Apologies, didn't see this thread. Mods may want to delete my one!!! --------------------Mayuka--------------------- --------Ramirez--------------Rodriguez-------- --------------------Lallana(c)------------------- ------Schneiderlin-------------S. Davis-------- --Fox------Hooiveld------Yoshida------Clyne-- --------------------K.Davis--------------------- Subs: Gazzaniga, Shaw, Fonte, Cork, Ward-Prowse, Lee, Lambert. I found that really tough...... Lallana and Ramirez could easily be the other way around, as could Mayuka and Rodriguez within the same formation. No combination of two from Rodriguez/Mayuka/Lambert/Lee would be a surprise for the roles alongside Ramirez as at the moment we really don't know there's much between them. Found it particularly tough on Richardson, Puncheon and Guly for whom I couldn't even find a space in the squad. Tough being (or pretending to be) manager hey?! Lat
This is the team and should be the starting line up if all fit! Mayuka and Ramirez supporting and swapping wings. Lallana Supporting the midfield and forward line and creating opportunities. Davis and Schneiderlin covering ground in the middle of the park! Jos and yoshida as our defensive duo. Hoping shaw can push Foz for left back ASAP. Right back picks it self....Clyne is just awesome! Only thing not sure about is the keeper....Not a Davis fan but haven't seen enough of Gazzaniga? --------------------Rodriguez --------------------- --------Mayuka--------------Ramirez-------- --------------------Lallana(c)------------------- ------Schneiderlin-------------S. Davis-------- --Fox----Hooiveld----Yoshida-----Clyne --------------------Gazzaniga------------------ Subs: K.Davis, Shaw, Fonte, Cork, Ward-Prowse, Lee, Lambert.
Of all calls, that is probably the biggest I've seen this evening, and possibly of the last few days also. However, I'm right in the middle of a blast of XTC albums at major volume [hope the neighbours are still fans], so my views are as about as ultra positive as can be [that's the XTC effect. They are so f****** uplifting, it's incredible]. Not that I wouldn't like to see that fabulous pin-point distribution that Gazziniga is so noted for.
Why is everyone replacing Fonte with Yoshida? IF Yoshida forces his way on to the team I think he'd replace Hooiveld and not Fonte. Fonte's work rate in our last two league matches has been absolutely incredible. Against Man City especially he made so many blocks, last minute tackles, clearances off the line. Hooiveld just conceded a penalty. Fonte seems nippier than Hooiveld too.
Really hard to pick a team to include playersy ou don't know. Assuming they have been bought because they are better than what we have, I would play: Mayuka Lambert Ramirez Lallana Davis JWP Fox Fonte Yoshida Clyne Davis Adkins could also try playing Rodriguez and Mayuka to start, keeping Lambert fresh as he did for City. And we mustn't forget Lee, though he is more likely to be on impact bench. I believe that Yoshida can play with both feet, so in some games he will be able to play next to Jos. I am really excited to see how Lambert does with the addition of Mayuka and Ramirez.
I'm not ruling us out playing 3 centre backs in some games with 5 in midfield or two wing backs. Problem is although Danny fox has a good delivery I have not seen any evidence of him being able to consistently beat a man down the wing for pace so maybe we needed a new wing/left back, this does pose the question that maybe or Luke shaw could do this job if required as they actually can tackle and do track Back if given that role effectively freeing up that role free/creative role for ramirez?
Only time will tell which 2 of Yoshida, Fonte and Jos work best together. Nigel must be loving the challenge of this.
The front four is going to be hard going for Adkins to select the right combination, but the options are really exciting and that's what it's all about and unlike on Saturday we will have players ready to make a difference on the bench. St: Lambert/Rodriguez/Lee/Mayuka Rs: Mayuka/Guly/Puncheon/SDR Ls: Ramirez/Lallana/Lee Cam: Lallana/Ramirez/Lambert/Guly
Having strong players on a 7-man bench may be worth a lot of points to us. No bench player will be second class...just a tactical decision.
Lee is a great player. He unfortunately got injured before he could really show his stuff. He has that touch of flair that we have sometimes lacked.
Just said the same thing on the match thread. Great thing is we now have a number of attacking options which Nigel can adapt depending on the opposition or how a game is going.