Considering we are missing 4 or 5 potential starters its a test of our squad. With the window opening soon not a bad time to test bench. Rigg Roberts Ballard Mundle Watson & others, when everyone fit we have a squad that will only improve. Go get a top striker and we are in a good place.
Not knocking you but I'm curious as to why you're not confident. With the players we have now, you know they're gonna give their all even it doesn't go their way
yeh my point was there’s nobody else! It was a necessary call to play Aouchiche or Aleksic. Playing both of them was the surprise. But if Roberts is injured and it seems Poveda is too, it seems both may well have been necessary
I think his internal rules for squad use are getting pretty clear. His starting XI doesn’t really rotate unless due to injury or suspension. He doesn’t want to make in-game changes if the game is tight unless we’re behind. Weirdly it’s easier for players to get into the XI as a starter rather than as a sub. I’ve never really thought it was primarily a matter of trust. It’s more about him wanting to pour minutes into what he considers his best XI.
Lads I don’t know if it’s because I’ve already had two beers but for once I feel confident. I think todays the day we realise what we have in Aleksic and it changes the season for him.
Looking forward to seeing what Aleksic can bring to the team. Adil had play d well when he's been brought on. Poveda must have suffered a Christmas Pudding Strain.
Suprised at Adil and Alesic starting but quite excited to see how they blend into the team and how they do. Haway the lads, let's smash this lot
Must say I like the idea of Adil wide left. Think getting Mayenda wide right will help both him and Cirkin too. AA getting fullbacks moving around could lead to a big game for Dennis.
I love that teamsheet btw. Roberts > Mayenda is the only change but managing his minutes and fitness is more important HAWAYYYYY
Wonder if it’s Aouchiche or Aleksic wide left. Got a feeling it will be Aleksic with Aouchiche in the middle in the Rigg role
If AA is on the left, he needs to be switched on when we're defending and help Cirkin out. Something we haven't seen that much from him
yeh the only reason I think it might be the other way is if the plan was for AA to come in for Rigg he’d have been training in that position. If Roberts was a late call to leave out for Aleksic; it’s an “easier” and less disruptive swap to keep AA in middle. it’s hard to know. At least Stoke will be kept guessing as well!
Good news as well the club have confirmed “a couple of weeks” for Rigg which I think we all know means a month
