Changes for Blackburn?

Don't play Elliot. He's really not good. He's been signed as back-up, because unlike our other keepers, he's not good enough to get a game elsewhere right now (possibly ever)

 

I'd expect Pardew to give Jonas a rest. He's looked knackered recently.

 

So if he's not good enough to play against Blackburn, why on earth is he ahead of Harper in the pecking order?

Personally, the players I'd drop from the Man U game in addition to Tiote and Ba are Cabaye, Colo, Raylor, and Jonas. Gosling and Abeid in the centre, Ferguson and Obertan on the wings, and Benny up front with Shola. Perch and Willo should be a decent* CB pairing too.

* if hardly world-beating.

EDIT: And I'd play Elliot in goal, just cause.

 

I'd play Santon in CM for about 20 minutes with Ben Arfa starting in goal.

Every minute on the pitch will help them.

<run><ski>

 

I'm pretty sure in November Pards said he was putting Elliot on the bench so he could build up experience with the players, get used to the size of the stadium etc. so he knows what to expect. I'm sure he said if something happens to Tim, Harps would be stand in keeper.

 

wouldn't be surprised if streete was in the squad it looks like he was involved in first team training today.

 

I would love to see HBA have a blinder if he gets the chance Saturday

 

Harper's on the way out, so like it or not Elliot is the cover. I'd prefer he had a few decent matches for us before being thrown in at PL level should Krul get injured.

 

Very true.

As for the rest of the team I really hope we play a strong but not full strength team. With Cabaye Guthrie and Tiote all looking unlikely to feature I'd expect to see Gosling and Vuckic in the middle (hopefully anyway!) and maybe get a look at Abeid if we're winning comfortably/need someone a bit more defensive. I hope to see Ferguson finally. I was really looking forward to seeing him this season but so far if missed all the league cup games and he hasn't played in the league I don't think.

Also Benny behind Best as my ideal striking partnership. I'd imagine Best will be our first choice once Ba's off so a good game here may help regain some confidence which appears to have gone missing recently

 

I hope Abeid plays, neither Vuckic nor Gosling is a defensive midfielder and I like us to have one in the team.

 

Abeid will start me thnks

 

Krul

Simpson - Willo - Colo - Fergie

Obertan - Perch - Vuckic - Sammy

Best - Benny