So we will look something like: -----------------ospina------------------ Bellerin--chambers--Hayden--coquelin -----------diaby-----wilshere------------ Campbell------rosicky---------podolski ----------------Sanchez--------------- With the possibility of Sanchez, podolski or Campbell to be the one playing centrally. Expecting a couple more youth players on the bench along with a couple of experienced heads.
I have a slight concern in that they aren't our best players in terms of keeping possession but I'm still confident hey will produce going forward. It's a fairly strong front 6. The youth at the back are really going to need to step up for us not to concede goals against Southampton who will take this as a serious game. Several players that I'm interested to see play are getting the nod. Diaby, bellerin, chambers, rosicky, ospina, I'll be keeping a particular eye on.
OMG! Bleeding autocorrect, combined with an awful phone and a bumpy bus and a tired operator as led to this incomprehensible message! Please ignore! What I meant to say was - I'd prefer Gibbs on the left of defence, to give experience, a of stability and to increase his march fitness!
I'm also worried about the ability of our Fullbacks to get up and down the line to support the attack with out getting caught out positionally in defence either. Coz the overlapping fullbacks are a big part of our attack.
Bellerin is good at bombing forward, but if agree that he may struggle getting back. Coquelin is pretty athletic and I think he will be ok. Diaby and wilshere will need to put in high energy performances to cover any gaps and our wide players will have to work hard to get back and offer support.
I suppose one thing Diaby has is energy (just whether he can protect himself while protecting the defence is the question)
I'll be really happy for diaby if he can string a few games together without injury. He's a great player to have in the squad.
Could be shambolic with that back four. I think he won't risk it that much and will involve one of Koscielny or Mertesacker.
I think the prediction thread should be offering a once only offer of bonus points for predicting the minute that Diaby leaves the field injured with a muscle strain...
I think I'd prefer one experienced head in the back line to give them some leadership and organisation. But it is the league cup so I don't mind if this is the opportunity some youngsters get to prove themselves.
I know secretly we all expect him to come off injured today I really really hope he can overcome his injury issues... Or at least be available for half a season... Or even a run of games...
So far 66.7% of people who have voted in the poll for this thread have said Southampton will win... Have we had a load of Southampton fans in here looking at the thread?
Team is a predicted by nearly everyone: Ospina; Bellerin, Chambers, Hayden, Coquelin; Diaby, Wilshere, Rosicky; Alexis, Podolski, Campbell Subs: Martinez, Ajayi, Gibbs, Mertesacker, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Akpom Only interesting to see how the front 3 line up, seeing as they can all play up front or out wide. I expect Podolski up front, Alexis left and Campbell right, but I really have no idea. They'll probably swap around during the game anyways.
Really looking forward to Campbell playing tonight. With the support of Rosicky and Wilshere in MF I think he and Sanchez could really flourish tonight. The back 5 is a complete gamble, who knows how they will do ? But rather than write them off before the game starts, let's try and get behind them tonight, it could be a launch pad for a few of those players
