Just taking a look through the stills from the training activity today at the SOL and got to wondering whether those wearing white bibs in the actual game featured were the current starting 11 for Saturday Most in white look like logical starters but if my sketchy theory is right: In - Catts, Wes, Anton, Sess, Elmo, Gardiner, Seb, Asamoah Out - Ricco, Colback I wonder.
Interesting. Not sure if I'd read too much into it though. Only time will tell I wouldn't be too disappointed if that was the case though. Would be harsh on Colback mind.
Agreed, idle speculation really. Also agree the Colback point but am also surprised that Gardiner didn't get into starting 11 on Saturday gone. Time will tell as you say
I agree with this. I like Colback, but just think for this game Gardner will be more physical and will provide a goal threat from CM
Keeping Colback back to replace Cattermole after his (inevitable) yellow card? This is one game where we don't want to see Catts scared to tackle after 15 minutes, or the support scared if he does.
Doesn;t Cattermole start every game with a yellow card - simply because he's Cattermole - thought is was the 20th law after the common sense one...
i thought catts has looked very good in pre season and he was class against liverpool, this is the first season since he signed for us (i think) that he has had a proper pre-season, i expect big things from him this year.
Problem with this Smithy is that the "Best players in training" can't always cut it (as per Roy Keane/Darryl Murphy and Henderson last season - Looked great in training but not quite as good on the field - Although Henderson was nowehere near as bad as Murphy!)
I am sure Bruce will put out what he thinks is the best 11 based on training, experience and mental strength. Remember last year we got beat by the metal side of the equation so the best players physically might not be the best players for this particular game. I would go for experience. My team (if all fit) would be: Migg Bardo Anton Brown Oshea Larson Catts Gardener Ricco Sess Gyan Harsh on Colback I know but he is local and young his emotions might get the better of him at the start of the game, for those exact reasons he might be a brilliant sub to bring on. Also Elmo has been poor in high pressure matches, again harsh on him as he played well against Liverpool but that's what a squad is for.
Good shout - Elmo took an elbow in the away derby last season (intentional and unpunished) and disappeared - Malbranque took a very high and very dirty challenge off Tiote as well and this nullified him in the same game - we need people who will stand up to this and I think that's a cracking team - as you say harsh on Colback but he will make an excellent sub - hope O'Shea is fit to play - Brown and Catts were awesome against Liverpool (as was Colback) - think Wes brown may turn into an excellent signing
I'm glad a lot of you are picking Anton in your teams. It's good we kept him and I hope we give him an extension as I think he's in his last year.
