As the Captain said, the new boys are not eligible. Also it looks as though Amorebietta (he's a bit of a sick note, isn't he?) and Riise (grazed knee) are still out with injury. Fortunately, as I said in the other thread, tonight's U21 game has been postponed. Nonetheless, a few problem positions and few choices. Virtualy no choice but to go for Hangeland and Burn at CB. Does he risk Richardson or blood another youngster, like Tom Richards, at LB? Or play Duff there, although I doubt he's got the oxygen for another game so soon. Does he bring in the Tank or play Kasami? I'd go for Tank. Where's Dejagah (again!)? Reckon the most likely starting line-up is: ..........................Stockdale............... ..Passley.....Hangeland....Burn....Richards(on).. ..............Kara..................David..... ..Dejagah......The Tank............Kaca... .....................Hugo............
I'd play Stekelenberg rather than Stockdale - we want the morale boost that a win would give us, plus if we get through we've got a decent draw in the next round, so who knows. I know that cup runs can be a distraction for clubs in our position, but sometimes that can be a positive thing too. I want us to take the cup seriously, while also including a modest number of youngsters. That apart, it's hard to quibble with the rest of your team. I think I lean marginally towards Kasami over Tankovic, but wouldn't be sad to see either of them behind the striker. Despite his misses on Saturday, there's a case for Bent over Hugo, although whichever one of them starts, I hope they come off for Dembele with 25 minutes or more left so that he can have a proper chance to impose himself on the game. I don't know our young left back options well enough to comment, but of the senior players Richardson is probably the best bet. I'd like to see Amorebieta there for the league matches, once he's fit. Incidentally, I noticed that Passley was on the bench at the weekend, ahead of Zverotic. I hope that means he's now Rene's second choice right back after Reither.
Could we see Zverotic at LB? I remember when he signed Jol said he can play anywhere across the back line. I agree with that team too, it's a pity that we have to play our two best CBs but I suppose it's going to help our chances of qualification. I think he'll definitely play Tankovic, he seems to like him a lot (or he's playing him to try convince him to sign a new deal). I think he might go with Kasami on the right instead of Dejagah unfortunately.
Sounds promising.... @FulhamFC: Meulensteen insists he will name a strong team tomorrow and hinted some of the Club's youngsters will again feature #ffc
If anyone hasn't got tickets for tomorrow night, Marathonbet are doing a caption competition on twitter and giving away 3 pairs. Entries need to be in at 2pm today.
One of the things that's impressed me with how Rene has played the cup is his balance of youth and experience. In most (all?) cup games so far we've had a sprinking of the youngsters, but always with experienced players alongside them. We haven't, for example, gone for a back four with three untried kids, or an all-youth forward line. Even when fixture pile-up meant we had to go for a complete change of personnel against Sheffield United, many of the reserves were wise old heads. For what it's worth, I would have started with Hangeland and Burn even if we hadn't sold Senderos and Hughes this week. We want to win and they have given us as firm a foundation to the back four as anyone this season. I don't think they are still the first choice pairing either, now that Heitinga is here, but we'll have to wait for next weekend to find out about that.
True but if Hangeland gets injured would you be confident of a Heitinga - Burn partnership going into the games against United and Liverpool? I would definitely rest Hangeland if it was possible.
I wouldn't want to risk Brede, we'll need his experience. I'm not convinced Brede - Burn is a great partnership, I see Burn more as his replacement. They have done well in the circumstances though. Brede - Johnny might work well in the league. For Sheff Utd I'd go with Burn and another youngster, it's a risk but the league has to be our priority and we should have enough firepower to cover defensive frailty. The senior players who are included should give us a good indication of how Rene will be setting his team up for the remaining PL games. If Dejegah, Kaca and Kara are all involved I'll be quite worried.
Our two best young centre backs (after Burn) are both away on loan so we haven't really got much options at the moment but to play Brede unfortunately.
I'd go with whoever is fit and available, even if they haven't played or drop Parker back there and go for the throat early doors. Brede had a fair bit of game time after long lay off and need him as sharp as possible. The way Rodriguez turned him inside out wasn't inspiring.
Think that lineup is almost correct with the restrictions we've got of not being able to play the transfer players and that Hughes and Senderos have gone. The only thing is I don't think he will play Dejagah (don't ask me why he won't) but will play Kasami instead. Might just surprise us and play Riether and Stekelenberg just to keep a stable back 4 but don't think so. ..........................Stockdale............... ..Passley.....Hangeland....Burn....Richardson.. ..............Kara..................David..... ..Kasami......The Tank............Kacaniklic... .....................Hugo............
Again this could have been posted in one of a number of different threads, but because of the positives it takes into tomorrow night's game, I'm putting it here. Rene's internal video interview today - [video=youtube;3hxrEmfCDzI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hxrEmfCDzI&feature=player_embedded[/video]
a mix of youth and experience for me would be great. They've got to keep playing them. I know they won't be complacent but they do need to take this seriously. I can see it now, we'll win the FA Cup and get relegated! Bitter sweet?
Judging from the first game, I would love to us play 3 - 5 - 2. Stockers Passley Burn Amorebieta if fit Dejagah David Kara Kasami Kaka or Plumain Rodders Tankovic Kasami and David could break up the play and Kara could sweep, taking the pressure off the back three. We need to take the game to them and keep their full backs deep. Pushing Plumain or kaka onto their left back.
My team controversial as it may seem, stockdale Passley Hang... Burn Brister Kara (Pluman, Sambou) Dej The Tank, Roberts Woodrow RES Parker Hugo,Reither. Pluman Sambou either or. would not Play the youngsters for the full 90min Mind you the first team squad dont play for 90min ?
