Tough one to call, it's up to Marty's team strategy and knowing who is ready for a big game! We played one %&@$-er of a game last season and I think Mon Meister is gonna have a go at this one by picking a team to win it. Cuellar, Marty likes him Brown, who was very decent -while fit last season and Bardsley, who has stood up well to a lot of big name players Meyler? Big game chance Rose, moved forward to left wing? Colback at left back? Vaughan, has exactly what we need in midfield -creativity, I'm a big fan -unlike all on here ... imo he was a key player in Martin O'Neil's winning streak last season when he took over -possible substitute perhaps? Saha: first team chance, could we go 4-4-2 against citeh? Ji: we all know he's not bad ...as a sub he could scare the willies out of a "vulnerable" defence Anyone else? I'll take Ryan Noble -first team start -any bets, what are the odds? /over to you guys
Reference Noble, " I will show my arse in Doggarts window " if Noble gets a start, not good enough for prem and will struggle championship.
I'll stick with my first reply, although 2 goals against a boro reserve team probably equates to his level.
The thing with Noble is , people's judgement of him is clouded because he is a local lad.if the kid was going to make an impact it would have happened by now, he made his first team debut nearly 3 years ago. Has had loan spells at Watford, Derby x2 and Hartlepool and the only 1st team goals he has scored is 2 for Hartlepool.Honestly if you take away the local connection many will have a more realistic opinion of his ability.
Noble is in the same position as Connor, Ji etc. Can never show his/their true potential unless they are given a run of games in the team. Time to gel, understand each others moves etc. Unfortunately I do not think any of these guys will get that chance but would love to be proved wrong. Re: the local lad I personally couldn't give a toss where anybody is from as long as they are banging goals in for SAFC that will do for me. Like Shameless I would like us to give it a go like we did last season and play both Saha & Fletch. Saha has experience and Fletch's positional sense has been superb. If Bards comes thru unscathed today would put him on for at least 45 mins with the option of moving Gardner back there in the 2nd half when Bards will undoubtedly tire. Give Sess a free role behind the front 2 and lets hope he hits form and let AJ score the winner in the 94th minute.
If Larsson plays in the centre then we will get bombarded. He was like a overly generous doorman against Wigan and let everything through. There was definitely a Cattermole shaped hole left in the middle. Tough one cos he had a great game last year and City will be wary of him. Knowing Marty it will be the same 11 that started against winning
Pretty much certain we wont see Rose as the winger against City. MON, like me, sees him as the best attacking LB for the future.
It will be like the alamo tommorow for us, we will be lucky to get 1 shot on goal. We have been negative all season, Sess is not a striker as has been proved this season, Play Fetcher up front alone but he needs service go 4-5-1 but for god's sake do not give the ball away!. This will be our second toughest game (Everton away 1st ).