Morgan and Cork once sgain produced the most dynamic performances and both covered 11km, maybe if they stop giving the bloody ball away then they would not have to run so far (both with low 60% pass completion rate) which is too low. JWP at least does not give the ball away so I would have him at least on the subs bench. With Arse playing Podolski out wide we must attack thier fullbacks as he does not get back much to help
Yes we need to be on the front foot from the start. Need Morgan and Cork to allow Gaston space to weave some magic!
I guess it depends how much Adkins wants to keep Jay in the team, based on his (impressive sounding) performance against Stoke. If Nigel decides to keep Jay in the team, alongside Lambert, then I don't see how Ramirez can get into the starting XI without being played out wide. They'd be little point keeping Jay in the team, but moving him out to wide left, as you're taking him out of the position in which he played so well to persuade you to keep him in the team. But yes, without any doubt it's not Ramirez's best position.
I'm not convinced we should be playing Rodriguez against Arsenal. We should go back to 4-2-3-1 with Guly on the left, Ramirez in the middle and Puncheon on the right. I know Guly doesn't really play on the left but where did his cross for Rickie's goal on Saturday come from?
That too would be my formation and attack - I've already said that on here. My one worry though, and I know that it's completely wrong, is that potential negative affect that a lot of the crowd might have on the team with regards to Guly playing. He's hated by so many Saints fans, and they have no qualms in making their views heard. Playing Arsenal is hard enough at the best of times, let alone when sections of your own fans are booing one of your own. Guly's whole display will be under the microscope. We need 100% support tomorrow if we're going to get a result. I know this is neither Adkins' fault nor Guly's. The problem, 100%, is those fans who are booing. But (seriously) what can we do about it? Can hardly chuck them all out. Adkins can however, unfortunately, elect to not start Guly (at home, any way).
I think the crowd will get behind the whole team tomorrow. We are underdogs and that's when the crowd are most vociferous in my experience.
Only a vociferous few...most can see what Guly brings to the team. He may not be a regular first eleven player, but he is the player Adkins looks to for his versatility.
I wouldn't worry about a repeat of those poor passing stats. We pretty much matched Stoke's style of play to try and keep the ball away from our goal, which actually worked quite well for most of the game. Have to give credit to Adkins for showing those who say he lacks a plan B, 45% possession for us (against Stoke as well) show this was definitely plan B! As for Guly, I thought he did well playing on the left and should be given another chance, which probably does mean Rodriguez will have to drop to the bench. Bit harsh on him but no room for sentiment in this game!
I just got 70/1 for us to win 2-1 with Lambert scoring 1st. So that is exactly what is going to happen!
That was an inevitable consequence of the style we were trying to play. Lots of longer and more direct passes that were more likely to get cut out. Morgan and Cork are both very capable of passing a football. Stoke's masterstroke was to bring Whitehead on in the middle to give them a level of dynamism that we couldn't match. Morgan and Cork are fit players, but they had their work cut out matching up to another fit player with fresh legs. I'd have Davis and JWP on the bench nice and warmed up, because chances are we'll need them to keep up the grind in the middle.
I hope that Guly starts on the left tomorrow, as he was effective there v Stoke - i just dont think that there will be a problem with our fans booing him, i see many references to it on here after he has played but i have not heard significant booing from where i sit. People grumble and discuss Guly's inclusion but i have not heard loud wholesale booing of him this season. If they do then they should be shot !
I reckon that's our best team and formation for tomorrow, almost picks itself. And it's preferable to have Guly as an outside player of the middle three meaning he isn't too wide - this relies on Shaw supporting and coming forward which I guess we won't see too much of against Arsenal.
You may not be able to stop the idiots that boo the likes of Guly, but if when he is subbed on, or when he comes onto the pitch those of us who are not idiots start the Guly song then they wouldn't be heard anyway.
