I'll suggest my preferred team tomorrow after the window's shut. There's still time to get another 3 or 4 in through the door.
If you were the manager we'd have to call you' The Ticklerman' cos you're an even worse case than Ranieri was before he was re-incarnated..
Because it's Burnley, we need experience. I'd go with Dawson and Davies in defence and Diame in behind Powell/Akpom and Hernandez. Id Base whether or not to play maguire based on Dawsons performance after this game.
Assuming we play the same XI or Dawson is the only change, the bench will be interesting. Remember Akpom didn't even make the bench at Fulham - but surely he has to now? With Diomande back fit and Powell in the building, someone is going to miss out. (I suspect it will be Diomande.) I expect Kuciak to dislodge Jak from the bench immediately. Will we have two CBs on the bench? Thudd is a cert - so then you have Meyler, Elmo, Taylor, Maloney, Aluko and the three strikers all in contention. (Like Akpom, Meyler was another left out of the 18 at Fulham.) My bench guess: Kuciak, Bruce, Elmo, Thudd, Powell, Akpom, one of Dawson/Maguire/Davies. Maybe Maloney or Aluko will get in at Junior's expense, but don't hold your breath. Nice problem to have. People can moan about the lack of money spent in January, but the bottom line is we lost no one significant and everyone is fit.
Powell in his interview last night on city t.v did mention he's played very little football as off late through injury. SB might not want to risk it with him.
He's only here for just over three months, initially at least, and it'll probably take him that long to regain his match sharpness. Judging things over the last six matches there's not really anyone that I'd drop from either the starting eleven or the bench to accommodate him. Hopefully he's been brought in to cover for any potential injuries however I'm pretty sure that he said in his interview that Bruce has promised him that he'll play, I just don't understand at who's expense.
Yes I picked that up about him saying SB promising him game time(must have kept Hayden hidden until he signed) like you I cant see who deserves to be left out, bad enough losing your place to someone already at the club, but to a player who's just arrived and admits he's had very little game time as off late would be maybe a bit hard to take.
I'm not sure Powell will make the bench for this one, he's been out a few weeks and we'll probably want to take a look at him before dropping him in, though I suppose we have got almost a week before we need to make a decision. Akpom will definitely make the bench.
He has to go with the in-form strikers, Hernandez and Akpom, both recent hat tricks. Powell on the bench. Diomande out. Daws back in for Maguire. Hayden or Meyler alongside Jake will be a tough one. Rest pick themselves. A win combined with a Burnley loss today to the Wendies puts us in the catbird seat for the run in, but I'm expecting a hard fought 1-1 draw. McGregor Odubajo Daws Davies Robertson Snodgrass Meyler Livermore Clucas Akpom Hernandez Jak (too early for Kuciak) Maguire Thudd Elmo Hayden Diame Powell
Too early for Kuciak, who's been playing every week all season, but not too early for Powell who hasn't been playing at all?
More to do with his understanding/coordination with his back 4 than his fitness if he had to come in in the event of an injury to McGregor. Needs another week in training to get up to speed IMO. Jak's ready. Don't expect Powell to be subbed in late in the game unless we have a good lead.
So far people have suggested leaving out 6 of the team that have been on a winning league run. McGregor, Dave, Robertson, Livermore and Abel are the lucky five to survive the imaginary axe.
The two new lads in the stand, Akpom on the bench, Diame back behind Abel. Otherwise just Dawson to start in place of Harry. Expect a war of attrition.
Hi Anyone any thoughts about parking at Burnley? - I have only ever gone on the coach before so any advice (sensible!) much appreciated
