This is something we will never agree with for sure but without descending into fights and abusive texts, just post your best 11. Assume everyone is fit although I'm discounting Brown who is finished IMO. No long winded explanations please , just best 11 and subs. I'll start it off. Westwood Celustka, Jos, Roberge, Colback Cattermole, Ki Gardner, Giacherinni, Johnson Fletcher Mannone, Diakite, Karlsson, Altidore, Cabral, Wickham, Larsson
I'd be tempted to switch JOS with Diakite, but fear that communication at the back would be even worse. so for that reason only, JOS would stay at the back. Otherwise I'd try and be a bit more aggresive up-front against weaker teams, and get Colback and Celutska providing the width up front & Gards/Catts protecting the back if C&C bomb up and put some decent crosses into the box, with a 4-3-1-2 type formation: Gards-Ki-Catts Giacc Fletch-Jozy
............... ....Westwood.................... Celustka.....Diakite... Roberge......colback .........Gardner...Cattermole..Ki................. Giaccherini.....................................Johnson ..........................Altidore............................. 4/3/3 come 4/5/1. Fletcher up top when fit if Altidore doesn't look like scoring.
Agree with cest's first 11 but would have borini. An alternative type of striker to Altidore and Whickham
Peoples opinion changed on gardner quickly. Without doubt his best game in a sunderland shirt at the weekend maybe the 3 man cm is where he shows his best form.
Like it mate. I'll go with this, maybe push Ki 10-15 yards further forward against the right opposition. But spot on for me
............... ....Westwood.................... Celustka.....Diakite... Roberge......Colback ...........Ki...Cattermole..Gardner.......... ......................Giaccherini.......... ....Borini/Fletcher...........Altidore........
Westwood Celustka, diakite, Roberge, Colback Gardiner, cattermole Giacherrini, Ki, Johnson Fletcher Subs: Mannone, JOS, Cabral, Karlson, Boring, Atidore, whickham. Playing a 4-2-3-1 format on.
I don't think anyone is impressed with Westwood but Mannone blew his chance against MK Dons unfortunately
This apart from JOS worries me, Diakate might be a better option. Johnson also needs to improve or I would give Borini a chance in that position. I have always though Gardner was a good player, always gives 100% and looks a threat on goal, he has scored quite a few goals for us now, is dangerous from set pieces and has a 100% success rate from the spot. I have been saying he and Gardner should be played together in the middle for ages now. Add Ki and we finally have a strong centre midfield who can both win the ball back and be creative.
Want to see what, if anything, our specialist LB can do, so Colback can be freed up for MF. Plus Diakite for JOS and I'd like to give Borini a run of games to see what he can do. Otherwise, I think the team selection is as per...
Next game is Swansea though so Ki can't play!! Agree with you cest - good line up - Diakite and Roberge are of similar quality I think so one of them with O'Shea (I know how poor O'Shea has been but without him we look even worse! How scary is that!!)
