My guess - and I'm pinning my fantasy league selection on this - is that Senderos starts in the centre, with Hughes at right back. To be honest, even if we sign a RB now, Jol might decide it's too soon to pitch him into the site this weekend.
Or assuming we don't have a nex right back by saturday, jol should stick with hughes at centre-half and bairdinho at right back. This consistently worked last season so until someone new comes there should be no reason to change it.
I had wondered about that, but if Jol liked that idea I would have expected him to try it in one of the Europa games by now. Maybe if Salcido does get back in the team, that will be what it takes to get Rocky posting again.
who do think will be the best right back to play against Villa if they do have N'Zongbia playing? for me its got to be Baird but tell him not to advance too far forward,
I think N'Zogbia is exactly the kind of winger that Baird has struggled against in the past. Admittedly I haven't seen Hughes at right back for myself, so I can't compare, but Baird frightens me for the Villa game.
Baird would struggle but judging Hughes on the Europa games he'd struggle too. N'Zogbia is a super winger, quick, tricky, scores goals and can cross the ball. Its going to take someone to whack him early to let him know. But the cards are a worry too. With Warnock on the overlap they are strong accross the back 4. We always seem to do better at Villa Park than at home against them.
Yeah Baird would struggle, but it seems hes the best option we've got. I remember against liverpool he was destroyed by maxi and suarez, though hopefully if he doesn't get too out of position he'll do ok. Regardless, as long as Darren Bent is playing, the number of times that nzogbia goes past our right back will become irrelevant due to Bent's remarkable lack of ability to stay onside!
Sorry to say this all fellow supporters but I see a 3 ~ 1 win for Villa, all coming from attacks on our right flank. " I do hope I am so wrong"
If he's selected, and I sincerely hope he is to partner Hangeland, it will be Aaron's 400th premiership appearance. We seem to forget he was Mr 100% last year - played in every prem game and no bookings. I also remember a slightly shaky Hangeland when he started with the club (nothing distressing, but a bit dodgy in positional play) and how Hughes mentored him. Since then they have become a dependable and quite formidable pairing - sticking with last year, we only lost 11 games; bettered by only 5 other clubs. So here's to that 400 milestone and Aaron equalling last year's goal tally by getting 1 tomorrow against his old club.
