutls in training. This is something that unfortunately we do not see.
Toszer is slower than slow, so I wouldn't pair him with Faurlin who isn't too quick either. Luongo was very disappointing when he played deeper and has been great further forward. I wouldn't move him back. Doughty looks a good player to me. Sandro and Faurlin would be my ideal pairing, if Sandro can stay fit.